Conoramoia From Italy, joined Oct 2007, 482 posts, RR: 2 Posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 3010 times:
Hi all,
For the first time I will be going night spotting.I am going to Milan Bergamo to plane spot.
I know the locations and the airport very well but I need a few tips with regards to settings and the rest.
I know all the basics, ie ISO 100, F8.....(etc.)
Is there anything else I need to know?
I have a tripod and I'm going to shoot both in RAW and JPEG.
ThierryD From Luxembourg, joined Dec 2005, 1995 posts, RR: 54 Reply 1, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 3005 times:
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Conor,
you already mentioned the basics: ISO100, high enough f-stop and a tripod.
Another thing you should watch out for is the white balance in order to compensate for the artificial lighting on the airport at night.
Also, though ISO100 is a good basic setup, you might want to consider increasing it a bit if your subject is likely to move and you don't have enough time for a long exposure.
If you have vibration reduction you should switch it off while shooting from a tripod as otherwise the camera (or lens) will try to compensate for movements which aren't there which will result in blurry shots.
Night shooting requires a bit more planning ahead than daylight shooting as there are no quick shots, so try to think about what will come next, so you'll be all set for the shot when the moment is right. This is of course not as important when you're photographing static objects.
Also look out for those special effects you may include in night shots (cars/people moving around, lights, etc) due to the long exposures.
ThierryD From Luxembourg, joined Dec 2005, 1995 posts, RR: 54 Reply 3, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 2991 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW HEAD SUPPORT
Quoting Conoramoia (Reply 2): Also I just wanted ot know, what would be the average shutter speed to get a plane taxiing at night?
You're in for some frustration, aren't you!?
No, seriously, getting a good shot of a taxiing plane at night is a pain in the butt. You'd need a shutter speed of, let's say, at least 1/80s to get a sharp shot. Now getting these 1/80s is almost only achievable if the subject is nicely lighted or you can use a high (1000+) ISO setting.
Of course you can try panning with shutter speeds below 1/80 but just as in daylight photography the amount of unusable shots will increase drastically.
A good, light sensitive lens will help a lot here of course.
Cpd From Australia, joined Jun 2008, 4813 posts, RR: 49 Reply 5, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 2961 times:
If you can pan smoothly with the tripod, then you might get some interesting shots - assuming the light is reasonable. But my guess is that with ISO200, you'll be disappointed with the results.
You'd probably need ISO1000 or above. I recently did some night photos. To get reasonable hand-held shutter speeds (eg, 1/60sec) I needed too use ISO2500/ISO3200 and F/4.0 on the lens (F/2.8 wasn't useful for the subject).
Conoramoia From Italy, joined Oct 2007, 482 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 2960 times:
My camera will produce lots of grain with anything over 200 ISO,
I'll try some panning but maybe the best photo's I'll get will be of the parked planes.
Should I forget panning ang go for some light trails of planes landing?
Cpd From Australia, joined Jun 2008, 4813 posts, RR: 49 Reply 7, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 2953 times:
Try it out with some low value normal planes, there is little to lose - but don't get your hopes up. If you get there a bit earlier (when there is still a bit of normal light), you might achieve reasonable results.
I've never done panning with a tripod, mine is all hand-held or with a monopod. Maybe it might be easier using a tripod.
Otherwise, do the long exposure, parked plane photos as said before, and watch the white-balance. The lighting used at airports can make things tricky.
Conoramoia From Italy, joined Oct 2007, 482 posts, RR: 2 Reply 10, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 2938 times:
Quoting Whisperjet (Reply 9): If you intend to spot from the parking garage make sure that there are now cars passing by while shooting. They make the garage vibrate.
RonS From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 758 posts, RR: 29 Reply 11, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 2911 times:
Yep, turn off your IS.
Quoting ThierryD (Reply 1): If you have vibration reduction you should switch it off
Quoting ThierryD (Reply 3): No, seriously, getting a good shot of a taxiing plane at night is a pain in the butt.
Oh yeah it is!
Quoting Conoramoia (Reply 2): I think the highest I'll go with ISO would be 200 considering I'll be using a 1000D.
Exactly, when you have the time always strive for ISO 100. Once and a while if you need it 200. I would think nothing more on our cameras (for anet uploading) I should say, I've tried.
Quoting Conoramoia (Reply 6): Should I forget panning ang go for some light trails of planes landing?
My opinion, if this is your first time, yes. But by all means try everything if you have the time.
My only thing thing to add is you may have trouble with the AF at night, be prepared to switch your lens to Manual and use the focus ring as best as you can. My lens sometimes has trouble focusing in auto for low light.
Also, if it's windy, try to block the camera / tripod from the wind as best you can to reduce shake. A vehicle, your body, etc.
Best of luck.
All opinions expressed by me are my own opinions & do not represent the opinions in any way of my employers.
Silver1SWA From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 4039 posts, RR: 31 Reply 14, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 2848 times:
Quoting Conoramoia (Reply 6): My camera will produce lots of grain with anything over 200 ISO
Quoting Conoramoia (Reply 6): Should I forget panning ang go for some light trails of planes landing?
Conor,
Don't be afraid to try everything. Don't let airliners.net standards hold you back. Don't be afraid to push the limits. Boost that ISO if that is what is necessary for a well-exposed, sharp shot. My philosohpy is, do whatever I have to do for a sharp shot and deal with noise/grain later. I would rather have a sharp shot with grain than a clean shot that is blurry. If it doesn't measure up to airliners.net standards, oh well. You can still consider it a great shot. But you never know... You never know what trial and error will yield. Sure the keeper rate might be very, very low but hey if you come home with just one shot, something special, then it's well worth it.
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
Conoramoia From Italy, joined Oct 2007, 482 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days ago) and read 2834 times:
Thanks everybody!
I so happy with all the adcvice!
As mention above,I'll keep an eye out for white balance,RAW+JPEG,ISO,wind...and all the rest!
Quoting Silver1SWA (Reply 14): Don't be afraid to try everything. Don't let airliners.net standards hold you back. Don't be afraid to push the limits. Boost that ISO if that is what is necessary for a well-exposed, sharp shot. My philosohpy is, do whatever I have to do for a sharp shot and deal with noise/grain later. I would rather have a sharp shot with grain than a clean shot that is blurry. If it doesn't measure up to airliners.net standards, oh well. You can still consider it a great shot. But you never know... You never know what trial and error will yield. Sure the keeper rate might be very, very low but hey if you come home with just one shot, something special, then it's well worth it.
WakeTurbulence From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 1279 posts, RR: 21 Reply 16, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days ago) and read 2822 times:
Another tip: use live view if you can. On long exposures this will reduce mirror slap and hopefully give you sharper pictures due to less camera shake.
-Matt
Conoramoia From Italy, joined Oct 2007, 482 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 4 days ago) and read 2821 times:
Quoting WakeTurbulence (Reply 16): Another tip: use live view if you can. On long exposures this will reduce mirror slap and hopefully give you sharper pictures due to less camera shake
Really?
It's even harder to get it to focus though...
any past experiences with this?
Spencer From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2004, 1609 posts, RR: 24 Reply 18, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 2811 times:
Not sure why you'd want to shoot jpgs as well? But definitely, without a doubt, shoot RAW. You don't need to worry at all about the WB, it can be sorted in the conversion process. You haven't a timer but that's not a major problem really, as you said, just use the timer. If you're struggling for the correct exposure then try a reading in P, then dial it into M and make slight adjustments if needed. Or start off with an f/8 reading in Av, if that's your preference, and switch to M from there. There's also a rubber cover on the strap , I think in your case, that can be placed across the rear viewfinder, eliminating any light seeping in from behind. Another good point is, where you can, in windy conditions, shield the camera and keep the tripod low down.
Spence.
EOS1D4, 7D, 30D, 100-400/4.5-5.6 L IS USM, 70-200/2.8 L IS2 USM, 17-40 f4 L USM, 24-105 f4 L IS USM, 85 f1.8 USM
RonS From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 758 posts, RR: 29 Reply 20, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2781 times:
Quoting WakeTurbulence (Reply 16): On long exposures this will reduce mirror slap and hopefully give you sharper pictures due to less camera shake.
Good point. Conor, I forgot our cameras do have a mirror lock-up feature, accesible from the Custom Functions menu.
All opinions expressed by me are my own opinions & do not represent the opinions in any way of my employers.
UnattendedBag From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 2145 posts, RR: 1 Reply 21, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 2747 times:
Quoting Spencer (Reply 18): Or start off with an f/8 reading in Av, if that's your preference, and switch to M from there.
For long, night time exposures, a wider f stop will suffice. I routinely shoot at f3.5 to achieve a higher shutter speed. Very helpful if the plane is getting ready to taxi on.
A smaller f stop (8-10) will cause the lights in the background to shine like stars and that can be very helpfull if you are seeing light ghosting or flare.
Astro777lover From United States of America, joined Nov 2008, 212 posts, RR: 1 Reply 22, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 2744 times:
Quoting UnattendedBag (Reply 21): A smaller f stop (8-10) will cause the lights in the background to shine like stars and that can be very helpfull if you are seeing light ghosting or flare.
What i have experience is that i use f/2.8 and go wide and let the plane do the work, but i am not usually right by the airport so it is dark where i am. Might be different if i was at the airport though.
Trial and error, that is what I learn by.
-Austin
Canon EOS 450D, Canon 70-200L 2.8 IS USM, Canon 580EX II
Dehowie From Australia, joined Feb 2004, 1026 posts, RR: 44 Reply 23, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 2744 times:
Quoting Hotplane (Reply 19): When I saw the title I thought you meant reading off registrations with binoculars or a scope. That is spotting after all isn't it?
I agree spotting is spotting i think we are talking about photography here.
God i hate being asked if im a plane spotter!
Ill leave that to the guys with notebooks and sharp pencils..
Cvervais From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 597 posts, RR: 3 Reply 24, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 2721 times:
I recently went out for my first night shoot and at least with my setup (5D mkii 100-400 lens) if there's any kind of a breeze it's going to create enough shake to blur the images. If you can find a spot shielded from the wind then you should be ok.
25 Cpd: What with that arsenal of camera gear? I never get problems with people asking me that question.
26 Dehowie: Yea with the 800 most people just go WTF!! lol... Think this is when good tripods really shine. I regularly use my Gitzo carbon pod in windy conditio
27 Conoramoia: Thanks guys, Also, what about taking cockpit shots when its dark? Regards, Conor
28 ThierryD: Pretty easy: a tripod and a wide angle lens, that's about all you need. Put the camera on the tripod (or gorillapod if you have one (very nice tool!)
29 Whisperjet: Suppose you are flying Ryanair? Forget about all what Thierry said, they won't let you use a tripod or a gorillapod, not even sure if they will let yo
30 UnattendedBag: That setup sounds like you were shooting with a giant windsail. If you were getting moderate winds, it might work to turn the image stabalization on.
31 Dehowie: Tripods in flight for approaches do not work and for almost all companies would be illegal as after landing the fact there not secured means they coul
32 RonS: Thanks to Connor bringing up the topic of night shots, made me get out and try a few more. As a result of the one I took the other night, I had a ques
33 ThierryD: I was focused on shots on the ground... Ok, now for inflight shots when your area of maneuverability is limited, you might indeed use a flash; person
34 Oly720man: Do you use a UV (or similar) filter at all? The multiple reflections from the lights are probably due to internal reflection in the lens (or off a fi
35 RonS: Yes, I always use a UV Haze Filter, either B&W or Tiffen. Should I or not? thanks
37 Oly720man: This'll be your problem. Light will be reflected off the front element of the lens and then back off the filter into the lens, but displaced, hence t
38 RonS: I did not know this. I'll give it a try, but knowing my luck, I'll hit the lens without the protective filter on it. Hope not though
39 Whisperjet: I don't use a filter on my Canon 100-400 and yet I do have the same ghost lights on my pictures. Stefan
40 RonS: Oh well, thought I had a perfect answer, but I still might give it a try, see if it helps. I'm using the 70-200 mostly, not that bad on my 28-105 and
41 UnattendedBag: a lens hood protects the lens from lights outside the field of view. I believe the only way to combat this is to photograph the aircraft from a diffe
42 Dehowie: Ok the green reflections occur with lenses which do not have an ani reflective coating on their rear element. What happens is when the shutter opens
43 ThierryD: I never actually tried that out; I did several daylight approach shots but you obviously don't need a gorillapod for that. Yes, I do but I don't use
44 Cvervais: Nice shot. I'll have to look into that tripod setup. I've just not had much need for one until recently.
45 Conoramoia: Thanks everyone for fetting involved with this thread, I think I have a general knowledge of what I have to do and how to do it. Thanks again, Conor
46 Conoramoia: Hi guys, I'm back and I did go spotting at night but I didn't get the chance to get a flight deck shot! Anyway to see my first edit at a photo please
47 Silver1SWA: It looks good, but you have disabled the option for us to view the larger size. Of course, if you are interested in feedback regarding acceptance we
48 Conoramoia: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4115016865_a68619c0e3_o.jpg Does this work? If not, how do I change it? Conor BTW, just saw your photo of the sout
49 Astro777lover: yes looks good small but we will see when we see full size
50 Silver1SWA: Yes, that worked. I would say the photo looks soft, maybe a little blurry. Try giving an extra kick of sharpness and see how that works out. Aircraft
51 Conoramoia: Okay, will take a look at it a later stage as I'm about to turn off the computer! Conor
52 Whisperjet: The colours look off to me. There is a strong red cast. If you want to I will have a go, just send the RAW file as an email. Stefan
53 Bertoli: Yes, although the white balance seems to be ok. Normally, the sodium vapor lights used on airport illumination distorts the colors a little bit. So,
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