That Is Me
That is me. I get to do some really cool stuff. Here with the Palm Springs Air Museum to take off for a multi-aircraft video and photo shoot. My cameras of choice here; Fujifilm X-T3 with a Fujifilm 50-140 2.8 lens. It is on the strongest camera strap made and made for aviation, from Vulture Equipment Works. And a GoPro mounted inside on the left and right canopy rail. (Thanks to fellow photographer Ian Glover for the photo).
Monster Glass
I do not get excited about gear very much but this is really cool. Trying out the new Fujifilm X-T3 body w/booster and the amazing Fujinon XF 200mm F2 lens. Fujifilm calls it “Monster Glass”. However it is much lighter than I expected and easy to handle. It also comes with the 1.4 extender.
This photo was shot with just the lens at 200mm (equivalent to approx 300mm). A Bell 407 helicopter leaving the Palm Springs Air Museum yesterday.
Here is the setup I am using when I am shooting video or not handholding the camera. Balance and salt much improved with the camera strap on the lens. Smart idea! I use a really sturdy strap designed for aviation and other intense applications from Vulture Equipment Works. If you would like to order from Vulture, send me an e-mail and I have a discount code for you. Ian@SecondFocus.com
T-33 Run Up
Simple videos are such great fun. Here with the Palm Springs Air Museum for the start up of a T-33 jet trainer. Come on out and see her fly November 10th.
Fujifilm X-H1 camera with he Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f/2.8 lens. On a tripod. My strap from Vulture Equipment Works still attached. Best camera strap ever.
Sigma 150-600mm Lens
I have been trying out the the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S lens. On my Canon 1DMkIV. And a no fail serious camera strap from Vulture Equipment Works.
Just worked with it for the 2nd time. Yes it is sharp and the color fidelity is beautiful! You might look at the lettering on the prop and say it is blurry. Actually that is exactly how it is on the prop. This was at 150mm. The aircraft is at the Palm Springs Air Museum; a Red Tail P-51 Mustang “Bunny” dedicated to the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II.
Air To Air
Just some thoughts on air to air photography. Flying with the Palm Springs Air Museum, we were doing July 4th celebration flyovers. Alongside the T-28 Trojan, I was in the backseat of the Red Tail P-51 Mustang “Bunny”. The Mustang is at best, somewhat short on room in the back. There is also a curvature to the canopy that lends itself to a lot of distortion. My choice of gear here made it all work out easier.
I was shooting the latest Fujifilm mirrorless camera, the X-H1 and the Fujifilm XF50-140 lens. The 5-axis in-body stabilization works in conjunction with the lens stabilization, perfect for this kind of shooting. It is also physically smaller and lighter than a full size DSLR which in tight quarters or pulling a couple of g’s makes a huge difference.
This time out I also especially appreciated my camera strap choice. From Vulture Equipment Works especially made for aviation use. A tougher strap does not exist. It is designed with carabiners connecting the strap to the camera. The ability to easily disconnect them helped in easily getting the strap out of the way of my headset cable. When you are getting in, you are buckling up your parachute, shoulder harness and seat belt, camera and headset, so wanting to change how you set things up from when you got in does happen.
At the same time, I was also running two GoPro’s. Each mounted inside to my left and right, pointed 45 degrees front. Got some great video I will show you later.
Anyway just thought I would share. It was great fun! Thanks!
Going Fast Enough With The X-H1
Truly outstanding… The Fujifilm X-H1! I am really liking this camera the more I shoot it. Image quality is incredible, viewfinder is breathtaking! It does it all. I use it with a very serious camera strap from Vulture Equipment Works. I don’t get the idea of using those pretty straps unless you are shooting babies and weddings. Just not for me. I like my gear tough!
Yesterday I was shooting something simple enough but in not great lighting. Behind the scenes at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Michael Ripley was “Air Cav” and flew AH-1 Cobra helicopters 50 years ago in Vietnam. Here being interviewed by Dominik Radwanska from DIGICOM Learning. DIGICOM teaches teachers and here he was showing elementary and middle school teachers how to make movies with simple equipment. Skills that they then take back to their classrooms in the Fall.
Next I was off to the BMW Performance Center at the Thermal Club. An incredible facility where you learn and drive the “Ultimate Driving Machines”, high performance BMW’s. We drove various models all out on three different tracks and I had the chance to do some quick shots as our instructor Christopher Hill took some students on a very exciting run around a track. As Chris said; “If the tires aren’t squealing you are not going fast enough”. I did make them squeal myself and then some! The X-H1 camera did not squeal and handled it all!
Hangar 24 AirFest Flying Excitement
Lots of exciting flying at the Hangar 24 AirFest in Redlands this past weekend. I was there with the Palm Springs Air Museum shooting some photos and video. Here are some to give you a look!
A Serious Camera Strap
I never could understand using a typical consumer camera strap on a professional camera especially for aviation photography. A camera strap failure on the ground and you just drop your camera. In the air it is an entirely different discussion. Very happy I found this strap by Vulture Equipment Works.
It’s A Secret
I really enjoy bringing the Palm Springs Air Museum to so very many people around the globe and here more locally. CNN named it as one of the Best Air Museums In The World. So please come visit and also just follow along!
And a secret, don’t tell anyone… I am having a lot of fun! This is me in the backseat of the Air Museum’s P-51 Mustang “Bunny” taking off from March Air Field on Sunday. Our Museum visitors get to fly too! It is Living History whether in the backseat of “Bunny” or in our WWII Paratrooper C-47 “What’s Up Doc?”, watching our weekly flight demonstrations, sitting in the pilot’s seat for “Open Cockpit”, or touring inside our giant four engine B-17 “Flying Fortress”. It is a first hand experience, always exciting. Thanks!
This video was shot on the new Fujifim X-H1 camera body and the Fujifilm XF18-135 lens. Even better, kept on me with a beast of a camera strap made for aviation by Vulture Equipment Works. That is what you don’t leave home without!
Smokin!
Shooting at the equivalent of 600mm super telephoto and handheld through the haze of smoke oil as the airplane almost hangs in the air. With the Fujifilm X-H1 camera body and 100-400mm lens. Braced with the camera strap made for aviation by Vulture Equipment Works.
Always front and center in Air Shows and Aviation, Hangar 24 Craft Brewing on proud display at the March Air Field Air Show this past weekend. And myself there with the Palm Springs Air Museum.
Enveloped by a haze of smoke oil and flown by the extreme aerobatics pilot Jon Melby! The Pitt’s S-1-11B Muscle Bi-Plane has 350 HP, cruises at over 195 MPH, and Jon’s airshow routine is anywhere from 9 positive to 4 negative G’s. Wow!
Visit Hangar 24 Craft Brewery in Redlands CA. “Beer Crafted with Purpose”. And be sure to catch the huge Hangar 24 Airfest coming up on May 19 & 20 right at the Redlands Airport!
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