EWR Planespotting Help

[CathayA340]

Hi everyone!

I just joined this site for my love of aviation. I live in NJ, and want to go planespotting in EWR. Could people give me some tips on where to spot, how to, and security info? Do I also need a certain kind of camera? I own an iPhone 4S and the Canon Powershot ELPH110. I am quite new to aviation though. Thanks for your help!

In terms of spotting, I have heard of 3 spots in EWR that are good: the IKEA Parking Lot, Frontage/Olympia Road Area, and P6 Long Term Parking at EWR. Do any of you recommend these, or certain spots? Thank you!!!

-Wes

[megatop412]

Hi there Cathay, see my response to your question on the anet thread

welcome to nyca!!

[CathayA340]

Thanks Megatop! I replied to it, thank you so much for the info!

[Landing Lights]

If a DSLR proves to be too expensive, you could try a superzoom point and shoot such as the canon SX series. Until recently I shot with the S2IS which was one of the early generations of the superzoom. They are perfectly capable of taking excellent aviation photos like this one:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/7688174700_67857104b1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30467068@N00/7688174700/)
photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30467068@N00/7688174700/)

I would strongly recommend a camera with a viewfinder and not just a large screen, since it is much easier to use the viewfinder than the screen in bright daylight. Something like the Canon SX40 IS which is about $300 on Amazon right now.

[wunaladreamin]

The best spotting tip for spotting at EWR...don't!

[Landing Lights]

The best spotting tip for spotting at EWR...don't!

Except for on Airport Day in September. then they give you access to part of the ramp and you can take all the shots that you want for about 6 hours. It's the only day of the year that I even bother to try EWR.

[lijk604]

Except for on Airport Day in September. then they give you access to part of the ramp and you can take all the shots that you want for about 6 hours. It's the only day of the year that I even bother to try EWR.

AGREED!

[neurodave757]

At the Hertz rent-a-car by Brewster road, you are fairly close to the runways. At the other end, Earhart drive can also get you pretty close to the action. However, I did have a PA NY/NJ officer stop and ask me what I was doing. It's a hit or miss at EWR...

[steve1840]

Except for on Airport Day in September. then they give you access to part of the ramp and you can take all the shots that you want for about 6 hours. It's the only day of the year that I even bother to try EWR.

I just might have to attend that this year....is it on a weekend?

[Landing Lights]

I just might have to attend that this year....is it on a weekend?

It was on a Saturday last year at the end of September. I can't speak for previous years, but I would have to imagine so given the family-oriented nature of it.

[gonzalu]

If a DSLR proves to be too expensive, you could try a superzoom point and shoot such as the canon SX series. Until recently I shot with the S2IS which was one of the early generations of the superzoom. They are perfectly capable of taking excellent aviation photos like this one:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/7688174700_67857104b1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30467068@N00/7688174700/)
photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30467068@N00/7688174700/)

I would strongly recommend a camera with a viewfinder and not just a large screen, since it is much easier to use the viewfinder than the screen in bright daylight. Something like the Canon SX40 IS which is about $300 on Amazon right now.

And they seem to be good enough for the main two databases, which are very tough on quality.

1108226
2047664

http://www.jetphotos.net/img/4/6/3/6/98957_1354663636_tb.jpg (http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7500293)

http://www.jetphotos.net/img/4/4/7/4/40843_1336148474_tb.jpg (http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7368662)

Thumbnails created by the JetPhotos.net BBCode Generator (http://caryliao.com/jetphotos.php)

[CathayA340]

Thank you everyone for your responses! I will definitely go on Airport Day to snap a lot of shots =)
Airindia16 on youtube told me about a spot near the airport, that can get GREAT shots. It is on Frontage and Olympia Road, behind the employee parking of Howard Johnson Hotel. Supposedly, there is no security, but you cannot see the visual touchdown. I will try that spot! I will also check out the Brewster Road Area. Thank you!

As for cameras, my mom has a Canon SX40. Would that work well?

[megatop412]

That spot is almost directly underneath the approach path for the 22's, I would look elsewhere unless you like belly shots

[CathayA340]

Oh, ok. It really doesnt matter to me because I love seeing planes anyways. I will try to go there =P

[Derf]

Oh, ok. It really doesnt matter to me because I love seeing planes anyways. I will try to go there =P

You just made bonus points for that post! Welcome to the club

[CathayA340]

Derf: What do you mean? Anyways, thank you =D

[Landing Lights]

As for cameras, my mom has a Canon SX40. Would that work well?

You should do just fine with that for now.


Derf: What do you mean? Anyways, thank you =D

I think that he means that you show a true love for airplanes and just enjoy being around them. You will be in good company here.

As a side note, you mentioned that you lived in Central NJ. Have you considered PHL?

[CathayA340]

Thanks so much for the info mldoc! I'm glad that you said that, I will be here for a long time =)
Yep, I do live in Central NJ. I have considered PHL but my father said that EWR is much closer and doesn't want to drive that far :P
Anyways, I will be trying EWR first in the Frontage Road spot, and if I get busted, PHL it is!

[neurodave757]

You just made bonus points for that post! Welcome to the club

Agreed! Even if you don't get a poster quality shot, you can still get a nice dose of jet fumes, and some music to your ears!

[Delta777LR]

Except for on Airport Day in September. then they give you access to part of the ramp and you can take all the shots that you want for about 6 hours. It's the only day of the year that I even bother to try EWR.

Thats usually one of the Saturdays that the Airplaneshop host a display show where u can buy collectables and such wat at good prices. I plan to attend this year. And I will planespot along with that

[CathayA340]

Thanks for the info everyone. I so agree neurodave757!!

[CathayA340]

Hey guys!

I was just on YouTube looking at videos of EWR planespotting. The same spotter I was talking about before discovered a spot with no security. He stayed in the location for 45 minutes and left to go to frontage road. Look it up on google maps and you can see a plane landing in the photo :P The address is 519 Dowd Avenue. It is just behind ikea on the other side of the turnpike. Do you think I should also try this spot? Thanks =)

[moose135]

At this point, I don't know why you are even bothering to ask our opinions. Looking at the spot on the map, I wouldn't want to shoot there in any case, as it appears to be directly in line with the runway, so you will end up with nothing but belly shots, but given security around the airport, I wouldn't recommend it. Ultimately, it's up to you.

[CathayA340]

Oh ok...Im sorry. I just wanted to show you guys the location...I would be the test monkey and I would tell you my results.

[moose135]

http://www.monkeymoon.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ham.jpg

[CathayA340]

ROFL xD hahaha
Anyways do you mind if I go check it out? I just wanna get a sense of his things really are at EWR....seeing security or not :S

[moose135]

Anyways do you mind if I go check it out? I just wanna get a sense of his things really are at EWR....seeing security or not :S
I'm not a cop, nor do I play one on TV, so I won't tell you what to do. I'm just a guy who's taken pictures of airplanes for 40+ years. I've had the pleasure of speaking with a dozen different police agencies, plus the FBI, about my aircraft photos, and it's been years since I've been asked to leave a spot I was shooting from.

[Cary]

ROFL xD hahaha
Anyways do you mind if I go check it out? I just wanna get a sense of his things really are at EWR....seeing security or not :S

If you're in locations outside of the IKEA parking lot, you probably won't be dealing with security, you'll be dealing with real Elizabeth, Newark, or Port Authority police. Just something to keep in mind. One of my incidents from EWR is noted here: http://nycaviation.com/forum/threads/36896-5-26-10-%E2%80%93-EWR

Like I said in the other thread, most spotters who go to EWR, go for a single plane. About 3 times last year, I went to EWR to get a single plane. I tracked it and timed my stop at EWR to match when the plane arrived, then got out of dodge. This is why I recommended PHL, BWI, JFK, etc., if you want a relaxing day of spotting, and would like to brush up on your aviation photography skills. Also, at PHL, BWI, and JFK, you'll actually find other plane spotters, who you can chat with and learn from. I know you don't like hearing that you shouldn't go spotting at certain airports, but everyone here is giving advice based on experience. A lot of us have been through this already at EWR, so we're trying to spare you (and your dad) the potential trauma.

[PhilDernerJr]

I've merged the "New EWR Spot" thread with the "EWR spotting help" thread, because we otherwise have three threads about EWR spots, all started by the same person within a few days of each other.

I also moved it to the Spotting Planning forum, because it does not belong in the Photography forum.