I gave in...........

[mikeriach]

It's all Birma's fault , I just HAD to spend my bonus which was burning a hole in my pocket. Sadly it didn't come with a Flake (UK guys should get the pun, for anyone else it's a 99).
I got it just in time for my trip to RAF Leuchars to see some of the aircraft involved in the huge Joint Warrior exercise.
Mixed weather (35kts+ winds) and me trying to balance on ladders to get photos over the fence spiced up the event. But the enthusiast visit also allowed close ups on the fighter flightline which were superb. Here are a few sample shots with the 70-200G and 70-400G (I now need a quality wide zoom).











Mike

[sury]

I am so glad you gave in, Mike. The second one is my absolute favorite.

With best regards,
Sury

[Dr. Harout]

All are superb shots. Shots like "I wish I had taken those shots myself".
And a big Congrats for "giving in..."

[david antony]

Congrats on your new acquisition Mike. These are all fabulous shots. Thanks for sharing.

[Ken M]

Nice shots!

[Birma]

Hehehe Congratulations Mike!

Great first pictures from it. No. 1 (Tornado?) is my fav.

[mvanrheenen]

It's all Birma's fault

You use it well, very clear shots!

@sury: itching yet?

[sury]

@sury: itching yet? [/quote]

I already have 70-400. Unfortunately the airshows are cancelled this year due to budget cut politics.
As I am still figuring out what to do with 24mm range, I feel I can use a wider angle though I do not know
what I would use it for, yet. The lens addiction is a bad thing. I think I may have to check into a rehab.
clinic.

[mvanrheenen]

I was talking about the A99, you knew that but are trying to avoid the subject, aren't you? Affraid of the missus (like me)

Just kidding my friend

Mark

[mikeriach]

I have to say that the A99 brings out the best in my 2 G lenses.
Just need to find a decent wide zoom otherwise it's a crop view with the 16-80 Zeiss.

Mike

[sury]

I have been deliberating between A99 and NEX6/7 for a while. For what I shoot,
I did not see a tremendous advantage of A99 except for Video. Having NEX would
give family a smaller camera, with video capability, is what I have been mulling over.
My problem right now is addiction to CZ lenses. I am fighting very hard to resist the
temptation.
FoM (Fear of Missus) factor is always lurking in the background. It is like bokeh. Is it creamy or hard.

Sury

[mvanrheenen]

FoM is always a killer, so are CZ lenses for your bankaccount

@Mike: it shows!

[Wildieswife]

Excellent shots. Exposure/clarity etc are faultless.
#1 and #4 are the outstanding ones.
If I were pushed on a constructive criticism I would say that the obvious sharpness and technical ability didn't demand such a close crop/framing. A bit of room around the plane and especially, space for it to 'fly into' would give the images a lot more power and a sense of 'place'.

Pat

[mark111]

Excellent photos, I was up at Leuchars for Joint Warrior and my 300mm Sony lens was struggling. FOM is still getting in my way to suggest the 500mm lens would be a great investment for my aircraft photos

[mikeriach]

Mark, all the flying shots were with the 70-400G which performed pretty well. Unusable shots were mostly my fault (shake usually or cut off appendages) and a few were clearly out of focus. I find it very good on the A99, sorry I've no experience of any Sony or Minolta 300mm lenses. I can't believe the price on the new 300G, nearly as much as my mortgage.

Pat, it's fairly common in the aviation circle to crop the subject and many people do them tighter than I do. I do also have some with background for effect so they are not all like the ones I posted, honest.

Mike