Riponian Stages Rally Take 2 - 56k Beware

[Simon Harrison]

I was also at the Riponian Rally this weekend. Saturday was a day of glorious blue sky and sunshine. Unfortunately, Sunday was the exact opposite with grey leaden skies all day, and the coldest 8 deg C I've ever experienced! If the pictures look a bit dark, then that's because it's how it was - never dipped below ISO800 all day. I used a manual meter for the full day and have to say I was more than please with the results. I also experimented with a grey card for a while. Not happy at all with the custom WB setting I got, although I'm sure it must be down to user error - I'll have to try again. Anyway, some shots from the day:-

Stage 1 got underway at 0830hrs with the cars running at minute intervals. Stage 2 was a re-run of stage 1, and started at 0844hrs with the lead cars merging in at 30 second intervals. Seemed to work pretty well, with very few catching slower cars. Light was a bit scarce though! (20D + 70-200mm f4 L)


This car was being driven by the son of the owner as a shakedown for the Robin Hood Stages next month. That entry has now been withdrawn as the car was rolled and damaged later in the day. Thankfully, only the crew's wallets were injured.

There were quite a few Mk1 Escorts running. Here's another shot of the car that Geoff posted on his thread (20D + 85mm f1.8)


There were two Sunbeam's running - Taxi anyone? (20D + 85mm f1.8)


This Puma won the award for the loudest anti lag system, particularly as I always seemed to be stood right next to his gear change point! (20D + 85 f1.8)


A lot of local drivers were entered into the event. Here's Alan Richardson and Christopher Roe in their Nova (one of my target cars) - 20D + 85mm f1.8


This is one of my personal favourite shots from the day. I had this shot in mind when I walked into stage, but unfortunately poor light and f4 lenses stopped me taking many from this spot. I wanted the background with the crowd and course snacking away into the distance to show where the car had come from. That is a rollercoaster running alongside the car! (20D + 70-200mm f4 L)


Into the afternoon, and the cars were back at 1500hrs for another two stages. The light if anything was worse and deteriorated very quickly. This time the rollercoasters in the background (20D + 300mm f4 L IS)


And finally, the first time I have used ISO1600. Only took a few shots out of interest more than anything else, but quite happy how they turned out. No noise reduction has been applied. (20D + 300mm f4 L IS).


Any comments or feedback appreciated as always.

For those that are interested, the fully gallery can be seen on my website (address in my signature).

Cheers,

Simon.

[Cadwell]

Very, very nice Simon. I love the Sunbeam, but then I have a thing for Sunbeams. You seem to be getting a lot of use out of that little 85mm f/1.8. I think I'll have to take your lead and drag my one out to the Wyedean and Sunseeker. I took the 50mm f/1.4 last year but that was a little too close for comfort on the 1D.

[GSH]

Excellent as always Simon and even more impressive given the conditions

You're doing a fine promotions job for Canon on that 85mm f1.8 too, i'm rather tempted having just seen the price.

By the way, 8 deg C? You're having a laugh aren't you?

[Simon Harrison]

Originally Posted by Cadwell

Very, very nice Simon. I love the Sunbeam, but then I have a thing for Sunbeams. You seem to be getting a lot of use out of that little 85mm f/1.8. I think I'll have to take your lead and drag my one out to the Wyedean and Sunseeker. I took the 50mm f/1.4 last year but that was a little too close for comfort on the 1D.

Thanks Glenn. Have to say that the 85mm 1.8 has been one of the best investments I've made. It is simply a brilliant lens. I felt a little close to the action a couple of times on Sunday using it, so I can well believe that using the 50mm on a 1D might get a little hairy .

Cheers,

Simon.

[Simon Harrison]

Originally Posted by GSH

Excellent as always Simon and even more impressive given the conditions

You're doing a fine promotions job for Canon on that 85mm f1.8 too, i'm rather tempted having just seen the price.

By the way, 8 deg C? You're having a laugh aren't you?

Cheers Geoff. For the performance, the lens is a bargain IMHO.

As for the temperature, that's what the temp gauge in my car said as I was trying to thaw out. I couldn't believe it either.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Brands]

Lovely shots Simon, especially the two Mk1s

This circuit lover is getting quite excited about shooting in the forests with a 85mm

[Dave_G]

great shots! the Mk1s are doing it for me

sun...seek..er...sunseek....er....su....nseeek.... errrr

quite happy I'm armed with a 70-200f2.8 and a 50f1.8 this year

can't wait now! argh!!!!

[Dave_G]

AND A FLASHGUN!

sorry

[chrishunt]

Awesome shots Simon. Maybe I haven't been looking at the EXIF enough from other posts, but this is my first time seeing someone using such a short lens for rallys! I like the results very much. Great job in difficult conditions.

[Simon Harrison]

Originally Posted by Brands

Lovely shots Simon, especially the two Mk1s

This circuit lover is getting quite excited about shooting in the forests with a 85mm

Thanks Brands.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Simon Harrison]

Originally Posted by Dave_G

great shots! the Mk1s are doing it for me

sun...seek..er...sunseek....er....su....nseeek.... errrr

quite happy I'm armed with a 70-200f2.8 and a 50f1.8 this year

can't wait now! argh!!!!

Cheers Dave. Hope you enjoy the Sunseeker.

I now have to wait until the 12 March before my next event, so have a feeling it maybe me twitching by then .

Cheers,

Simon.

[gmen]

Great work Simon.

The shots with the 85mm are really 'in yer face'... highly effective use of the lens.

---- Gavin

[musicmate]

Looks like you were very close to the cars with a lot of these shots Simon 85mm (your braver than me)excellent work as allways.

Steve

[Ian_H]

Nice shots Simon, that looks like quite a good spot further up from the yump. The more I see of this 85mm the more tempted I am at getting one.



Cheers
Ian

[Simon Harrison]

Originally Posted by burntbizzkit

Awesome shots Simon. Maybe I haven't been looking at the EXIF enough from other posts, but this is my first time seeing someone using such a short lens for rallys! I like the results very much. Great job in difficult conditions.

Thanks! Wide angled lenses are frequently used by regular rally photographers, particularly on hairpins to frame the cars as they handbrake turn and slide through the corner.

Cheers,

Simon.