2024 MCAS Miramar Air Show question

[Mike J. Idacavage]

I have a question for those who have attended the Miramar Air Show in the past few years in San Diego. I was a regular attendee back in the early 1990s when I lived in San Diego. I am kicking around an idea to make some airline reservations and fly out to San Diego and attend the show later this month. I noticed on the show's website that you can't bring in a camera bag as only small clear bags are approved. If I am flying in from the East Coast, I really would want to take my good camera and a long lens to take decent photos especially during the flight demos. I have seen some great photos of the Miramar show posted here so I am wondering how you manage to bring in your camera and an additional lens? While only an average amateur photographer, I really enjoy the challenge of taking photos at air shows.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Mike

[habu2]

I have a "camera vest" with plenty of pockets, works great for me. 

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?q=Camera vest&sts=ma

[Ken Cartwright]

I just broke down and started doing this, with maybe a towel in it for some cushioning.

[Mike J. Idacavage]

Thanks for the great suggestions habu2 and Ken! I had not thought of using a vest but that makes sense. I had thought of using a clear bag but was worried about having no cushion for my larger lens. Wrapping it in a small towel is a great idea! The best part is that I have several clear bags that I received for volunteering at a few local stadium events. This might be a good time to actually use one!

 

Mike 

[oortiz10]

I've used a mesh backpack. It gets pretty warm on the flightline, and the clear plastic backpack I had didn't breath. It ventilated better than the clear PVC bag and was much more comfortable to wear in the heat. Besides that, it kept the contents much cooler, too. That's not an issue if your clear PVC bag isn't a backpack, but l found that backpacks were a little more convenient. I know that the website says that only clear bags are permitted, but I've used my mesh backpack with no problems the last few years I've gone. It was explained to me that because the contents of the bag were visible, the mesh bag was technically see through, it was acceptable. That was my experience. Maybe you could contact the Marines and confirm the mesh would be acceptable.

 

As far as my gear goes, I just used some small towels wrap up the delicate stuff. 

 

-O

[Mike J. Idacavage]

Thanks O! This is a new approach to me on hauling camera gear to an airshow. A mesh backpack sure does sound more comfortable than the clear plastic backpack that I picked up!

Mike

[gtypecanare]

For next year...

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D381SBXX/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?pd_rd_i=B0D381SBXX&pd_rd_w=p3ej9&content-id=amzn1.sym.f2f1cf8f-cab4-44dc-82ba-0ca811fb90cc&pf_rd_p=f2f1cf8f-cab4-44dc-82ba-0ca811fb90cc&pf_rd_r=GCAYFT8P6X2Q9ASR23CX&pd_rd_wg=kOqjL&pd_rd_r=e9d0886d-f716-4844-9698-99a265392425&s=kitchen&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

 

https://www.amazon.com/Sport-Brella-Beach-Chair-Adjustable-Umbrella/dp/B09WCKB91J/ref=asc_df_B09WCKB91J/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693769126988&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8085434743542047865&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031532&hvtargid=pla-1734679196874&mcid=1b0ee5b8b7de394fa99ae2789cab12e7&th=1

 

 

Edited October 1, 2024 by gtypecanare

[Mike J. Idacavage]

I want to thank everyone who offered great suggestions on how to attend an airshow that restricts camera bags with a camera. I ended up using a combination of camera vest and a clear bag when I went to the Miramar air show last month. I had zero problems getting in even with my 200 mm lens wrapped up in a towel as a cushion. While I don't have a top of the line camera and ended up having dust and some fibers/hairs inside the camera body (Photoshop works wonders getting rid of that!), I was happy with some of the photos I took. For the non-static display shots, I did need to crop the photos otherwise they would be small specks in in image. Here's a few of the photos I took at the air show.

Have fun modeling!

Mike

 

[Ken Cartwright]

Nice shots! really nice prop blur, especially on the Osprey.  My hands are not stable enough for that :).

 

I ended up getting sick this year and had to miss it.  I live pretty close, and had the Blue Angels fly over my house a few times and even got some photos, but it's not the same as being there.