Photographing the Vulcan bomber in flight before it retires
Discussion
Well, my 7D MK I arrived. Second hand. Impressed with it now I have had time to play. Glad I got it early to mess around before the air show, not sure I would be happy getting it the week before especially as I have managed to fudge up the focus on the first few so easily until I got the method and controls sorted.
School boy error though, bought one 32gb card to go with it instead of two 16's. Something to think about.
School boy error though, bought one 32gb card to go with it instead of two 16's. Something to think about.
Well, we turned up just after mid-day today to watch the Vulcan take off from Doncaster Airport (Finningley), having viewed Google maps I decided that perhaps the best place to be would be at the end of the runway because I had been led to believe that the Vulcan needed quite a bit of runway to fly, and the recommendations were spot on. And I have to say the take-off was pretty spectacular, the Vulcan is like a bat out of hell, absolutely fantastic to see and hear this awesome aircraft in the flesh, though my young kids thought it was too noisy!!!
I didn't go into the airport for the photos because that would have been too far way, however, there is a country lane called High Common Lane, postcode is DN10 which runs across at the bottom of the runway which the Vulcan accelerated along before taking off so made it much closer. The problem I encountered was that the security fence was quite high, so trying to take photos of the Vulcan as it accelerated down the runway was hampered by the galvanised wire of the perimeter fence, and when it did eventually take off I took a few pics, though only had my trusty RX100 which didn't have a long zoom on it (wife banned me from buying a DSLR for this occasion!). The pics are OK but not worthy of posting on here, just pleased I was able to take a few photographs, and the wife even managed to video the event which was even better considering I plonked the video camera in her hand for the first time ever and told her to point it in the direction the vulcan. The video was bl**dy good
If it's any help, the link to where I stood is:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/High+Common+Ln...
So to anyone travelling over tomorrow to Doncaster Airport tomorrow for the take-off, you have a few choices for positioning, as I mentioned, if you want to take take-off pics then either position yourself at the bottom of the runway on High Common Lane so you're looking down the runway, though bear in mind there is a hedge between the perimeter fence, you and the road, so as the Vulcan flies overhead I suddenly found my camera view blocked and pointing at a hedge just as it started banking left, the take-off happened so quickly so there just wasn't the time to move, might be an idea to position yourself across the road at the bottom of the runway so as the Vulcan takes off and banks round you will have a clear shot whichever way it turns, just make sure you have a decent zoom lens. Alternatively park up at the side near the end of the runway on Old Bawtry Road which runs parallel to the runway and photograph the Vulcan as it takes off and potentially take a few pics as it turns. And bear in mind the sun will be in your sight as it banks round!!!
Have enclosed a few Google Map pics to illustrate the positioning.
And bear in mind that there were loads of other Vulcan enthusiasts parked up on High Common Lane looking out for the ideal place to view the take-off, so allow plenty of time to arrive and set-up, other thing to consider is that if you're travelling northbound there is a lot of congestion at the A614 roundabout at Ollerton which I think is being caused by the A1 closure nearby which is causing chaos, plus Sunday there is a big classic car meet at Thoresby Park.
Hope this helps anyone considering driving up tomorrow to Doncaster Airport to watch the Vulcan take-off or landing.
I didn't go into the airport for the photos because that would have been too far way, however, there is a country lane called High Common Lane, postcode is DN10 which runs across at the bottom of the runway which the Vulcan accelerated along before taking off so made it much closer. The problem I encountered was that the security fence was quite high, so trying to take photos of the Vulcan as it accelerated down the runway was hampered by the galvanised wire of the perimeter fence, and when it did eventually take off I took a few pics, though only had my trusty RX100 which didn't have a long zoom on it (wife banned me from buying a DSLR for this occasion!). The pics are OK but not worthy of posting on here, just pleased I was able to take a few photographs, and the wife even managed to video the event which was even better considering I plonked the video camera in her hand for the first time ever and told her to point it in the direction the vulcan. The video was bl**dy good
If it's any help, the link to where I stood is:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/High+Common+Ln...
So to anyone travelling over tomorrow to Doncaster Airport tomorrow for the take-off, you have a few choices for positioning, as I mentioned, if you want to take take-off pics then either position yourself at the bottom of the runway on High Common Lane so you're looking down the runway, though bear in mind there is a hedge between the perimeter fence, you and the road, so as the Vulcan flies overhead I suddenly found my camera view blocked and pointing at a hedge just as it started banking left, the take-off happened so quickly so there just wasn't the time to move, might be an idea to position yourself across the road at the bottom of the runway so as the Vulcan takes off and banks round you will have a clear shot whichever way it turns, just make sure you have a decent zoom lens. Alternatively park up at the side near the end of the runway on Old Bawtry Road which runs parallel to the runway and photograph the Vulcan as it takes off and potentially take a few pics as it turns. And bear in mind the sun will be in your sight as it banks round!!!
Have enclosed a few Google Map pics to illustrate the positioning.
And bear in mind that there were loads of other Vulcan enthusiasts parked up on High Common Lane looking out for the ideal place to view the take-off, so allow plenty of time to arrive and set-up, other thing to consider is that if you're travelling northbound there is a lot of congestion at the A614 roundabout at Ollerton which I think is being caused by the A1 closure nearby which is causing chaos, plus Sunday there is a big classic car meet at Thoresby Park.
Hope this helps anyone considering driving up tomorrow to Doncaster Airport to watch the Vulcan take-off or landing.
Edited by rich888 on Saturday 27th June 23:44
Got this shot at Cosford as it passed over the RAF Museum building yesterday. Hundreds of spectators there, all applauding.
Vulcan Bomber - Farewell Tour by Ed Phillips, on Flickr
Vulcan Bomber - Farewell Tour by Ed Phillips, on FlickrEd_P said:
Got this shot at Cosford as it passed over the RAF Museum building yesterday. Hundreds of spectators there, all applauding.
Vulcan Bomber - Farewell Tour by Ed Phillips, on Flickr
Like that, over the museum building is a nice touch.Vulcan Bomber - Farewell Tour by Ed Phillips, on FlickrD5300 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6
DSC_0449_58 by Dave Goodhand, on Flickr
DSC_0477_61 by Dave Goodhand, on Flickr
DSC_0403_54 by Dave Goodhand, on Flickr
DSC_0449_58 by Dave Goodhand, on FlickrDSC_0477_61 by Dave Goodhand, on FlickrDSC_0403_54 by Dave Goodhand, on FlickrEdited by Dave46 on Sunday 28th June 20:26
Dave46 said:
D5300 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6
DSC_0449_58 by Dave Goodhand, on Flickr
DSC_0477_61 by Dave Goodhand, on Flickr
DSC_0403_54 by Dave Goodhand, on Flickr
Very impressive pics, I can see that I will be able to use the quality of your photographs of the Vulcan as a valid reason to purchase a new or used DSLR and zoom lens... DSC_0449_58 by Dave Goodhand, on FlickrDSC_0477_61 by Dave Goodhand, on FlickrDSC_0403_54 by Dave Goodhand, on FlickrEdited by Dave46 on Sunday 28th June 20:26
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