IMG_8688.CR2: 30D, EF 400mm 1:5.6L @ 1/1600, f/5.6, 400 ISO
I heard aircraft this afternoon. This is not unusual because the airport isn’t far away, but it didn’t click that the sounds weren’t commercial aircraft. When I finally realized it, I went to the window and saw the dual-tail aircraft overhead in a steep bank. I was off like a shot for my camera.
I went through the list:
- Remove the 50mm and mount the 400mm.
- Exposure mode: aperture priority.
- Aperture: 5.6 (wide open).
- ISO: 400.
- EV: +2/3
- Metering: Spot.
- Shooting mode: Slow continuous.
Then I went out onto the balcony and waited. And waited. And waited.
Finally, I heard the sound from behind my building. It was coming from the side toward the airport. I thought it might be landing. If this were true, I’d have perhaps three seconds to catch it. I prefocused on the trees so the final focus would be quick, held the camera to my face, and waited.
She appeared, and I managed three photos before she descended below the tree level. I was hoping for a touch-and-go but the aircraft stayed on the ground.
The photo isn’t spectacular, but I like it just fine.
Brett
“Remove the 50mm and mount the 400mm.”
I try to make a habit of leaving the longer lens on. Only because I’ve yet to come across a subject that required a 50mmmm in a hurry.
Does that make sense?