Iruma Air Show 2024: Canon R5 Field Test

The Canon EOS R5 excels at aviation photography, as demonstrated at the JASDF Iruma Air Show 2024. Its 45-megapixel sensor provides immense cropping flexibility for distant aircraft, while the advanced vehicle tracking autofocus ensures sharp focus on fast-moving jets. For photographers, it delivers professional-grade performance and resolution in challenging, action environments.

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F-15J Eagle fighter jet marked "Fighting Dragon" on the tarmac at Iruma Air Show 2024 under a clear blue sky. — *Mitsubishi F-15J Eagle*

The chaos on the ground melted away the moment I pointed my lens to the sky. A giant Kawasaki C2 transport aircraft banked over Iruma Air Show 2024, its two jet engines let out a low roar, I put the R5 to the test. I’d set the autofocus to track vehicles, and it instantly snapped onto the cockpit, holding on with precision as I held down the shutter. A moment later, the sky screamed as a pair of Kawasaki T-4s tore past. Even though they were tiny dots in my 105mm lens, the focus box stayed glued to them.

Two JASDF fighter jets fly in formation over a camouflaged helicopter tail against a clear blue sky. — *Kawasaki T4 jets fly over Iruma Air Base*

Grey JASDF Kawasaki T-4 trainer jet on the tarmac at the Iruma Air Show 2024 under a clear blue sky. — *Kawasaki T-4 trainer jet*

The power of 45 megapixels: Cropping the Canon R5

My Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 lens was admittedly too short for high-flying aircraft. Usually, you’d want a 100-500mm for an air show, at least. However, the Canon R5’s 45-megapixel sensor saved the day.

Camouflaged attack helicopter parked on a sunny airfield with another aircraft in the background. — *Kawasaki 0H1 “Ninja” scout/observation helicopter*

White and blue military jet 252 on display for a crowd at the Iruma Air Show 2024 under a clear blue sky.

Because the resolution is so high, I could crop in significantly while still maintaining sharp detail. Think of it as a “poor man’s zoom“. Even when I cropped heavily, I was still getting high-quality images that looked like they were shot on a much longer lens. It’s a lifesaver until I can add a dedicated telephoto lens to my kit.

Front view of a grey military transport aircraft nose and cockpit against a clear blue sky.

Blue and silver helicopter on a sunlit tarmac at the Iruma Air Show 2024 under a clear blue sky. — *Saitama Police Department Leonardo AW109E Power*

Iruma Air Show 2024: Crowds and camera gear

When I arrived earlier that day, the excitement had me pumped. Everyone at the gate felt the same. You could see it. The kids (including the big ones) had massive smiles. It was our chance to see the aircraft of our dreams.

Camouflaged military transport aircraft with the number 002 parked on an airfield under a clear blue sky. — *Kawasaki C1 nose*

Camouflaged transport aircraft flying in a clear blue sky at the Iruma Air Show 2024.

It was time to find the big toys when the gates opened! The mad dash was chaos with everyone sprinting to the planes to get photos before the main crowd caught up to us. It was a trial for older photographers like me. My knees aren’t what they once were.

Blue and grey Mitsubishi F-2 jet parked on the tarmac at Iruma Air Show 2024 under a clear blue sky. — *Mitsubishi F-2 Viper multirole fighter*

The 2019 Iruma Air Show saw the Mitsubishi F-2 and F-15 Eagle draw the most attention. 2024 was the same. That’s no surprise. They are sexy aircraft. My only complaint was that they didn’t take to the sky.

Grey military helicopter on a sunlit tarmac at the Iruma Air Show 2024 under a clear blue sky. — Mitsubishi H60 JMSDF Helicopter

Once the slower people arrived, it was game over. Cameras and smartphones were everywhere. It was a patience game waiting for a space to open. I squeezed my way through some places to get my photos. But in most cases, it was simply a case of waiting. That was the pattern for the rest of the day.

White and blue military jet with Japanese markings parked on a sunlit tarmac under a clear blue sky.

Switching from Fujifilm to Canon: A trial by fire

My biggest challenge wasn’t just the crowd, but my own hands. After seven years with Fujifilm, my muscle memory was all wrong for the Canon R5. It’s a bigger, heavier camera driven by menus, not the dials I’m used to. Fumbling to find a setting while a perfect shot disappeared was frustrating, but I knew I’d get faster with practice. It would take time.

Underside of a grey military transport plane flying in a clear blue sky at the Iruma Air Show 2024. — *Kawasaki C2 transport aircraft*

I skipped most of the hangar displays. Aircraft photos were my target. I didn’t want to line up with hundreds of people. Time was important. After all, the Air Show went from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Six hours was all the photographers had to work with!

Camouflaged CH-47 Chinook helicopter with number 493 at the Iruma Air Show 2024 under a clear blue sky. — *Kawasaki CH47 Chinook helicopter*

Photographing the Blue Impulse: A miss at Iruma

The Blue Impulse aerobatic team was the highlight of the day. It’s Japan’s version of America’s Blue Angels. They flew Kawasaki T-4s, a subsonic intermediate jet trainer. The pilots knew how to work a crowd. Everyone on the ground lapped it up.

A row of blue and white Blue Impulse jets parked on the tarmac at the Iruma Air Show 2024 under a clear sky. — *Blue Impulse Kawasaki T4 jets*

Well, I imagine they did because I missed it completely! Around midday, I felt a fever coming on, so I beat a hasty retreat. This was a letdown, but I didn’t want to be sick on a crowded train. That was okay because I still took plenty of photos.

Camouflaged C-130 transport aircraft on the tarmac at the Iruma Air Show 2024 under a bright blue sky. — *C130 Hercules*

Is the Canon R5 the ultimate air show camera?

Using my new Canon EOS R5 at Iruma Air Show 2024 was like a dream. This camera is still an action photography king (even at time of publishing in 2026)! Others claim that title too. Maybe I should say it exceeded my expectations. It’ll be exciting to see how it performs in other situations. Well, I do need a little more time to get used to the ergonomics, but technically it’s amazing.

Blue military aircraft nose with number 012 on a sunlit tarmac at Iruma Air Show 2024 under a clear sky. — *JASDF British Aerospace 125*

The Canon R5 proved to be a beast, but learning it in the chaos of an air show was a trial by fire. I was nervous spending so much money on it, but it was worth the investment. To see more of the venue, see the official Iruma Air Base website.