This is my first post on the photographic side of the site and I am seeking some advice from those of you who are regular attendees at air shows at Duxford taking photographs.
I am travelling to the UK and Europe from Australia in September-October and have included the 70th Anniversary of the BoB Air show at IWM Duxford as one of the things I will be attending and doing during my trip. As well I’ll be taking in a lot of the usual tourist sites and aviation historical sites including the IWM, RAFM in the UK and the WW1 Somme battlefields and WW2 Normandy invasion zone in France.
I’m planning on bringing my Canon EOS 50D plus two lenses – a 18-135mm IS USM and a 100-300mm USM.
My question is, for the Air show at Duxford, is the performance ‘box’ located so that with the 100-300 I will get reasonable photos or would I really need something more like the 100-400mm IS USM?
It’s the old problem of having to bring the right combination of gear for the entire trip, not just the couple of days of the air show. Have to carry it, keep it secure, fit within the airline allowances and security rules, etc, along with everything else I need for the trip.
Also, is there a preferred, or better location in the spectator areas at Duxford to get the best view and photographs of the aircraft during their display routines?
Thanks in advance.
By: warhawk69 - 10th August 2010 at 22:59
If it helps the shots on my site www.outflankeduk.com were all taken at the tank museum end. I use a canon EOS 30D and a 100-300mm lens. I use shutter priority (250 for props and 500-1000 for jets)
Phill
www.outflankeduk.com
By: ColFord - 10th August 2010 at 09:13
Thanks all for the additional advice. I had been warned to take clothing and cover for four seasons in one day, anywhere from sunshine to showers. Sunscreen is a standard piece of my airshow kit for many years, something drilled into us “down under”.
The camera body and lenses I am bringing with me have all proven themselves at a number of air shows here in Australia, particularly those held at Temora (where the usual problem is heat and dust) and a few others around the country and over to NZ. Normally for those I take my full kit of camera gear, but for this trip to the UK that is not really practical. It is a “lean and mean” deployment.
Regards,
By: Warbert - 9th August 2010 at 11:56
The sun is never behind you at Duxford.
True I know, but from the tank bank, you stand more of a chance as you are looking down the field away from the sun, the backs of my legs and neck can testify to that from Legends!
Albert
www.warbirdsim.com
By: Lincoln 7 - 9th August 2010 at 10:29
I know what Moggy said re our weather over here,was a bit tongue in cheek, as it’s fine one minute and pouring down the next, so it may be worth remembering to bring along a protective cover for you lense and camera, which will still allow you to take photos, but with the I.S. Lenses you have, it’s better to protect them as best you can, I have the same as you, and find the 135 to be one of the best of lenses I have. Just the standard 300 you have may give you a blurred or shakey effect, I use the 75 to 200 mm is, and this, for not only taking aircraft photos, but a general mid range lense is one of, if not the best one.IS lenses are good, as I have the Canon system, but when you start looking at anything above the 200, which cost me £1.300 over here, your talking mega bucks.Having said that, I am sure you will be O.K. and hope you get some great photos.
Lincoln.7
By: Moggy C - 9th August 2010 at 10:02
And I’m sure being from where you are you are used to slapping on some Factor 30 sunscreen on a regular basis.
You might think you won’t need it in the UK during September, but the nature of Duxford means you spend almost the entire day with your face raised towards the sun.
Always a good idea to have some with you, just in case it isn’t raining hard enough to wash it all off 😉
Moggy
By: ColFord - 9th August 2010 at 09:12
Thanks for the advice, all.
See something I have to get used to is photography in the northern hemisphere and where the sun is relative to particular directions. It seems that one of the things never planned for in the layout of an airfield is the correct directions for photography at an airshow – damned inconsiderate if you ask me!
Anyhow looking forward to the event. Have received my pre-purchased tickets and am now counting down the days.
Regards,
By: Moggy C - 9th August 2010 at 00:49
The sun is never behind you at Duxford.
The display line is East – West and the crowdline is to the north, so you are always looking South
Moggy
By: Ridge Runner - 8th August 2010 at 18:01
ColFord,
The sun will be reasonably behind you also.
You’ll need some patience with the sun etc, or appectance of shots partially against it. Duxford is not the best in this regard.
By: neil osborne - 8th August 2010 at 15:20
I had heard of the ‘Tank Bank’ so will head in that direction for my photography. Nothing beats local knowledge.
Regards,
Pitch a place there as soon as you can when you get into Duxford, it gets quite busy.
Over the far end, near the Airspace hanger is also a good spot too.
By: ColFord - 23rd July 2010 at 08:27
Albert,
Thanks for the advice, makes it easier knowing what I had planned to bring with me in terms of camera and lens combinations will work as well as a good location to stand. I had heard of the ‘Tank Bank’ so will head in that direction for my photography. Nothing beats local knowledge.
Regards,
By: Warbert - 22nd July 2010 at 09:26
Until recently I was using a 55-200mm with very satisfactory results.
I would say with a 300mm you will be fine.
Go to the right hand side of the airfield at the front of the Land Warfare hall and pitch a place on the ‘Tank Bank’, a raised area looking down the strip.
The sun will be reasonably behind you also.
Many aircraft pass very close by on routines, as due to the shape of the crowd line, you are quite far forward.
Albert
www.warbirdsim.com
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July 22, 2010 at 9:08 am