drag races nationals. will it damage camera?

[jkru617]

Im about to go to the spring nationals. I know its loud and everything vibrates like crazy, will my camera be ok? 5d2

[rick_reno]

should be fine

[sandpiper]

Your camera will be fine, the vibration has never hurt mine despite me feeling it through my body and loads of car alarms going off in the car park behind the spectator banking on the top fuel races.

Just don't do what my friend did, and think that it would be really cool to get a shot from directly behind a pair of jet cars. He didn't think about the amount of crap that would sandblast his gear, or that the heat was possibly more than recommended (it reshaped his lens hood when it started to melt) not to mention all the noxious fumes that fill the shed behind the cars. There is a good reason that area usually empties pretty quickly when the jet cars come out on the track.

[snyderman]

only if you DROP the camera from pure shock and awe when the noise hits! Here's a shot that almost knocked the camera from my hands when the car went from zero to full-on in a split second:



dave

[Aardvark101]

Just try and keep on target as the exhaust pulses batter your head on a pass

[rmwphoto.ca]

Done it bunch of times ,only thing be carefull if you change lenses rubber in the air from burnouts.
Had a little piece get inside once.

[poldodog]

i recommend you wear some ear defenders & put the camera strap around your neck coz the noise of the top fuel cars has to be experienced to be believed, the noise goes straight through your body and if your not prepared the shock may cause you to drop the 5d2 . so brace yourself as that is the only thing likely to damage your camera.

[eastwoodsn352]

Great advise. I'm going to shoot some Pro Modified cars this afternoon.

[MT Stringer]

Originally Posted by poldodog

i recommend you wear some ear defenders & put the camera strap around your neck coz the noise of the top fuel cars has to be experienced to be believed, the noise goes straight through your body and if your not prepared the shock may cause you to drop the 5d2 . so brace yourself as that is the only thing likely to damage your camera.

He is prolly at the races but I agree with what you said. I was there yesterday. All went well until the first fuel funny cars made the first pass of qualifying. The crowd went wild!

...still going through 1700 pics!
Lots of wheel standing stockers and super stockers.

[madjack]

I can smell the fuel burning now....

[poldodog]

[IMG]
B0000838 by poldodog, on Flickr[/IMG]

Originally Posted by sandpiper

Your camera will be fine, the vibration has never hurt mine despite me feeling it through my body and loads of car alarms going off in the car park behind the spectator banking on the top fuel races.

Just don't do what my friend did, and think that it would be really cool to get a shot from directly behind a pair of jet cars. He didn't think about the amount of crap that would sandblast his gear, or that the heat was possibly more than recommended (it reshaped his lens hood when it started to melt) not to mention all the noxious fumes that fill the shed behind the cars. There is a good reason that area usually empties pretty quickly when the jet cars come out on the track.

lol dont think the shed is there at santa pod anymore but i know what you mean soon emptied out but the other thing to consider is if your lucky enough to get into the area where the burnouts are done watch out for the hot rubber as it will ruin your day & your camera

[sandpiper]

Originally Posted by poldodog

[IMG]

lol dont think the shed is there at santa pod anymore but i know what you mean soon emptied out but the other thing to consider is if your lucky enough to get into the area where the burnouts are done watch out for the hot rubber as it will ruin your day & your camera

No, it's not, it went quite some time ago. The "melting camera" incident with my mate was back in the days when Slammin' Sammy Miller was still with us.

[Cozmocha]

I would only worry if you were using it as a remote...

http://markjrebilas.com/blog/?p=10225
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7SxrVMNR_Y

[Jimil]

Like other have mentioned already, be careful if you decide to change lens as the little bits of rubber will be falling like snow.

[mikeinctown]

Having been to the races before insurance required fences to be 50'+ from the racing surface, I can honestly say that you will get covered in rubber AND that stuff doesn't just brush off. It will smear and stick. So wear some clothing you don't need to wear anywhere nice, and make sure you have appropriate cleaning supplies.