You pick my kit for this weekend

[Canon User]

OK...
Im off to Dalby this Saturday. I cant carry my full kit on me, I dont know the location, and I dont want to leave a load of kit back in the car while I'm away. I've covered Grass track and rallycross but not a rally.

I'll be carrying a 50D and a 40D - What 2 Lenses would you have me take

Heres your choice (All Canons)

10-22 f/3.5-4.5
17-40 f/4L
24 - 70 f/2.8L <<< on the 40D
24 - 105 f/4L
70 - 200 f4L IS <<< on the 50D
100 - 400 f4.5-5.6L IS

28 f/1.8
50 f/1.4
100 f/2.8

1.4x extender <<<
2.0x extender

I've marked my choices <<<
then again I was rather pleased with the 100mm 2.8 at Harewood last weekend and the 50mm 1.4 would be good for trackside under the forest canopy.

Experts opinions please....

[GSH]

17-40 on 1 body, 70-200 on t'other.

Take a couple of the fast primes in case it gets dull and you're sorted. Forget the convertors.

Whereabouts in Dalby are you planning to go?

[Canon User]

Im not sure where to go in Dalby - I really only know the forest drive as a tourist. I was going early to try and sus out the ground but if you have done this one before and have any advice I would appreciate it.

Thanks for the Lens choice. The 28 and 50 are pocket sized so wont be an issue

[Canon User]

Just checked out your images from Harewood last Sunday. Same Camera but your images are better satuarated but not blown out at all. You got about the course a bit too. I should have. Did you see me - I've got tri-color hair.

[GSH]

Im not sure where to go in Dalby - I really only know the forest drive as a tourist. I was going early to try and sus out the ground but if you have done this one before and have any advice I would appreciate it.

Thanks for the Lens choice. The 28 and 50 are pocket sized so wont be an issue

I don't know how the stages run this year,but if they're using the quarry it's a good (if busy) spot with a few usable angles. The only problem that can occur is if they insist on having speccies in the "pens"....it's been ok when i've been there in the past though.

Your best bet is get there early (i'd suggest at least 1hour before the first car), walk in and find a good spot.


Just checked out your images from Harewood last Sunday. Same Camera but your images are better satuarated but not blown out at all. You got about the course a bit too. I should have. Did you see me - I've got tri-color hair.

If the sun is out i generally shoot at 1/3 of a stop under. The 50D seems to produce really strong colours without any help from me so it's rare that i need to add any saturation when i convert from RAW.

I didn't spot you at Harewood. I tend to get tunnel vision when i'm behind a camera :)

[Canon User]

Many Thanks for the tips Geoff. Im going with you on this, Lets see how I get on.

[Canon User]

Got into Woodyard early. Light wasnt good until about 10.30 when ISO 100 was possible. The corners were well in the shade which wasn't good. The biggest problem was dust which soon caused a dramatic loss of contrast. With woodyard being enclosed by high trees there was no breeze to clear the area so it built up through the day. The regular photogs commented on the straw bails that had not been a feature before and obscured what would have been some good shots. Also the Ambulance and recovery trucks were in the way, not by thier choice, They wern't happy there either. So all in all not a bad day apart from the dust and the pens. Had a few problems with flaring yellow grass at pickering probably as the lighting was wrong at the time. Id have prefered to have been lying on the ground for these shots, and in fact the forest ones, I like low shots on vehicles as it seems to bring out the aggression and tension. Anyway see what you think http://picasaweb.google.com/canonuseer/2009TrackrodRally#

[GSH]

Hmmm...the Woodyard.

I've always avoided it to be honest. The reason i suggested the Quarry is because it's wide open with a few different spots to shoot from.

However, you've also discovered the big issue with heading to Spectator Areas...the bloody pens !. Walk in early, find a safe spot with plenty of big trees to hide behind and the Course Cars generally leave you alone.

Get yourself some OS maps covering the N Yorks Moors (Dalby, Langdale etc) and get yourself out on a couple more Rallies. We've got the Malton Forest & Roger Albert Clark (RAC) Rallies coming soon :D

[Canon User]

Got those penciled in. Woodyard was easy to find but I didnt see any speccy signs for the Quarry. I was in for 6.45 (before the guy on the gate thus saving £12). Hope ya arm is better soon..

[GSH]

Got those penciled in. Woodyard was easy to find but I didnt see any speccy signs for the Quarry. I was in for 6.45 (before the guy on the gate thus saving £12). Hope ya arm is better soon..

The arm survived a day at Croft yesterday..i even got a good photo or 2 ;)