p.1 #2 · Need 1Ds3 AF advice for fast moving subject
on the 1Ds3 with it's limited buffer (if you're shooting RAW), first & foremost you'll need a top notch telephoto with fast AF acquisition, you won't have enough frames in your buffer to just hold down the shutter & spray+pray and hope a slower lens gets it right.. i'd say change the custom function for AF acquisition to fast but not the fastest option (usually it's in the middle - move it one more notch over to the right).. personally, i always shoot RAW & for this job i'd esp recommend it simply because exposure settings change very quickly as you're pointing your camera up into the sky.. good to leave some room for error or surprise.
you'll have to keep tapping the back-button AF-on focus as the plane's still far away & approaching (to be safe) and get a sense of the timing before hitting the shutter button as the plane enters your desired "frame" whatever that shot may be - again, the buffer is slightly limiting relative to the non "s" 1-series cams, but you should be able to squeeze out enough key frames if you aren't just holding down the button the whole time.. shooting some birds-in-flight would actually be somewhat decent practice if you aren't familiar with shooting this kinda action..
i'm using my experiences with shooting the Hondy Indy with my 1Ds3 as a basis for these suggestions, btw.. up-close, both the cars + the general action was as fast-paced and as challenging as any assignment i've covered, shooting with the slower 1Ds3..
also i'm not the best person at explaining things haha, so maybe someone else can do a better job of explaining the backbutton-focus technique i'm describing.. but i've found the 1Ds3 to be pretty reliable with fast moving targets approaching you dead on if you use it the right way..
good luck + happy shooting! challenging/new/diff assignments are the best part of being a pro photographer IMO =)
p.1 #3 · Need 1Ds3 AF advice for fast moving subject
Well.......I'll be the first to offer suggestion.... And then get baked for them
I'd have to ask what type of "shot" are you after Profile....belly shot....take off...etc
Time of day....for lighting issues
Is the cargo plane jet or prop
I shoot military aircraft a lot....so here are some of my methods
A LARGE craft...I tend to use all focal points....so the way it will pick up closest point and using a decent DOF...all will be sharp
If your after profile take off shots...then consider your background.....when to push the shutter as well as time of day..........NOTE. WILL YOU BE AWARE WHICH RUNWAY AND DIRECTON OF TAKE OFF BEFORE HAND.....make sure your in the right place
If a prop style...have to use a slower shutter to get rotor blur.....not frozen plane midair
Practice you panning ahead of event on other aircraft at the air field
p.1 #4 · Need 1Ds3 AF advice for fast moving subject
Thanks for the posts.
We have special access to the runway so that won't be a problem and I shoot RAW exclusively, always have. I'll be using a 70-200 f4 IS and it's a huge jet, the biggest in the world I think
I take the point about the buffer, the shots are primarily because the cargo plane is loaded with a client's stuff, it's the end of a long series of development, manufacture, transport, shipping etc, this is right at the end.
So I don't need hundreds of shots just a few really good ones.
So the overall advice is probably to use all focus points and speed up AF acquisition yes?
p.1 #5 · Need 1Ds3 AF advice for fast moving subject
^ i don't think you could go wrong with either all cross-type points or just center, shooting at a max of f/4 aperture means using just center will prob be just fine as well
i personally hate leaving all AF points on in AI servo.. haven't had great experiences with it. i like always choosing the most logical point (whether center, or the point that'd fall on the nose/front of the plane) to take out that room for potential error..
p.1 #7 · Need 1Ds3 AF advice for fast moving subject
dhphoto wrote:
Thanks for that. The good thing is I will have plenty of time to shoot some other jets first, so I can practice a bit.
This might be a silly question but with something coming toward you at speed is IS better on, off or panning mode?
i think you'll be pretty set then, after one or two jets you'll have the hang of it i'm sure.. I'd go with either off (if you're shooting at 1/1000s or faster shutter speed, which you need for sure for the plane anyhow) or else panning mode for your needs. factor in the 70-200f4IS's older IS, i'd prob shoot at a fast enough shutter speed & just turn off IS.. again, removing all possible factors that may degrade an image since this is a big assignment for you
p.1 #10 · Need 1Ds3 AF advice for fast moving subject
I would not shoot at f4. Not enough depth of field for such a large plane. I was just shooting the SCA/Discovery combo landing and used 5D3 / 70-200 2.8II at f8, and that was just enough to make it look reasonably sharp. Earlier attempts at f4 got just a small fraction of the stack in focus.
Stick with center point on the 1Ds3 with auto expansion on. That will do just fine.
p.1 #12 · Need 1Ds3 AF advice for fast moving subject
Are you going to be shooting the Antonov 225? If so wear some good ear protection if you'll be under it's flight path. You may want to check this out too.
And this was one of the comments on my RC Canada forum that you might want to consider.
"When it's baby brother ( an224) came to Windsor, we stood on the tracks as it passed over...super low as he needed all the runway. We were blown off the tracks from the thrust and our skin and eyes burnt from the raw fuel not completely burned off I guess...the sound was beyond deafening...ears rang for hours. The sight of it banking away with the orange glow of the motors is forever etched in the mind. At one point, wasn't sure if he'd lift off at all. He was taking a whole assembly line to Europe manufactured here. "
Profile....belly shot....take off...etc