Nikon D7500

[lifeofprice]

Im really struggling with photographing aircraft in flight as the focus is always ahead of after the jet. is there a better focusing setup to use please?

[Nighthawke]

Canon?
Seriously though if you post your settings it might help someone answer your question.

[B58Hustler]

First thing I would ask is are you in C-AF and NOT S-AF?

[RNexpat190]

Ditto, please post your settings so people can get an idea what you are doing with your camera.

RN.

[slogen51]

Im really struggling with photographing aircraft in flight as the focus is always ahead of after the jet. is there a better focusing setup to use please?

Just to be clear are you saying the object is out of focus or simply not fully in the frame in other words a panning issue

If a moving target is out of focus then as mentioned above you could be using single spot focus and keeping the shutter partially pressed which stops the camera refocusing, which can be very useful in some situations but not when the object is moving.

Use continuous C or D dynamic focusing.

I use Continuous and also press and release the shutter ( single shot) to make my D7200 refocus accurately - i probably don't need to do the press again shutter release, it's a habit but I find it works especially as when a plane is rapidly getting closer.

If you shoot at f/7.1 + ( smaller aperture) then you 'buy' your self more depth of field which also is important


Obviously eliminate camera shake in the usual ways by panning properly and checking the shutter speed is adequate

[Archer]

My typical setting for aircraft in flight is AF-C with 3D-tracking mode. All the other suggestions apply as well though, so pick an aperture setting that provides a bit of leeway and make sure that you are at a shutter speed that is fast enough to freeze the action. There is quite a difference between tracking a small GA type or tracking a fast moving combat jet. Practising helps a lot!

[POL]

User joined on 8 May, posted 3 times on 8 May, and hasn't been back since. Not sure I'd be spending time writing complex replies here folks.

[slogen51]

My thoughts exactly

Another 10 minutes of life wasted

D7500 - nice camera and easier than a mirrorless to pan with and cheaper

Long live the DSLR !

[Archer]

It's still interesting to compare settings. How about exposure options? I sometimes use Av, setting an aperture and having the camera sort out a shutter speed, having checked that it's within a suitable range for the area where the action is happening. With props I tend to use Tv, setting a speed that gives me a bit of prop blur, but in that case I need to keep an eye on my ISO and aperture to make sure I'm not constantly wide open.

[Paul1983]

I enjoyed my D7200 , a great camera for the money and capable of some really nice shots, but after going mirrorless I wont be going back to DSLR!

[verreli]

It's still interesting to compare settings. How about exposure options?

Manual - set aperture to taste - set shutter for aircraft [prop 1/100s, jet 1/1250s] - Auto iso

[slogen51]

Why auto ISO?

It is a very common practice but I prefer to set it manually according to the prevailing light conditions - lots of light low iso, low light higher iso, poor light put camera away unless i am using it as a digital pole

[Nighthawke]

I never use auto ISO. Lower = better resolution and, on older cameras, less noise. Mirrorless are far better for higher ISO but I still prefer to set lowest possible for prevailing conditions.

[Black Mike]

With my old DSLRs I switched between aperture and shutter priority depending on what I was shooting. Now with the mirrorless I'm more often in manual with auto ISO. The noise control in the Sony is very good even with twilight shots. The denoise in Lightroom helps when the ISO gets in the higher ranges. I basically use the same with my wildlife shots which are often up in the ISO5000+ range.

Mike