Shooting a Spitfire

**Cerebum** · 08-30-2020, 12:00 AM - **3 Likes**

We have a commemorative flight of a single spitfire going over Lancaster at 14:07. The plane will be 500-1000 yards from my position and pretty much level. Clear blue sky, castle in the background

All the blogs say slower than 1/125 to blur the props and hand held. I was planning to use my 55-300mm (not plm) but I am beginning to wonder. I have the much lighter 50-200mm, mine is sharp, and the 18-135mm. This is new to me and I don't want to blow it. Any suggestions?

chrism888 · 08-30-2020, 12:11 AM - **1 Like**

1/125 should be good, F8 or close to should be good and keep the ISO low-ish depending light available, take a spot meter reading from some grass just before its due and dial this reading in manually, single spot continuous focus point and prob the 55 - 300 and expect to be using the 200 - 300 bit, pan the Spit well before you want to shoot and continue panning after you've shot

**Cerebum** · 08-30-2020, 12:42 AM

Originally posted by chrism888

1/125 should be good, F8 or close to should be good and keep the ISO low-ish depending light available, take a spot meter reading from some grass just before its due and dial this reading in manually, single spot continuous focus point and prob the 55 - 300 and expect to be using the 200 - 300 bit, pan the Spit well before you want to shoot and continue panning after you've shot

Thanks

so, Tav it is

I will be in burst mode (KP with grip which makes it nice and stable). Presumably the fact that you are panning is the reason why you don't need to worry about camera shake quite as much. I will shoot some birds in flight to check the exposure before it arrives

fingers crossed

jeallen01 · 08-30-2020, 12:53 AM - **1 Like**

TBH (from experience at quite a few UK airshows!)
- At that distance, even a 300mm lens is going to produce a very small image of the aircraft itself (even something like a 500mm lens would only get you a half decent shot).
- I usually use around 180-250th shutter speed to get decent prop blur on Spits and similar - but maybe 125th or so for the older & slower biplanes - but that'll be hardly noticeable at that distance anyway!

Frankly, you need to get a lot closer to the predicted flight path to get decent results with the kit you are intending to use - at airshows, the guys who get the really decent shots are those standing right at the front of the crowd line, and using Canikons and massive (600mm+) lenses!

ZombieArmy · 08-30-2020, 02:05 AM - **1 Like**

Be sure you turn off stabilization if you're panning. Otherwise the camera will fight your pan.

**Cerebum** · 08-30-2020, 03:13 AM

Thanks guys

brilliant advice

sadly, the 55-300mm is all I have. I have a 2x TC but don't want the lens hunting. If I had the PLM I may have risked it but not with the screw drive If it starts hunting I am stuffed, that's why I am not sure about AFC, I may just keep stabbing the back button when I know I am on it. We have lovely light at the moment, a mixture of blue Sky's and fluffy stuff. If I get anything half decent I will post it

Paul the Sunman · 08-30-2020, 04:19 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by Cerebum

Thanks guys

brilliant advice

sadly, the 55-300mm is all I have. I have a 2x TC but don't want the lens hunting.

No problem with hunting. At that distance, turn AF off and pre-set focus to some distant object.

**Kevin B123** · 08-30-2020, 04:43 AM

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

Be sure you turn off stabilization if you're panning. Otherwise the camera will fight your pan.

Actually, from the K-3ii onwards, leave SR on as it works when panning.

**Cerebum** · 08-30-2020, 05:13 AM

If I am panning I may turn sr off. Right, I will take my TC and find some spitfire sized points and see what I get. At least I will have it with me.

fingers crossed

**ismaelg** · 08-30-2020, 09:48 AM - **5 Likes**

They used Me109s to shoot Spitfires back then...
Sorry but somebody had to say it...

Don't mind me, keep moving

**aslyfox** · 08-30-2020, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by ismaelg

They used Me109s to shoot Spitfires back then...
Sorry but somebody had to say it...

Don't mind me, keep moving

just for that

there's a Hawker Hurricane on your 6

**ismaelg** · 08-30-2020, 10:24 AM - **1 Like**

I'm in Puerto Rico, so this is hurricane alley

**Apet-Sure** · 08-30-2020, 12:38 PM

Originally posted by Cerebum

If I get anything half decent I will post it

Can't wait to see it!

For those who don't know, you can buy a BRAND NEW Supermarine Spitfire!!! After the war, the Supermarine company went out of business. Decades later, a company in Australia bought the rights to use the Supermarine name, and started making Spitfire kits. You can get 75%, 80%, and 90% scale versions. The company will pre-assemble some parts if you wish. So, for a fraction of the cost of the WW2 version, you can own a genuine Supermarine Spitfire. How cool is that? It's just a little smaller than the original.
Supermarine Aircraft About us

[Edit] It looks like the 75% and 80% scale versions are no longer in production, but you might find a used one.

jeallen01 · 08-30-2020, 01:15 PM

Originally posted by ismaelg

They used Me109s to shoot Spitfires back then...
Sorry but somebody had to say it...

Don't mind me, keep moving

"Me109"?: to be "perfectly accurate", that was how that plane was commonly referred to in around 1940 - but the correct manufacturer / Luftwaffe designation was Bf109!

**Cerebum** · 08-30-2020, 01:51 PM - **7 Likes**

It was quite high so I couldn't get any interesting background. I was shooting in tav with AFC, ibis off, settings were f11 1/250. I decided against using the TC because its a vivitar and isn't fantastic, its OK, but not fantastic. Thanks for all the brilliant advice

08-30-2020, 12:00 AM - 3 Likes	#1
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828	Shooting a Spitfire We have a commemorative flight of a single spitfire going over Lancaster at 14:07. The plane will be 500-1000 yards from my position and pretty much level. Clear blue sky, castle in the background All the blogs say slower than 1/125 to blur the props and hand held. I was planning to use my 55-300mm (not plm) but I am beginning to wonder. I have the much lighter 50-200mm, mine is sharp, and the 18-135mm. This is new to me and I don't want to blow it. Any suggestions?

08-30-2020, 12:38 PM	#13
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,861	Originally posted by Cerebum If I get anything half decent I will post it Can't wait to see it! For those who don't know, you can buy a BRAND NEW Supermarine Spitfire!!! After the war, the Supermarine company went out of business. Decades later, a company in Australia bought the rights to use the Supermarine name, and started making Spitfire kits. You can get 75%, 80%, and 90% scale versions. The company will pre-assemble some parts if you wish. So, for a fraction of the cost of the WW2 version, you can own a genuine Supermarine Spitfire. How cool is that? It's just a little smaller than the original. Supermarine Aircraft About us [Edit] It looks like the 75% and 80% scale versions are no longer in production, but you might find a used one. Last edited by Apet-Sure; 08-30-2020 at 12:47 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Post-Processing Post Processing Challenge #339 "Spitfire"	astonm	Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories	16	08-06-2020 06:25 AM
Machinery spitfire smile	dcmsox2004	Post Your Photos!	2	10-05-2018 03:58 PM
Cityscape Spitfire on Parliament hill	bobbotron	Post Your Photos!	4	07-24-2018 04:13 PM
Machinery Triumph Spitfire	tomart	Post Your Photos!	32	02-09-2014 01:31 PM
Nature Spitfire	Cee Cee	Post Your Photos!	15	08-17-2012 05:57 PM

08-30-2020, 12:11 AM - 1 Like	#2
chrism888 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 178	1/125 should be good, F8 or close to should be good and keep the ISO low-ish depending light available, take a spot meter reading from some grass just before its due and dial this reading in manually, single spot continuous focus point and prob the 55 - 300 and expect to be using the 200 - 300 bit, pan the Spit well before you want to shoot and continue panning after you've shot

08-30-2020, 12:42 AM	#3
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828 Original Poster	Originally posted by chrism888 1/125 should be good, F8 or close to should be good and keep the ISO low-ish depending light available, take a spot meter reading from some grass just before its due and dial this reading in manually, single spot continuous focus point and prob the 55 - 300 and expect to be using the 200 - 300 bit, pan the Spit well before you want to shoot and continue panning after you've shot Thanks so, Tav it is I will be in burst mode (KP with grip which makes it nice and stable). Presumably the fact that you are panning is the reason why you don't need to worry about camera shake quite as much. I will shoot some birds in flight to check the exposure before it arrives fingers crossed

08-30-2020, 12:53 AM - 1 Like	#4
jeallen01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,697	TBH (from experience at quite a few UK airshows!) - At that distance, even a 300mm lens is going to produce a very small image of the aircraft itself (even something like a 500mm lens would only get you a half decent shot). - I usually use around 180-250th shutter speed to get decent prop blur on Spits and similar - but maybe 125th or so for the older & slower biplanes - but that'll be hardly noticeable at that distance anyway! Frankly, you need to get a lot closer to the predicted flight path to get decent results with the kit you are intending to use - at airshows, the guys who get the really decent shots are those standing right at the front of the crowd line, and using Canikons and massive (600mm+) lenses!

08-30-2020, 02:05 AM - 1 Like	#5
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	Be sure you turn off stabilization if you're panning. Otherwise the camera will fight your pan.

08-30-2020, 03:13 AM	#6
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828 Original Poster	Thanks guys brilliant advice sadly, the 55-300mm is all I have. I have a 2x TC but don't want the lens hunting. If I had the PLM I may have risked it but not with the screw drive If it starts hunting I am stuffed, that's why I am not sure about AFC, I may just keep stabbing the back button when I know I am on it. We have lovely light at the moment, a mixture of blue Sky's and fluffy stuff. If I get anything half decent I will post it

08-30-2020, 04:19 AM - 3 Likes	#7
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Originally posted by Cerebum Thanks guys brilliant advice sadly, the 55-300mm is all I have. I have a 2x TC but don't want the lens hunting. No problem with hunting. At that distance, turn AF off and pre-set focus to some distant object.

08-30-2020, 04:43 AM	#8
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,176	Originally posted by ZombieArmy Be sure you turn off stabilization if you're panning. Otherwise the camera will fight your pan. Actually, from the K-3ii onwards, leave SR on as it works when panning.

08-30-2020, 05:13 AM	#9
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828 Original Poster	If I am panning I may turn sr off. Right, I will take my TC and find some spitfire sized points and see what I get. At least I will have it with me. fingers crossed

08-30-2020, 09:48 AM - 5 Likes	#10
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	They used Me109s to shoot Spitfires back then... Sorry but somebody had to say it... Don't mind me, keep moving

08-30-2020, 10:00 AM	#11
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by ismaelg They used Me109s to shoot Spitfires back then... Sorry but somebody had to say it... Don't mind me, keep moving just for that there's a Hawker Hurricane on your 6

08-30-2020, 10:24 AM - 1 Like	#12
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	I'm in Puerto Rico, so this is hurricane alley

08-30-2020, 01:15 PM	#14
jeallen01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,697	Originally posted by ismaelg They used Me109s to shoot Spitfires back then... Sorry but somebody had to say it... Don't mind me, keep moving "Me109"?: to be "perfectly accurate", that was how that plane was commonly referred to in around 1940 - but the correct manufacturer / Luftwaffe designation was Bf109!

08-30-2020, 01:51 PM - 7 Likes	#15
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828 Original Poster	It was quite high so I couldn't get any interesting background. I was shooting in tav with AFC, ibis off, settings were f11 1/250. I decided against using the TC because its a vivitar and isn't fantastic, its OK, but not fantastic. Thanks for all the brilliant advice