Grizedale Forest Stages Rally (56k Beware)

[Simon Harrison]

Well, I got to try out a new lens today on the Grizedale Forest Stages, and I'm extremely happy with how things turned out. The lens in question is a Sigma 120-300. It would have been nice to have had some more light to play with (I was at ISO800 - ISO1000 for most of the day), but I'm very happy with the results.

We also had a bit of a POTN get together, as GSH, Petrolhead and IanH from the forum were all lurking in the woods!

Anyway, on to the pictures.

#1 Matthew Wilson in a 2006 Ford Focus WRC.
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Grizedale06/09-12-06---004.jpg

#2 Another Ford, this time a Fiesta ST
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Grizedale06/09-12-06---093.jpg

#3 Mk II Escort in some brief winter sunshine
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Grizedale06/09-12-06---264.jpg

#4 Metro 6R4
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Grizedale06/09-12-06---253.jpg

#5 A very tidy Evo VIII
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Grizedale06/09-12-06---058.jpg

#6 The Impreza of Tristan Pye
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Grizedale06/09-12-06---201.jpg

#7 Steve Petch in his Hyundai Accent WRC
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Grizedale06/09-12-06---191.jpg

#8 And a Subaru Impreza to finish with
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Grizedale06/09-12-06---059.jpg

All the shots were taken with a 1D Mk I and, of course my new lens. As usual, any comments or feedback are most welcome. Should have my website updated sometime tomorrow (Sunday).

Cheers,

Simon.

[photonick]

Very nice shots Simon. The conditions like quite bright, is this the F4 version of the lens?

Nick.

[GSH]

Looks like we have another happy member of the 120-300 f2.8 Club then ;)

Lovely work Simon, particuarly the 6R4. I was swapping lenses when he came through on the 2nd run so i missed it. As for the light i'd have paid good money for ISO 1000 today. I was swapping between 800+1600 on the 20D most of the time.

[musicmate]

Cracking work Simon

[Simon Harrison]

Very nice shots Simon. The conditions like quite bright, is this the F4 version of the lens?

Nick.

Thanks Nick.

The lens I was using was the Sigma 120 - 300 mm f2.8 EX DG APO HSM to give it its full title ;) :D .

Cheers,

Simon.

[Simon Harrison]

Looks like we have another happy member of the 120-300 f2.8 Club then ;)

Lovely work Simon, particuarly the 6R4. I was swapping lenses when he came through on the 2nd run so i missed it. As for the light i'd have paid good money for ISO 1000 today. I was swapping between 800+1600 on the 20D most of the time.

Yes, I think you could say that I'm more than a little satisfied with the performance of the lens in less than ideal conditions.

I think I made it as low as ISO500 briefly. So much for no rain and sunny intervals :rolleyes: . Still it could have been a lot worse. Was the A1(M) closed when you got to it this evening? I ended up with a blat along the back roads around Croft, which was a nice way to end the day;) :D .

Cheers,

Simon.

[GSH]

Was the A1(M) closed when you got to it this evening? I ended up with a blat along the back roads around Croft, which was a nice way to end the day;) :D


The Northbound slip road at Scotch Corner was closed "for resurfacing" allegedly.

I was tempted to go down the back roads but headed up to Catterick and doubled back down the A1 instead.

On a lighter note, my Sat-Nav decided to direct me down a farm track near Kendal which was in worse condition than the roads through Grizedale.

Oh how i laughed as i drove through the mud :rolleyes:

[Echo63]

these shots look good, i love the Stobart WRC Focus
so your happy with the 120-300 then ?
i plan on getting one when i eventually get a new body
how do you find it to use ? Fast AF etc ?

[Cadwell]

Well, I got to try out a new lens today on the Grizedale Forest Stages....

Simon.

Mmm seems to be working OK. Welcome to the world of shooting cars with a "105mm Howitzer" ;) The DoF is just lovely on some of them #2, #5, #6 and #8 in particular.

[Simon Harrison]

Cracking work Simon


Thanks Steve. Appreciate your comments.

Cheers,

Simon.

[T_O_M]

Fantastic shots very sharp!!!

How is the AF on the Sigma 120-300, have read on other forums that some people have issues with the AF when using AI Servo as I am also interested in this lens. Obviously you had no problems.

[darren h]

Nice set of shots Simon....I was hoping to go myself but couldn't get out of work unfortunately :(

[petrolhead]

Great Pics Simon :)

I have a very boring drive home electing to go M6 A69 route

[Simon Harrison]

Fantastic shots very sharp!!!

How is the AF on the Sigma 120-300, have read on other forums that some people have issues with the AF when using AI Servo as I am also interested in this lens. Obviously you had no problems.

Thanks for the comments on the pictures.

I had no problems at all with the AF on the Sigma 120-300. I certainly missed a couple of shots due to a lack of light and contrast, and I was working with a very small DoF as a result, but I didn't have any AF tracking problems. This was my first time out with the lens, and I only took a couple of hundred shots. I have another event at the end of December that should allow me to give a more thorough work out.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Simon Harrison]

Nice set of shots Simon....I was hoping to go myself but couldn't get out of work unfortunately :(

Thanks Darren. Shame you couldn't get over for the rally. Always a good one the Grizedale Stages.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Simon Harrison]

Great Pics Simon :)

I have a very boring drive home electing to go M6 A69 route

Thanks Peter!

Boring would have been good - all I wanted to do yesterday afternoon was get home for a hot shower and a cup of tea!

Cheers,

Simon.

[Simon Harrison]

Mmm seems to be working OK. Welcome to the world of shooting cars with a "105mm Howitzer" ;) The DoF is just lovely on some of them #2, #5, #6 and #8 in particular.

Thanks Glenn. Yes definately working well. I need to see about hiring the photographic equivalent of a porter :lol: .

Cheers,

Simon.

[Simon Harrison]

these shots look good, i love the Stobart WRC Focus
so your happy with the 120-300 then ?
i plan on getting one when i eventually get a new body
how do you find it to use ? Fast AF etc ?

So far, I am very happy with the 120-300, although this was my first time out with it, and I still have quite a bit to learn to get the best from it. I had no problems with the AF - even in the gloomy forest it locked on and tracked without issue.

Cheers,

Simon.,

[Ian_H]

Great shots Simon, I really like that one of Matt & Scott, it has a really nice texture to it, you obviously seem happy with the new toy.



Cheers
Ian

[Simon Harrison]

Great shots Simon, I really like that one of Matt & Scott, it has a really nice texture to it, you obviously seem happy with the new toy.



Cheers
Ian

Thanks Ian. I think that shot of Matt and Scott is probably my favourite from the weekend. He was the only one that took that particular line into the corner. Very happy with the new lens!

Cheers,

Simon.

[chris78cpr]

Love the depth of field and the look of the first shot, awesome stuff.

The light and atmosphere on the third one is awesome too.

Chris

[Mike Reynolds]

good stuff there

[Croasdail]

Man I wish we had some of that over here to shoot. Just lovely stuff, if exhaust, mud and flying rocks can be viewed as lovely. Perhaps when I am over in March visiting my dad I can find some action. Cheers.

EDIT: On that note, is there a UK motorsport web site that lists schedules for the major events throughout the year. It would be interesting to see what will be happening in March/April.

[GSH]

EDIT: On that note, is there a UK motorsport web site that lists schedules for the major events throughout the year. It would be interesting to see what will be happening in March/April.

March / April is very early in the season but there should be something worth seeing. A lot of the calendars haven't been announced yet but the British F3/GT and the British Touring Car Championship have provisional dates out.

IanH has a very useful calendar on his website too :)

The Historic Motorsport Show usually has some rallying demo's too http://www.historicmotorsportshow.com/

[ZekaG]

Great shots and good contrast...

[KevB]

Cracking shots Simon :D