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Propeller aircraft with D500 and 200-500 at 500 mm

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Indrek A

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I know that I need a shutter speed of 1/250 or less to blur the propeller. However I find that most of my shots are blurred at this low a shutter speed. I shoot hand held because a tripod or mono-pod would be unwieldy when trying to pan aircraft in flight. I get sharp images when I shoot at 1/800 or above, so my problem must be faulty technique. Any advice would be much appreciated.
 
Indrek A said:
I know that I need a shutter speed of 1/250 or less to blur the propeller. However I find that most of my shots are blurred at this low a shutter speed. I shoot hand held because a tripod or mono-pod would be unwieldy when trying to pan aircraft in flight. I get sharp images when I shoot at 1/800 or above, so my problem must be faulty technique. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
You can still pan pretty well with a mono-pod. The problem is that a 500mm lens on the D500 is equal to a 750mm which is difficult to hand hold at that shutter speed. Practice your technique too. Lock your elbows in tight to your sides and twist from the waist while holding your breath.
 
My only advice is to keep practicing. At 1/250 you’ll get it. The real challenge comes with helicopters, whose blades rotate much slower that prop planes. I’m normally at 1/60 for these.
 
BarryWpg said:
Try shooting continuous bursts.

Might get 10 blurred ones but 2 or 3 sharp ones.
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this, shooting off multiple frames is a easy "hack" for low light and panning, your first frame is often rubbish as you've got movement due to the shutter being pressed the subsequent frames are then more stable and you don't have anymore hand movement.

or as said practice, practice, practice
 
Thanks to everyone for the advice.

I will do a lot more practicing panning at low shutter speeds. I already shoot in continuous mode and the only other variable I can think of is VR: normal, sport or off.
 
Indrek A said:
Thanks to everyone for the advice.

I will do a lot more practicing panning at low shutter speeds. I already shoot in continuous mode and the only other variable I can think of is VR: normal, sport or off.
Click to expand...
I don't think VR will help much there. It is very useful when shooting relatively stable subjects (i.e. musicians in a club), but for moving planes, I think you should try steadying your hand, by bracing yourself, holding your breath, start tracking the subject a couple seconds before firing he shutter, and keep tracking for a second or two even after you stop shooting.


JC
Some cameras, some lenses, some computers
 
n057 said:
Indrek A said:
Thanks to everyone for the advice.

I will do a lot more practicing panning at low shutter speeds. I already shoot in continuous mode and the only other variable I can think of is VR: normal, sport or off.
Click to expand...
I don't think VR will help much there. It is very useful when shooting relatively stable subjects (i.e. musicians in a club), but for moving planes, I think you should try steadying your hand, by bracing yourself, holding your breath, start tracking the subject a couple seconds before firing he shutter, and keep tracking for a second or two even after you stop shooting.

JC
Some cameras, some lenses, some computers
Click to expand...
From the Nikon US site
n057 said:
"

Nikon's VR (Vibration Reduction) system employs Panning Detection function that enables effective panning shots in Normal mode.

"
Click to expand...
 
Indrek A said:
Thanks to everyone for the advice.

I will do a lot more practicing panning at low shutter speeds. I already shoot in continuous mode and the only other variable I can think of is VR: normal, sport or off.
Click to expand...
And for action you want VR Sport...
 
This article by Steve Perry who is a real long lens expert, shows how to successfully use a gimble head on a monopod. I have shot a lot of airshows and I think it would help in this situation.
 
Thanks Ken: The gimbal on a monopod looks like a decent solution. Unfortunately I blew my budget getting the D-500 and 200-500 so it looks as though I'll have to make do with the practice, practice and more practice route.
 
Indrek A said:
I know that I need a shutter speed of 1/250 or less to blur the propeller. However I find that most of my shots are blurred at this low a shutter speed. I shoot hand held because a tripod or mono-pod would be unwieldy when trying to pan aircraft in flight. I get sharp images when I shoot at 1/800 or above, so my problem must be faulty technique. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Indrek,

Depending on the speed of the props, you can also go as high as 1/320th and still get a decent amount of prop blur. This slightly higher shutter speed can help with your blurriness, as well. But, as others have said, practice, practice, and practice.

Also, what focus mode are you using? I shot an airshow not that long ago, and I tried to use Dynamic 9 or 25, and I was VERY unhappy with the results. Seems that quite a few shoot single-point, and the next time, I'm going to try that, or possibly Group. Almost NONE of my shots turned out, and I even thought it was the lens. But, I've since used the lens for other things, and didn't have the same issue, so...

Good luck!

Sam
 
I use group focus for the most part. Perhaps I might do better with 3D focus for aircraft, though with VR on I don't have a lot of jitter in the viewfinder even at 500 mm.
 
Yes that is what I did here



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--
Graeme NZ
 
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