Model Aircraft

[Lesco]

A friend of mine has asked me to do some video and photos of his model aircraft flying he wants to use it all on his website, I don't have a problem with the video as I have a really nice HD Sony camcorder, my problem is taking pics of small objects going past me at a thousand miles an hour (OK slight exaggeration) I'm not sure if I have fast enough lenses to do this sort of thing, I've got a camera that can do the shots in my d300s, and also how do you set up and track these models in the sky, I've never taken shots of any planes before let alone model ones flying.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice

 

[artyman]

Get him to fly straight and steady, pick up from a distance and shoot when closer, 3/4 front shots will make it a bit easier, and practice.

 

[mark1616]

I fly RC Aircraft and Helicopters and have photographed quite a lot.

What lens do you have?

If he is flying straight that is actually pretty boring, much better to do a low banked (turning) flypast, this gives a better view than just the side of the plane, also the distance from the subject remains more stable so AF is simpler. Get him to fly as slow as he is comfortable. You want to have about 1/250s shutter for prop blur.

Here are a couple of samples of what I've shot from a few years ago.

http://forums.steves-digicams.com/transportation/164108-few-rc-aircraft-weekend.html

http://forums.steves-digicams.com/sports-action-photos/162879-rc-planes-helicopters.html

 

[Oggy]

I used to fly too.

I would disagree with mark about prop blur. I shoot 1/320 for full size prop blur. Model aircraft props turn much faster and you can get blur at faster settings(up to 1/1000th). The exif on my pictures should be readable.

 

[mark1616]

I used to fly too.

I would disagree with mark about prop blur. I shoot 1/320 for full size prop blur. Model aircraft props turn much faster and you can get blur at faster settings(up to 1/1000th). The exif on my pictures should be readable.

I've used a whole range and if you are looking for a good circle then 1/250 is about right, check out your first at 1/1000s not much blur going on and can't tell with the 2nd. Some of mine too have less blur but was conservative with the shutter running at about 1/640s. So it does depend on the prop size and engine speed, but was thinking of the OP getting some cool shots then assuming panning skills are OK 1/250s is fine, if not bump to 1/500s or higher. It will all work but blur will be less.

 

[Lesco]

Thank you very much guys, and those photos are stunning from both Mark and Roger, my god I'm going to have to practice to get anywhere close to this standard, thanks again guys, brilliant