Border Counties Rally 2008

[Ian_H]

Spent the day (and previous night :rolleyes:) at the top of Ogre Hill just south of the snowy Scottish border for this years Border Counties Rally, got the MKIII back on Thursday so first chance to try it out was on the event but looking back at the MKIII's history, Grizedale in the snow - Shutter failed, Manby in the snow - Shutter failed, Kielder in the snow - Shutter Fine, although looking at the list of parts Canon replaced I think most of it is brand new now. In the morning I used the MKIII with the Sigma 120-300 and to be honest I was having a lot of problems with focus, on the rare occasions the sun came out it was spot on but in poor light it was rather hit and miss and did seem to be front focussing. In the afternoon I switched to the Canon 300mm to see what focus was like on that and I have to say it never missed a shot and the light was much worse in the afternoon so I was pleased it wasn't the camera at fault. I think I will have to do some tests with the Sigma and maybe adjust the focussing for the lens.

Anyway onto the photos, did I mention it snowed
1.
http://www.ianhardy.net/gallery/main.php/d/77400-1/billy_wood_border_counties_rally_2008.jpg

2.
http://www.ianhardy.net/gallery/main.php/d/77397-1/andy_burton_border_counties_rally_2008.jpg

3.
http://www.ianhardy.net/gallery/main.php/d/77394-1/andrew_haddon_border_counties_rally_2008.jpg

4.
http://www.ianhardy.net/gallery/main.php/d/77412-1/steve_bannister_border_counties_rally_2008.jpg

5.
http://www.ianhardy.net/gallery/main.php/d/77409-1/stephen_petch_border_counties_rally_2008.jpg

6.
http://www.ianhardy.net/gallery/main.php/d/77406-1/nik_elsmore_border_counties_rally_2008.jpg

7.
http://www.ianhardy.net/gallery/main.php/d/77403-1/jon_ingram_border_counties_rally_2008.jpg


All comments welcome.


Cheers
Ian

[darren h]

Very nice shots indeed Ian, love the low angle shots of Burton & Ingram

[chrispons]

Ian ,
As Darren says the Andy Burton one and Jon Ingram shots are superb,more impressive that the lights are on the Subaru and exposure is spot on.
Were you shooting manual ?
Were those with the 300 ?
Thanks,
Pons

[jbanbury]

Glad to hear the MKIII is back Ian :) Fingers crossed this time!

Nice conditions for the 1st photo .. you would almost think it was snowing ;) The shallow dof really works on the AB photo

[despot]

Great shots Ian. Loving Burton's Pug.

Andy

[Ian_H]

Thanks for the comments guys

Ian ,
As Darren says the Andy Burton one and Jon Ingram shots are superb,more impressive that the lights are on the Subaru and exposure is spot on.
Were you shooting manual ?
Were those with the 300 ?
Thanks,
Pons

The Ingram Impreza one was shot in manual, numbers 1,2,3 & 7 were with the Canon 300 and the others with the Sigma 120-300


Cheers
Ian

[SCOOBAY]

What else is there to say but Top Drawer once again Ian, all crackers.

Del

[Ian_H]

Sent to me by a good mate of mine Dave Culley, entitled the loneliness of a rally photographer, I sometimes wonder whether I need my head examined:rolleyes:;)


http://www.ianhardy.net/gallery/main.php/d/77419-1/snow.jpg
Top of Ogre hill in a blizzard

Cheers
Ian

[GSH]

I sometimes wonder whether I need my head examined:rolleyes:;)



No comment ;)

Cracking stuff Ian. Burton's Pug and the Scoob are lovely.

[Brands]

The Burton Pug shot is stunning, as is the 911....excellent angle.

I love the snow shots too

[Jimbocan]

A great selection of photos Ian, you have done well in exceptional weather conditions. Hope the MkIII problems are now behind you.

[Anke]

Lovely series, Ian. Looks like you had some tough conditions to deal with there.

[kipper]

Nice set Ian, especially the Pug.

[KevB]

Great stuff Ian. I seem to be having a similar calibration problem with my 70-200 f2.8, so I may have a go at the micro adjustment thing also.

[petrolhead]

Beautiful shots there Ian.

I would agree with Geoff, yes you are mad :):)

[Ian_H]

Great stuff Ian. I seem to be having a similar calibration problem with my 70-200 f2.8, so I may have a go at the micro adjustment thing also.


Thanks Kev, I spent yesterday morning at Croft trying different setting to see if I could get it to focus properly by adjusting the AF Micro adjustement, I finally settled on an adjustment of +10 just for the 120-300 as the other lenses seem spot on.


Cheers
Ian

[chrispons]

Ian,
Thanks for the info re manual and lenses.

One other question if I may.
Were you using a monopod on those head on shots ?,as thats a heavy bit of glass to keep steady.

Thanks again,
Pons