Iron Hill Twilight Criterium Bike Race

budman101

My first time shooting an evening sporting event. It was getting dark by the time the pro men cyclists started so could not get any decent images of them.

ian408

I like the second shot more than the first. I think the first is good but it's a bit over flashed to my eye.

2whlrcr

I haven't kept up with my cycling technology. What the heck is with the down tube and seat tube on that first bike?

budman101

It's laced Kevlar and carbon fibers. The company, Delta7, calls it "IsoTruss" technology. Very high on the bike porn drool list. Limited custom production. I don't have an idea about the cost but I bet the frame alone is about the price of a Nikon D3. I would almost bet that the bike as pictured with the carbon fiber wheels and top of the line SRAM red grouppo would be about the price of a D3x. Here's a better picture of the Delta7 frame from another bike race. Don't forget that most of these athletes are sponsored to some extent. They get a break on equipment costs, but unless you are a fully sponsored pro, you still have most of your expenses out of pocket. Its sort of like me shooting the bike races with my own mid-range gear vs. a stringer with company owned equipment.

emtp563

budman101 wrote:

It's laced Kevlar and carbon fibers. The company, Delta7, calls it "IsoTruss" technology. Very high on the bike porn drool list. Limited custom production. I don't have an idea about the cost but I bet the frame alone is about the price of a Nikon D3. I would almost bet that the bike as pictured with the carbon fiber wheels and top of the line SRAM red grouppo would be about the price of a D3x. Here's a better picture of the Delta7 frame from another bike race. Don't forget that most of these athletes are sponsored to some extent. They get a break on equipment costs, but unless you are a fully sponsored pro, you still have most of your expenses out of pocket. Its sort of like me shooting the bike races with my own mid-range gear vs. a stringer with company owned equipment.

I got a ton of decent photos of the Men's Pro even after the sun went down. It wasn't my first time shooting an evening event- I'm the track photog at the VPCC, but I was surprised at how poor the lighting was in the streets of West Chester- ie very dimly lit. I had trouble getting an initial AI Servo lock, but when I did, my 1D stayed locked-on until I was ready to fire. That only applied when I was using my 70-200L, when I switched to the 16-35L, I didn't have trouble focusing on anything no matter how dark it was. It must have something to do with AI Servo and focal length. I'm going to have to look into this.

b.t.w. Joe, your mug is on cyclingnews.com Check out Leister's photos of the event on cyclingnews, you're in the background of one of them.

budman101

As always, great shots Tony!

2whlrcr

budman101 wrote:

It's laced Kevlar and carbon fibers. The company, Delta7, calls it "IsoTruss" technology. Very high on the bike porn drool list. Limited custom production. I don't have an idea about the cost but I bet the frame alone is about the price of a Nikon D3. I would almost bet that the bike as pictured with the carbon fiber wheels and top of the line SRAM red grouppo would be about the price of a D3x. Here's a better picture of the Delta7 frame from another bike race. Don't forget that most of these athletes are sponsored to some extent. They get a break on equipment costs, but unless you are a fully sponsored pro, you still have most of your expenses out of pocket. Its sort of like me shooting the bike races with my own mid-range gear vs. a stringer with company owned equipment.

Years ago I used to get my framesets for free, but I doubt if my entire bikes cost as much as that frameset. Cool. And very nice night photos too.

emtp563

budman101 wrote:

As always, great shots Tony!

Thanks, you too!

Here you are Joe: