My take on the Best of British Rallycross Meeting

[Simon Harrison]

I also attended the Best of British Rallycross meeting at Croft Circuit in the UK on the 6th July. As usual, the rallycross boys put on a fantastic show despite some dreadful weather.

#1 First practice (you can tell because the car is clean!), and Dave Binks splashes through the puddles in his Division 1 Mitsibushi Evo
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/500_test/bb3.jpg

#2 Great to see a Triumph GT6 running in the Revivals class
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/500_test/bb2.jpg

#3 Local man Dave Bellerby was also giving his new Super Modified Lotus Exige an outing.
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/500_test/bb5.jpg

#4 Mike Turpin also had his unique Vauxhall VX220 out as well.
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/500_test/bb6.jpg

#5 It wasn't long before the rain started though, making conditions unpleasant for everyone.
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/500_test/bb4.jpg

#6 At times the rain was torrential.....
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/500_test/bb8.jpg

#7 The glorious Metro 6R4 of Lawrence Gibson always looks good on track.
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/500_test/bb7.jpg

#8 I'll finish with a shot of Irishman and reigning MSA champion Ollie O'Donovan
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/500_test/bb1.jpg

All of the shots were taken using a 1D mk II and a Sigma 500mm f4.5 EX DG HSM lens. I'm now confident that the lens is definately a keeper (this was my second time using it) as if it can focus and track as accurately as it did under these conditions then the performance must be staggering with some decent light!

As usual, any comments or feedback are most welcome.

There's a full gallery on my website for those that are interested.

http://srh-motorsport-photography.fotopic.net/c1541469.html

Cheers,

Simon.

[petrolhead]

They are all crap :P

No, honestly, a great set and looks like you have made good use of the 500mm. Something Geoff and I talked about when we did the RSOC day. I must start getting closer to the subject and as I can't can your side of the fend it means using the 2x converter, so that my next objective.

Out of interest how does the 500 compare to the 120-300 with the 2x on it?

[ukjesters]

Wowsa! Lovely shots again simon, i now see what you meant when you said that the 500mm was good for 3/4 shots, i thought that you meant that you would "cut off" the rear of the car i.e 3/4 view!!! LOL what a numpty newbie i am.

Cant wait to try out my set up at croft.

Regards
Rick

[GSH]

Absoloutely fantastic Simon. I'm really pleased your lens is another good one :)



Out of interest how does the 500 compare to the 120-300 with the 2x on it?

Peter there's no comparison. The 500 is in a different class. Simon's shots in this thread are a fine example of its sharpness and the way it makes your subject jump out from the background is amazing.

[rich_cooper]

Nice set of pics

Are thet straight off the camera or have you done some PP ?

[petrolhead]

Peter there's no comparison. The 500 is in a different class. Simon's shots in this thread are a fine example of its sharpness and the way it makes your subject jump out from the background is amazing.

Not sure I would go as far as that as this photo shows

http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/GB/GB4.jpg

I would suggest, based on what Simon said, the keeper rate with the 500 is just streets ahead

[Simon Harrison]

Nice set of pics

Are thet straight off the camera or have you done some PP ?

Thanks Rich.

I always shoot in raw, so they have been converted to jpegs. However, the only PP done on them is a slight (and I mean slight) exposure tweak, and then a small amount of sharpening after they were re-sized for the web. I do absolutely everything I can to get things right in camera. That includes shooting on a custom WB to get the colours just right.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Simon Harrison]

Not sure I would go as far as that as this photo shows

http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/GB/GB4.jpg

I would suggest, based on what Simon said, the keeper rate with the 500 is just streets ahead

Peter, I'm afraid that Geoff has it right, and this picture is really an example of the exception proving the rule. The 500 absolutely destroys the 120-300 and 2XTC. The 120-300 and TC can produce some shots like that one above, but it doesn't happen very often and I had to do more PP on the picture to get it to look like that. Let's put it this way, until that meeting, I hadn't used my 2XTC for very nearly 12 months - that has to tell you something.

That said, you're not comparing apples to apples here. The canon 300 f2.8 prime is well known for its ability to take TCs very well. I don't own the lens so really can't comment. That said, my money would go on the sigma 500 prime beating the the canon 300 + 2XTC on any day. However, the 300 + 2XTC makes a much better 600mm then the sigma 500 ever will.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Simon Harrison]

Wowsa! Lovely shots again simon, i now see what you meant when you said that the 500mm was good for 3/4 shots, i thought that you meant that you would "cut off" the rear of the car i.e 3/4 view!!! LOL what a numpty newbie i am.

Cant wait to try out my set up at croft.

Regards
Rick

Thanks Rick, I appreciate your comments.

The next meeting at Croft is on the 19 / 20 July and I'm sure that there'll be a good contingent of POTN'ers going. Let us know if you're going to head along.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Simon Harrison]

Absoloutely fantastic Simon. I'm really pleased your lens is another good one :)

Thanks Geoff!

The lens is definately a keeper. Roll on the next event at Croft!

Simon.

[GSH]

Not sure I would go as far as that as this photo shows


I would suggest, based on what Simon said, the keeper rate with the 500 is just streets ahead

Peter me old fruitbat. I reckon you've forgotten that i shot most weekends with the 120-300 and 2x for 2 years before i got the 500...

Now, if we're showing examples of what the zoom can do, then i present you one of the first shots i took with the 2x...

http://gsh-motorsports.fotopic.net/p29274101.html

I have said many times on here that with the 2x fitted i had to do extra PP. With the 500 i've actually had to re-assess my sharpening and reduce it, even over the bare 120-300.

From discussions with Simon, i suspect that for some reason my 2x TC may be slightly better than his although we've never done a side-by-side test...
Now, after having the 500 for a month i can confidently say it's on a different planet. I no longer have to pre-focus, i can count on the fingers of 1 hand the amount of times it has mis-focussed (1 occasion that i can recall) and the quality at full size is streets ahead.

It is so much better that i'd rather shoot slightly looser at 500mm than put the TC on for 600. :)

[petrolhead]

OK guys. I'm convinced :oops: :)

[GSH]

OK guys. I'm convinced :oops: :)

Good.

Now, go and buy one :D

[chrispons]

Simon,
Even in crap light it does well.
The Metro shot is amazing for colours in that light.
Like you I dread to think how good it will be in good light.
Great shots in appalling conditions.Love the wet minis.
regards,
Pons

[Jamie Holladay]

Nice set Simon.

[Joffan]

Lovely shots Simon. I think I need myself a 500... Anyone care to finance me? :)

*tumbleweed*

Thought not.

[Simon Harrison]

Simon,
Even in crap light it does well.
The Metro shot is amazing for colours in that light.
Like you I dread to think how good it will be in good light.
Great shots in appalling conditions.Love the wet minis.
regards,
Pons

Thanks Pons.

I'm hoping the next event at Croft in a week or so will be dry and bright so I can put it through its pace in decent weather.

Simon.

[Simon Harrison]

Lovely shots Simon. I think I need myself a 500... Anyone care to finance me? :)

*tumbleweed*

Thought not.

Thanks Joffan.

I'd go for a used mk II and sigma 500 f4.5 rather than a brand new mk III - it would only cost a little more. Surely you could get that passed the other half??

Simon,

[AzzA]

Cracking set as ever Simon. The 1D does seem to capture a lot of detail, coupled with a 500mm working very nicely and a custom WB to get the colours right = spot on :)

[Joffan]

Thanks Joffan.

I'd go for a used mk II and sigma 500 f4.5 rather than a brand new mk III - it would only cost a little more. Surely you could get that passed the other half??

Simon,

I'll try it. If you never hear from me again then you know why.

[Ian_H]

Lovely set of shots Simon, I think the one that really stands out for me is the Lawrence Gibson shot, it really jumps off the screen, I also notice how little damage there is to Binks' car after his little bump into the tyre wall;) I think Mark and the team at MSR were kept pretty busy all day.


Cheers
Ian

[Simon Harrison]

I'll try it. If you never hear from me again then you know why.

Good luck then :lol:!

[Simon Harrison]

Lovely set of shots Simon, I think the one that really stands out for me is the Lawrence Gibson shot, it really jumps off the screen, I also notice how little damage there is to Binks' car after his little bump into the tyre wall;) I think Mark and the team at MSR were kept pretty busy all day.


Cheers
Ian

Thanks Ian. Those rallycross cars are certainly built to be tough. Given how far he pushed the barrier back, I was also surprised at how little damage the car had as well.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Simon Harrison]

Cracking set as ever Simon. The 1D does seem to capture a lot of detail, coupled with a 500mm working very nicely and a custom WB to get the colours right = spot on :)

Thanks Az. I think the mk II and Siggy 500 is going to be a winning combination :D

Simon.

[Dave_G]

top stuff Simon. 1&7 are absolutely top drawer!!

am also another non-advocate of the 120-300+2xTC. it's useable but will never produce shots that have the clarity, contrast and sharpness of the big Sigma prime.

[WherzRoony]

#2 Great to see a Triumph GT6 running in the Revivals class
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/500_test/bb2.jpg

First thing I thought was "I bet he didn't finish" I used to have one, what a nightmare.