These were taken during the annual Jones Beach Air Show 5/26/13. Posting them here for comment/critique, and as a reference for anyone wondering about Sigma's current 50-500 lens.

It's usually a 2-day show. Saturday was rained out. Sunday was mostly clear but cold and winds over 20 mph. Parachute demos were cancelled due to the wind. The Air Force Thunderbirds cancelled due to the sequester; the Canadians sent one of their F18's instead.

The majority of these photos were taken around 410mm. Prop plane shutter speeds were kept at 1/250s to show prop blur. In-camera SR off and lens optical stabilization in mode #2 most of the day to allow for panning. Even after 4 hours handheld my arms weren't feeling tired; holding my left elbow against my body lets my skeleton rather than muscles bear the lens weight. I aim with my body instead of with my arms. Maybe I'm finally getting the hang of this panning thing.













This one looks like an x-wing from Star Wars. It's 2 planes during a close pass.









Evidence of the cold weather: look how the lifeguards on the chair are dressed.

[gordonw57]

Very nice pictures! Thank you for sharing.

[Kerrowdown]

There are some great captures here, well done.

[crewl1]

Great captures! My first outing with Bigma at airshow was not as good as these.

[SpecialK]

These are very good. Not an easy target.

[kyricom]

Like those old birds. Really like the PBY

[charliezap]

Very nice work with that lens.--charliezap

[paulh]

Great shots - very well done!

[gordonw57]

Very nice shots! Love looking at aircraft.

[8540tomg]

Great series.

Tom g

[dcmsox2004]

terrific captures !! love that vintage heavy metal... especially the corsair and flyin' fort' for me... dave m

[DeadJohn]

Thanks for the compliments everyone.

Any thoughts on whether a polarizer would be worthwhile? In theory it would reduce reflection from the Corsair and some other windshields. Adjusting the CPL as the planes shift position would be nigh impossible, though.