How to photograph Airshows?

**Daniel Salazar** · 13th February 2009, 10:36 AM

I know that there is some interest in photographing airshows, however I do have a question, is not about equipment, even though it can make the difference, I would like to know which speed should if I would like to get some excellent pictures?

I've a Sony 18-250 mm zoom lens, which I think might help, or should I get a 500 mm telephoto?

**Daniel Salazar** · 13th February 2009, 10:42 AM

by the way, who do you think is the best team?

Roulettes
Snowbirds
Patrouille de France
Siver Swallows
Frecce Tricolori
Blue Impulse
Red Checkers
Patrulla Aguila
Team 60
Patrouille Suisse
Read Arrows
Blue Angels
Thunderbirds

**Jim B.** · 13th February 2009, 04:44 PM

Hi Daniel,

Have a look here: http://www.profotos.com/education/pr...n2004/airshow/
Some good tips.
I just started shooting airshows with a DSLR last year.Here is my take on a couple of points.Get as close to the flight line as possible for in flight passes.Take a zoom that goes to 300mm at least.You will get some nice photos at that range.The more reach the better,of course.
If you are going to take a telephoto prime lens,take the zoom lens with you also.For static display shots take as wide a lens as possible.If you can get to a small local airport,try and get some practice.
The only teams in your list that I have seen are,Thunderbirds,Blue Angels and Snowbirds.All are incredible to see.

Regards,
Jim

**Dave Humphries** · 13th February 2009, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by dasle

Read Arrows

THE Red Arrows? (as in British RAF)
Forgive my patriotism for my local team

(local in as much as 'from my country', not 'down the street')

Used to do this in my film days, I would agree that say, 250mm is not quite long enough

I don't know what airshows are like elsewhere, but our quaint english country roads do not suit the thousands of extras cars these events attract, the last one I went to, about 5 years ago, took me about 3 hours to get into (the last couple of miles!) and almost as long to get away from afterwards. Put me off going again

Regards,

**Colin Southern** · 13th February 2009, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by dasle

by the way, who do you think is the best team?

Probably impossible to quantify, but it's pretty hard to beat the Blue Angels.

I've purchased a couple of their DVDs (a year in the life and "Altitude and Attitude") and find their dedication & professionalism almost beyond belief - literally some of the best pilots in the Navy up before dawn - training until after dark 6 days a week, 3 flights a day - often less than 18 inches apart - doing things that I just don't see the others doing.

**ajith.rajeswari** · 13th February 2009, 11:29 PM

Some Surya Kiran (Translates to Sun's Rays)
These are from IAF (Indian AirForce)
Camera :NIKON E3200

I like ThunderBirds (USAF)
During their Salinas, California Airshow -2008
Taken with Nikkor 200mm VR lens + Nikon D200

**Colin Southern** · 14th February 2009, 12:07 AM

Hi Ajith,

I reckon they'd be in different time zones if they were any further apart!

How about these ...

**ajith.rajeswari** · 14th February 2009, 01:15 AM

Good One Colin !!

I need a bigger lens ....

I envy this lens ....took this shot during the airshow to dream about this ..

**Colin Southern** · 14th February 2009, 02:01 AM

If you're a glutten for punishment, google Canon EF1200

(made to order - less than 20 in the world off memory).

And if that's not enough, checkout the Canon FD5200 (yes, you did read that right)

http://www.canonfd.com/mirrorlenses/pages/page10.html

**Davey** · 14th February 2009, 02:15 AM

I've seen smaller telescopes! In length if not width at least

As for the weight on the last one 100Kg lens alone, I guess you'd need to be pretty determined to get that shot, unless some other mug carried your gear.

**Dave Humphries** · 14th February 2009, 02:22 AM

Yes, I was surprised they made a lens that weighs more than I do (not by much tho

)

That book looks to be about 30 years old though, judging by the TV camera technology, I guess not much call for them.

**Davey** · 14th February 2009, 02:26 AM

I'd suppose current technology considering both lens tech and resolution increases with higher quality images from high end sensors (meaning good quality crops producing still pretty high res images) renders stuff like that obsolete. I'd guess most photographers don't need that anyway and would be useless for astronomers and like and even if wasn't it's cheaper to get a good custom telescope made and fit your camera to that. Not to mention lighter!

**ajith.rajeswari** · 14th February 2009, 02:37 AM

Originally Posted by Colin Southern

If you're a glutten for punishment, google Canon EF1200

(made to order - less than 20 in the world off memory).
And if that's not enough, checkout the Canon FD5200 (yes, you did read that right)

WOW ..that was BIG , Found this link on the google search for EF1200 http://www.crestock.com/blog/technol...pment-117.aspx

**Davey** · 14th February 2009, 03:38 AM

Hahahaha the truck is my favourite! They could have pimped out the truck a little though, or a lot, that'd be the real icing on the cake.

**Daniel Salazar** · 16th February 2009, 03:08 PM

...so it seems that I've to save a little bit to get a higher range telephoto. Thanks everybody!

**stopwalve** · 16th February 2009, 03:30 PM

I figured I'd through this (old scan) in:

I think that sometimes airshow shots should include static aircraft also.

**Jim B.** · 16th February 2009, 05:27 PM

An example of not having a wide enough lens.This was my 1st airshow shot with a DSLR.The widest lens I had at the time was a 28-135 on a 1.6X crop body.I would have liked to have gotten closer to the plane.

C-17 Globemaster

Regards,
Jim

**stopwalve** · 16th February 2009, 06:16 PM

In much the same vein:

**Zephyrize** · 16th February 2009, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by ajith.rajeswari

WOW ..that was BIG , Found this link on the google search for EF1200 http://www.crestock.com/blog/technol...pment-117.aspx

Jesus...I can literally fit my entire head in that Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM...

wish I had my DSLR earlier, here are some shots from this summer's airshow with a point&shoot..
I must admit Red Arrows were very impressive