Small Airshows Can Be Big Fun...

I use Photoshop CS. I get the pic the way I want it, then I convert it to sRGB, then use PS CS to convert it to 800 on the long side and use" Bicubic sharper" to resize for the web. Then I save using the " save for web" tool" that reduces the file even further. I use to only post 40-50Kb files for dial up users....but now I see files of at least 115-200kb so I,m using about 115Kb as my rule of thumb....

Jeff "Sonny Red"

Great shot! Thus pilot was a real maniac....I loved his performance. A real throw back to barnstorming airshow days!
Jeff "Sonny Red"

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.......Glad you left a comment.....appreciate it

Jeff "Sonny Red"

Some of mine

Jay, these are excellent. Very cool...What plane is that in pics 2 and 4? I have not seen that plane here in the states. You need to give us a little more detail....what airshow...where...and what lens ect.....you captured some awsome shots! Thank you for comments and ading some cool pics to thje thread..
Jeff "Sonny Red"

I'm not an avaition guy, but those are quite impressive. Some look as if you were up there with them in shooting from another plane.

David
http://www.djacobs.net

Sonny Red said:

Jay, these are excellent. Very cool...What plane is that in pics 2
and 4? I have not seen that plane here in the states. You need to
give us a little more detail....what airshow...where...and what
lens ect.....you captured some awsome shots! Thank you for
comments and ading some cool pics to thje thread..
Jeff "Sonny Red"

Click to expand...

Thanks Jeff

These pics were taken at the Ysterplaat and Waterkloof Airshows in South Africa. The camera and exif settings are in the pics, mostly a D70. The lenses are a 70-200VR with a 1.4TC (280mm) or the Bigma. All are shot handheld.

The planes are:

1. Blackburn Buccaneer
2. Jet Provost
3. Buccaneer
4. TurboDak (torboprop DC3)
5. Duplicate Buccaneer (sorry)
6. SAAF Astra (Pilatus PC7)
7. SAAF Cheetah (Mirage III variant)
8. Illushin
9. L39
10. Astra again
11. Buccaneer again
12. EE Lightning trainer
13. EE Lightning fighter
14. SAA B747
15. Avro Schakleton (last one flying)

Sorry for all the duplicates of the Buccaneer - I love watching it fly....

With a long lens and if the plane banks just the right way, or you get it at 3/4 angle and they fly low enough, you get that effect like you are up there right next to 'em.....

Jeff "Sonny Red"

Sonny Red

Impressive images.

I’m planning to go to the local air show in a week time. Will be using D70 with Sigma 70-300 APO. Any tips?
Thanks.

Zheka,
here is part of an email answering a very similar question;

Nikon 28 -200 mm f3.5 –f5.6 G(IF) & Nikon 70 -300 f4 –f 5.6G which is the best lens to use and should I use S mode at fast speed and single metering ,we have good weather with no clouds at all .

I have a Nikon D50

Thanks in advance and keep up the good work

Noel

Hi Noel. That looks like a great airshow. I used a 70-300 before I bought the Sigma 50-500mm. I think the 28-200mm might be a little short unless they fly very close, or they are formation flying with several planes. I think the 70-300 is a good lens.

Single metering is good, and using S mode is correct. But make sure for propeller airplanes you shoot at 1/400 or less. Mine were all at 1/320, except for the high RPM stunt planes.

The trick is to try to not shake while your at 250-300mm and using 1/320! Bombers from WWII I use 1/250.

Jets just use as high of a shutter speed as you can. If you lens is it's sharpest at say F8, then see what the shutter speed is. If it's sunny, you should easily be at 1/800 or better. I use both AF-S, and AF-C for focus modes...I tend to like the continuous focus mode a little better. Try to anticipate where the planes are going to be doing their routines (ask someone who's looks like they have been there before), and grab a good spot.
Post some pics....you should get some keepers with the 70-300mm! Good Luck....

Jeff

Thanks a lot mate.
I will give it a go if weather will be ok.

Hi Jeff,

Glad you made it to another show and posted some shots, it's pretty much all finished over here now.

As usual these are of the highest quality, I know what to expect when I click on one of your threads.

It's hard to pick a favourite as I like them all so much but I'll go for the B-17, the angle you chose and the fact the shot is so clean and sharp makes it my winner.
Once again fine work Jeff, a pleasure to view.
--
http://www.pbase.com/andydunn