Spotting locations at YSSY and camera lenses

[Maikha Ly]

Hi all

It has been quite a while since I've spent time along the fence at YSSY, and while I'm back in Sydney, am hoping to get back into it and get back into photographing some heavy metal. I'm hoping if I could get some advice about the two items in my subject.

Are there any particularly good locations to photograph traffic taking off, relative to the runway they're assigned on. I've tried finding the page listings of these locations through a Google search, but have been unsuccessful.

Also, I'm looking to get a zoom lens for my Canon 400D. I've survived the past two years with just a kit 18-55mm lens but looking to get either just a cheapy 75-300mm zoom lens (Which I've seen for $100), or a much fancier Sigma 18-210mm lens, which would suit me for other photographic applications of mine.


Any advice is greatly appreciated. And may I wish you all a Merry Christmas :)


Cheers
Maikha

[Maikha Ly]

Upon posting my last message, managed to find the link for spotting locations on http://www.16right.com/

[Brandon Giacomin]

I have the 75-300mm lens and I havent had a problem with it.
Here's some pics i've taken with it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/4189801570/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/4189036827/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/4189797204/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/4189034781/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/4189796116/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/4189799496/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/4123290625/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/4124034548/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/4124025304/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon301095/4123209469/sizes/l/

[Maikha Ly]

Hi Gents

Chris_d, certainly am. I've always been here (The forums that is, not Sydney), and I'm certain a few of you are 'over there ;)

Thanks for the advice nonetheless, my search for a lens has been aided by a voucher I got for Xmas, and Boxing Day sales today.


Wish me luck I don't get trampled over today :D

[Maikha Ly]

Hi all

Got a 300mm lens yesterday at a sale, ended up getting the 75-300mm kit lens for my 400D, as I'm not overly particular about details and how photos turn out. Did a test run of it today with some satisfaction, but have yet to try it out on aircraft.

In continuing my re-introduction to spotting out at YSSY, are there any better days to do so that would get either the most traffic or the most interesting traffic? Since my last time out there was in Australia Day last year, I was hoping I'd be able to see some planes I saw last time:

*UPS and FedEx Freight planes (MD-11's?)
*DHL 727
*Norfolk Island 737
*Any other freighters during daylight?
*Virgin Blue's Embraers

And unlike 2007, I'm hoping to get a few A380s as well, irrespective of airline.

Thanks for any advice given! :)


Cheers
Maikha

[Roland D]

Around 4pm, you'll get

Singapore A380
Qantas 747's a couple
Qantas A380
Singapore 777
Emirates 777
UPS MD-11

With the Emirates usually coming last, around 6.

as pretty much everyday. Then on some days you'll have some things like the PNG 757, Norfolk/Our Airline 737, VA 777, Hawaiian 767, NZ A320's a couple. Virgin A340, Etihad etc all possible.

That's along with the usual Qantas and Virgin stuff.

They close at 7 IIRC but all the heavies are gone by then, as is most of the light.

[Maikha Ly]

Thanks Roland, much appreciated!

What would you be referring to as PNG 757? The rest I understood... would this be the Air Niugini 757 that gets seen from time to time?

[Roland D]

The Air Niugini B757 that arrives in Sydney twice a week. Arrived at 6.30 or so this afternoon, but being summer theres still quite a lot of light around for a good shot, even on a overcast day like today.

[Maikha Ly]

Awesome!

Just looking up the Air Niugini schedule on their website, and they have the 757 coming and going to Sydney on the following days and times:

Sunday - Arr 1855 (Or 1830 as you had it today)
Monday - Dep 1045
Friday - Arr 1855
Saturday - Dep 0945


Safe to bet on the above times?

[matthew mcdonald]

Then on some days you'll have some things like the PNG 757, Norfolk/Our Airline 737, VA 777, Hawaiian 767, NZ A320's a couple. Virgin A340, Etihad etc all possible.



All of this stuff except for PNG and Norfolk come in everyday. So you will be fine to see these.

[Maikha Ly]

Thank you sir!

As for the Freighters, are they are daily occurence at YSSY? Hoping to get some of the MD-11s, Atlas Air 747 and possibly the DHL 727 that came in last time I went spotting?


My apologies for all the beginner questions, I'm rarely in Sydney and want to make the most of a full day out by the fence.

[Tim Bowrey]

Tuesdays is best for cargos, hence the name "Cargo Tuesday" although Korean Cargo comes on a Wednesday. FedEx and UPS MD-11's usually arrive from Honolulu most days around 3-4pm(they change from time to time) and usually depart a few hours later about 8pm up to Asia.

DHL 727's come in along with AAE 737 and BAe-146's and Toll 737 sometimes at night(DHL nightly) with quick turn arounds. Too dark for photos and everything but sure nice to watch anyway. Anymore help, post away!

[Steve V]

There was a Korean Air Cargo frieghter in today as well.