Lens for static airshow aircraft

[Allymcmurdo]

I've got a few airshows planned for next year. I've never shot static aircraft though, they've always been flying displays only for which I have a 100-400. What lens would you guys recommend for the statics? I've got a 17-35 which I usually use for landscapes ot this this going to be a little too wide?

[POL]

Generally the wider the better at airshows!

[Allymcmurdo]

Thanks for the reply.....wide it is then!

[daggerfan]

You don't say what camera you have but I assume it's full frame rather than APS-C. I don't do airshows now, can't stand crowds, but when I did with film cameras (ie full frame) my lens of choice for statics was a 35-70. Depends if you want arty pics or record shots, but I found anything wider than 35mm was too distortive.

Having said all that, we have moved on a few years and you don't get new 35-70s any more, perhaps a more modern all-rounder might be something like a 28-105. Again on full-frame.

I dare say other members will have different ideas. It's all down to personal preference of course.

[NickC]

A 17-35mm lens would allow you to photograph most aircraft at airshows - as EGVP says, the wider the better. However, you often need a little more reach than 35mm if you're fortunate and the aircraft are well spaced out, or if you want to crop the subject for more detail. I use a 24-105mm lens on a full frame sensor body, and previously used a 17-85mm on a cropped sensor body, and find/found them ideal.

[Supra]

Good advice here, but for "a few airshows" I certainly wouldn't invest in another lens given that you have potentially all you need!
In general terms there seems to be a compulsive 'need' for static aircraft to be jammed together? Even in these modern times, when there aren't that many to fit in!
Should they be spaced apart or further back, use the lower end of the 100-400. Adopt the same approach to detail shots.....fit the appropriate lens that you have & take the shot you want. Don't rely on 'photography' by computer!

[POL]

Should they be spaced apart or further back, use the lower end of the 100-400.

And if (when!) they are not..?

[Allymcmurdo]

Thanks for the advice chaps. Very much appreciated. My camera is a crop sensor EOS 760D. I am in the market for a 24-105 to replace my old 28-105 II which appears to a very develop some fungus internally. I think those three should cover shots.

[Thunder]

I would be inclined to go with the Sigma 17-50 https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3836061

or if your looking to replace the 105 then the Sigma 18-250 https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sigma- ... -hsm-macro

[Rotörhead]

I'm sure the 17-35 will do the trick on a cropped sensor, a 24-105 should give you something you can leave on and not really have to change for most of the static shots - depending on the size of the subject.

[Supra]

Should they be spaced apart or further back, use the lower end of the 100-400.

And if (when!) they are not..?

"fit the appropriate lens that you have".... that'll be the 17-35mm he owns? (as you already noted)
Still no point buying another lens simply for "a few airshows"

[John flightpath]

My camera is the Canon 750d. I would use the Canon 18-55 IS STM Lens for static.

Regards
John 'flightpath'.