Capturing fast-moving airplanes and minimizing blur

[dikjenkins]

I frequently shoot the Blue Angels air shows. There are two standard routines performed at every show that I haven't been able to capture to my liking. Let me address them separately:

Opposing jets passing at a high rate of speed: approximately 500 mph. My technique has been to track the plane approaching from the right, keeping it centered in the viewing screen. Using AI Servo the EOS 50D will track an object moving at a steady speed provided I make the initial focus lock. I keep my left eye open as I track the plane moving from right to left while looking for an initial glimpse of the opposing plane flying at the same altitude. When they come close to intersecting I hold down my shutter set to High-Speed Continuous Shooting and continue to track my initial target. Generally I'll have a shot in the series where the two pass. Here's my question:

Being that my camera is moving rapidly from right to left and the opposing plane is moving essentially twice as fast in the opposite direction, the left to right moving plane is always blurred. Is there any way to minimize that blur? Generally I shoot my f/2.8L, 300mm prime lens at f/8.0. The weather is always good or no show therefore my ISO is fairly low, 100-320, whatever it takes to achieve a shutter speed around 1/1000 or slightly higher. See attached image please.

A single aircraft performing the hi-speed pass: Typically this plane approaches from the west and at about 60 feet in elevation. His speed as he passes the reviewing stand is approximately 700 mph. You'll see vapor build-ups around the fuselage as he nears. You have but a few seconds to have him nearly fill the viewing window and you can perhaps fire off two shots in that interim and then he's gone, directly upward and into the morning sun. Here's my second question:

What can I do to maximize my chances of a sharp image. My camera settings are generally identical to those stated above. Increase shutter speed? A different method of metering? A different vantage point?

I'd like to leave a link to an example image if I may:
http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/big.asp?photoID=7497953&catID=&style=&rowNumber=105&memberID=227167

[Bob Atkins]

For the planes crossing you're essentially panning AGAINST the motion of the 2nd plane and you're getting motion blur. I'd go for the fastert possible shutter speed, even if it means shooting wide open and bumping up the ISO. The only way you can feeeze motion is via a fast shutter speed. Onviously 1/1000s isn't fast enough for this situation.

Again shutter speed may help in the single plane situation. I'd aim for the fastest shutter speed and just hold the button down from just before you get full frame until the plane has moved past you. If you are getting motion blur, this will help. If you're getting blur due to AF issues, then stopping down more would help, but obviously this will slow the shutter speed - which can lead to motion blur! It's ort of catch 22 there. Bumping up the ISO will help and the 50D is pretty good up to ISO 800, so I wouldn't be afraid of experimentiing at higher ISO setting than 320.