Rally Season again

[GravelBen]

And as usual I've been out chasing cars around Otago with a camera. So here is the annual photo overload for the gravel-inclined among you:




The Quattro unfortunately expired early on day one after catching a stone in a the cambelt.


Most unusual rally car award goes to the V12 Hartge BMW H5.


Neal Bates cleaned up the classic event in his very quick Celica.


Though the perpetually sideways Derek Ayson gave him a run for his money.


And Miki Biasion took a break from retirement to have a skid in the 911RS.




As expected Hayden Paddon took NZRC honours,


Followed by Richard Mason


And Ben Hunt went well to take 3rd in his first rally in a 4wd car.

[GravelBen]

A truckload more photos here (Saturday):

http://s43.photobucket.com/user/GravelBen/library/...

And here (Sunday):

http://s43.photobucket.com/user/GravelBen/library/...

If that isn't enough.

[SkylineObsession]

Okay i need to ask. What camera/settings/attachments etc.

We bought a $2k camera (Sony DLSR A77) on New Years Day and don't think it can do pics that good?

I got a couple (three) videos of the tarmac stage (filmed with aforementioned camera), one of the drifters frying tyres for one lap. Took a few photos there too, but haven't done anything with them yet, only made it to the tarmac stage as didn't seem worth it going to Sunday races since 13 or more cars were already out of the rally?
http://www.youtube.com/user/SkylineObsession

[Omerta]

I imagine Ben has a fast 200mm+ zoom lens that would be worth more than $2k, and more importantly he's also obviously very skilled at using it!

[GravelBen]

SkylineObsession said:

Okay i need to ask. What camera/settings/attachments etc.

An old Nikon D80, some of those photos are shot with the wee 18-70mm kit lens and some with an 80-200 f2.8.

Settings vary depending on all sorts of things (light, car speed and direction, background etc) but most often I'm using shutter priority somewhere between 1/100 and 1/500 - slower shutter to give impression of speed (blurred background as car goes past) or faster to 'freeze' the car sharply at a point, ie just at point of turn-in as it comes towards you.

Often the trick is to pick a corner where cars will be doing something interesting (either a tricky one that catches them out or one with plenty of space to make them confident), then pick an angle where the car attitude photographs well (ie not straight into the sun!), and think about settings after that.

Motorsport photography 101... Hope that helps you get some results.

[GravelBen]

Omerta said:

I imagine Ben has a fast 200mm+ zoom lens that would be worth more than $2k, and more importantly he's also obviously very skilled at using it!

Not too far off, the new equivalent would be $2.5k but mine was $800 second hand - older AF 80-200 f2.8 ED, its a really nice piece of glass. Weighs 1.5kg though, so I don't take it up the mountains!

[Fraster]

I need a "like" button!

[Tubb]

Great shots, thanks for sharing.
I'd love a hi-res version of the blue escort below to use as a pc wallpaper, if possible?

GravelBen said:

[GravelBen]

Sure thing, here is a 1920px wide version:



(you might have to click through and find download button, photobucket is a bit retarded)