A little overcast and dreary for an evening airshow over the past weekend. Recently switched systems, so just getting my stuff together. Managed to pull at least one out.
1Dx to Sony switch, Sony is coming on strong for sure. What are your impressions ? I’ve been looking over the Sony 600mm GM thread here and the imagery is stunning. Now it should be given the cost, but none the less, stunning. I have not had time to have lunch with the Sony rep yet, but my curiosity is ramping up. My plan now is to replace the 1DXII’s with the III when it’s released and the 5DSR sequel will replace my SR’s.Interesting evolution going on for sure.
I’ve been very Luke warm on selling my 800mm Canon, had a couple of offers but haven’t responded. Sent it to CPS for a return to new specs going over and it’s still in CPS packaging. I’m thinking that I’ll shoot some pictures of it and get serious about finding it a new owner.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
1Dx to Sony switch, Sony is coming on strong for sure. What are your impressions ? I’ve been looking over the Sony 600mm GM thread here and the imagery is stunning. Now it should be given the cost, but none the less, stunning. I have not had time to have lunch with the Sony rep yet, but my curiosity is ramping up. My plan now is to replace the 1DXII’s with the III when it’s released and the 5DSR sequel will replace my SR’s.Interesting evolution going on for sure.
Jim, the RUMORS on the Sony A9II is rampant right now, we may find out in about a month. Maybe the Sony rep can give you a hint. It's not something I can afford to spend $$ on as a hobbyist, at least not initially.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
1Dx to Sony switch, Sony is coming on strong for sure. What are your impressions ? I’ve been looking over the Sony 600mm GM thread here and the imagery is stunning. Now it should be given the cost, but none the less, stunning. I have not had time to have lunch with the Sony rep yet, but my curiosity is ramping up. My plan now is to replace the 1DXII’s with the III when it’s released and the 5DSR sequel will replace my SR’s.Interesting evolution going on for sure.
Let me start the response to that with I have been a Canon shooter for 25+ years going back to 1Ns and non-IS L lenses.....
The a9 is a great little camera- the focus tracking is speedy and accurate. The eye focus is very cool when I go out to shoot the nieces and nephews at play. Can't wait for the new firmware that brings animal eye AF. One of the cool features is linking exposure to focus point- something I loved on the 1 series. I have hauled 1dx and 5D series bodies all across the planet on vacations, safari, work trips with untold pounds of glass. The a9 offers something that I really like- smaller physical size. I can pack a complete kit with 2 bodies and a managerie of glass into a nice small backpack. I did debate on the EOS R, but I was not a fan of my results with it.
Coming out of the Canon family, I will say the Sony menu system is just as every other review states- terrible. It is better on the a9 than the a6300 I played with for 2 years before switching.
I played with adapted glass for a while as I had 14mm, 16-35 f4, 24-105 f/4, 70-200 f/2.8, 100-400 L II, 300 2.8 IS II, 400 DO ii and 500 4 all Canon L. While they worked fine, and focus was good the native lenses were just a bit quicker/sharper. I still have the 300 (never getting rid of it) and 400DO ii that I used with sigma and metabones adapters. I have added a couple old Contax lenses including the 85mm 1.4 that turns out some stellar results if you take the time to manually focus. The adapter was super cheap to add the C/Y lenses. The Sony 600 is fantastic- I played with it a bit and it is as sharp as what I ever saw from the Canon 500 and 600. I have no desire to haul that heavy thing around though and will probably take the plunge when there is a Sony 500 GM.
Love the pictures from MAKS. I'd like to go in 2021 so do you have any recommendations i.e. how did you do it. I'd take my wife also so even though she'd be interested realistically I do not think she'd be interested in "Spotter talk!"
Love the pictures from MAKS. I'd like to go in 2021 so do you have any recommendations i.e. how did you do it. I'd take my wife also so even though she'd be interested realistically I do not think she'd be interested in "Spotter talk!"
I believe a visa is required also?
Any information would be appreciated.
Kind regards,
Colin.
I don't know about the visa requirements from the UK...I don't believe it is currently required. If it is required, and you have any sort of military experience, it'll be a no from the Visa office from what I'm told.
If you think you want to go, my advice is to go. Don't expect the variety of Air Tattoo, it's not that kind of show. But go and see everything that Russia has to offer.
My personal advice is to go for all the days in some form. The website will tell you that flying doesn't start until 1500 on the business days (tues-thurs), but on the Tuesday Putin usually attends and they fly early, on the Wednesday this year both the Falcons and the Swifts rehearsed in the morning. The only day that was kind of true to the display schedule was Thursday, when none of the big teams displayed. Thursday is a great day to go with a business ticket and see the statics. Go as soon as the gates open and walk the whole static line, it's full of gems. Stick around for the day exploring all the booths, then watch the flying display, and when that wraps up (about 5:30-6:00) walk the static again until they kick you out (the evening light is phenomenal). Then decide on a day to do the Media Platform from the show days (don't expect it to be well organized...it's not), and the rest of the days just spend them on the river bank across the river.
Get a couple of necessary apps before going. Get Moscow Uber, and Yandex Taxi. Both required to get around moscow efficiently. And get some form of live speech translation app, since it will help you with communicating since honestly NOBODY speaks english...if I had to guess I would say somewhere near 99% of people have absolutely no english knowledge, or at least not that they'll admit to. And the character set there means hoping to stumble through and be able to figure it out when it comes to signs and menus probably won't happen.
Taxis are cheap...all the way from central Moscow to the river bank is about $30 Canadian. I recommend staying somewhere near the central train station in Moscow, since it makes getting to the days that you're at the show really easy.
And take some days to explore moscow itself. I wish I had done more of that, but that's what 2021 is for.
Warbirds on Parade fly-in at the Lancaster Airport here in the DFW Area was almost a washout...but I did get the opportunity to go flying... Six foot plus me stuffed into a Nachang CJ6....fun? Sure why not?!
A2A card renewed for another year?....I only had time to grab my cell phone so...
Then Yesterday, I got an invite from DFW Airport, through my DFW Spotters FB group, to go hang out on the ramp for the final American Airlines MD80 revenue flight.
It was warm but always amazing to be out there on the ramp!
