Yet ANOTHER real racing cars thread...

[Cadwell]

Oh gawd, it looks like half of POTN was lurking round Oulton Park at the weekend snapping away. Way too much competition for my liking I want to thank Ken for taking the time to show me some of the best spots, and Ken's wife for the cake and biscuits; both were greatly appreciated!

For what it's worth, here's my sorry contribution to the cause

#1 Jag taking a little kerb


#2 Rather too much kerb taken...


#3 and again... these Northern drivers just can't seem to keep it on the island


#4 a very sideways Moggy at Lodge


#5 Here we have a Big Healey taking the rallycross line


#6 See Ken? I couldn't get quite low enough, but I DO listen


#7 a pair of Formula Fords to round things off


Several hundred more images here should you be interested - no ads or pop-ups I promise.

Sunday Gallery
Monday Gallery

No Canon lenses were used in the production of these pictures

Thanks for looking!

[despot]

I didn't know the Gold Cup was a rallycross!

Very nice collection of shots. Just off to checkout the galleries ....

Andy

[tforonda]

Nice series.

[Dave_G]

I'm impressed with how sharp they are Glenn, stunning!

Heading to the galleries now.

Nothing wrong with Sigma lenses by the looks of things.......

[Simon Harrison]

There was a Big Healey running after all . Had the pleasure of driving one of these a while back on a classic car run in Northern Ireland.

#4 and especially #6 and #7 are simply stunning. The light is nigh on perfect and the composition on #6 is spot on.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Cadwell]

Thanks Simon There are more Healey shots in the Monday gallery. As far as I can see there were 3 Healeys running. Red, red with white stripes and a green one with a white roof. I don't seem to have posted any pictures of the green one for some reason.

[PaulEY]

I might have to take a trip up the M6 to Oulton Park soon, greats shots, my favourite is #7

[PhotosGuy]

Those are excellent shots!

[Cadwell]

Dave, there's a reason I lug those two big Sigmas around the race track instead of my L series zooms and it isn't masochism or a desire to take poorer photographs...

Paul, Oulton is a very photogenic circuit with some great angles even from the wrong side of the fence. I would go there more often but it's a very long haul for me. The Gold Cup is about the only event that can tempt me to make the trip.

[Dave_G]

hehehe fair point Glenn.

I've never been to Oulton either

[mijbril]

why call your contribution a sorry one?? No need for false modesty, your shots are great

[andrewc]

What type of Sigma lenses did you use? [Edit: I'm guessing the Sigma APO 500mm f/4.5 EX as per your Gear list linked from your site]

I like to take motorsport photos. I'm using a cheap Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 DL Macro Super lens which gives me vaguely acceptable reach when the x1.6 magnification factor is taken into account, but I'm not satisfied with the sharpness, and a bit of extra reach would be nice as I'm just an ordinary punter and not likely to get any sort of press or media pass.

I was at Rockingham last weekend, some photos here. http://omicron.uk.com/php/gallery2/m...g2_itemId=3808 I've decided I don't like Rockingham.

I was considering getting the Canon 100-400 IS L lens. Any comments. Its quite an investment for me.

[Cadwell]

Andrew, I use either the Sigma APO 500mm f/4.5 EX prime or the Sigma APO 120-300mm f/2.8 EX depending on subject distance and the framing I want. The first of the shots on this thread was taken with my 10D and the 120-300mm, the remainder were with the 1D Mk II and the 500mm. The 120-300mm is the better of the two lenses but there's not a vast amount in it.

Like you, I shoot from the public areas and I agree; Rockingham is photographic hell.

I also have the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. It's a good lens but not ideal for motorsport in the UK. The relatively slow f/5.6 maximum aperture (in reality you need to use it at f/8 because it's a little soft wide open) makes it difficult to maintain the needed shutter speeds (I use @1/320th for head on stuff) in the often dark and dull UK lighting conditions. It also struggles for focus a little when the light starts to go. It's fine in good light , though.

As a good mid-price alternative take a look at the Sigma APO 100-300mm f/4.0 EX. It has very nice optics, decent focus speed, and is reasonably fast at a (useable) constant f/4. You can also use a Sigma/Canon 1.4x TC on it to give you 420mm @ f/5.6 when you need a bit of extra length. I know four people who shoot motorsport successfully with this lens. As an example, here is one of my friend's galleries http://brands85.fotopic.net/c672085.html from the same event taken using the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX and an EOS 300D.

[andrewc]

Thanks for the advice regarding lenses. I'm based in Norwich - near Snetterton, and since getting my 350D the weather has on the whole been poor whenever I've had the camera in my hand.

The Sigma option sounds interesting. I'll do a bit more research.

[lxmcc]

That last one is definitely my favorite, great series of pics!