A Very Challenging Photo

Sometimes a bit of luck is all you need.

When/Where:
On August 7, 2026 at the Abbotsford International Airshow during the Friday afternoon/evening Twilight Show.

How:
My Canon R1 body and RF600mm f/4.0 lens was mounted on a sturdy tripod and gimbal with an Osee monitor mounted on the camera hot shoe. This allowed me to pan much easier watching the larger monitor vs using the camera eye piece or LCD screen.

As it was just after 9 PM and the light was fading fast I had some tough choices to make. Set the shutter speed to 1/500 sec and wide open on the leans at f/4.0 with Auto ISO (this was ISO 20,000). Shot at 40 frames per second hoping for at least a few perfectly sharp photos.

About the Aircraft:
Developed in the 1950s by the Soviet Union, the MiG-17F Fresco was a major step forward in Mikoyan-Gurevich design. It was built to counter the growing threat of faster, high-altitude bombers. The MiG-17F Fresco was a significant evolution from its predecessor, the MiG-15, and quickly earned a reputation as a formidable Soviet fighter jet known for its agility, speed, and dogfighting ability. With its swept-wing layout, powerful engine, and advanced military aviation technology for its time, the MiG-17F Fresco became a formidable opponent in the skies.

But what truly makes the MiG-17F a standout is its unique combination of raw speed and nimble handling, which enabled it to take on both high-speed intercepts and close-range dogfights. Its performance helped make it one of the most feared Cold War aircraft and a staple of many air forces around the world.