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Archive 2013 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?

  
 
Don_T70
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


Hi all. Getting back into photography after a real long hiatus. My last SLR camera was a T70. Had a good time learning the basics, but it is time to step up to a DSLR and I am pretty sure I am going to get the 6d. I have read a lot of reviews and critiques of the camera and I have some concerns about shooting an airshow. Budget wise I can do $1000-$1500 for a lens. I was looking at the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM and the Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD but I have no problems looking at others. I just have some concerns about the camera grabbing focus.

I figure 95% of the pictures I take are going to be what the camera was made for. Low light pictures, gorgeous landscapes, beautiful portraits and some street pics (light camera and a pancake 40 should make for a good walk around - I work in Hollywood). However I really want to be able to shoot when an airshow comes to Southern California. Any feedback helpful.



Jan 20, 2013 at 11:18 PM
gome1122
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


I would say get a 100-400 some teleconverters and save up later for a 24-105 f/4. For low light you are going to want a fast lens(50mm f/1.8 for your budget) for landscapes you will want an ultra wide(A decent 17-40 f/4 will be around $500-$600), portraits, some people say the ideal portrait length is 85mm but you could get some nice ones off of the 100-400 since tele offers a better portrait look than wide angle, also again the 50 could be great for this(I use it). and street is more wide angle prime. Generally 35mm you could use the 40 pancake I guess, I don't do street, so I have no idea. But, if you want all of these, get a 28-300 and a 1.4X and 2X teleconverter. Only thing is it will be a bit more expensive than you are asking.


Jan 20, 2013 at 11:34 PM
Gochugogi
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


I've not shot airshows with a 6D but my 5D2 and 300 4L/1.4X did just fine: AI servo with 6 assist points enabled. I'll take a wild guess and say unless you are shooting P-51Mustang racers 100 feet off the ground, the 6D should do even better.


Jan 20, 2013 at 11:52 PM
Don_T70
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


gome1122 wrote:
I would say get a 100-400 some teleconverters and save up later for a 24-105 f/4. For low light you are going to want a fast lens(50mm f/1.8 for your budget) for landscapes you will want an ultra wide(A decent 17-40 f/4 will be around $500-$600), portraits, some people say the ideal portrait length is 85mm but you could get some nice ones off of the 100-400 since tele offers a better portrait look than wide angle, also again the 50 could be great for this(I use it). and street is more wide angle prime. Generally 35mm you could use
...Show more


Sorry, I should have been clearer. The budget is just for the telephoto lens. I am getting the 6d with the 24-105 and a 40mm pancake. I am going to use the 24-105 while I get used to the camera and get comfortable getting back into shooting again. I also want to also grab the Sigma 35mm f1.4 and a Canon 85mm f1.8 but I might change that based on how I am using the 24-105. I am still pretty new at this and need to learn a lot.

I haven't looked at the 17-40f4 but will check it out. Thanks for the help.



Jan 21, 2013 at 01:51 AM
dwweiche
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


I don't understand the recommendations to add tele-converters in conjunction with either the 100-400 or the 28-300 as you will lose AF on the 6D with either converter on either lens. I assume you want AF when shooting airshows. I know I do

To answer your original question, if the reach is sufficient for where you are standing, the 100-400 should work fine on the 6D with center point focus.

If you want even faster AF, you could pick up the 400 f/5.6 for a bit less. Anything better and you are busting the budget and getting into super-tele land (500 f/4 and friends).



Jan 21, 2013 at 04:03 AM
Cicopo
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


I can't think of a better choice for air shows than the 100-400 and I've shot the Sigma 80-400 OS & older 50-500 but they're gone & the 100-400 is still very active during my season. I shoot several radio control events each summer & the 100-400 is on my secondary camera and either a 35-350 L or 28-300 L IS is on my primary camera. My targets are smaller & much closer than real aircraft will be which is why I need something much shorter most of the time. I got to shoot the real thing in the fall & the 100-400 was my primary except when the Snowbirds performed. For them I used the 28-300.
I wouldn't even think about using a TC & expecting the AF to be able to keep up & I'm using a 1Ds2 & 1D4 combo now. Here's the link to one of the albums from the event & just about every flying shot will be from the 100-400.

http://picasaweb.google.com/TCPRCphotos/VintageWingsWingsOverGatineau2012TheMilitarySet



Jan 21, 2013 at 09:09 AM
ratsnest74
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


the 100-400mm is the perfect lens for an airshow http://www.bradkuntzphotography.com/Events/20120505-Shaw-AFB-Air-Expo/22822424_xHnRPh#!i=1831722788&k=6nHJzk9

I cant wait to do it again with my 5DIII and this same lens




Jan 21, 2013 at 09:16 AM
CW100
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


Don_T70 wrote:
Hi all. Getting back into photography after a real long hiatus. My last SLR camera was a T70. Had a good time learning the basics, but it is time to step up to a DSLR and I am pretty sure I am going to get the 6d. I have read a lot of reviews and critiques of the camera and I have some concerns about shooting an airshow. Budget wise I can do $1000-$1500 for a lens. I was looking at the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM and the Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD but I
...Show more

I agree with the others, the 100-400 is the best choice for air shows





Jan 21, 2013 at 09:58 AM
cputeq
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


I've been at Barksdale AFB for 10 years now, and we've had an airshow every year. Of those 10, I've shot about 5 or so. The 100-400 is just fine.

If it's too short, that means the plane / jet is too damn far away anyway, so wait until it's closer for more interest

Also, strongly consider an ND filter if you're expecting lots of prop planes. Getting good prop blur is almost impossible without one (you'll be at something like f/22 and ISO 50, not the best settings to have).

A 3-stop should be sufficient.

If I can shoot an airshow with a crusty Pentax K20D and Tamron 70-300 lens, surely you can pull it off with your proposed combo


This one was at ISO 100, f/18, 1/100s. A77 with 70-300G. Free crunchification courtesy Flickr downscaling.
210mm or about 315mm in FF terms.


B17 Fortress by J L Smith, on Flickr


If it's a decent air show and you're not 1/2 mile away as the crowd, almost all the good shots are the "showman" shots where the plane angles towards the crowd and is sufficiently close enough that an incredibly long tele isn't really needed.



Jan 21, 2013 at 10:10 AM
3iron
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


While I agree the 100-400 us a pretty good lens for air shows, I think a better one is the 70-300. It has better IQ and many of you shots will be too close for 400 anyway.
It is also shorter and lighter.
Actually the 70-300 has better IQ than all the canon lenses listed so far extept the 300 f4 prime and falls within you budget.
Couple that with your 24-105 and you have a killer combo to work with.



Jan 21, 2013 at 04:59 PM
gome1122
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


cputeq wrote:
I've been at Barksdale AFB for 10 years now, and we've had an airshow every year. Of those 10, I've shot about 5 or so. The 100-400 is just fine.

If it's too short, that means the plane / jet is too damn far away anyway, so wait until it's closer for more interest

Also, strongly consider an ND filter if you're expecting lots of prop planes. Getting good prop blur is almost impossible without one (you'll be at something like f/22 and ISO 50, not the best settings to have).

A 3-stop should be sufficient.

If I can shoot an airshow
...Show more
Great shot here. I've never shot a air show before, plan to over the summer, but I know a lot about them. Didn't think it's this bright at some, but then again is outside. This is a good tip.



Jan 21, 2013 at 05:44 PM
Gochugogi
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


Nice image of the B17! I like how you added a wee bit of vignette to make the B17 pop.


Jan 21, 2013 at 05:59 PM
CanonPhotog
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


Based on my own experience, the 400 f/5.6 is not going to be ideal. Many of your shots will be in the 100-350mm range. Having the 100-400 will allow the maximum versatility for composition. I usually take the 100-400 for in-flight shots and the 24-70 for static shots.


Jan 21, 2013 at 06:47 PM
Cicopo
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


Although I think the 70-300 L IS has an excellent reputation for AF speed & accuracy etc I think it's a bit short for this on a full frame body. I wasn't willing to use my 28-300 L IS instead of the 100-400 at the air show I attended in the fall. (used a 1D4 with a 1Ds2 as the secondary body). This was shot at 380 mm & it's been a cropped. (1D4 & 100-400 @ 1/250 sec)

http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HOqtwNiaPvA/UF-o6pC-flI/AAAAAAAAQ7c/yUMg5TFWvHA/s1024/INGR9049.JPG


And since you haven't got a lot of experience at this & based on my experimentation I'd recommend a max of 1/320 for prop planes & slower gives nicer prop blur. !/2000 for Jets should give a nice result (I shot most at 1/1000 but think faster would have been sharper). Fortunately R/C planes use higher engine speeds allowing faster shutter speeds with nice prop blur.



Jan 21, 2013 at 07:32 PM
carrg1954
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


think about renting one and see how that goes
with your budget, get the 100-400, if you are a prime kinda guy, then either a 300 or 400,
stick with canon. If its only when an airshow comes along then, and so will be infrequent, and if your budget goes to it then I seriously look at a 70-200 2.8 is and then use a tele-converter for air.



Jan 22, 2013 at 06:04 AM
CW100
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


3iron wrote:
While I agree the 100-400 us a pretty good lens for air shows, I think a better one is the 70-300. .



for air shows (and other things) the 100-400 will be better especially on a full frame model

XSi (450D)
Canon 100-400
400mm
f6.3

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8304/7993449309_da00edd980_b.jpg




Jan 22, 2013 at 08:18 AM
chez
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Shoot an airshow with a 6d?


Gochugogi wrote:
I've not shot airshows with a 6D but my 5D2 and 300 4L/1.4X did just fine: AI servo with 6 assist points enabled. I'll take a wild guess and say unless you are shooting P-51Mustang racers 100 feet off the ground, the 6D should do even better.


I am not sure the 6D will do better than the 5d2. Using AI servo with the 6 assist points, the 5d2 was quite amazing. I don't believe the 6d has any assist points and it's outer points are no better than the 5d2 so I really don't think a 6d would be better, in fact I don't think it will be that good at tracking moving objects.



Jan 22, 2013 at 09:36 AM





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