Airframe
A specialized tool for aviation photographers built by an aviation photographer. Calculate how much of the frame an aircraft fills, and find the distance or focal length you need for the perfect shot.
Specialized Tool for Aviation Photographers
Airframe is a tool built to answer a very specific, practical question: At a given distance, with a given lens, how much of your frame will the airplane actually fill? It also works in reverse — telling you what distance or what focal length you'd need to fill the frame.
To provide the calculator with realistic distances, a built-in Distance Tool (powered by OpenStreetMap) helps you measure from potential spotting locations to runway thresholds, touchdown zones, or holding points before you even leave the house.
Used together, they can help you make an informed decision about what lens or lenses you'd need to pack.
But Why?
It all started back when I was preparing for our trip to Malta. Besides good food and good weather, I was looking forward to spending quality time at MLA/LMML. Because it was our vacation, I wanted to travel light and pack only one camera and lens. Obviously, I wanted to make sure that the lens I'd bring with me would have enough reach to capture airplanes.
To make a more or less informed decision, I used Google Maps to measure distances from potential locations. I then searched my library for photos taken from approximately the same distances, and then consulted EXIF metadata to check focal length values of each photo. Based on my findings, I concluded that the lens I planned to use would be the right one. I was right, but...
Needless to say the entire process was cumbersome and time-consuming, so I put my modest coding skills to work to build Airframe.
Fill Percentage
See exactly what percentage of the frame your subject occupies, with a visual subject-in-frame display.
Reverse Calculation
Get the distance at which your current lens would exactly fill the frame, or the focal length you'd need at your current distance.
Distance Tool
Measure real-world distances on OpenStreetMap. Drop points from spotting positions to runways, taxiways, or holding points.
Preset Aircraft
Preloaded dimensions for common airliners (Airbus A340-600, Airbus A380, Boeing 737, Boeing 777, and more), or enter a custom subject size manually.
Desktop and Web
In addition to macOS and Linux desktop apps, Airframe is available as a web app that you can run on practically any web server, so you can access the tool from any device.
Low Price, Life-time Purchase, Good Karma
No subscription nonsense. Pay once, use forever on as many devices as you need. By purchasing the app, you are not only getting a useful tool, but you also support my work as an amateur aviation photographer.