Airbourne - at Eastbourne

[John Harper]

Hi there

Knowing my interest in shooting aircraft pics, one of my work colleagues suggested i attend the Airbourne show in Eastbourne in the UK which is put on every year along the seafront and is a free show. (very rare these days).

So i duly set off for the 2 hour drive and set up the camera and 500mm on the tripod and wimberley head on a balcony of a local restaurant overlooking the seafront.

There was not the usual amount of fast military jets, more aerobatic teams and some warbirds but nonetheless it was a most enjoyable day. The weather was changeable (no surprise there!!) but it did make for nice dark clouds when the Red Arrows were on.

1st time using the Wimberley for aircraft flying shots, my impressions are generally very good. Its great not having to hold the weight of the lens all day. I was trying for prop blur on those type of aircraft that had them and have yet to get a consistent smooth panning action to ensure really crisp shots at 1/200 and below, so did end up with numerous ones that are blurred due to subject movement. Still practice should make things improve and the advantages outweigh the downside in my opinion.

John



Tech details

All on EOS 1DMKIIN EF500 F4L on Gitzo with ballhead and Wimberley sidekick.

Shot 1 1/2500 @ F5.6 ISO 200

Shot 2 1/2500 @ F5.6 ISO 200

Shot 3 1/200 @ F13 ISO 100

Shot 4 1/2000 @ F5.6 ISO 200

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Hi John,

I haven't been following the board actively for a while due to being rather busy at work. So I am not surprised at all that I ended up missing this post of yours. What surprises me a lot though is the fact that no one else has yet reacted to this post either; unbelieavable! If I may say so, please do not get discouraged by the this unfortunate lack of a reaction. Sometimes it helps if one "bumps" the OP a while later.

I am not expert in this area of photography but I liked your pictures a lot. Especially the 1st and the 3rd ones are very good IMHO. Thanks for sharing .


Cheers,

 

[Rachel Foster]

What a coincidence! I went out to the local drop zone today to see if anyone was jumping. My timing was off, but I had some vague idea of shooting jumpers as they neared landing. (I only tandem and then not often.)

Those are stunning! The clarity is enviable.

 

[John Harper]

Hi John,

I haven't been following the board actively for a while due to being rather busy at work. So I am not surprised at all that I ended up missing this post of yours. What surprises me a lot though is the fact that no one else has yet reacted to this post either; unbelieavable! If I may say so, please do not get discouraged by the this unfortunate lack of a reaction. Sometimes it helps if one "bumps" the OP a while later.

I am not expert in this area of photography but I liked your pictures a lot. Especially the 1st and the 3rd ones are very good IMHO. Thanks for sharing .


Cheers,

Hi Cem

Thanks for looking, I don't have a problem if I don't get any comments on my shots, I post them because I like them and if it can help me get better shots by people commenting so much the better, or by the same token if it helps other people through looking at some of my work than thats good too.

I find OPF such a friendly place that I am quite happy to post away on my pet subjects and hopefully not bore people too much. I have learnt a lot from these forums in the short time I have been here and am happy to post my pics for good or bad comments.

John

 

[John Harper]

What a coincidence! I went out to the local drop zone today to see if anyone was jumping. My timing was off, but I had some vague idea of shooting jumpers as they neared landing. (I only tandem and then not often.)

Those are stunning! The clarity is enviable.

Hi Rachel

I have also shot some Parachutists at another Airshow I attended earlier in the year, have a look and let me know what you think

John

 

[Rachel Foster]

What I think is that I MUST get a jump in before the season ends. Ironically, RAF are my initials. Great shots.

 

[Greg Rogers]

Hi John,
I'm new here so unlike Cem I don't have to apolgise for missing your post.

Breathtaking, well-done, zero criticisms. Thanks for sharing how you did it. The downside is that you've nudged me closer towards purchasing a high-quality, fast dedicated (non-zoom) telephoto lens. <groan> Now if I could only buy your timing, patience, and skill............

-Greg

 

[John Harper]

Hi John,
I'm new here so unlike Cem I don't have to apolgise for missing your post.

Breathtaking, well-done, zero criticisms. Thanks for sharing how you did it. The downside is that you've nudged me closer towards purchasing a high-quality, fast dedicated (non-zoom) telephoto lens. <groan> Now if I could only buy your timing, patience, and skill............

-Greg

Hi Greg

Thanks for looking and the comments.... Yes the 500mm is a nice lens no doubt, but may i suggest a good compromise if you shoot canon is the EF400mm F5.6L. This is the lens i used before i got the 500mm and it is a superb piece of kit.

I picked on up on Ebay for about £500 and i still use it now for birds in flight and airshows when the 500mm is just to big and heavy. I highly recommend it for a more sensible budget.

John