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turbodls1ta · Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 440 Location: T'exas, y'all

I'm taking my family to see the Blue Angels this weekend and am hoping to get some good shots. However I have never shot something moving so fast, so far away. Anyone that has done these shots have any advice? I have some lenses I can borrow from my school, including 70-200mm f4, 300mm f4, 100-400mm f4-5.6, 2x extender, and maybe a 400mm f2.8 (but not likely as I'm not advanced enough). Which lens would be best? What shutter speeds do you guys normally shoot something moving at over 300mph?
Thanks

hhltdave5 · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 11:00 am

pharm · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 9406 Location: Never quite sure

Be sure to pan with the planes and shoot multiple frames (continuous shooting).

hhltdave5 · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 11:21 am

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 11:30 am

The speed of sound is 768 mph or approximately one mile in five seconds.

So dont worry they wont be going that fast that was stopped sometime ago and Jets are no longer allowed to break the sound barrier even at shows unless they are over the water or somewhere that wont interfere with peoples dwellings.

When they were breaking the sound barrier over houses or near them they were causing damage to them.

So they may get near 700mph but they will more then likely be in the 400-500 range for what they are doing.

rinder99 · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 4:32 pm

You will find out real quick why folks use Fast glass.They were about 300 ft in front of us. You cant see them or hear them coming, be ready. camera on continious focus and burst.Pretty awesome stuff to shoot. It's about anticipation , fastest shutter you can get, these were about 1/1250 F4 very fun day.good Luck. these are so sharp you can read the pilots name on the helmet.And BTW. SS won't accept them now unless editorial, I had to clone everything off of them.. Not that easy to do, there here and gone in a blink of an eye....Good luck.

pharm · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 9406 Location: Never quite sure

turbodls1ta · Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 440 Location: T'exas, y'all

Thanks for the tips guys. I guess I dont need as much glass as I thought I would. I've seen them in the past at fleet week in SF, but this is the first time my 4 year will see them and the first time I've ever attempted photographing something so radical.

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:31 pm

peteklinger · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:30 am

Hate to put a possible damper on this. Editorial yes, RF no, unless you have a release from them and possibly credentials from them to shoot the shot. (depending on public or ticket paying private exhibit)

http://www.shutterstock.com/buzz/legal/stock-photo-restrictions

Airshows

Snowbirds (CAN), Blue Angels (US), Thunderbirds (US), The Red Arrows(UK)
Images may be submitted as editorial.
Additional property release or credentials may be required.

I'd say just shoot them and have fun and get the experience, then see what happens later. You'll at the least get some great home photos and have a good time!

Take the 100-400 and don't go past 350. If they let you borrow the 300mm that's a nice long lens. The 70-200 is sharp. I guess what I'd say is, you can't go wrong with any of them. (and yes the 400mm f/2.8 is overkill, big and heavy) Skip the extender.

pharm · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 9406 Location: Never quite sure

turbodls1ta · Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 440 Location: T'exas, y'all

So Im back from a pretty dull event. It was windy as hell, 20mph constant with 35 mph gusts, which is why I think it was probably the worst BA show I've seen. Really overcast too, so it was very dull light, which kind of makes my images lack the "pop". However, I do think my focus issue is coming around..
All shot with a 70-200mm f4. I used the 2x extender a few times but they all came out too soft for my likings..

turbodls1ta · Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 440 Location: T'exas, y'all

turbodls1ta · Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 440 Location: T'exas, y'all

turbodls1ta · Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 440 Location: T'exas, y'all