Bennygman

Nice, that approach shot with the gear dangling is such a classic angle for the Vulcan. Must try that one myself next year. Steve.

Nice, interesting to see the exposed radar on the Connie Steve.

Vulcan and Pasties - doesn't get much better than that! Steve.

Absolutely beautiful job The paintwork is perfect. Steve.

Well, there was a Nimrod and a Hind at RIAT too . Lovely pics, and totally agree that Legends is always well worth a visit. Steve.

We're getting closer though, at least we spoke this time. I'm planning to be at Telford, possibly both days so it could be sooner than you think! Steve.

Thanks for clearing that up. I assume you're involved in the ops side of things? If you get the chance, please pass on my thanks to all those involved in organising the show and making sure all the aircraft and crews ended up where they needed to be. The majority of the people I spoke to between Thurs- Mon were supportive of the fact that you guys were trying your damnedest to give us some kind of entertainment in royally shitty conditions. Better luck next time. Steve.

Bit of a battle against flat light for most of the day, but at least it never rained. Arrived just in time to brief the stewards on what time the gates opened (they seemed to have no idea), then watched as they got increasingly worried as the queue started stretching back towards the village. Gates opened bang on seven and in we went. Huge thanks to all the pilots who gave a little 'something extra' on departure and to the guys who towed the Greek Phantom out for a photo-shoot; very much appreciated by all. I've tried not to duplicate what you've already seen from the day. Italian AMX who appeared to leave successfully at the second attempt... Probably my favorite shot of the day... One of two B-52 departures... One of a gaggle of Antonovs, and a surprisingly extravagant departure... Omani 1-11... Hunagrian MiG... A rather nice Belgian F-16... German Navy Seaking - note the illuminated 'eyes' under the nose... GAF Tornado keeping it low... And a German Army CH-53... Here's to a drier weekend next year Steve.

Yeah, I'd say the lens is more important than the camera, though an EOS 1D wouldn't go amiss! My 300 f4 is a bit of a luxury, but I figured it'd last forever and pay me back over time. Even if it only lasts five or six years then it'll have been less than the costs of renting one for a couple of weeks each year, plus I also use it for animal shots on zoo visits, so it was a good long term investment. For me, IS is essential; I just can't hand-hold big lenses effectively without it. A fault in my technique for sure, but fortunately the technology exists to get around it. The settings I use are basically for jets; Aperture priority (f8 - should give the sharpest result on most lenses), on a dull day I over expose by around 1/3 of a stop, on a bright sunny day I go under by the same as I find it gives a more contrasty, saturated look. For props/choppers I use Shutter priority 1/250 to get 'banker' shots , then if I'm feeling brave/stupid I try slowing it down more to get more blur, usually with dodgy results . The beauty of the EOS (and I imagine other models too) is that you can set your AV and TV values and just switch between them using the mode dial depending on what you're shooting. It's not foolproof though as I found at Waddo when the bomb-laden typhoon came in and I left the camera set up for props. Fortunately one of the five shots was sharp or I'd have looked a right Charlie! For stationary stuff I just use AV (f8) again as camera shake seems to be less of an issue. Steve. PS usually use ISO 200 unless the light gets really bad.

Yes mate, it was a bit gloomy for part of the day, but I managed a few decent ones. A lot of the pilots seemed to be trying a bit harder with their take-offs to give us a bit of a show. We even got a barrel-roll from one of the MB 339's, which could land him in hot water. I left just after the F-22 departed for Farnboro. He arrived back as I was driving away, but I couldn't see if he displayed (as was rumored) or just landed. Just editing the pics now, so I'll try and post a few this afternoon. Steve.

Nice pics and comprehensive write up mike - easy to spot a 'journo' Steve.

Nice, particularly like the climbing Spit and the A-26 . Dux is right on my doorstep, so this was an easy option for Sunday, but having come home early from RIAT my heart just wasn't in it. Good to hear you had a decent and dry show though. Steve.

Thanks guys, I think those who were there will say they had a great couple of days, even with the soakings. It was just the growing bad feeling about the weekend that took the edge off of a couple of days great picture opportunities . Kev, I'm still using the Canon 20D and 300mm f4 with 1.4 converter for these. Backup is a Dynax 7D with a kit zoom, which is handy for the big stuff. It can take a great sharp pic' but it's developing the annoying habit of not focusing properly on occasion. It's very intermittent, but so far it's chosen the Vulcan take-off and yesterday's departure by the Pakistani Orion. A man could lose confidence in something like that, so as soon as funds allow I'll be after another good condition 20D and a 70-200 zoom. That said, everyone I've chatted to over the last few days has had the Canon 100-400 (f4-5.6, I think). It looks like a very compact lens for what it does, so that's another possibility. Steve.

Thanks Mike; we like to keep you entertained on the BM 'night shift' I hear what you're saying about the Brit' shows, but when one of your 'usual suspects' is the Raptor you've got something of a trump card there. I was with a group of shall we say 'hardened' airshow goers on Friday and we were all grinning like a bunch of school kids, with shouts of "wow", "Jeezus", "did you see what he did", etc. It will take a long time for that display to get old, just hope we can tempt them back so that they can perform for the audience they deserve. Steve.

A few more personal highlights... I wonder what's on the other memory card? One for tomorrow I think; 'night all. Steve.

Absolute quality mate, though some of those angles look very familiar from somewhere . The background to that Turkish Transall says it all, really. Good stuff! Steve.

The RIAT organisers have to move heaven and earth to get this beast back in front of the public. It deserves a bigger audience than it got Thursday and Friday. Worth every drop of rain and even being flooded out by a burst drain! Steve.

If I was in a position to take such a shot, I think I'd be too busy ducking to worry about it Steve.

I Picked one up at Waddo on Saturday. Just been having a play and a test fit of wings and fuselage. Standard Limited run I guess, a fair bit of clean up and some fitting and fiddling required and a few 'modular' bits to add to the seam work, but it should build into a nice model eventually. Biggest problem will be picking just one of those Aggressor schemes! Steve.

Can't really add to what Dean says above. I use shutter priority, 1/250 as a starting point for props (and helos). It will give a good compromise between some prop blur (about 1/10th of an arc on each prop) and a nice sharp plane. As stated, you can slow down the speed as you get more confident/competent (delete as applicable ). The only time I go below 1/250 is for landing / taxying shots when the prop is moving slower. On the ground 1/60 can give the same blur as 1/250 in the air. It all seems to depend on the individual plane and what it's up to at the time. On the basis that a picture is worth a thousand words... 1/250 1/125 1/30 (leaning on a barrier) Hope that helps a little. Steve.

Thanks mate, I do love a nice head-on shot. I'd originally intended to be at the Northern end for a head on as she taxied out, but decided to go for the rotation shot instead. I was, to say the least 'quite pleased' when she taxied back up the far taxiway then did a pirouette right in front of me! Steve.

Excellent stuff mate! Were you in the P&V enclosure? If so then it looks like there are some excellent angles to be had. Work is going to wipe out arrivals for me next year so I'll have to do departures instead. Looks like it'll be worth the trip. Steve.

Thanks guys glad you liked them. They were worth a soaking all morning I think Andy; Thanks mate, sometimes it's nice to be proven wrong. I can't help thinking the focus problem was '558's way of giving me the finger for doubting them. My sympathies to anyone who went today and braved the queues for less reward than they were expecting Steve.

Some nice pics there. I especially like the VAAC Harrier (surely worth the admission on its own), and the camo one under the ominous skies. We didn't get a flying B-52 at Waddo either, nor were there any Harriers present (that I could see anyway). Steve.

OK, hands in the air time. I have on this very forum been critical of TVOC's attempts to get the Vulcan back in the air. In fact I may have used the term 'money pit' when explaining why I hadn't made a contribution. In fairness I criticised in public so it's only fair to put it right in public. Suffice it to say that after yesterday's historic display, I was very wrong, I apologise to TVOC and will be sending some form of contribution shortly (would have done it yesterday, but an hour after the show you still couldn't get in their tent), and I feel like a bit of a ****. Right the, down to business. The plan was to arrive early and bag a spot near the rotation point. Great idea except I didn't realise what a sprightly bugger she was! That and the fact that my camera decided not to focus just as she left the ground means that the historic moment was well and truly missed. Having sat out the downpour in the morning however, I persevered and managed to bag the following... Having not really got on the Vulcan band wagon before, I can now see what all the fuss was about. Having Sean Maffet for the commentary was superb, and his comment of "she's your's now" as she climbed away almost bought a tear to my eye. If someone had asked me a question after the display I don't think I could have answered for a few minutes. Anyone waiting to see her at RIAT is in for a real treat. I'll put up a few from arrivals and the truly excellent role demo in a day or so. Steve.