Vandenberg SFB + MCAS Miramar
The Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f5.6-8 R LM OIS WR lens looks hilariously oversized on my humble Fujifilm X-T3.
Vandenberg Space Force Base
So…I rented the Fujifilm 150-600mm f/5.6-8 lens because I wanted to photograph the last ever West Coast launch of the Delta IV Heavy.
Despite some minor delays, ULA was still able to launch within their first launch window, and I was able to watch NROL-91 liftoff from SLC-6 from just 6 miles away.
NROL-91 Launch Patch
f/8 | 1/950 | 600mm | iso320
To be honest, I wish I got better shots of the D4H, but I was struggling to keep focus on the rocket (purely a skill issue on my part). It was a great learning experience though, and I feel pretty confident that I can nail shots on the next rocket launch.
Marine Corp Air Station Miramar
aka, Fightertown USA
It would’ve been a waste to use this monsterous lens on just this one occasion when I had the lens for the whole weekend…well wouldn’t ya know it, the famous Miramar Air Show was that exact same weekend. So, I drove from Vandenberg Space Force Base all the way down to San Diego to see what America’s military budget had in store for me, and boy oh boy was I in for a treat!
US Army Golden Knights jump out of their Bombardier C-147A
f/6.4 | 1/750 | 214mm | iso320
US Army Golden Knight member and US Navy Leap Frog member parachute down together
f/7.1 | 1/850 | 420mm | iso320
C-17 Globemaster III
f/8 | 1/1000 | 600mm | iso320
C-17 Globemaster III
f/6.4 | 1/950 | 238mm | iso320
F22 + Aston Martin
ƒ/7.1 | 1/900 | 391.4mm | iso320
The iconic P51-D Mustang from WWII
f/7.1 | 1/1250 | 365mm | iso320
The gorgeous P51-D Mustang <3
f/6 | 1/250 | 284mm | iso160
The beautiful P51-D Mustang readying for takeoff
f/22 | 1/125 | 214mm | iso160
P51-D flying in formation with an F-22 Raptor
f/6.4 | 1/1800 | 265mm | iso320
My two favorite fighter planes, separated by 70 years and less than 100 ft
f/7.1 | 1/2000 | 352mm | iso320
F-22 Raptor at low speeds
ƒ/7.1 | 1/3500 | 327.6mm | iso320
High G Maneuver on an F22 Raptor
f/6.4 | 1/1500 | 255mm | iso320
F-22 Raptor w/ afterburner engaged
f/6.4 | 1/1500 | 255mm | iso320
F-22 Raptor w/ all weapon bay doors open
f/7.1 | 1/1700 | 405mm | iso320
F-35C Lightning II taking off
f/6.4 | 1/1600 | 230mm | iso320
F-35C Lightning II
f/7.1 | 1/1400 | 468mm | iso320
F-35C Lightning II w/ afterburners on
f/8 | 1/850 | 600mm | iso320
F/A-18 Hornet forming a condensation cone
f/5.6 | 1/1900 | 150mm | iso320