Head Spinning - Newbie DSLR Purchase

[planehazza]

Thanks, I think that's the best option for now. Any bags to look at? One that could hold the body and the 300mm lens would be ideal, and of course I have no idea where to start...

Something like this? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Backpack-Capac ... hdGY&psc=1

[James Cutting]

Maybe a style like this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/TARION-Backpac ... 264&sr=8-3

[planehazza]

Maybe a style like this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/TARION-Backpac ... 264&sr=8-3

I was literally just looking at that, but it's not gonna get here in time :/

[James Cutting]

Maybe one like this? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kono-Backpack- ... 18&sr=8-21

Usually I have used Lowepro, but a bit more pricey and ideally you need it ASAP

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Concept-Photog ... 41&sr=8-11

[planehazza]

Ordered that 70-300 lens, D7200, and a Lowepro Flipside 400 AW bag earlier this evening. Hope to get them Thursday. Grabbed some SD cards and batteries (built in USB charge port ones) from amazon. Wish me luck!

[Nighthawke]

If this is your first camera and straight into an airshow then you'll need all the luck you can get.

Good Luck!

[planehazza]

If this is your first camera and straight into an airshow then you'll need all the luck you can get.

Good Luck!

My first one I've owned, but I've borrowed a camera and lens for RIAT before. I'll learn as I go and each subsequent photo will be better than the last, I hope. Either way, I'm learning

Just bought D7200 for dummies too. Got some reading to cram in too

[planehazza]

Sat watching this, and gotta say, it's going in, piece by piece. I'm excited!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kw3P1yRwLs

[James Cutting]

Some good information here, leaning towards Canon BUT good basic principles (if needed) https://www.shootsmart.co.uk/how-to-pho ... -aircraft/

https://www.google.com/search?q=aviatio ... s-wiz-serp

[planehazza]

Thanks, good read!

Also.... it's HEEERRREEE! Needs a bit of clean but can't fault it otherwise. 128GB in slot one for RAW and 64GB in slot 2 for JPEG. Been playing around with it on unofficially extended lunch break and it seems canny. Simple things like it wanting to use flash in auto mode etc; need to work out how to stop that when not needed aside from using the no flash mode.

I have a few questions, so I'll open up a new thread as to not come away from the context from this thread

[James Cutting]

Use shutter priority mate! Seriously, stick it in that, auto ISO, best way to begin with Shutter 1/640 and up for jets, and 1/250 below for props, is my recommendation Just to get you started!

[Nighthawke]

If it didn't come with a manual, search for one on the internet and save it (probably a PDF). That way you can look for menu changes like your flash issue you mentioned.

[planehazza]

If it didn't come with a manual, search for one on the internet and save it (probably a PDF). That way you can look for menu changes like your flash issue you mentioned.

It did, mate, just haven't had a chance to read it yet. I'm an avid RTFM'er, don't worry Thank you

Use shutter priority mate! Seriously, stick it in that, auto ISO, best way to begin with Shutter 1/640 and up for jets, and 1/250 below for props, is my recommendation Just to get you started!

Yeah that's what I'm going to be using, and thanks for the shutter speed advice. They're actually sort of the values I had penciled in my mind to try for those settings. Is it heresy for me to say I sort of like the occasional 'prop stop' look? I can image a very sharp, very up close 'dramatic' prop stop looking quite cool. I'm going to have fun, I can already tell...

[Nighthawke]

Personally I don't like frozen props but I understand that some would rather have a sharp image than a fuzzy one. But your photos, your choice. Most importantly - enjoy!

[planehazza]

Personally I don't like frozen props but I understand that some would rather have a sharp image than a fuzzy one. But your photos, your choice. Most importantly - enjoy!

Oh I do prefer the realistic blurred prop, I just think maybe there's a shot for the stop prop Who knows, I'm just using my brain to imagine the photos. This time in 24 hours I'll know from direct experience

[Archer]

Simple things like it wanting to use flash in auto mode etc; need to work out how to stop that when not needed aside from using the no flash mode.

You can't prevent the flash from popping up if you're in the Auto mode, but the no-flash mode is basically what you're looking for. This is Auto but without the flash ever intruding. My suggestion would be to use P or Program mode. You will not automatically see the flash pop up and you've got more options to play with.

For aircraft whizzing past, go with shutter priority as suggested. You could also use aperture priority with the aperture set to a sweet spot for that lens (f5.6 or f8) but with that, you have to check if the shutter speeds are going to be within the range you want to be in. Remember to have Auto-ISO on and set the maximum ISO you don't want to go above in the settings. That will give you a lot of leeway on the exposure. I use AF-C with 3D tracking. That way you can focus on an airframe and have the camera's focus track it as it moves. And don't forget to enjoy the show!

[B58Hustler]

Just don't show any of your 'frozen' prop pictures to any pilots that have had the misfortune to lose an engine over a built up area.
It won't help their PTSD........

[planehazza]

I'll create a separate thread once I've gone through my snaps but it was a bit of a disaster. RIAT was far from ideal weather/light conditions for my first outing. I spoke to a few photographers whilst there for advice and adjusted shutter speeds etc accordingly but 80% of my photos were grossly under exposed.

I ran shutter priority with about 1/2500 shutter and manually upped ISO quite high to 1000/1600 but they're all dark. I played around with different metering modes, typically using spot or center weighted. I was clearly doing something wrong as others with similar settings were getting much better shots. I should have tried exposure compensation maybe?

Anyways, I'll post some unedited raws up in another thread tonight

[Nighthawke]

Flying shots of against bright or cloudy sky? Definitely exposure compensation required.

[planehazza]

Flying shots of against bright or cloudy sky? Definitely exposure compensation required.

Yeah it was great overcast all day. I should have played with the compensation and bracketing. I knew it would be learning curve and I wasn't expecting good results first time. I managed to get some that I think will come out nice with some cropping and tweaking.