As most of my fans know one of my favorite subjects to photograph are trains. Photographing trains can be a challenging and rewarding experience which I am going to share some insights and hopefully entertain you at the same time. 

Equipment: My main camera is the Canon EOS 70D. It's an 20 megapixel APS-C 7 fps camera. I like a crop sensor for railroad photography for several reasons. The first one is the 1.6 crop sensor allows me to get closer to the trains without having to physically get closer to the trains thus allowing me a higher margin of safety, plus the train crews would most likely appreciate not having an annoying photographer standing too close the tracks giving them gray hairs in the process.

Steam Through the FoliageWith my crop sensor and only minimal cropping I was able to get a close up shot of the engine without having too stand to close

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another reason why I like the 70D for railroad photography is that the speed of the camera allows me to capture panning shots with a added benefit of one of them being usable.

Panning in the MeadowEssex steam train panning through the meadow, This shot would have not been possible without the camera's fast shooting speed .

 

 

The final reason I love a crop sensor is that it allows me to stay on private property and still get the photo without trespassing on railroad property. 

PalmerNew England Central Train photographed from the station in Palmer MA

For lenses I use a Sigma 17-70 F2.8. It's small, very light, tack sharp and with a center sharpness I can crop pictures if I need to. For Distance shots I would use a 70-200 F2.8, when I purchase one. 

If I am chasing trains and photographing them, I don't use a tripod with today's high ISO standards you don't need one and it adds to the pleasure of not having to carry one around if you have to hike out to get to your shooting location. I always carry one hot shoe flash with me just in case I need it for fill light.

Next month in Part 2 I will share what clothes I wear for railfan photography and how I do it safely