Hi, im just starting spotting again.
i've shot at a couple of airshows over the summer.
But I would like to start spoting around JFK again.
I have a D50 and a bigma lens.
When is the best time of day to go to JFK to spot the heavies landing?
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Hi, im just starting spotting again.
i've shot at a couple of airshows over the summer.
But I would like to start spoting around JFK again.
I have a D50 and a bigma lens.
When is the best time of day to go to JFK to spot the heavies landing?
Most of the Euro heavies come in from 1PM on to dusk.
k thx is the any type of rush hour at JFK? like 3pm?
From 3PM on it gets very busy, problem is this time of year you have no light. If June isn't a hot hazy month that is the best time to maximize your chances of getting all the birds you want with the best sky conditions.
so what about during the winter time lets say on a sunday when are the busiest times?
If you can get out during the week the morning brings some nice heavies. Singapore, Thai, TAM, Korean, Air France and various other cargo stuff. Plus the light is awesome.
I thought you were talking about "people of size" flying out of Kennedy--like those who now have to buy 2 seats on US Air.
no i ment size of aircraft
Welcome to the site, nikon50bigma!
Hey nikon50bigma, welcome.
I've got the same camera. There aren't too many Nikonians around here.
Er... excuse the ignorance, but what's this bigma you have? (No personal question intended :oops: .) Some sort of Sigma lens?
I beg to differ! We are here we just don't make as much noise as the Canon people.Quote:
There aren't too many Nikonians around here.
As best as my memory serves me the following here are Nikonians.
Myself
Art Brett (AAGOLD)
Mike M (Mikephotos)
Josh Akbar (jakbar)
Mike Primamore (Flyingcolors)
Winglets747
Matt Celmer (Cancidas)
Tommy Alfano (t-bird76) He owns a D200 but thinks it's a 30D.
So don't worry you are not alone!
I don't know Nick, you make enough noise for the whole crowd :DQuote:
Originally Posted by NIKV69
And don't be dissing our 30Ds
If Sam Chui switched to a Pentax Nick would switch! LOLOLQuote:
Originally Posted by NIKV69
Oh I think there are more Canon users then you Nikon folks..
Me
Phil
Moose
Fred (Nick you will bow to Fred!!!)
Brian
Eric
John
Matt
Mel on behalf of Phil, LOL :wink:
Senga
Josh May (soon to be NY)
Tom Turner
Fred's son
Mario's soon to be born baby
My new Godson
The crazy woman who harasses Senga
All Canon users!!!! Nick you must accept this!
On a serious note though the Canon Nikon debate is like the Boeing vs. Airbus debate. Both are good products that will take fantastic pictures.
Any chance though to bust on Nick I'll take! LOL
I would! Pentax is not all the bad.Quote:
If Sam Chui switched to a Pentax Nick would switch! LOLOL
Hey the heavy hitters in this hobby choose Nikon what can I say!
I mean let's look at two of the biggest..
Sam Chui
AirNikon (R.I.P.)
Both Nikon users!
You only use Canon because Phil does! If Phil used Fuji finepix you would buy one!Quote:
me
I always bow to Fred! Fred is the man!Quote:
Fred (Nick you will bow to Fred!!!)
Last time Fred's son touched something made by Canon he threw it in a lake! What does that tell you!Quote:
Fred's son
Ahahahahahahahahaha.....gasps for air....ahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!
Nick, why RIP for AirNikon? He didn't actually pass away, did he?
As for cameras, I hear Chui officially switched to the not-to-be-outdone Kodak Max.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...romotional.jpg
even though I don't take many shots anymore I have been Nikon for years started with an F3 and now on D-70
Hey, don't forget me.
I shoot with the Nikon D70.
well i am a proud nikon owner.
And the bigma that i own is a Sigma 50-500 lens
Thats the flag ship of the camera equipment.
How often does JFK see the 777-300?
Everyday by Emirates, Air France and ANA.Quote:
Originally Posted by nikon50bigma
around what times about? are the mound still a good place to shoot from?
I guess you didn't hear, Mike (AirNikon) passed away a few days ago. What a great guy, had the pleasure to hang with him a few years back.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil D.
Mike
I have seen the ANA arrive morning. The Emirates comes and goes early. I got her tuesday at bayswater but not sure if the quality is there. The Air France lands late morning if I remember right.Quote:
Everyday by Emirates, Air France and ANA.
ANA and Emirates arrive in the morning. Emirates departs in the morning while the ANA departs around 13:00.Quote:
Originally Posted by nikon50bigma
The Air France 777-300ER arrives around 15:30.
is the mounds still a godd place to stop at?
If they are using the 22's, yes. The mounds are especially good in the winter because the light is better and there are no bugs.Quote:
Originally Posted by nikon50bigma
Actually, ideal lighting for 22's (afternoon) would be summer. Winter sun does not go far enough around for me. By the time the light starts getting good for winter 22's it's turning yellow and you start losing f-stops quickly. Mornings however are perfect in the winter until about 10a-11am or so but not from the mounds of course.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iberia A340-600
Mike
Yep, you have to shoot from my suicide spot but Mike is right the light is absolutely perfect to shoot.Quote:
Mornings however are perfect in the winter until about 10a-11am or so but not from the mounds of course.
could someone explain to me where is his "suscide" spot and why he calls it that?
It's the lot on Rockaway right where 22L crosses the road on the south side. You have to park in the Pizza Hut lot and walk to it. The name "Suicide spot" was Senga's take on the spot when I told him about it, figuring the enforcers would come take me away but I have never had a problem there. (Just don't park there) :mrgreen:Quote:
Originally Posted by nikon50bigma
It is strictly a morning spot for 22L arrivals and the light couldn't be better. Here is some examples of what you can get from there.
http://www1.airliners.net/open.file/1133585/L/
http://www1.airliners.net/open.file/1133584/L/
FROM 3 TO 6PM JFK GETS REALLY BUSY
How is the spot near costco, I have read the thing about costco in the "spotting areas". But from personal experience how is the costco area? Do alot of people stare and become suspicious ?
It is pretty good. Got back from there a few hours ago. I OWNED a Dash-8 in great light and will post later.
Costco is a great place to spot, been there many times. If you are around on the water side, with the fishermen, no one pays much attention to you. If you are around the other side of the building, you may get a few looks, and I've had the police called a couple of times, but NCPD in the area are getting used to us, so they usually just check us out and let us stay.
The side where the water is, is much better then the other sie. The other side you have power lines to deal with and for the most part you can get a boring side profile shot. One the waterside you can get a nice coming at you shot which does a nice job of showing the lines of the plane. As Josh May puts it Costocesq shots, lol
Costco is nice and if you go there on a regular basis you will get a police visit. Just show your ID and tell them exactly what you are doing and they go on their way. I don't know if you have car but the lot across the street near Pizza Hut is much better. Only thing is you have to shoot at first light very early. If you position yourself right you can get great light effects. I shot this there a little while back.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1122750/L/
Tommy has been chased from there but I never have had a problem. Again carry your ID and just act normal. Also the parking lot at the Firestone just east of costco is good too but you have to catch the light right and you have less room for error because of power lines. You have less time to snap the pic before the power lines are in the way. I got this there. I think it's nicer than the costco angle you get.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0973730/L/
I have gotten approached there too. Once from a civilian who was a complete dick. I shot him a dirty look and gave him a nasty answer and he left, NCPD arrived shortly and were fine. Again just be honest and show your ID.
when the police ask what I am doing what do I tell them?
I know this might be a ridicilous questions but I just don't want the encounter to turn out to be something worse thatn it would usually be.
Do the fishermen ever say anything?
Just be honest if approached by the police. Let them know that this is a hobby that you enjoy, whether you are an aviation enthusiast, photographer, etc. The worst thing you can do is lie to the boys in blue. As long as you are straight with them, the worst thing they can do (if you are on private property) is ask you to leave. If you are in a public park, they can't even legally do that. Depending on who shows up, they may try to intimidate you, telling you it's illegal to take photos of aircraft ("Since 9/11..." is a favorite tactic). There are no such laws, especially concerning civil aircraft.
Take a look at the Spotter Blotter forum. I've had a number of encounters, and for the most part they have gone well. Be honest, polite and professional with the police, and they will normally do the same.
thanks, I might be going therw with my freind who is Albanian do you think they might exploit that?
Even if I tell them the truth is their a possiblity they might bring me down to the station?
I am Albanian and they certainly do not mess with me but than again I usually keep my badges on me so yeah but if a cop brought your freind to the station on that basis I would be there bring he double hockey sticks on those morons....