Choppers and Chipmunks

[HawkerTempest5]

We did get some flying today. The Chinook flew two displays and the little Chipmunk, who only took off to do a met. report, put on a very good low level flying display that had the crowd clapping.

[Hagar]

the little Chipmonk

Are you sure it wasn't the Friar? Sorry, I couldn't resist that.

Nice shots considering the conditions.

PS. It's Chipmunk.

[HawkerTempest5]

PS. It's Chipmunk.

I knew that

[Hagar]

I knew that

I knew you knew that.

[Ecko]

I knew you knew that.

I knew what both of you knew..

[61_OTU]

Roger, what camera do you use. My little olympus compact just does not like moving things  

The Breitling jets really crawled around in the low cloud, but they still looked like this in the photos



Also where were you standing? It looks like you were to the right of the Sally B enclosure, in which case the zoom on your camera must be pretty good.

Steve

[ozzy72]

Chippies rock

[HawkerTempest5]

[quote]Roger, what camera do you use. My little olympus compact just does not like moving things

[Hagar]

I have exactly the same camera as Hagar, a Fuji S5000. I have a tele-converter lense on mine that gives me 15X optical zoom but Hagar uses the standard 10X and gets shots much better than mine.

Very kind of you but that's debatable. We haven't seen what you can do yet. I have far more practice than you & you only get to see my better efforts. I decided against the converter as I don't want the bother of changing lenses in a hurry. I have enough problems as it is. Unless you use a tripod or stabilsed lens I imagine it's more difficult to get a sharp picture at maximum zoom due to the exaggerated shake.

I find 10x zoom adequate for most purposes & have a bad habit of zooming in too far which ruins what might have been a perfect shot. I still find it difficult to prejudge the amount of zoom as this depends on the size of the aircraft & how far away it will be from the camera when I take the shots I want. That & the shutter delay are the main problems with this type of camera over a proper DSLR. As Charlie will confirm, I don't like remaining in the same spot & am continually wandering around looking for the best angles. I must walk several miles during the average air display.

My little olympus compact just does not like moving things

This should all come with practice Steve. I don't think it's the camera as they're all very similar & Olympus is a good make. With moving objects like aircraft I prefocus on the subject then follow it until it's at the right angle. Keep panning after pressing the button due to the shutter delay I mentioned earlier. If it's not focussed properly you will get the blurred results in your shot. I could show you plenty of my failures, some much worse than that.

PS. Don't take just one shot or hesitate waiting for the right moment. It might never happen. Keep following the subject & take as many shots as possible. One of them might turn out to be the perfect shot you wanted.

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Again Wonderful Shots

Thanks for posting them.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

[61_OTU]

This should all come with practice Steve. I don't think it's the camera as they're all very similar & Olympus is a good make

Thanks Doug, however it's just too relaxed about the focusing, it whirrs in and out a bit, stops, thinks about it, whirrs again, then says "ok you can click". I like it but it's too automatic and too relaxed, and it's only got a 3x zoom.

I really appreciate the recommendation Roger, as we've been looking at the s5500 (I think the s5600 is due out very soon) and I think that's what we'll go for.

Cheers

Steve

[HawkerTempest5]

I really appreciate the recommendation Roger, as we've been looking at the s5500 (I think the s5600 is due out very soon) and I think that's what we'll go for.

Cheers

Steve

The 5600 looks like it should be a far better camera than mine is and is still quite a bit cheaper than a good DSLR and the lens you would need with it. If I ever save up enough I will get a DSLR one day, but not just yet me thinks.
Thank you chaps for all your comments. Even though the weather was pants I had a great day and got to meet some real heroes from the Battle of Britain and I'm always happy if I just get to see a Spitfire.

[Craig.]

Just as an addition.
A teleconvertor will in most cases create a little more graining and reduce the overall quality of the pictures. Not having used any of your cameras i am in no position to offer specific suggestions, best thing is practise 61. In all weather, use all the settings till you find the right one.
Great shots:)
I love the Chippie

[Hagar]

I really appreciate the recommendation Roger, as we've been looking at the s5500 (I think the s5600 is due out very soon) and I think that's what we'll go for.

Probably the worst thing about this type of camera is the digital viewfinder. It's fine for static shots or landscapes/portraits but not ideal for moving subjects like aircraft. I almost gave it up as bad job & thought the best option would be to cut my losses, take it back to the shop & exchange it for something else. However after meeting someone who gave me the tips I mentioned in my previous post I persevered & now get some good results. I still prefer the straight-through optical viewfinder on my little 3x zoom Fuji F401 which sounds very similar to your Olympus. I still have it & carry it with me all the time. I use it for static shots at air shows.

[HawkerTempest5]

Just as an addition.
A teleconvertor will in most cases create a little more graining and reduce the overall quality of the pictures. Not having used any of your cameras i am in no position to offer specific suggestions, best thing is practise 61. In all weather, use all the settings till you find the right one.
Great shots:)
I love the Chippie

The Fuji lens is actually very good and I can't tell from looking at the uploaded shot if it was taken with or without the lens. The major down side is the telescope effect you get when you zoom out. It really is only any good at max zoom as you end up with this if you are not careful.

I know some of the non-Fuji lenses are more powerful, upto about an extra 3X zoom but I understand with these you do loose some image quality.
Glad you like the Chippie Craig