Castle Combe Ford RS Show Track Action

[Nigel]

Still gettin to grips with the new camera and lense. Slowly working out how to get some decent results and got a few keepers from the day.

Focusing on the right point of the car has been the hardest thing to get right. The number of images where the composition was good but the front was out of focus was frustrating.

Jon R shall love the Datsun track car.

 

[kpowell911]

omg u have skills!

 

[kpowell911]

What camera etc?

 

[ukaskew]

Some cracking images there, thought you might appreciate an honest opinion...

1) Severe over-exposure in many of the shots although it improves towards the end. Were you using Matrix metering? Spot metering might help but otherwise I can't quite work out how they are so overexposed, assuming you were not using a high-ISO I take it you must have been using some fairly slow shutter speeds...?

2) You mention the front being out of focus, that sounds like you probably had a slow shutter speed (possibly 1/125 or thereabouts?), in which case that's always going to be a problem...particuarly as a lot of your shots are taken at Avon Rise which is one of the quickest points on any circuit in the UK. Worth having a play with the focus points (I move mine about quite a bit depending on where I am shooting), other than that it's worth practicing at a slightly higher shutter speed until you are nailing every shot, then gradually moving down to slower speeds.

3) Loving the wheels/background motion blur in virtually every shot, so much better than playing it safe and coming home with 500 dull keepers.


Anyway, as mentioned some absolute crackers there and good to see some unusual angles. In no particular order, the Esses sign shot (which I will be copying!), the rear 3/4 Reyland Sierra shot and the shot looking back down towards the start line are all excellent.

 

[Beef-Mc]

Some proper nice cars out on track then!

 

[Nigel]

Cheers for the comments, I appreciate the advice ukaskew.

I had a nightmare getting constant exposures, one moment it was glorious sunshine then it was cloudy as hell and coupled with trying matrix metering I was getting some unusual results. The afternoon was much better as it was sunny. I did find spot metering to be best.

My main aim of the day was to get more used to the camera and try out all the settings. I was shooting at around 1/125 and 1/160. i had a good walk round the circuit and it's definatley a spectator friendly place!

Also on my previous Canon I found a monopod easy to use and got good results, with this one I'm all overe the shop.

My other gripe is that I shot using raw mainly because of the problems with exposure so I could compensate slightly afterwards if needs be, but the nikon capture nx software is awful to use in my opinion and gave some very varied results. Looks like i'll be upgrading to cs3 for raw support on my camera.

It's a D300 with 80-200 f2.8.

 

[ukaskew]

It's a D300 with 80-200 f2.8.

My dream setup. The other half already has this on her "go and get this for Chris the day I win the lottery" list Had a feeling it was a good setup as you can tell from a few of the shots that the detail is waaaay beyond anything my D50 can achieve (the green Escort drift shots amongst others).

Never used a pro-camera myself but apparently they do punish you more than entry level ones such as my D50, so I imagine it will take more practice to really get to grips with it.

 

[R1XPH]

Blinding

 

[KM CLIO]

i saw that gtr on the motorway , was delivering to our store not far from combe, also im sure that blue 200sx was part of a local drift team!!!!

 

[Bluebeard]

WOW!!

 

[Nigel]

It's a D300 with 80-200 f2.8.

My dream setup. The other half already has this on her "go and get this for Chris the day I win the lottery" list Had a feeling it was a good setup as you can tell from a few of the shots that the detail is waaaay beyond anything my D50 can achieve (the green Escort drift shots amongst others).

Never used a pro-camera myself but apparently they do punish you more than entry level ones such as my D50, so I imagine it will take more practice to really get to grips with it.

I had a 350d and L series 70-200 before this and loved it. I found it was a lot easier to get good shots straight out of the box.

I originally was looking out for a 40d but the moment I picked the D300 it just felt right, the lcd screen is awesome.

It definately highlights the flaws in my technique.

 

[Ltfcpaul]

the rs200 is pure sex it is a marmite car but i love it

 

[Pete.]

Some great pics there.

 

[Ian_182]

I love old fords

 

[Iridium]

Some really, really brilliant shots there! Especially the tail out ones!

Comparing the R26 and the Golf 16v - I know the Golf is in a tighter bit of the corner, but there is an inkling there how far hot hatch suspension/chassis set up has come in recent years. The fact the Meggy can be that much stiffer, on lower profile, wider tyres, and it's far heavier - and it still rides better!

Just again, some really awesome pics there.

 

[Ash87]

great pics