Photograohy at Duxford

I am planning a visit to Duxford.

Can anyone advise me about the lighting conditions at the museum? I do have
a tripod, but it is quite heavy, and the airlines have some pretty low
baggage weight limits. That being the case I am considering leaving the
tripod at home. Hand held, I can probably get down to about 1/30 second
exposure without a lot of blur due to camera shake.

Thanks,

Indrek Aavisto

--
Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult. W.S. Churchill

On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:51:12 -0400, Indrek Aavisto wrote:

I am planning a visit to Duxford.

Can anyone advise me about the lighting conditions at the museum? I do have
a tripod, but it is quite heavy, and the airlines have some pretty low
baggage weight limits. That being the case I am considering leaving the
tripod at home. Hand held, I can probably get down to about 1/30 second
exposure without a lot of blur due to camera shake.

Thanks,

Indrek Aavisto

My experience was that lighting levels weren't problem. What was a
problem was 'planes crammed in, with little room to stand back & get a
good shot. Parts of the museum are darker - such as around the SR 71 and
Phantom in the US Airforce hangar - but even then a 'standard' camera
should be able to get a reasonable shot. I haven't been since they opened
the British aviation hangar, where the TSR 2 & Sunderland are located.

Assuming you'll be in London you can add the RAF Museum at Hendon (free
entry; Duxford is not free) to your list - several of the halls there
*are* dark, but you might be better off taking a good flash unit than a
tripod. The Imperial War Museum (no idea if it is free - it wasn't when I
last visited, but that was before museums were generally made free) in
?Elephant & Castle? has a few aircraft, as does the Science Museum in
Kensington (free entry, but an imposing presence to encourage 'voluntary'
donations); and within 'easy' reach of Duxford is Shuttleworth (but I've
never been there).

Travel within the UK isn't cheap, whether by European or US standards.
Petrol is also relatively expensive, at c. £1 a litre.

n On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:51:12 -0400, Indrek Aavisto wrote:

I am planning a visit to Duxford.

Can anyone advise me about the lighting conditions at the museum? I do
have
a tripod, but it is quite heavy, and the airlines have some pretty low
baggage weight limits. That being the case I am considering leaving
the
tripod at home. Hand held, I can probably get down to about 1/30
second
exposure without a lot of blur due to camera shake.

Thanks,

Indrek Aavisto

n My experience was that lighting levels weren't problem. What was a
n problem was 'planes crammed in, with little room to stand back & get
n a
n good shot. Parts of the museum are darker - such as around the SR 71
n and
n Phantom in the US Airforce hangar - but even then a 'standard' camera
n should be able to get a reasonable shot. I haven't been since they
n opened
n the British aviation hangar, where the TSR 2 & Sunderland are
n located.

n Assuming you'll be in London you can add the RAF Museum at Hendon
n (free
n entry; Duxford is not free) to your list - several of the halls there
n *are* dark, but you might be better off taking a good flash unit than
n a
n tripod. The Imperial War Museum (no idea if it is free - it wasn't
n when I
n last visited, but that was before museums were generally made free)
n in
n ?Elephant & Castle? has a few aircraft, as does the Science Museum in
n Kensington (free entry, but an imposing presence to encourage
n 'voluntary'
n donations); and within 'easy' reach of Duxford is Shuttleworth (but
n I've
n never been there).

n Travel within the UK isn't cheap, whether by European or US
n standards.
n Petrol is also relatively expensive, at c. £1 a litre.

Thanks for the info.

Yes, I will be making a visit to Hendon as well as to Duxford. My brother
assures me it is well worth the trip. We went to the Imperial War Museum a
couple of years ago, and it was free admission at that time. I have not been
to the Science Museum for over 40 years. If I have time I may pop in for a
visit.

I don't know how people survive in the UK. The prices for most things are
essentially double those in North America. I imagine they keep their credit
cards well greased. :-))

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto


--
Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult. W.S. Churchill

On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:45:35 -0400, "Indrek Aavisto"
wrote:


n On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:51:12 -0400, Indrek Aavisto wrote:

I am planning a visit to Duxford.

Can anyone advise me about the lighting conditions at the museum? I do
have


Yes, I will be making a visit to Hendon as well as to Duxford. My brother
assures me it is well worth the trip.

Indrek
I was there 3 months ago.
one thing I like about the english aviation museums is that they all
have a decent cafe where you can buy lunch. yes it all costs but you
saved up for the holiday. you're going to spend it on something.

Hendon and Duxford are well worth the visit.
I used a 7megapixel Sony Cybershot and had no problems getting good
shots in the museums. often the best shots are taken without flash.
as the other guys mentioned you'll seldom get free space to take
photos of individual aircraft but I tell you the mood shots you do get
are magic.

The Shuttleworth trust I dropped in to see about an hour before
closing one night. "you really want to pay the ten pound admission
just to see the collection for an hour?" "yep" it was so interesting
I went back a week later and spent an entire day there. absolutely
brilliant collection. Shuttleworth is a little south west of
Biggleswade on a country lane. Biggleswade is a few miles south west
of Cambridge. Google maps is your friend.

If you are in the mood for a drive there is another museum up on a RAF
base near Birmingham. The suburb next door is Albrighton. a magic
collection of all the test aircraft used for research and development.
something I wasnt aware of at the time is that the first iron bridge
of the industrial age is at Ironbridge just a few minutes away

if you are in the mood another day for a long drive go to Stonehenge.
I found it to be the coldest place on earth the day I went. You'll get
some neat photos. the piece de resistance occurs on the drive half way
back to london. you'll see a sign toward the army museum of aviation
at middle wallop. it is about 20 or 30 km south of the main highway.
the museum has all the relics of the army ww2 gliders, the
parachuting, army helicopters and stuff. quite interesting.

I wouldnt worry about getting perfect shots. the shots you get will
all be worth it and nobody will have any shots better than yours
anyway.

btw at the exit from Hendon is a large plastic box. in there are
titanium bolts from the TSR2 program. they are sold as souvenirs at
50p each. neat souvenirs.

Stealth Pilot

My particular favourite is Cosford. I lost count of the exhibits but there
are many, with emphasis on the V-bombers. It may be off of your route but is
worth a full day if possible. Free car park, Free enterance, just a donation
request in the foyer.
As with everywhere else, it is not possible to get a 'perfect picture'
because of the cluttered backgrounds, but isn't that why God gave us
Photoshop??


"Indrek Aavisto" wrote in message
...
I am planning a visit to Duxford.

Can anyone advise me about the lighting conditions at the museum? I do
have a tripod, but it is quite heavy, and the airlines have some pretty
low baggage weight limits. That being the case I am considering leaving
the tripod at home. Hand held, I can probably get down to about 1/30
second exposure without a lot of blur due to camera shake.

Thanks,

Indrek Aavisto

--
Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult. W.S. Churchill

none wrote:
On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:51:12 -0400, Indrek Aavisto wrote:

I am planning a visit to Duxford.

Can anyone advise me about the lighting conditions at the museum? I do have
a tripod, but it is quite heavy, and the airlines have some pretty low
baggage weight limits. That being the case I am considering leaving the
tripod at home. Hand held, I can probably get down to about 1/30 second
exposure without a lot of blur due to camera shake.

Thanks,

Indrek Aavisto

My experience was that lighting levels weren't problem. What was a
problem was 'planes crammed in, with little room to stand back & get a
good shot. Parts of the museum are darker - such as around the SR 71 and
Phantom in the US Airforce hangar - but even then a 'standard' camera
should be able to get a reasonable shot. I haven't been since they opened
the British aviation hangar, where the TSR 2 & Sunderland are located.

Assuming you'll be in London you can add the RAF Museum at Hendon (free
entry; Duxford is not free) to your list - several of the halls there
*are* dark, but you might be better off taking a good flash unit than a
tripod. The Imperial War Museum (no idea if it is free - it wasn't when I
last visited, but that was before museums were generally made free) in
?Elephant & Castle? has a few aircraft, as does the Science Museum in
Kensington (free entry, but an imposing presence to encourage 'voluntary'
donations); and within 'easy' reach of Duxford is Shuttleworth (but I've
never been there).

Travel within the UK isn't cheap, whether by European or US standards.
Petrol is also relatively expensive, at c. £1 a litre.

Hi Indrek,

Can I add to that by confirming that both The Science Museum and The
Imperial War Museum are free. Lighting levels are not too bad in the
Imperial War Museum, but absolutely dreadful in The Science Museum.

As "none" advises, light levels vary considerably in the various halls
that comprise Duxford, although he correctly states that a good flash
unit should be adequate. Exhibits are crowded together in some of the
halls - see the attached picture. There is also a new section at Duxford
with the Airborne Forces Museum now in situ, having been relocated from
Aldershot. I haven't visited it yet, at Duxford, but as an ex-para it's
high on my list.

The Shuttleworth Collection is superb with reasonable light conditions
throughout.

If your schedule (pronounce that how you will :-) ) permits you should
also try and get to the RAF Museum at Cosford, which is in the Midlands
and again has free entry. Light levels are generally good, apart from
the Cold War Exhibition. This museum has many of Britain's post war
experimental aircraft plus many other superb exhibits.

This link lists the UK aviation museums and could be a useful guide for you:

http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/mus/uk/ukmus-home.htm

I have visited all of the major ones, so if you need any information on
any of them, please let me know and I'll do my best to help.

Regards

®i©ardo


--
Moving things in still pictures

i none wrote:
On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:51:12 -0400, Indrek Aavisto wrote:

I am planning a visit to Duxford.

Can anyone advise me about the lighting conditions at the museum? I
do have
a tripod, but it is quite heavy, and the airlines have some pretty
low
baggage weight limits. That being the case I am considering leaving
the
tripod at home. Hand held, I can probably get down to about 1/30
second
exposure without a lot of blur due to camera shake.

Thanks,

Indrek Aavisto

My experience was that lighting levels weren't problem. What was a
problem was 'planes crammed in, with little room to stand back & get a
good shot. Parts of the museum are darker - such as around the SR 71
and
Phantom in the US Airforce hangar - but even then a 'standard' camera
should be able to get a reasonable shot. I haven't been since they
opened
the British aviation hangar, where the TSR 2 & Sunderland are located.

Assuming you'll be in London you can add the RAF Museum at Hendon
(free
entry; Duxford is not free) to your list - several of the halls there
*are* dark, but you might be better off taking a good flash unit than
a
tripod. The Imperial War Museum (no idea if it is free - it wasn't
when I
last visited, but that was before museums were generally made free) in
?Elephant & Castle? has a few aircraft, as does the Science Museum in
Kensington (free entry, but an imposing presence to encourage
'voluntary'
donations); and within 'easy' reach of Duxford is Shuttleworth (but
I've
never been there).

Travel within the UK isn't cheap, whether by European or US standards.
Petrol is also relatively expensive, at c. £1 a litre.

i Hi Indrek,

i Can I add to that by confirming that both The Science Museum and The
i Imperial War Museum are free. Lighting levels are not too bad in the
i Imperial War Museum, but absolutely dreadful in The Science Museum.

i As "none" advises, light levels vary considerably in the various
i halls
i that comprise Duxford, although he correctly states that a good flash
i unit should be adequate. Exhibits are crowded together in some of the
i halls - see the attached picture. There is also a new section at
i Duxford
i with the Airborne Forces Museum now in situ, having been relocated
i from
i Aldershot. I haven't visited it yet, at Duxford, but as an ex-para
i it's
i high on my list.

i The Shuttleworth Collection is superb with reasonable light
i conditions
i throughout.

i If your schedule (pronounce that how you will :-) ) permits you
i should
i also try and get to the RAF Museum at Cosford, which is in the
i Midlands
i and again has free entry. Light levels are generally good, apart from
i the Cold War Exhibition. This museum has many of Britain's post war
i experimental aircraft plus many other superb exhibits.

i This link lists the UK aviation museums and could be a useful guide
i for you:

i http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/mus/uk/ukmus-home.htm

i I have visited all of the major ones, so if you need any information
i on
i any of them, please let me know and I'll do my best to help.

i Regards

i ®i©ardo


i --
i Moving things in still pictures


Thanks for all the feedback. It's much appreciated.

My schedule (as in "hut at the end of the garden"-ule:I have not been
thoroughly corrupted by North American spelling and pronunciation) is fairly
flexible, but my wife might have something to say about a surfeit of
aircraft museums. We shall see.

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto


--
Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult. W.S. Churchill

Indrek Aavisto wrote:
i none wrote:
On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:51:12 -0400, Indrek Aavisto wrote:

I am planning a visit to Duxford.

Can anyone advise me about the lighting conditions at the museum? I
do have
a tripod, but it is quite heavy, and the airlines have some pretty
low
baggage weight limits. That being the case I am considering leaving
the
tripod at home. Hand held, I can probably get down to about 1/30
second
exposure without a lot of blur due to camera shake.

Thanks,

Indrek Aavisto

My experience was that lighting levels weren't problem. What was a
problem was 'planes crammed in, with little room to stand back & get a
good shot. Parts of the museum are darker - such as around the SR 71
and
Phantom in the US Airforce hangar - but even then a 'standard' camera
should be able to get a reasonable shot. I haven't been since they
opened
the British aviation hangar, where the TSR 2 & Sunderland are located.

Assuming you'll be in London you can add the RAF Museum at Hendon
(free
entry; Duxford is not free) to your list - several of the halls there
*are* dark, but you might be better off taking a good flash unit than
a
tripod. The Imperial War Museum (no idea if it is free - it wasn't
when I
last visited, but that was before museums were generally made free) in
?Elephant & Castle? has a few aircraft, as does the Science Museum in
Kensington (free entry, but an imposing presence to encourage
'voluntary'
donations); and within 'easy' reach of Duxford is Shuttleworth (but
I've
never been there).

Travel within the UK isn't cheap, whether by European or US standards.
Petrol is also relatively expensive, at c. £1 a litre.

i Hi Indrek,

i Can I add to that by confirming that both The Science Museum and The
i Imperial War Museum are free. Lighting levels are not too bad in the
i Imperial War Museum, but absolutely dreadful in The Science Museum.

i As "none" advises, light levels vary considerably in the various
i halls
i that comprise Duxford, although he correctly states that a good flash
i unit should be adequate. Exhibits are crowded together in some of the
i halls - see the attached picture. There is also a new section at
i Duxford
i with the Airborne Forces Museum now in situ, having been relocated
i from
i Aldershot. I haven't visited it yet, at Duxford, but as an ex-para
i it's
i high on my list.

i The Shuttleworth Collection is superb with reasonable light
i conditions
i throughout.

i If your schedule (pronounce that how you will :-) ) permits you
i should
i also try and get to the RAF Museum at Cosford, which is in the
i Midlands
i and again has free entry. Light levels are generally good, apart from
i the Cold War Exhibition. This museum has many of Britain's post war
i experimental aircraft plus many other superb exhibits.

i This link lists the UK aviation museums and could be a useful guide
i for you:

i http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/mus/uk/ukmus-home.htm

i I have visited all of the major ones, so if you need any information
i on
i any of them, please let me know and I'll do my best to help.

i Regards

i ®i©ardo


i --
i Moving things in still pictures


Thanks for all the feedback. It's much appreciated.

My schedule (as in "hut at the end of the garden"-ule:I have not been
thoroughly corrupted by North American spelling and pronunciation) is fairly
flexible, but my wife might have something to say about a surfeit of
aircraft museums. We shall see.

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto



Ah! She who must be obeyed...

It's a common problem, but here's a tempter!

;-)

--
Moving things in still pictures

....aided by FastStone's Free And Infinitely Flexible Photographic Fixing

www.FastStone.org

In message , Indrek
Aavisto writes
i none wrote:
On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:51:12 -0400, Indrek Aavisto wrote:

I am planning a visit to Duxford.

Can anyone advise me about the lighting conditions at the museum? I
do have
a tripod, but it is quite heavy, and the airlines have some pretty
low
baggage weight limits. That being the case I am considering leaving
the
tripod at home. Hand held, I can probably get down to about 1/30
second
exposure without a lot of blur due to camera shake.

Thanks,

Indrek Aavisto

My experience was that lighting levels weren't problem. What was a
problem was 'planes crammed in, with little room to stand back & get a
good shot. Parts of the museum are darker - such as around the SR 71
and
Phantom in the US Airforce hangar - but even then a 'standard' camera
should be able to get a reasonable shot. I haven't been since they
opened
the British aviation hangar, where the TSR 2 & Sunderland are located.

Assuming you'll be in London you can add the RAF Museum at Hendon
(free
entry; Duxford is not free) to your list - several of the halls there
*are* dark, but you might be better off taking a good flash unit than
a
tripod. The Imperial War Museum (no idea if it is free - it wasn't
when I
last visited, but that was before museums were generally made free) in
?Elephant & Castle? has a few aircraft, as does the Science Museum in
Kensington (free entry, but an imposing presence to encourage
'voluntary'
donations); and within 'easy' reach of Duxford is Shuttleworth (but
I've
never been there).

Travel within the UK isn't cheap, whether by European or US standards.
Petrol is also relatively expensive, at c. £1 a litre.

i Hi Indrek,

i Can I add to that by confirming that both The Science Museum and The
i Imperial War Museum are free. Lighting levels are not too bad in the
i Imperial War Museum, but absolutely dreadful in The Science Museum.

i As "none" advises, light levels vary considerably in the various
i halls
i that comprise Duxford, although he correctly states that a good flash
i unit should be adequate. Exhibits are crowded together in some of the
i halls - see the attached picture. There is also a new section at
i Duxford
i with the Airborne Forces Museum now in situ, having been relocated
i from
i Aldershot. I haven't visited it yet, at Duxford, but as an ex-para
i it's
i high on my list.

i The Shuttleworth Collection is superb with reasonable light
i conditions
i throughout.

i If your schedule (pronounce that how you will :-) ) permits you
i should
i also try and get to the RAF Museum at Cosford, which is in the
i Midlands
i and again has free entry. Light levels are generally good, apart from
i the Cold War Exhibition. This museum has many of Britain's post war
i experimental aircraft plus many other superb exhibits.

i This link lists the UK aviation museums and could be a useful guide
i for you:

i http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/mus/uk/ukmus-home.htm

i I have visited all of the major ones, so if you need any information
i on
i any of them, please let me know and I'll do my best to help.

i Regards

i ®i©ardo


i --
i Moving things in still pictures


Thanks for all the feedback. It's much appreciated.

My schedule (as in "hut at the end of the garden"-ule:I have not been
thoroughly corrupted by North American spelling and pronunciation) is fairly
flexible, but my wife might have something to say about a surfeit of
aircraft museums. We shall see.

Cheers,

Indrek Aavisto


As far as Shuttleworth is concerned, there are other attractions
(distractions?) for the less aviation-minded, such as the Swiss Garden
and the Bird of Prey Centre. See:
http://www.shuttleworth.org/shuttleworth_home.asp

The best days to visit are the display days.
--
Peter

Ying tong iddle-i po!