trstahly wrote: Douglas Liu wrote:
I have shot about 50 airshows, using Canon, Nikon and now Sony. I never use a tripod or monopod. The jets can pass from your left to your right or vise versa within a second, or approach from your front or rear really fast. Tripods or monopods just impede the needed fast and free movement of the camera, IMO.
With regard to the camera and lenses choices, I went to only two airshows this year (normally 6-8 a year) because most of them were cancelled. I had my the 100-400+ 1.4TC on the A7R4 and the 200-600 on the A9. The reason is simple, I am still not fully confident the A7R4+200-600 would give me critically sharp pictures, even though there may be some improvements after the FW update. I shot three flyovers (not airshows) this year with the A7RIV+200-600 combo, the sharpness was just not there as I expected from a high resolution camera. It might have been operator error. So, for the two real airshows, I used the A7RIV+100-400+1.4 TC for formation, and the A9 +200-600 for the fast opposing crossing shots. The 20 FPS of the A9 give you a much higher probability of getting THAT precise moment of the two jets crossing like the pictures below. Also, if the weather condition is right, you may see vapor cones which usually only last a second or two, the A9's 20 FPS again will give you better shot of capturing these moments. For not so fast formation shots the A7R4's resolution is to die for. I don't have the 400mm GM, but I would take one for airshows if I had one, not too heavy and lacks the versatility of the zoom lenses.
I am repeating myself but I really hope Sony will make a high resolution high speed body so I don't need to carry two bodies for airshows. I have a collection of airshow pictures on flickr, if you are interested, feel free to take a look.
Thank you that was kind of what I thought too but can you help clarify what you mean by formation and why I even want to take two bodies and lenses? I realize I want to resolution of the RIV when I can but I think a lot of what I will be shooting are fast flying yes.
But maybe not can you give me an example not picture wise necessary but verbally when and what I want to shoot with the RIV and 100-400. Also why I would not want to use the 400GM. Is it because it would be too tight for some shots or just wear me out.
It you are using the 1.4 on the 100-400 or a 140 to 580 what percentage of shots is less than 400mm?
Well, I just checked the lineup of the Ft Lauderdale show, the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds is not in it, so the only formation shots you will get will be the heritage flight and the Geico team. I don't really know the % of shots in what FL in my pictures but you can see all the EXIF data in my flickr album. Airshows are broad day light events, particular in Florida, the f2.8 of the 400 GM is not needed, nor is its weight or lack of versatility. If I were you, and I could only take one camera and one lens, my choice would be the A9 +200-600, unless you are absolutely confident the A7R4+200-600 will work flawlessly. Do you want to take that chance if this is your first airshow and you probably won't go to the another one for a long time?
Nov 14, 2020 at 07:09 PM
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