RIAT (Fairford airshow) - What lens?

FlyTVR

FlyTVR

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I don't normally shoot aircraft, but I thought I'd take my camera along to Fairford this year.

As the longest lens I have is a 200 F2.8, I was thinking of hiring a lens for the weekend. This is where I need your help. I don’t want to spend mega money, so what can I get for say £60 that would be suitable? Body is a 5DII btw.

I've got tickets for the Sunday, and was planning on walking around the perimeter on Sat. I'm guessing I could get some good shots at the 26 threshold even with the 200mm?
 
At a guess if you're inside, 300mm should be long enough, i was outside Waddo this weekend and sometimes i needed the full 500mm at times where you can park nearly a mile away.
I have no connection at home so i can't post any photo's yet :(
 
FlyTVR said:
I don't normally shoot aircraft, but I thought I'd take my camera along to Fairford this year.

As the longest lens I have is a 200 F2.8, I was thinking of hiring a lens for the weekend. This is where I need your help. I don’t want to spend mega money, so what can I get for say £60 that would be suitable? Body is a 5DII btw.

I've got tickets for the Sunday, and was planning on walking around the perimeter on Sat. I'm guessing I could get some good shots at the 26 threshold even with the 200mm?
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Having been to Fairford (although camping outside the airshow) for the past couple of years, friends who have ventured into the show have mentioned that the display line is getting further away from the crowd (some resorting to 500 or 600mm primes). Of the members who posted images from last year, the 100-400mm was used with success, however that was on a cropped sensor body (effectively giving you a 160-640mm lens), so perhaps you might be looking at one of the sigma's (like 150-500mm) to give you that extra reach on a FF body as you need it.

I'd recommend get to the show early if you want a front row spot
 
I used to work there so I know the airfield inside out :)

There are viewing areas outside that you are encouraged to use rather than roaming around the perimeter. (A lot of it has no pavements and is too dangerous)

Lens length I would recommend a 400mm so the Canon 100-400mm should be OK. On the 5DII you may have to crop a bit but you should have the resolution to do so.

HTH
 
AliB said:
I used to work there so I know the airfield inside out :)

There are viewing areas outside that you are encouraged to use rather than roaming around the perimeter. (A lot of it has no pavements and is too dangerous)

Lens length I would recommend a 400mm so the Canon 100-400mm should be OK. On the 5DII you may have to crop a bit but you should have the resolution to do so.

HTH
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What work did you do there Ali?
 
Graham00 said:
At a guess if you're inside, 300mm should be long enough, i was outside Waddo this weekend and sometimes i needed the full 500mm at times where you can park nearly a mile away.
I have no connection at home so i can't post any photo's yet :(
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I was inside Waddo and it felt like some of the planes were displaying at Coningsby, they were that far away :thumbsdown:. I was using a 120 - 400 Sigma lens and a 5d Mk1, and it struggled on a lot of shots.

Your position in relation to the VIP tent or main grandstand also makes a difference. The closer you are, the better it will be, although the more crowded it will be, as the display favours this position.
 
AliB said:
I used to work there so I know the airfield inside out :)

There are viewing areas outside that you are encouraged to use rather than roaming around the perimeter. (A lot of it has no pavements and is too dangerous)
HTH
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not wishing to hijack the thread, is it possible to get good viewing outside of Fairford
 
Yes - either threshold or the live side - usually to the North. Obviously encouraged to use official viewing area.
 
I was armed Police :)

When the US had planes stationed there (both Gulf Wars and some other stuff they had) we used to have to work the perimeter to make sure nobody got into the airfield in case the US armed presence shot anyone! There were still a lot of protesters willing to take their chances and it was our job to try to discourage them from placing themselves in danger. We were essentially used as a buffer between the two to try to minimise the risk to the protesters and the potential of an international incident. :)

I've sat in a police car at the end of a runway and had B52's hurtling over my head, seen some amazing tech, witnessed two air crashes and eaten a lot of pizza! ;)

The viewing areas are generally pretty well thought out. If you are really serious about photographing the planes, try looking up "Friends of RIAT" I know they used to run an association that allowed access to the stands on the airfield on practice day and even gave tours of the place" Might be worth seeing if they still do it. :)
 
AliB said:
I was armed Police :)

When the US had planes stationed there (both Gulf Wars and some other stuff they had) we used to have to work the perimeter to make sure nobody got into the airfield in case the US armed presence shot anyone! There were still a lot of protesters willing to take their chances and it was our job to try to discourage them from placing themselves in danger. We were essentially used as a buffer between the two to try to minimise the risk to the protesters and the potential of an international incident. :)

I've sat in a police car at the end of a runway and had B52's hurtling over my head, seen some amazing tech, witnessed two air crashes and eaten a lot of pizza! ;)

The viewing areas are generally pretty well thought out. If you are really serious about photographing the planes, try looking up "Friends of RIAT" I know they used to run an association that allowed access to the stands on the airfield on practice day and even gave tours of the place" Might be worth seeing if they still do it. :)
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Sounds like an amazing job! Fairford's isn't a hive of activity these days!

A few years ago I got invited onto the base by the logistics head (can't recall his rank). Sat and watched the practice from the 'live side'. Amazing watching the aircraft perform the display right over my head!!!

I'm like a big kid - can't wait util the show :)
 
FlyTVR said:
I don't normally shoot aircraft, but I thought I'd take my camera along to Fairford this year.

As the longest lens I have is a 200 F2.8, I was thinking of hiring a lens for the weekend. This is where I need your help. I don’t want to spend mega money, so what can I get for say £60 that would be suitable? Body is a 5DII btw.

I've got tickets for the Sunday, and was planning on walking around the perimeter on Sat. I'm guessing I could get some good shots at the 26 threshold even with the 200mm?
Click to expand...

Give Stuart a call http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/index.asp a Canon 100-400 is available from £64 and would do the job for you.

LAWRENCE
 
I'm taking the trusty 17-55 mm F2.8 L USM. I did some test shots this morning and was quite pleased with the result. I'll post some of the RIAT ones after the event.

Cheesy
 
I'll take the 70-200 f/2.8, won't get much of a chance on the show days as I'm busy working in the FRIAT marquee. Do get to wander around the static on Thursday before the cones and rope are put out. Looking forward to it :thumbs:

Heading down at 05:00 on Tuesday morning and should arrive about 08:00. Just in time to register, dump me kit into the room and get a cooked brekky down me neck before work starts :bonk:
 
Cheesy said:
I'm taking the trusty 17-55 mm F2.8 L USM. I did some test shots this morning and was quite pleased with the result. I'll post some of the RIAT ones after the event.

Cheesy
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Get some nice dust specs in the shot with that! Oh wait,... some nice wide angle air to air from your seat!
 
I'm taking my Sigma 120-300 2.8 with a 1.4x tc, worked quite well last year. Found I could do with a little more reach at times but then others I was missing shots as I could back out far enough :shrug: Might get a 2x tc to play with??

Just bought a 7D so could use my 40D with another lens but I need the funds and my mate I going with wants to buy it and use it at the show, oh well :lol:
 
I'd be tempted down either the 300 f4 or 400 f5.6 route, both at £61 though bear in mind you'll have to pay to return the lens (lenses for hire). Length wise on full frame I reckon the 400 would be the better of the two.
 
Not been before. Reckon I'll take the 200-400mm with the D3s and D300. just incase I need to use the cropped sensor for that bit more.

Kev.
 
Well I will be taking the 100-400, then the 24-105 for the statics, as long as they haven't moved the display line since last they should be adequate. Mind you the sheer volume of people can place you a fair way off the display line if your not there early....
 
Last time I was there I took my 300f2.8 and 1dmk2 and the combo was fine.
 
King_Boru said:
Get some nice dust specs in the shot with that! Oh wait,... some nice wide angle air to air from your seat!
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HawkT2leading19SqnHawkT14.jpg


The rest can be found in the Transport section!
 
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