RIAT 2017 Saturday (non-DSLR m43) - Updated

[Hatstand]

The day I chose to go this year, was Saturday. Seems it was the worst day of the show. A grim, grey, wet morning, with low cloud that resulted in many acts unable to display. The afternoon weather was heavily overcast too, but at least the cloudbase was higher up, so the flying was mostly able to continue.

But in spite of all that, I thought it was a cracking good day! I enjoyed the displays immensely! Loved the SU-27, what an amazing last-minute addition! The Thunderbirds were a highlight, as were the Reds, the Rafale, the Mirage 2000's... the insane Spartan aerobatics never get old, nor does the endearingly-nutty Solo Turk commentator... lots of first-time sights for me in the static park... too many highlights to list really!

Light was poor for photography, and dull grey skies make boring backgrounds... but I was there to watch the displays first, and take photos second... so no big deal. And I still came away with plenty of photographic souvenirs that I find pleasing - here's a few of them:

1. Finland's Midnight Hawks - A brief jaunt into the gloom, but the display sadly cut short by low cloud


2. Italian Tornado


3. Belgian Sea King


4. Czech L-159's


5. Red Arrows frolicking


6. Red Arrows


7. Slovenian Pilatus PC-9M


8. Lancaster


9. Hurricane


10. Airbus A400M


11. Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker


12. F-15 Eagles


13. Mustang


14. Thunderbirds F-16


15. Thunderbirds


16. Thunderbirds


17. Italian Leonardo T-346A Master


18. Solo Turk F-16


19. Swedish SAAB Gripen


20. Patrouille Suisse F-5's


21. Patrouille Suisse F-5's


22. Couteau Delta Mirage 2000


23. Couteau Delta Mirage 2000's


24. Couteau Delta Mirage 2000's


25. Couteau Delta Mirage 2000


26. French Dassault Rafale


27. French Dassault Rafale


28. Ukranian Sukhoi Su-27 "A vulgar display of power" What a beast! :-D


29. Ukranian Sukhoi Su-27


I used a Panasonic G80 micro-four-thirds camera (non-DSLR) with Panasonic/Leica 100-400mm lens (200-800mm equivalent). Red dot sight fitted as usual. I used a Panasonic GX80 m43 camera with Panasonic 12-60mm for occasional wide angle photos. All taken from the grandstand in the Avaiation Club enclosure, which must be a good 30 or 40m back from the crowdline.

Hope you saw something of interest!
More to come later, mostly from the static displays...

EDIT: MORE ADDED BLELOW

[Tbolt]

Great shots. I went on Sunday and most of your shots are better than mine, although the cloud base was higher it was quite dull at times. Typical that we would have to beautiful days after the weekend!

[Mooshie1956]

Fantastic set, showing off what the m43 system can do.

[ShutterPlane]

Great shots.

I've got an Olympus M4/3, but I find I can't get it to do moving shots, the AF just isn't up to scratch on mine, even with tracking on, it's useless. Which camera is yours?

[PanamaMan]

Another great set, you're making the 100-400 earn its keep

[Theo1]

Great shots.

I've got an Olympus M4/3, but I find I can't get it to do moving shots, the AF just isn't up to scratch on mine, even with tracking on, it's useless. Which camera is yours?

Hi "ShutterPlane"

I also use an M4/3 since a year. Before that I used a DSLR. I have an Olympus OM-D 10 mark II with 2 lenses and it can AF on moving targets. This is the trick (learned on the internet):
set the camera on single shot, select one focus point in the middle of the frame and select the required shutter speed.
With a moving target press the release button half way repeatedly and you will see it wil focus quite quick and when the target is where you want it press the relase button all the way.

Please take a look at my Flickr albums and see what the system can do. I must say that I am quite happy with it and have no regrets switching from DSLR to M4/3.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/153188826@N07/albums

Nice pictures by the way Hatstand, thanks for sharing .

Theo

[soloturk]

WOW! Some brilliant shot's there!

Considering the awful cloud base, you got some clear shot's, I love the Tornado and Su-27 shot's and the prop stuff

Very nice set

[Hatstand]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

TBolt - You flatter me! Your photos are always top-notch, to a standard I aspire to - but never likely to reach O_o

Panamaman - Yes, and this was the day I really appreciated having weather-resistant body and lenses...!

Shutterplane - What Oly camera do you have? I'm surprised if it can't cope with airshows with suitable settings and good technique? I use a Panasonic G80 and a GX80.

Here's a few more photos, from the static displays:

30. B-52 Stratofortress


31. E-7A Wedgetail


32. C-17A


33. B-1 Lancer


34. B-52 Stratofortress


35. Magister


36. 2 Alphajets, an F-16 and a KC135 walked into a bar...


37. Captain America on a Beech 18


38. Pave Hawk


39. C-17A


40. U-2


41. Greek Phantom


I used a Panasonic G80 and 12-60mm lens (24-120mm equivalent).
Fisheye shots used a Panasonic GX80 with a "cheap toy" Olympus 9mm Fisheye Lens Cap :-D
(The fisheye is good fun and capable of pleasing results in my opinion, even though Olympus themsleves don't take it seriously - they list it under "Accesssories", not "Lenses"!)

Thanks for looking, I hope you enjoyed!

[FastJetsBest]

Very nice, great pictures. Always been impressed with your shots, even more so with a non DSLR.

[ShutterPlane]

Shutterplane - What Oly camera do you have? I'm surprised if it can't cope with airshows with suitable settings and good technique? I use a Panasonic G80 and a GX80.

OMD EM10 Mk2. I've just found the af tracking isn't very good. Whether it's a slow lens or not, don't know, but haven't tried what was suggested earlier. I take my Oly with me for stills and use my Canon SLR for the show.

[Blackbird]

Impressive set Hatstand

Andy