Here’s some photos I took at the Singapore Airshow 2010. I was using the Olympus E-3 with the ZD 50-200mm SWD zoom lens. This was the first time for me to take photos of supersonic fighter jets and helicopters using a DSLR with a long zoom lens.

Click here to see Singapore Airshow 2010 Photos at Flickr

Singapore Airshow Aerial Display Photo Tips

If you want to taking photos of the Singapore Airshow aerial display, you will need a long zoom lens that extends 300mm and longer.

Since you will be shooting in bright sunlight and hopefully clear blue sky, you don’t really need a fast lens. I was shooting at aperture at ISO100, F/8 and shutter speed 1/1000 without monopod – tripod will be useless, unless you have one that is as tall as you.

Why a Long Zoom Works Better than Long Telephoto

For DSLR users of Nikon, Canon and Sony Alpha, I would think a long zoom lens is more practical than a long telephoto. You can zoom out(shorter focal length) to locate the jet fighter and zoom in when you take the shot.

Even if you are using a long zoom compact camera with F5.6 or slower e.g. Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1, Canon PowerShot SX120 IS or Lumix DMC-FZ35, no worry. Because you should get enough light to shoot at high speed by increasing your ISO.

And it really doesn’t matter if you are using DSLR.

Singapore Airshow Aerial Display Checklist

Here’s my camera equipment checklist for Singapore Airshow 2012 Aerial Display:

• Set auto-focus to Continuous AF
• Set exposure control to Manual
• Set sequential shooting to Hi (approx. 5 frames/sec)
• Long zoom lenses 100-600mm (35mm camera equivalent)
• Bring extra battery
• Bring monopod

No, we have not won the Olympic 2010 medal. We won the right to host the Youth Olympics 2010. Well done, Singapore! Maybe we will win some medals by 2010.

By 2010, both the Integrated Resorts… the Marina Bay Sands and the Resorts World Sentosa should be ready. It’s really getting exciting in Singapore – the “garmen people” call it a “vibrant city”. We are currently hosting the Singapore Airshow 2008 then come this September, we will have the Singapore F1 Grand Prix. Whoa!

Our government should have made enough money with the hosting of all these mega events and the casinos to fund the CPF Life annuities scheme.

Let’s get back to the Youth Olympics.

Why Did We Call It YOG?

I think YOG is a STUPID name. When you try to google for Singapore YOG, Google suggested Singapore yoga! So Google is stupid, right?

Youth Olympics or Olympics 2010 or Youth Olympic 2010 or even Singapore Youth Olympics are much nicer names than Singapore YOG.

Don’t you agree?

I wonder who came up with this yucks name?!