Scottish International Motor Rally

canon400d

This is the very first time I have taken shots at a motor rally so I really would appreciate plenty of c and c. I was using my 40D with a 17-55 2.8 lens. Manual,at 2.8 ISO 400 as it was quite dull. Believe me the dust and the stour was unbelievable and after a two hour period my camera, lens and myself was covered in dust. Would this harm my camera and lens? I would love to attend other rallies but I certainly will decline if it is going to harm my gear.
Regards
Bob
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Zege

with 17-55, I would say that your gear are not the only ones which are in danger there. As it can be seen in your photos I think you need to get quite close to cars with that lens.
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I love to shoot more rallies my self and as close as possible, but I had to say that usually best places to take action shoots also require a little bit more distance than you have taken. Not just for you own security.
<o:p> </o:p>
If you use little bit more distance you have better possibilities to follow the car before you shoot. In some of the pictures it looks that because you are quite close, you have took shoot maybe just little bit too soon. But that is of course always question of framing, which quite often is question of what you like.
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I think you did quite well with these. Not bad at all. Maybe I self would try to avoid taking pictures from the places where something gets between me and the car. Like you have in picture 5.

<o:p> </o:p>
Nevertheless, good start! I self went last year first time ever to shoot some motor sport events. It wasn’t quite as easy I thought. Some examples of the results are here <o:p>http://www.zegetion.com/Motorsport</o:p>

As you can see, I have still lot to learn.<o:p>
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<o:p> </o:p>
Btw, I absolutely love the last one. Really nice <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/wings.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >

<o:p> </o:p>

canon400d

Zege wrote:

with 17-55, I would say that your gear are not the only ones which are in danger there. As it can be seen in your photos I think you need to get quite close to cars with that lens.
<o:p> </o:p>
I love to shoot more rallies my self and as close as possible, but I had to say that usually best places to take action shoots also require a little bit more distance than you have taken. Not just for you own security.
<o:p> </o:p>
If you use little bit more distance you have better possibilities to follow the car before you shoot. In some of the pictures it looks that because you are quite close, you have took shoot maybe just little bit too soon. But that is of course always question of framing, which quite often is question of what you like.
<o:p> </o:p>
I think you did quite well with these. Not bad at all. Maybe I self would try to avoid taking pictures from the places where something gets between me and the car. Like you have in picture 5.

<o:p> </o:p>
Nevertheless, good start! I self went last year first time ever to shoot some motor sport events. It wasn’t quite as easy I thought. Some examples of the results are here <o:p>http://www.zegetion.com/Motorsport</o:p>

As you can see, I have still lot to learn.<o:p>
</o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Btw, I absolutely love the last one. Really nice <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/wings.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >

<o:p> </o:p>

Thanks ever so much Zege for replying, Yes I must admit these cars were going past at around 50 - 70mph and were throwing up debri and dust that was unreal. The guy near me was a pro and he was using a Nikon and a 70-200 2.8 lens, Every time a car went passed I had to walk away and wait until the dust settled. I have quite a few lenses if you check but I was told I need a 2.8 for this type of shooting so this was the reason for using my 17-55. IO looked at your photos and they are fantastic, I noticed there was no dust where you were.
Regards
Bob

Chile Chef

canon400d, I like your photographs, but where are the crash pictures?

canon400d

Chile Chef wrote:

canon400d, I like your photographs, but where are the crash pictures?

Thanks for replying. I never saw a crashed scene or I would have obliged.
Regards
Bob

Chile Chef

canon400d wrote:

Thanks for replying. I never saw a crashed scene or I would have obliged.
Regards
Bob

No problem, And thanks for sharing, Mate.

Zege

Well, in that Lahti Historic Rally there was plenty of dust around. I anyway try to select shooting location so, that is best for the action, but that I also would have some time to walk away from worst dust cloud. Still, I don't think you can completely avoid dust in rallies. Except if it rains of course

I don't think you necessarily need 2.8 for the rally photos. Why would you? That would be nice, do doubt, but not must. I use lot of 70-200 in motor sport actions and it is "only" 4. You maybe have that too, as you at least have Canon 70-200.

Z

canon400d

Zege wrote:

Well, in that Lahti Historic Rally there was plenty of dust around. I anyway try to select shooting location so, that is best for the action, but that I also would have some time to walk away from worst dust cloud. Still, I don't think you can completely avoid dust in rallies. Except if it rains of course <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
I don't think you necessarily need 2.8 for the rally photos. Why would you? That would be nice, do doubt, but not must. I use lot of 70-200 in motor sport actions and it is "only" 4. You maybe have that too, as you at least have Canon 70-200. <o:p></o:p>

Z

Hi Zege
Thanks ever so much for replying. I do have the Canon 70-200 F.4 without IS. I have been told when I use this lens I should normally use an 800 or even 1600 ISO to get a high shutter speed. I don't know what settings you use. I certainly appreciate there will be dust and debri but I was really really close with the 17-55 and I could stand off a wee bit with the 70-200. Please tell me your views as I am arranging to go to another event soon. BTW will the dust cause damage to the lens and camera?
Regards
Bob