Red Bull Air Race - Canon 70-300 IS Enough?

bkb76 · Oct 10, 2007

Hi all,

Here in Perth, Western Australia, we have the Red Bull Air Race coming up on the 3-4 November.

Having recently purchased the Canon 70-300 IS, I naturally want to make a showing and attempt to take some shots. On my 350D, it 'should' have enough length.

Is there anyone out there who has used this lens for aerial photography of a fast nature? I say 'fast nature' because these small planes seem to zip around all over the place.

So what do you think? Will the lens perform? Any hints or tips? Any other thoughts?

Cheers
Bart

Nello · Oct 10, 2007

Hi Bart,

It is not an easy thing to do shooting airplanes you know

I've been trying kinda the same thing. The 350d is an entry camera level when it comes to AF speed that means you would be able to keep focus locked on fast targets with the 350d BUT ONLY if the target runs paralell to your camera/sensor plane (say from your left to the right). BUT if the target moves fast towards you or away from you you're hopeless with the 350d (your lens is perfectly capable with a 30d/40d or a mark II/III). I pushed the 350d AF system to it's paces with the fastest focusing Canon lens (the 100mm F2 prime-ring type USM) and the results were dissapointing: the 350d has a very very hard time tracking a dog running at full speed towards you,let alone an airplane or a car for that matter. But I guess you couldn't ask more from a 500 $ camera

CONCLUSION: if you try to get the shots on a side to side movement you should get a few keepers (keep the shutter speeds as high as possible and AI Servo of course). You might want to use the Custom Fn. that allows you set the AF on the * button and the AE (exposure lock) on the shutter button. This is ESSENTIAL when the target is moving fast...the airplane might change light levels in a matter of seconds. ALSO use the center-weighted mettering since the 350d doesn't have a spot met. Here's an example of a dog running at full speed (about 15mph):

--

Canon 350d + Tokina 12-24mm F4 Pro + Sigma 18-50mm + Canon 50mm 1.8 + Sigma 50mm 2.8 Macro + Canon 100mm F2 USM + Canon 70-300mm USM IS

Brit · Oct 10, 2007

I don’t have that specific lens, but since there have been no replies in 3hrs…

Based on reviews and other comments on this lens - the focus speed of the 70-300IS may be a bit slow if you will be shooting in AIServo mode.
The reach will likely be a little short as well.

The best affordable lenses would be the 100-400IS or the 400/5.6. Depending on where you are (distance from the planes), these lenses may even be a little short.
Brit

Brit · Oct 10, 2007

Perhaps I have an exception 350D but I’ve been pretty happy with the focus speed for airshows and such. I've found the lens focus speed and accuracy to be more important. Below are a few taken with the 350D with the plane flying toward me.

The 350D did reasonably well even with the fairly low shutter speed.

Canon EOS 350D
1/250s f/13.0 at 400.0mm iso100

And a faster moving aircraft

Canon EOS 350D
1/1000s f/8.0 at 400.0mm iso200

My 400D AF also performs well.

Brit

Nello said:
Hi Bart,
It is not an easy thing to do shooting airplanes you know I've
been trying kinda the same thing. The 350d is an entry camera level
when it comes to AF speed that means you would be able to keep focus
locked on fast targets with the 350d BUT ONLY if the target runs
paralell to your camera/sensor plane (say from your left to the
right). BUT if the target moves fast towards you or away from you
you're hopeless with the 350d (your lens is perfectly capable with a
30d/40d or a mark II/III). I pushed the 350d AF system to it's paces
with the fastest focusing Canon lens (the 100mm F2 prime-ring type
USM) and the results were dissapointing: the 350d has a very very
hard time tracking a dog running at full speed towards you,let alone
an airplane or a car for that matter. But I guess you couldn't ask
more from a 500 $ camera CONCLUSION: if you try to get the shots
on a side to side movement you should get a few keepers (keep the
shutter speeds as high as possible and AI Servo of course). You might
want to use the Custom Fn. that allows you set the AF on the * button
and the AE (exposure lock) on the shutter button. This is ESSENTIAL
when the target is moving fast...the airplane might change light
levels in a matter of seconds. ALSO use the center-weighted mettering
since the 350d doesn't have a spot met. Here's an example of a dog
running at full speed (about 15mph):

--
Canon 350d + Tokina 12-24mm F4 Pro + Sigma 18-50mm + Canon 50mm 1.8 +
Sigma 50mm 2.8 Macro + Canon 100mm F2 USM + Canon 70-300mm USM IS

Jovo · Oct 10, 2007

Last year I used a 400D with 400mm f5.6L shooting from the 19th floor of a building on Terrace Road overlooking the airstrip. The lens was perfect for getting shots of aircraft taking off and landing, but when it came to getting up close as they flew around the pylons it was far too short.

This time I will try taking the shots from the South Perth foreshore, but suspect the lens will still be too short.

Don't forget the Extreme Gravity Games in December.

bkb76 said:
Hi all,

Here in Perth, Western Australia, we have the Red Bull Air Race
coming up on the 3-4 November.

Having recently purchased the Canon 70-300 IS, I naturally want to
make a showing and attempt to take some shots. On my 350D, it
'should' have enough length.

Is there anyone out there who has used this lens for aerial
photography of a fast nature? I say 'fast nature' because these
small planes seem to zip around all over the place.

So what do you think? Will the lens perform? Any hints or tips?
Any other thoughts?

Cheers
Bart

Nello · Oct 10, 2007

I have to try this again it seems...if you did it than we can do it too

Las time I tried to shoot some ducks water landing fast in front of me but with no luck..problaly I need to refine my skills then. By the way, awesome shots of the airplanes there!! thanks a lot.
--

Canon 350d + Tokina 12-24mm F4 Pro + Sigma 18-50mm + Canon 50mm 1.8 + Sigma 50mm 2.8 Macro + Canon 100mm F2 USM + Canon 70-300mm USM IS

WanderHeel · Oct 10, 2007

I've never used any telezoom other than the 70-300IS on a Rebet XT, so I may not know how good it gets. I'm sure there are better/faster options, but my opinion is that it will work just fine as long as you can keep the center focus point on the plane. The lens takes a long time to focus, once it looses the object you can forget about it. Good luck. These shots are from SF last year.

--
I started out on Burgandy, but soon I hit the harder stuff.

Phileas Fogg · Oct 10, 2007

The flying displays are far enough away that your lens will be focused to infinity anyways.

The 70-300 F4.0-5.6 lens will be fast enough in daylight to photograph an air show. The worst one may have to do is bump up ISO a bit if the day is cloudy.

300mm reach even with a cropped camera may but a little short but not to much IMO.

--
visit my photo gallery of images from my 10D

http://phileas.fotopic.net/c258181.html

b3amos · Oct 10, 2007

I can't comment on your 350D, but I've had good luck with the 70-300 at air shows on my 20d.

Sample image:

Link to gallery of 70-300 air show images:

http://www.pbase.com/b3amos/scott

StrykeBack · Oct 10, 2007

love that f22 shot. brit is that the 400 prime L you were shooting that with?

bkb76 · Oct 10, 2007

Hi Nello,

Thats a nice, clear shot. It seems the dog was running toward you at an angle and it turned out fine. I'd be happy with that sort of result.

Thanks for the reply!

Cheers
Bart

bkb76 · Oct 10, 2007

Hi Brit,

Your photo's are superb! Thanks very much for posting. I would be over the moon with shots like these. I esp like the first.

Well, looks like I'll definately be out there giving it a go!

Cheers
Bart

bkb76 · Oct 10, 2007

Hi Phileas,

Thanks for the reply. I'll definately give it a go.

Cheers
Bart

bkb76 · Oct 10, 2007

Hi Jovo,

Maybe I'll see you there! I was thinking of shooting from the south Perth foreshore too but I'll have to check out the map of the event.

Received my lens hood today so that may also help with flare.

Yep, will have to check out the Extreme Gravity Games too? Do they have a web site?

Cheers
Bart

bkb76 · Oct 10, 2007

Hi,

Thanks very much for posting your shots, they are great! I take it you are quite happy with them?

It's good to see the lens and cam are, in fact, very capable. I look forward to giving it a go myself.

thanks again

Cheers
Bart

Jovo · Oct 10, 2007

Just checked with WATC and no Gravity games this year. That is a blow!

bkb76 said:
Hi Jovo,

Maybe I'll see you there! I was thinking of shooting from the south
Perth foreshore too but I'll have to check out the map of the event.

Received my lens hood today so that may also help with flare.

Yep, will have to check out the Extreme Gravity Games too? Do they
have a web site?

Cheers
Bart

alanamay · Oct 11, 2007

Hi there,

Unfortunately i will be missing out on the event again this year due to work commitments - not happy. Like some of the other posters said, keep shutter speed high, practice your panning technique - sounds like you may be side on from the South Perth foreshore, and probably would prefocus to infinity keeping it in manual focus.

All the best and enjoy.
Roland
--
Enjoy Life

bkb76 · Oct 12, 2007

Hi again everyone,

To all those who submitted samples....

1. Where any of your shots taken with a polariser?
2. Do you think a UV filter would help with clarity? ie haze, etc

Cheers
Bart

CJG2006 · Oct 12, 2007

I've not used the 70-300 IS lens but I think it'll be fine. You've got adequate range it's all down to technique too. Make sure you set AF to AI Servo and if your lens has the panning mode - select it. Shutter set to continuous mode - be prepared to bin many shots as many of your shots will be panned - it takes a bit of practice. Take extra batteries as you'll be viewing your shots all the time to make sure they're sharp. Here some shots taken at the Red Bull race in London using a EF 70-200 F4 L IS lens. Some were taken with the Canon EF 1.4X Extender too:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=redbullrace&w=12292042%40N00&s=int
--
Jason, London UK
http://www.flickr.com/photos/exemplaryphotos
http://www.exemplaryphotos.com

bkb76 · Oct 12, 2007

Jovo,

Do you have any examples from last year? Website?

Cheers
Bart

Red Bull Air Race - Canon 70-300 IS Enough?

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