Discussion Official RCGroups.com Coverage of NEAT

[datazman]

Well all, I am sorry to cut my Saturday coverage short as it is late (1:15AM!) and need some badly needed sleep.
I will continue with my Saturday photo coverage tomorrow followed by Sunday photos shortly after that.

Till the next time.
Paul Osinski

[weasel53]

Originally Posted by datazman

JoeR:

OK Joe I will answer that one the best I can. And it is not a trade secret.
First lets start with the equipment; I am using a Canon 50D 15 Megapixel Digital SLR combined with a 70 to 300mm Image Stabilized Zoom Lens. Of course you may not want to invest in a high end unit like the 50D, so if you want to go with a lower end body that may be just fine if you are not planning to use the camera as often as I do.(I took over 400 shots yesterday and about 10,000 per year.) The real key is the quality of the lens AND the Image Stabilization feature. When shooting very static items like RC Planes an Image Stabilized lens will keep your images sharp.

My Shooting technique:
When shooting RC Planes I will zoom all the way out and let the camera focus on the image while the plane is still in the distance. Zoom all the way in while the plane is approaching following the plane on its approach (called panning) and wait till I see a good image in the viewfinder and squeeze the shutter button. I make it sound easy but using this technique does take a good deal of practice. I have never met a photographer that was a “natural” using the panning method.

Settings:
I will shoot RC Planes at a shutter speed of between 1/500 to 1/2500 second (1/1250 second will show a moving prop) and place the camera in shutter priority mode. I then pan around my shooting area watching the light meter in the viewfinder and set the sensor sensitivity (known as ISO) to get a lens aperture of at least f7.1.(known as an f stop)

Additional input:
You do not necessarily have to get an SLR but you do want something with adjustable settings and have the zoom ability. Choose a camera that fits comfortable in your hand. Never plan on using the view screen for taking these kind of shots. It can be done alright but usually it is tough to see the screens in the sunlight. If you are not a photography guru, purchase a book or find an online tutorial to understand the way ISO, shutter speed and lens aperture effect your image. Most new cameras are automatic once you set them so understanding the basics is all that is necessary.

I hope this has helped.
Paul Osinski

Paul

Thanks for the tips. I am definitely going to put them to practice!
Fantastic photos!

Weasel

[helismash]

Nice Pictures!

[imsofaman]

I am not quite the photographer as Paul is, but I took a few shots and would like to share please?

Dave

[Block]

Originally Posted by datazman

JoeR:

First lets start with the equipment; I am using a Canon 50D 15 Megapixel Digital SLR combined with a 70 to 300mm Image Stabilized Zoom Lens.

I assume you have the Canon F4-F5.6 (not Sigma; etc). Do you get a good percentage of "keepers"? I'm a fairly serious photographer and am tempted to get the 70-200 F4 IS ($1100). But the 70-300 would of course reach 100mm further and cost less (and I don't see myself using a telephoto often). The 55-250 is tempting to see if it's "good enough" (could always sell it if it's no good). Reviews are not much different from the 70-300.

What ISO did you need to shoot at? If you stepped down the aperature, I imagine it was around ISO 400?

[dswitkin]

Great job Paul, and nice to meet you. I sent Gary a link to your post about him.

Daniel

[oscarfrank]

Awesome photos Paul!

Nice to meet you can compare notes on the Gee Bee.

Paul

[Cr@sh]

Originally Posted by dswitkin

Great job Paul, and nice to meet you. I sent Gary a link to your post about him.

Daniel

Hey Dan ,good ya got home safe...next year please get the guys to light up there heli's cause the nite fly was funny as hell and wondering why no heli's made a showing.will you be making the electric funfly over jersey ?

[datazman]

Hello all:

Well it is the wee hours of the morning again.(2:15AM) I got home a little later than I had expected from the NEAT Fair and have just finished editing the images from Saturday. So …… I am going to have to apoligise for getting images up later than expected.
I will be uploading first thing in the morning.

Till the next time.
Paul

[alh747]

Could this be the explanation for the strange light that was seen in the sky Saturday night?

http://www.space.com/missionlaunches...ud-rocket.html

Great NEAT Fair - Kudos to Peaceful Valley for keeping grounds and faciities working too! It was better than ever from my "camping" perspective.

Al

[datazman]

Noon Show

[datazman]

More of Saturday noon show photos

[imsofaman]

Man.....the photos are awesome!!!! Such a fun weekend!

Dave

[datazman]

Even more Noon time Demo Photos

[datazman]

Hobby Lobby Candy Drop. One of the children shared some Salt Water Taffy with my wife and I.