Red Arrows Help

milster

milster

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Gary
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On Wednesday I'll be attempting to get some shots of the Red Arrows as they do a display in my home town. I'll be using my new Sigma 150-500mm (It'll only be the second time of using it) on my Nikon d3100. Never shot anything like this before so any help and advise would be very appreciated.

Thanks,

Gary.
 
Easy Gary. With that lens, you will need good light. But set to shutter priority (1/1250s) and fire away.
I hope the weather plays ball for you and look forward to seeing your shots.

Kev.
 
Ha, simple as that! Cheers Kev. So far the weather is looking ok but there's plenty of time for that to change :)
 
Have a great time. This was shot at 1/800s in dire light, so use the 1/1250s as a starting point and adjust according to how you are getting on. Don't be afraid to up the shutter speed. It's not as if you are shooting prop aircraft. :thumbs:


DSC_0898b by kas10, on Flickr


Kev.
 
before they start put in a empty memory card (big capacity) if you have one
set the camera to ai servo auto focus sorry not sure what they call the nikon version
set a shutter speed of around 1/1000th or above if conditions allow up iso if necessary
fire away in short bursts
dont always go for close ups try to capture some distance shots as well with the planes in formation with the smoke trails etc
if you get chance go out before hand a practise a bit of panning very helpfull for shooting planes
but most of all enjoy it
 
with the D3100 keep focus in continuos mode go in shutter priority mode, 1/1000, put iso up or down according to light, if you have trouble tracking planes keep zoom in for better field of view then zoom out and track, as said no props to worry about so you can play with ss, good luck
 
milster

I'd advise using aperture priority with that lens. Using Kev's suggestion, if it's anything but perfect, you'll be asking the lens to deliver an aperture it can't deliver.
If it's dull go for the wide open aperture option, if sunny, then stop down by one or 2 stops.
Not only does it work as in this example, it saves the risk of running out of aperture.

7871983868_34d8dc7f57_b.jpg
 
Hi guys, just another couple of questions. Optical stabilisation off or on? And presumably single point focus?

Thanks.
 
I would say, center group fousing, Av on the sharpest your lens will do if light allows.
also use a monopod if you're at 500mm
OS on as you'll be shooting at high shutter speeds hopefully. as mentioned, no probs with freezing the prop
and here's one or two of mine :)


IMG_8459 by DizMatt, on Flickr

IMG_8326 by DizMatt, on Flickr
 
Thanks for the help Matt. I don't have a monopod yet, it's something I'm thinking about for the future so I'm just gonna have to do my best hand held. Also I don't have centre group focus on my camera. I hear the lens is at it's sharpest between f8-f11 so I'll try for that I think.

Nice shots everyone by the way, hopefully I'll manage some close to these :D
 
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