Lenses for airshow

merv

merv

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Mervyn
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I have a NIkon 300/2.8 and the new TC 20E III converter but was thinking is this too long for in flight stuff at an airshow giving 60mm reach on my D300. Would the TC14E be more than adequate although I understand the 2x is much superior optically due to the aspherical element. How good is the 1.4x and will I notice the degradation in IQ? merv:thinking:
 
Merv, that set up will be perfect. The new 2 x is better than the 1.4 in my opinion. I have both.
The only thing I would be adding to your set up if funds allowed is a 70-200mm.
Just for the close up shots. But a 18-200mm would work ok on the D300 and then you can cover the statics too. It is never ending mate...

Kev.
 
Hi Kev good to hear from you again with your pearls of wisdom. I already have the 70-200 VRII so do you feel I would be wasting my money having the 1.4TC also as well as the 2xIII. How big a handful is the 300/2.8 with the 2x TC? I'm thinking of handshake etc. I have a grandstand seat at the Cotswold show, a new feature, which allegedly is strategically positioned for viewing and togging. I have read your other threads on aircraft photography and they are most useful. You must excuse me if I ask a question more than once! It goes with age..and lack of knowledge!! If you had the D300 and 700 and 300/2.8 and 70-200 lenses what combo would you suggest for each camera? Possibly another repeat questio!! Good luck and regards. merv:thinking::bang:
 
If I may intervene, I use a canon 40D with a 70-200 for airshows and that's just enough for large airliners or formation flights. When I shoot single fighter jets, I would prefer having more reach. Perhaps 300mm on a cropped sensor, 600mm can be very interesting but probably too much. The combo I would use is the D300+300mm for aerobatics and fighters, then D700+70-200 for larger displays and maybe static. This is less a problem for Nikon but with canon, you must also consider the speed of your AF system. Keep the fastest(cropped sensor) for the fastest planes (makes sense no?) and the slowest (full frame) for higher res/quality shots. Hope that helps!
 
Thanks Jacques and Gary that is very useful. Haven't tried hand holding the 300 with 2x TC. How feasible is it? I suppose the shutter speed will have to be at least 1/600 sec (reciprocal rule of thumb) and probably a lot more for jets anyway. merv:clap:
 
One thing to consider might be the available space around you in the grandstand. I turned up at Silverstone with a 300mm 2.8 on my 40D a couple of years ago - but couldn't use it properly in the grandstands because I would have been close to knocking people with it! I guess the 70-200 is smaller...
 
Hi Merv

Everything will be moving so you don't need to be as steady as taking something that isn't moving.
I normally shoot props around the 1/160sec to 1/250 sec.Different aircraft will give different results
eg A Tucano will give a full disc at 1/125 sec.

For the jets I would always try and shoot at 1/500 sec.Obviously,the higher the better.

Helicopters at 1/80 to 1/125 sec.

If the stand is full of other togs which it probably will be there's no need to bother about hitting other people with the lens.Everyone will be moving in the same direction.It's actually worth getting used to shooting while sitting down.It's feels totally different to standing up-especially when shooting a jet doing 600+ mph.

Over 20,000 aviation pics up on my site to give you an idea of what to expect.

Cheers
Gary
 
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Hi Merv, sorry for the delay in replying. Handholding the 300mm with the tc isn't too bad. It gets a bit heavy by the end of the day, but I only ever handhold when shooting aircraft.
Get yourslef over hear for Waddington or RIAT mate and we will meet up! It'll be a good day at either. RIAT is without a doubt, the better one.
Regarding your question, i use the 300mm and 2 x on the D3s (fullframe) and the 70-200mm on the D300. Works perfectly for me mate at all airshows. Sometimes I will just use the 300mm on the D3s.

Kev.
 
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Hi Kev. I wanted to go to RIAT but the wife didnt want a July hol due to the holiday period although I dont think the English schools stop until late July. Anyhow June was the compromise hence Kemble. Lovely countryside. Doing Devon for a week first then Cotswolds for week. Yes I see if you put the 300 onto the full frame with the 2xTC it will take out the very long reach that the cropped 300 would have - wouldnt that knock it back to an effective 400mm reach? Have I got that right? But then would the 70-200 on the D300 be used for large planes, formations like the Reds and statics etc as 200mm at in flight objects like small jets might not be enough?
So much gear and so little knowledge. Anyway keeps experts like you on their toes.
Vulcan where can I see all these pics?
merv:clap:
 
Hi Merv

The way airshows are going you will need a 1000mm to get decent shots before long.I would try the 300 on the D300(with and without the tcon).The 70-200 is nice for things like the reds and bigger aircraft.
At RIAT last year I found myself using the 1D4 with a 400mm and 1.4 tcon virtually stuck together for the flying displays and for things like the Gripens that was still a bit on the short side.

My pics are at

www.garyforsyth.smugmug.com

Cheers
Gary
 
Anyone going to the Cold War Jets Open Day at Bruntingthorpe later this month?

http://www.fast-air.co.uk/bruntingthorpe-open-day-100530/

http://www.bruntingthorpe.com/aircraft-museum.htm

http://www.lightnings.org.uk/

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=108701

Should be a good crack for toggers. I wrote to the Lightning Preservation Group and they said there are no restrictions as to what you can/can't photograph on the EEL's.

All I need now is someone to push me around in my wheelchair then I'm sorted (Sony/Minolta shooters need only apply).
 
My brother will be there with the Canberra. He is ex RAF from the Canberra squadron that was at Marham. Now he helps out there on the Buccaneer too.
Might see if I can get a freebie!
 
Chap's thanks for details about open day, not able to make May open, but noticed one in August, Great!!!
 
Here you go Merv, 200mm at Riat on the D300 body:

DSC_6820b.jpg


I tend to use the 300mm on the d3s with 2 x converter or just the 300mm on the d3s and the 70-200mm with the 2 x converter since I sold the 200-400mm.
That still gives me 400mm at 5.6 and much lighter to handhold.

Kev.
 
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Super photo Kev - you certainly are a devotee of the 2xIII converter. I suppose I'll just have to play around with various combos between the D300 and 700. Was offered £1150 tradein for the 700 against the D3s with 4600 actuations - worth it?! merv:bang:
 
Maybe because I usually only get to smaller airshows I don't need 600mm. My airshow lenses are 300F4 and 150-500 on the Pentax and 100-400 and a prime (TBD) on the 7D.
 
merv said:
Super photo Kev - you certainly are a devotee of the 2xIII converter. I suppose I'll just have to play around with various combos between the D300 and 700. Was offered £1150 tradein for the 700 against the D3s with 4600 actuations - worth it?! merv:bang:
Click to expand...


Just do it. You will never regret it. :thumbs:

Kev.
 
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