Photographing WW2 planes

[Squawk1066]

A bit of help please everyone. What shutter speed do do you use when you photograph the Lancaster and also the Spitfire?

I got sharp shots, with prop blur on the Dakota at 1/80. I can't get a good balance with the Lancaster or Spitfire, the shots are either too blurred or ther don't have enough prop blur.

[Simpo Two]

Squawk1066 said:

A bit of help please everyone. What shutter speed do do you use when you photograph the Lancaster and also the Spitfire?

I got sharp shots, with prop blur on the Dakota at 1/80. I can't get a good balance with the Lancaster or Spitfire, the shots are either too blurred or ther don't have enough prop blur.

What focal length are you using? By 'blur' do you mean camera movement or out of focus?

[Lynchie999]

Squawk1066 said:

A bit of help please everyone. What shutter speed do do you use when you photograph the Lancaster and also the Spitfire?

I got sharp shots, with prop blur on the Dakota at 1/80. I can't get a good balance with the Lancaster or Spitfire, the shots are either too blurred or ther don't have enough prop blur.

does it really matter ?? surely theres a load of variables you can't control ? ie. surely the amount of throttle the plane is using has an effect ?? speed of prop... as long as the plane body is sharp and some amount of prop movement...

[Squawk1066]

Simpo Two said:

What focal length are you using? By 'blur' do you mean camera movement or out of focus?

I have a 100-400 Canon Lens. On 1/80 shutter the plane is simply moving too quick for the shutter. I'm just hoping to find that 'sweet spot' I found with the Dakota.

[Squawk1066]

Lynchie999 said:

does it really matter ?? surely theres a load of variables you can't control ? ie. surely the amount of throttle the plane is using has an effect ?? speed of prop... as long as the plane body is sharp and some amount of prop movement...

To me yes, as a learning experience and I'm after a photo I'm very happy with.

[Lynchie999]

Squawk1066 said:

I have a 100-400 Canon Lens. On 1/80 shutter the plane is simply moving too quick for the shutter. I'm just hoping to find that 'sweet spot' I found with the Dakota.

sounds like you just need to practice panning @ 1/80 - ish to get the planes sharp... the prop will then sort itself out...

[Simpo Two]

Squawk1066 said:

I have a 100-400 Canon Lens. On 1/80 shutter the plane is simply moving too quick for the shutter. I'm just hoping to find that 'sweet spot' I found with the Dakota.

The longer you go the worse it will get - so I wondered if the Dakota had been closer.

Try 1/125th and as mentioned above, practice a nice smooth panning technique.

If at 400mm then unless you have VR/IS you'll struggle to get both I think.

[Squawk1066]

Lynchie999 said:

sounds like you just need to practice panning @ 1/80 - ish to get the planes sharp... the prop will then sort itself out...

I must admit, when they are doing a display I don't find it possible to pan them due to the amount they are moving around.

[Squawk1066]

Simpo Two said:

The longer you go the worse it will get - so I wondered if the Dakota had been closer.

Try 1/125th and as mentioned above, practice a nice smooth panning technique.

If at 400mm then unless you have VR/IS you'll struggle to get both I think.

The Dakota was closer, but I think it's slower than the Lancaster as well.

I have the IS on for these.

I will give 125 a try, probably 160 & 200 as well.

Thanks chaps, it's appreciated.

[Simpo Two]

Well if all else fails shoot at 1/1000th and add radial blur in PS...

[Ledaig]

How much blur on the props are you getting currently, and haw much do you want?

The Lancasters here are at 1/160th, the Spitfire and Stearmans at 1/200th. Don't forget that the engine rpm will also have a factor to play, so the what the aircraft is up to during the display will affect the outcome.

[Simpo Two]

Good point; no doubt a Merlin is doing far fewer rpm than a Pitts etc.

That last photo looks like a collision about to happen...

[RobDickinson]

Squawk1066 said:

I must admit, when they are doing a display I don't find it possible to pan them due to the amount they are moving around.

You wont get sharp planes at 1/80th without panning.

[furtive]

I used this thread as a guide:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Some of my shots here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/furtives/sets/721576...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/furtives/sets/721576...

e.g.

Spitfire MK356 (Mk LFIXe) by furtive, on Flickr
ƒ/13.0
302.0 mm
1/250
ISO 250

Edited by furtive on Thursday 30th April 10:43

[danjama]

Feel free to look at some of my exifs on my airshow photos.

To me 1/80 is unnecessarily slow. You will struggle. It also sounds like you need to work on your panning.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/danjamafotos/sets/