What's Your Go-To Spotting Equipment?

[sdspinelli2]

I have always been interested in what gear everyone uses for general aviation photography/spotting. I thought I'd start a thread asking the question. This might also help others looking to purchase new gear. What gear are you currently rocking and what do you think your next purchase will be?
I currently shoot a D7000, my go to lens for spotting is my Nikon 70-200 f4. I will be ordering a TC17 soon to get a little bit more range. I know it'll stop down my aperture but I normally shoot planes at f8 anyway.

[nssd70]

I am using a Canon T3i and either the 100-400 or 70-200 2.8II.

Doug

[gonzalu]

Nikon D800 Primary with either 200-400mm f/4 or 70-200mm f/2.8 with or without TC as needed
Nikon D3 Secondary. Paired with either of the above lenses and usually only at dusk or for night shots due to better high ISO performance.

D3 is primary at airshows due to speed, frame rate and buffer depth. Typically it will pair with the 200-400mm f/4 and a TC-17 1.7x teleconverter.

I usually carry all my gear as you never know what may happen especially if out all day. So the 14-24mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, an Tokina Zoom Fisheye and a 50mm f/1.8 are in the bag with a speedlight.

[CO777ER]

5DIII + 100-400mm is my go-to equipment. I also have a 24-105mm that I use for static shots.

[Gintaras B.]

Not looking to purchase anything else yet, trying to get better photos with what I have: Olympus E-520 & ZD 70-300. Prolly, most amateur gear on here.

[Zee71]

When I am shooting locally my go to gear now is my D7100 (wish the buffer was bigger), with typically the 80-400mm or the 70-200mm with or without the 1.4 TC. I keep the 24-120mm in my bag just in case too.

For most of my night shooting I usually will turn to the D4 with the 70-200mm f/2.8 attached.

Hopefully I'll be able to hit a few airshows this coming year and use the D4 with the 300mm + 1.7 TC attached.

When I travel I select my gear accordingly and want to cover a reasonable focal range. I don't want to kick my self in the butt for missing out on a shot. For some non-serious shooting and a walk around lens I use my 18-300mm.

On my recent work trip to LA I only brought the following gear which worked for me:
- D7100
- 80-400mm
- 70-200mm
- 18-300mm
- 1.4 TC
- Tripod and shutter release cable

[Landing Lights]

Canon T3i with a 100-400L is my normal for spotting. I just added a 24-105L for when I need less reach, and I wish I had that lens when I was in LA in October. I also keep a 50mm f1.8 with me for wider angle night shots.

[felipegcmh]

Regular spotting:

EOS 1D Mark III + EF 70-200 F4L, 1.4x Extender II on/off as needed
EOS 1Ds or a 7D as backups, depending on what the situation is like.

The 7D is always my primary for airshows due to the extra reach, large buffer and good MP count (besides, I just bought the 1D3 a few months ago).

For airshows/fly-ins, I typically bring the EF 28-135 IS and the Tokina 12-24 f4 II for statics.

Previously I used a Sigma 80-400 and an EF 28-70 f2.8L but they're both out of coMmission (the Sigma broke, the Canon fell out of my truck and the focusing seems to be off).

I'm planning to add either the 100-400L or the 70-200 f2.8L IS II/2x Extender combo soon, for extra reach and IS (my 70-200 is unstabilized).

[ANITIX87]

I recently went through a major gear overhaul.

I used to use Canon 50D + Canon 100-400L IS USM.

Now, my new gear is: Canon 5DMkIII + Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 (with 1.4xTC if needed).

I've lost a significant amount of "equivalent" focal length, but the quality of the new set-up is miles better and I can crop quite significantly.

[gonzalu]

Antonis, you need to update you signature :wink:

[jerslice]

Canon 5DIII with 70-200 2.8 II
Canon 5DII with 24 1.4
7D as backup when I need the range
400 2.8 available when I really need some range!

[NickPeterman]

I travel simple for the most part

7D + 100-400mm
50D + 28-135

Really wanted to replace the 28-135 with a 24-105 before leaving for Australia, but that seems financially improbable now...

[deltaA330]

I probably have the most amateur gear here
Canon 30D + Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS
also have the kit 18-55 for short distance, IE terminal, cockpit, and cabin shots.

Hopefully will be upgrading glass soon, but with college and flying costs to pay for, that may not be for a while. Oh well, I'll keep shooting and enjoying the hobby!

[felipegcmh]

The 18-55 has to be, by far, one of the best lenses in relation to how much it costs (not sure now, but back when I started taking photography seriously, the Rebel XT kit was $100 more than the body only), certainly not L, but not bad for the price.

[megatop412]

Nikon D300s+MD10 battery grip(replaces a D90 that I still use around the house)
Nikkor 70-300mmVR
Nikkor 12-24mmf/4
Sigma 150-500mmOS
Radio Shack PRO528 scanner
Nikon binoculars

[tlabranche]

My body is the Canon 6D
Lenses:
Canon 100-400
Canon 17-40L for ultra wide stuff such as airport overviews and ramp shots
Canon 24-105L is my general purpose lens for ramp shots at work.

I am saving for the Canon 135L F/2. It will mainly be my portrait lens, but it will have a great use for spotting. I will put the lens on my crop body. With my 2x extender, I will have a 432 f/4 prime to do some spotting with.