TransIsland From Bahamas, joined Mar 2004, 2032 posts, RR: 11 Posted (4 years 11 months 1 week 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 2244 times:
I'll be in London for a week next month, not really to go spotting, but I may just find some time (why I would in this fabulous city, I'm not sure yet)... I'll be staying near the Bond Street tube, and might find my way to LCY, not planning to go to any of the other airports - too far. I believe our trip also includes one day at Lasham.
My main questions:
1. Is LCY worth going to? traffic/accessibility...
2. Will I need to carry my 170-500mm lens across the pond, or will a 200mm lens suffice, for both those airports?
3. Any useful advice?
I'm an aviation expert. I have Sky Juice for breakfast.
Quoting TransIsland (Thread starter): 2. Will I need to carry my 170-500mm lens across the pond, or will a 200mm lens suffice, for both those airports?
It depends on ruway use at LCY - for both ends at 10/28, 200mm is good, however if you are lazy and don't feel like walking to them, take the long lens and shoot from the car parking area near the terminal.
You'd be well served by a long lens at Lasham - some of the parked a/c are very distant, but often make for good catches.
Take the Tube (Central Line to Bank) then change there onto the DLR for City Airport - a quick Google of the surrounding area will show you it's about 20min walk to 28 threshold and 10min to 10. The 28 threshold is awesome - you can also catch a bus to it (though you do need an Oyster card unless you feel like spending £2 each way on the bus alone ) though the number escapes me now.
CopySouthwest From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 123 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (4 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2177 times:
For LCY photography it would be better to get the DLR to Royal Albert, its a 1 min walk from there to a a great viewing area across the dock from the runway and terminal.
Metroliner From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2007, 1058 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (4 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 2144 times:
Hi CopySouthwest,
That's not a bad place - but if it's anything other than a summer morning, it'll result in all the pictures being backlit. I personally always feel very far from the action there - so much so that I have walked to 28 from there many a time...
There is another option to get to 28 - go to Gallions Reach DLR and walk south. It's a much more interesting place to be with arrivals low over the bridge!
That's not a bad place - but if it's anything other than a summer morning, it'll result in all the pictures being backlit.
Thanks for more hints here. I feared that'd be a backlight location when I looked at the map - and no, I am not an early bird...
Of course, my ideal setting would be a pub where I can sit outside and watch the action. Any such place?
Oh, one more question: Are ATC scanners legal in the UK? Or even advisable? Or will concerned citizens be even more likely to call the authorities if the terrorist suspect not only takes photos but listens to ATC, too...
I'm an aviation expert. I have Sky Juice for breakfast.
Lasham From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 225 posts, RR: 19 Reply 10, posted (4 years 11 months 1 week 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 2102 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW PHOTO SCREENER
Quoting TransIsland (Reply 8): I'll be in Lasham on August 17th. My brother is going gliding at 2pm, and I wasn't about to miss a trip to an airport
Sounds a good idea. Never been up in a glider only the tug aircraft. August is not very busy for Airliners at Lasham, and even at busy times it only gets one or two aircraft each week!
Still worth a visit as you never know what might turn up.
Im away in Aug so have a good time.
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