Best Spotting Locations at LAX for the A380 and 747

Hey fellow spotters! I'm planning a trip to Los Angeles and I'm really excited to do some plane spotting at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport). I'm particularly interested in catching some shots of the Airbus A380s and Boeing 747s before they're completely phased out of commercial service.

I've heard that In-N-Out Burger on Sepulveda Blvd is a popular spot, but I'm wondering if there are any other vantage points around LAX that might offer unique angles or better lighting, especially for widebodies like the A380 and 747?

Also, if anyone has tips on the best times of day for spotting these aircraft at LAX, or any recent experiences, that would be super helpful.

Lastly, I'm using a Canon EOS 90D with a 70-200mm lens, so any advice on camera settings for capturing these beauties would be appreciated. Looking forward to your suggestions and maybe even meeting up if anyone's around. Thanks!

Welcome to LAX spotting! Besides the In-N-Out Burger, another great location is the Imperial Hill (Clutter's Park) on East Imperial Avenue. It provides a slightly elevated view of the south runways (25L/25R), which is perfect for capturing arriving A380s and 747s. You might also want to check out the area near the Proud Bird restaurant on Aviation Blvd.

For lighting, morning hours are generally better on the south side, while afternoons work well on the north side due to the sun's position. As for your Canon EOS 90D, try using a shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze motion, and set your ISO to a level that balances exposure with minimal noise. Enjoy your trip and happy spotting!

Imperial Hill is indeed a fantastic spot for A380s and 747s, as it gives a great view of the south complex where many international flights arrive and depart. Another option is the Flight Path Museum and Learning Center on the south side of LAX. It offers an interesting perspective of aircraft movements, though it's not as elevated as Imperial Hill.

For lighting, morning hours are generally best for shooting from Imperial Hill due to the sun's position. In-N-Out is better in the afternoon. Your Canon EOS 90D paired with a 70-200mm lens should work well, especially if you set your aperture around f/8 for sharpness and use a shutter speed of at least 1/500s to freeze the action. Happy spotting!

In addition to the popular spots already mentioned, you might want to consider the Proud Bird Restaurant. It's located near the airport and offers an excellent view of arrivals on the north runways (24L/R), which are often used by widebodies, including the A380s and 747s. If you're aiming for these heavy aircraft, afternoons are generally better for lighting, especially for arrivals.

Regarding your Canon EOS 90D and 70-200mm lens, shooting at a shutter speed of at least 1/1000s will help freeze the motion, while an aperture between f/8 and f/11 should give you sharp images. Remember to adjust your ISO to balance exposure. Enjoy your time at LAX!