topic Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing! in Share Your Photos

Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Tronhard — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 09:13:44 GMT

Model aircraft still fly very fast, but are much smaller and fly a lot lower than their full-size cousins. I had never tried to do this before and I was just getting used to my Canon 7DMkII and 100-400MkII, but the opportunity to see a show near my home in Victoria, BC was too good to pass up, especially since my camera group was offered VIP seating near the end of the runway.

Being somewhat constrained to one point the aircraft tended to fly by in a similar position.

People came from far and wide to display their eclctic range of models, the sizes of which varied from about 1.5m (5ft) to up to 4m (13ft) and they were amazingly well constructed and detailed.

Here is the link to a few of the photos: Model Aircraft Display - it is shared from my Onedrive location. If you click on the first image you can get the option to see a slide show, during which, if you move your mouse you will see the aircraft description.

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Danny — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 13:47:47 GMT

Hi, Tronhard!

Photographing model aircraft can certainly be a challenge, and judging by the results at the link that you shared, it's a challenge you're up to!

We'd love to see some of those photos right here in this thread, so feel free to add them in a reply. You can also edit your original post to include images. When composing or editing your message, click the "Insert/Edit Image" icon at the top of the text box. It's near the center and it's a square with a pair of mountain peaks in it. You'll get instructions from there.

That's all there is to it. We look forward to seeing what you share!

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Tronhard — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 05:28:31 GMT

Hi Danny:

thank you for the adviice. I had opted for the link because I had so many images to show and didn't want to pollute the site. I will defintiely use the download photo option for only a few shots. Thanks again!

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Tronhard — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 15:10:52 GMT

Gory Details: Canon 7D MkII, 100-400 EF-L Mk II, ISO 200, F9, 1/500sec, 4000mm

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Tronhard — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 15:10:08 GMT

This model shot on Canon EOS 7D Mk II, 1/1250sec, f6.3, ISO-200, 100-400 EF-L Mk II, 400mm (equiv. 640mm) Hand Held

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Tronhard — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 15:09:33 GMT

PBY Catalina model 2m wingspan. Settings Canon EOS 7D Mk II, 100-400 EF-L Mk II, 400mm, f7.1, 1/1,600 sec, ISO-200 Hand Held

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Tronhard — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 16:36:15 GMT

These shots were taken of this model FW-190A.

After it took off a communications error saw it dive under full power straight into the ground.

Model FW-190A, wingspan approx 1.8m Taken with Canon EOS 7D Mk II, 100-400 EF-L Mk II, 400mm, f6.3, 1/1,250 sec, ISO-200 Hand Held

The Last Take-off: Canon EOS 7D Mk II, 100-400 EF-L MK II, 400mm, f9, 1/640, ISO-200

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

acdii — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 00:37:00 GMT

Very nice photos. I fly RC myself and have had others try to video my maiden flights and I usually get a lot of sky, or ground, and very little of the actual flight. That is with a video camera, trying to get stills is even more of a challenge, and I see you did excellent!

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Tronhard — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 05:03:29 GMT

@acdii wrote:
Very nice photos. I fly RC myself and have had others try to video my maiden flights and I usually get a lot of sky, or ground, and very little of the actual flight. That is with a video camera, trying to get stills is even more of a challenge, and I see you did excellent!

Aw Shucks... Now you are just encouraging me!

Boeing-Stearman Model 75

de Havilland Buffalo SAR doing a parrachute drop of a stick of eight

Now I've seen everything.... A flying IRON! Apparently they want to fly the ironing board next year...

The rare Mars Water Bomber. This model had a span of almost 3m (10ft).

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Waddizzle — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 15:18:42 GMT

Going to my first model air show today. Scattered rain is in the forecast, though.

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Tronhard — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 15:21:05 GMT

Hmmm... could go either way. you may lost light intensity, but you may also lose contrast, which may actually help.

In any case I wish you well in your shooting!

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Waddizzle — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 21:55:27 GMT

@Tronhard wrote:
Hmmm... could go either way. you may lost light intensity, but you may also lose contrast, which may actually help.

In any case I wish you well in your shooting!

Weather started overcast at the site. It was a light drizzle at my house 30 miles away, east of the site. Over the course of three hours, the threat of rain diminished, and it was merely mostly cloudy, but fairly overcast at times.

Now, I have 1300+ photos to go through. For tasks like this, I find Microsoft's SyncToy to be invaluable. I use it to synchronize folders. I typically download and backup all photos, and then I delete bad shots. SyncToy saves me from having to delete files from multiple folders.

BTW, I think I may have a few keepers. Maybe 10% on the fastest planes, and as high as 50% and more on slower moving planes.

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Tronhard — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:01:09 GMT

@Waddizzle wrote:
@Tronhard wrote:
Hmmm... could go either way. you may lost light intensity, but you may also lose contrast, which may actually help.

In any case I wish you well in your shooting!
Weather started overcast at the site. It was a light drizzle at my house 30 miles away, east of the site. Over the course of three hours, the threat of rain diminished, and it was merely mostly cloudy, but fairly overcast at times.

Now, I have 1300+ photos to go through. For tasks like this, I find Microsoft's SyncToy to be invaluable. I use it to synchronize folders. I typically download and backup all photos, and then I delete bad shots. SyncToy saves me from having to delete files from multiple folders.

BTW, I think I may have a few keepers. Maybe 10% on the fastest planes, and as high as 50% and more on slower moving planes.

Glad the day worked out well, and congratulations on getting some keepers. I find that the models, being still fast but very small and low, are harder to get good shots from than the rull-sized planes.

I hope you will post some of your photos so we can all enjoy and admire them!

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Waddizzle — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 01:30:23 GMT

Uh, i need to downscale that keeper rate by a factor of 10. If I count a multi-shot sequence that's in focus as one shot, then my keeper rate is probably more like 1-5%, than 10-50%.

These guys are quick, especiallyt the model jets. I think the jets may have moved to fast for the AF to keep up. Out of a hundred shots of a little red jet, I only had 1 "keeper", which wasn't all that great.

1D Mark IV w/EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM - 1/400, f/5.6, ISO 100, @100mm, 50% crop.

1D Mark IV w/EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM - 1/500, f/8.0, ISO 100, @400mm, 50% crop

1D Mark IV w/EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM - 1/500, f/8.0, ISO 100, @320mm, no crop.

1D Mark IV w/EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM - 1/500, f/8.0, ISO 100, @400mm, 50% crop.

I shot handheld for the faster shots, and with a monopod, like the shot of the plane standing on its' tail.

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Waddizzle — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 20:57:21 GMT

All shots have similar settings and EXIF data attached.

My first RC air show. The skies were dark and threatening looking, but the rains held back.

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Tronhard — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 12:44:27 GMT

Waddizzle I think your shots are breathtaking!

I could not agree more about the speed of the models - not only are they fast but lower and closer than one would normally expect of their full-size cousins and that is really hard on any autofocus system. You seem to have coped magnificantly, if I may be so bold.

My favourite one is of the jet trainer model - you caught the background blur but kept the aircraft in good focus. Thank you for sharing these!

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

Waddizzle — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 20:55:12 GMT

@Tronhard wrote:
Waddizzle I think your shots are breathtaking!

I could not agree more about the speed of the models - not only are they fast but lower and closer than one would normally expect of their full-size cousins and that is really hard on any autofocus system. You seem to have coped magnificantly, if I may be so bold.

My favourite one is of the jet trainer model - you caught the background blur but kept the aircraft in good focus. Thank you for sharing these!

Thanks.

The jets were fast and so close that I had to back up a bit so that i could pan with them at least halfway through a psss.

Re: Shooting a Model Aircraft Show is harder than the real thing!

cicopo — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 13:14:51 GMT

I have to admit to not knowing this section of the forum existed. I'll start contributing a few from my huge inventory. I fully agree that shooting models is harder than shooting full scale because the speeds are faster than a scale equavelent for their size & they are much closer making it harder to pan with them. I'm attending a Giant Scale Event tomorrow & then a Jets event the following weekend. Last Sat was the largest Giant Scale event held in Canada & although the weather was very iffy it didn't cause any problems other than making conditions tough for bright photos. Cloud formations weren't all that helpful but did make for a few dramatic photos. This Volksplane is an easy target & really fits the "Giant Scale" class well but by definition a wingspan of 84 inches & wider for single wing & 60 inches & up for a bi plane is where Giant Scale becomes the aircraft class. If you can shoot R/C well full scale will be rather easy.