Going onboard the CVN-69 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower this saturday

[JDub02]

The Navy is having a Friends and Family Day Cruise this Saturday onboard the "IKE". The air wing puts on a fantastic airshow and I'm looking forward to snapping some pictures of the jets during touch and go's and launches. I'm a semi-noob when it comes to using my D40. Any tips for getting some good shots of fast moving aircraft? Also, there's a chance of rain Saturday. I'm hoping they can maneuver the ship out of the weather, but if they can't, can I still use my camera in a light rain? I don't plan on even bringing it out of the case if it's pouring.

 

[Brainonska511]

Moving aircraft - fast shutter. Depending on the distance from the aircraft and the lens you are using, adjust your aperture to give you a little more depth of field to get the whole aircraft in focus and give you a little wiggle room on the focus.

Light rain should be a big deal. Use a lens hood to help keep the front glass clear of water. You can always make a rain guard by cutting a plastic bag.

 

[JDub02]

Got some amazing pictures. My favorite one is of a F/A-18 hitting mach 1. I managed to get a shot of the pressure bubble around the jet right as it breaks the sound barrier.

 

[Brainonska511]

Do you have any to post?

 

[JDub02]

I'll upload them when I get home tonight.


edit: Lightroom is hanging up trying to u/l the pictures. I'll try again after work tonight to troubleshoot it.

 

[JDub02]

Finally got the pics uploaded.

My brother by the island
Group Photo
Main deck set up for the FFDC
Our CG escort from the Naval base
F/A-18 crash & salvage training jet
Another one of the C&S jet
Just in case you didn't think we were serious
Testing the cats
Flight deck crew

 

[JDub02]

Flight deck crew in blue
Getting ready to launch
After a touch and go
Afterburner
Pukin' Dog launched
MOAR afterburner
Wheelie

 

[JDub02]

Pukin' Dog
Pilot close-up
I's scurred
Go that way <-
Look ma! No ground!
Tanker Demo
Flares
I can has a pancake on my back?
Hawkeye #2
Jolly Rogers
Something cloudy on my belly
Get in mah belly
Jolly Rogers
Coming in quick
Wait for it
BOOOM!!
Formation fly-over
Departing

 

[soydios]

COOLNESS!

 

[Rockinacoustic]

The speed barrier picture is sick. Nice shots.

 

[moks78]

Wow! Nice to be close to that F18 being catapulted for take off. Hope, I'll have the chance to do the same.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: moks78
Wow! Nice to be close to that F18 being catapulted for take off. Hope, I'll have the chance to do the same.

It was pretty wild being ~40 yards away from the cat as the jets are taking off. Extremely loud. On previous cruises, they had done live ordnance demonstations. All of the bombs this time were inert. Still a very cool day, though. Those carriers really are floating cities.

 

[Jawo]

Damn...those are some amazing pictures!

 

[moks78]

On previous cruises, they had done live ordnance demonstations. All of the bombs this time were inert.

They're saving the bombs for Iraq or Afganistan.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: moks78

On previous cruises, they had done live ordnance demonstations. All of the bombs this time were inert.

They're saving the bombs for Iraq or Afganistan.

The pilots onboard said they have plenty. But you know those flyboys .. always wanting to bomb something and disappointed if they don't get to. I think they caught some heat for bombing the fish. At least they're going to good use on al qaeda.