Plane spotting

[Kayos]

Some pictures from a visit to the runway park at Manchester airport

My lad is really getting into photography and loves planes, so I let him use the better kit (he's getting the same for Christmas)

I used my Canon 5D MK2 and a 70-200 f4L lens

Will add more as I go through them

 

[northwest]

I have a very good friend, he is my travel agent actually* who, once I had known him for about twenty years, admitted to me his hobby was plane spotting. You think train spotting is anorak behaviour? These guys are in a different league, obviously they all know each other and I would imagine it would be a very difficult circle to break into, some of the places they can get into are very strictly off limits to the general public.

 

[8ob]

I have a very good friend, he is my travel agent actually* who, once I had known him for about twenty years, admitted to me his hobby was plane spotting. You think train spotting is anorak behaviour? These guys are in a different league, obviously they all know each other and I would imagine it would be a very difficult circle to break into, some of the places they can get into are very strictly off limits to the general public.

Never understood plane spotters, used to see them camped up at Heathrow 24/7. Hundreds of planes a week land there,have done for years and will do way into the future. Can’t see what they get out of it

Bob

 

[MysterG]

Never understood plane spotters, used to see them camped up at Heathrow 24/7. Hundreds of planes a week land there,have done for years and will do way into the future. Can’t see what they get out of it

Bob

I feel the same every time I drive past Kemble. Lots of people sat in a layby hoping for a glimpse of god knows what...

 

[Other Daniel]

Never understood plane spotters, used to see them camped up at Heathrow 24/7. Hundreds of planes a week land there,have done for years and will do way into the future. Can’t see what they get out of it

Bob

What does anyone get out of anything ?
Understanding it may indeed solve that Great Mystery of life.... Understanding other people !!!

 

[Kayos]

I have a very good friend, he is my travel agent actually* who, once I had known him for about twenty years, admitted to me his hobby was plane spotting. You think train spotting is anorak behaviour? These guys are in a different league, obviously they all know each other and I would imagine it would be a very difficult circle to break into, some of the places they can get into are very strictly off limits to the general public.

I find there is a spectrum of spotting

Some of the Facebook groups are an absolute joke, and some people take it far too seriously

We had tried getting to the south side but couldn't find the spot, a helpful chap on a group gave me details for next time, several others basically told him he shouldn't be sharing secrets (of public paths)

I find the military spotters can be at the extreme end, I'm close to Coningsby and Waddington, both attract a certain kind

 

[Kayos]

I feel the same every time I drive past Kemble. Lots of people sat in a layby hoping for a glimpse of god knows what...

Planes?

 

[Kayos]

Never understood plane spotters, used to see them camped up at Heathrow 24/7. Hundreds of planes a week land there,have done for years and will do way into the future. Can’t see what they get out of it

Bob

It's like any hobby

It's not for me, I enjoy taking pictures and spending time with my lad

 

[addjunkie]

Never understood plane spotters, used to see them camped up at Heathrow 24/7. Hundreds of planes a week land there,have done for years and will do way into the future. Can’t see what they get out of it

Bob

We are all different! To fully understand you would need to walk a mile or so in their shoes.

I get the train thing especially in the elegant days of steam, and the same with classic planes, military etc, but inclined to agree of air liners. Spent enough time sat in them, or waiting for them over the years. Though a trip to the Airbus factory in Toulouse does appeal.

 

[8ob]

It's like any hobby

It's not for me, I enjoy taking pictures and spending time with my lad

I get that, photography is something I would like to get involved in. More landscape than anything else.

Bob

 

[Kayos]

I get that, photography is something I would like to get involved in. More landscape than anything else.

Bob

Landscape not really my thing, I do dabble when in the mood
From a recent trip to the lakes, Hawes water reservoir

 

[droopsnoot]

Never understood plane spotters, used to see them camped up at Heathrow 24/7. Hundreds of planes a week land there,have done for years and will do way into the future. Can’t see what they get out of it

Bob

Sometimes it's a collecting thing - once you know what's out there (I presume there's a list, like there is for trains and, another of my old hobbies, buses) it becomes a challenge to try to spot them all. I don't think it's all that removed from getting that one size of spanner so you've got the set, even if you haven't got anything that needs a spanner of that size. I lost interest a bit when it became easier to track them down - when I was a kid and had to rely on other people or the bus service to get me around, it was more of a challenge, as soon as I could just drive around, it wasn't so interesting. I used to collect records, and similarly lost interest in those when I got a job and didn't have to save up to buy the rarer ones.

 

[Dr.Al]

There are quite a few planes in this photo . (Anyone care to count and see if you can spot them all?)

 

[redlig]

Never understood plane spotters, used to see them camped up at Heathrow 24/7. Hundreds of planes a week land there,have done for years and will do way into the future. Can’t see what they get out of it

Bob

Satisfaction! Don't ask how.

 

[redlig]

I feel the same every time I drive past Kemble. Lots of people sat in a layby hoping for a glimpse of god knows what...

Dead aircraft!
Used to be the home of the Red Arrows but just a brakers yard now.

 

[redlig]

Some pictures from a visit to the runway park at Manchester airport

My lad is really getting into photography and loves planes, so I let him use the better kit (he's getting the same for Christmas)

I used my Canon 5D MK2 and a 70-200 f4L lens

Will add more as I go through them View attachment 471199View attachment 471200View attachment 471201View attachment 471202

Splash out and get him a 2.8 f makes a world of difference.
Also some take off and landing shots with panning and use of the A and S functions. Lots to learn . get off the green button. If he hasn't already.

 

[redlig]

I find there is a spectrum of spotting

Some of the Facebook groups are an absolute joke, and some people take it far too seriously

We had tried getting to the south side but couldn't find the spot, a helpful chap on a group gave me details for next time, several others basically told him he shouldn't be sharing secrets (of public paths)

I find the military spotters can be at the extreme end, I'm close to Coningsby and Waddington, both attract a certain kind

All dressed up in Camo.
I have to admit that one day ,hopefully, I might get to the "loop" pass in N wales and watch the proper pilots having fun at my expense.

 

[Kayos]

Splash out and get him a 2.8 f makes a world of difference.
Also some take off and landing shots with panning and use of the A and S functions. Lots to learn . get off the green button. If he hasn't already.

These are my shots, absolutely no need for the cost/weight of the 2.8, most of these are f7.1 or f8

I'm teaching him to use the modes, we don't need auto

 

[redlig]

There are quite a few planes in this photo . (Anyone care to count and see if you can spot them all?)

View attachment 471209

Where are the clips and hooks for the offcuts of wood ?

 

[redlig]

These are my shots, absolutely no need for the cost/weight of the 2.8, most of these are f7.1 or f8

I'm teaching him to use the modes, we don't need auto

You might find that as you try to take action shots at faster shutter speeds a faster lens becomes more useful .( suck eggs time if you already knew)