DSLRUsers.com

Hello folks.

Is anyone considering coming up for the WRC in early September 2011? If so, maybe we could organize a meet or something?

I do have access to a property which is situated right next to the route for the Friday race (9/9).

Let me know if there's any interest.

Ozi.

May well be heading up for a few days.

Details unknown on locations at this time... But, I'll post back here when I know.

I went up 2 years ago and follow the WRC, but have baby number 3 due 2 weeks later so havent got leave to go and play. (number 2 was 2 weeks early).
I still cant believe how fast these cars can go in the flesh! i thought i'd be using a longish lens but almost all shots were taken at less than 50mm and motordrive buzzing!

I was surprised viewing the cars on stages is not as easy as just parking yourself on the side of the road like in europe- All roads stages didnt allow pedestrian access so had to walk through before checkpoint set up for first stage and then had to walk through fields around the checkpoint to get a little bit up the road. lots of walking, waiting and covered in dust for 3 days- awesome.
Robert

As stated before, thankfully I have access to a property by which the Friday stage will pass. (Not sure if the grammar is correct there). We will most probably camp out the night before in the paddock next to the race.

My brother is a race official. There should be fairly good vantage points of the stage.

Yes, these cars fly like nothing else. The drivers are, in a word, CRAZY. Hurtling past with gum trees only feet away is seriously crazy stuff but makes for a great spectacle. And yes, if you don't have a dust resistant camera combo, forget taking pictures.

Looking forward to it.

I would actually have a crack at this - given the advanced notice I may actually try and get up there for this, especially given the promise of a good possie

i have absolutely no idea about taking pictures of moving cars...however, nothing like having a crack to learn.

ozimax wrote: if you don't have a dust resistant camera combo, forget taking pictures.

biggerry wrote:nothing like having a crack to learn.

I know where this is heading.... Next thing we know, there will be a guide on how to dis-assemble a D7000, get rid of all th e dust, replace all the ICs, upgrade the sensor and put it back together again.

surenj wrote:

ozimax wrote: if you don't have a dust resistant camera combo, forget taking pictures.

biggerry wrote:nothing like having a crack to learn.

I know where this is heading.... Next thing we know, there will be a guide on how to dis-assemble a D7000, get rid of all th e dust, replace all the ICs, upgrade the sensor and put it back together again.

Save all the trouble Suren, just buy a Canon.

Yep, daughter and myself are booked to come up for Rally Australia. Fly in thursday afternoon, shoot like mad all weekend, and back to Melbourne on the Monday.

photograham wrote: shoot like mad all weekend, and back to Melbourne on the Monday.

There's plenty of mad people up here on the north coast to shoot like.

ozimax wrote:Save all the trouble Suren, just buy a Canon.

Didn't realise the 5D is weather-sealed. The 60D isn't. For the price, one wouldn't expect it either. [Not to mention it's a downgrade from 50D]

surenj wrote:

biggerry wrote:nothing like having a crack to learn.

I know where this is heading.... Next thing we know, there will be a guide on how to dis-assemble a D7000, get rid of all th e dust, replace all the ICs, upgrade the sensor and put it back together again.

Actually the D7000 is a pretty well sealed camera, almost D300 equiv, much better sealed than any canon short of a 7D or a 1D series camera.

surenj wrote:

ozimax wrote:Save all the trouble Suren, just buy a Canon.

Didn't realise the 5D is weather-sealed. The 60D isn't. For the price, one wouldn't expect it either. [Not to mention it's a downgrade from 50D]

The 5D Mk II is not sealed, well barely sealed. My old technician (who shoots canon) proclaimed that now he would have to get a 1Ds Mk III/IV because the 5D Mk II was so poorly built in comparison to the old 5D. The 60D has greatly reduced sealing compared to the 20/30/40/50D but it still has basic seals (better than the none that your 350D had!!).

It would be a rather interesting comparison to have all of these mentioned cameras subjected to abuse and see how they hold up. Personally I would be looking at an Olympus E5 (fastest AF on the planet, yes it is accurate, light-loss-less 2x teleconvert - aka 4/3rds - and undoubtedly tough - I have seen a beer poured onto the lens mount and open pop up flash, followed by a litre of water!!!)

aim54x wrote:Actually the D7000 is a pretty well sealed camera

I sort of knew that but the weakest link will be the lens.

aim54x wrote:It would be a rather interesting comparison to have all of these mentioned cameras subjected to abuse and see how they hold up.

Cameron, that would be fine, just not my copy!!

Seriously, I don't abuse my cameras (as in cold, snow, water etc) like I did to my old Nikon D70. I had it in surf spray frequently, out on the kayak, and it was as tough as nails. I have no idea as to whether it was sealed or not, but it served me well.

A 1 series Canon would be nice but I don't have a money tree at the moment!

surenj wrote:

aim54x wrote:Actually the D7000 is a pretty well sealed camera

I sort of knew that but the weakest link will be the lens.

That always is.....rubber ass gaskets really do help though! I can attest to that, my D60 + 16-85 having gone for a dip earlier in the year (the 16-85 does have an ass gasket), the mirror box was dry...too bad water got in other ways. Both as still ticking away towards imploding due to cancer.

Good to see a lot of interest in the event. Mattyshea and I will be there from Thursday the 8th to Sunday the 11th and going to book the camping at Darlington Park this week. We are planning on getting the enthusiast tickets with the extra Plum Pudding option. Would be great to see some of you up there. Hope my D90 will survive

ozimax wrote: I don't abuse my cameras

Ozi, how do you propose to keep your equipment dust free during this gig?

I will ask the owner of the Glenreagh property I have access to, if he is amenable to having some extra visitors. If so, you would need to be inside the property, I'm guessing, by about 6-6.30am on the Friday morning.

If anything comes of it, I'll post details in the coming weeks, together with my mobile no etc.

Ozi.

surenj wrote:

ozimax wrote: I don't abuse my cameras

Ozi, how do you propose to keep your equipment dust free during this gig?

Good question Suren. I was actually thinking of either borrowing a friend's 7D or hiring a 1 series body for the day. Either my 24-105 or 70-200 should do the trick as I think I can get pretty close to the action in Glenreagh. We'll see how things go.

With a bit of luck it may be overcast and a tad damp, which would help to keep the dust down. Actually, seeing it's Coffs Harbour, there's every chance it will be pouring with rain, as it usually is!

I've done official duty at Rally Qld in the past, and dust/mud/rocks have always been the enemy, whether at start control, time or flying finish.

Best thing was we used to overstaff, so someone could go "wandering" if desired for a bit.....

Although back then, I was keener on going for a blat through the forest prior to the 000 car "to check the bunting" than taking photos

Less than 3 days to go folks. Coffs Harbour will be chock full of rubbernecks later this week. I personally will be out in the scrub, wading through creeks, climbing trees, braving danger, all to get that million dollar rally image...

Seriously, we are heading out to Glenreagh on Thursday. There will be BBQs, camping, campfires, banqueting and songs. I might even bring my guitar and sing some old Hank Williams/Roger Miller classics. Friday morning the rally action starts about a hundred metres away from our campsite.

If anyone has any rally photography tips, let me have 'em!

Ozi.

ozimax wrote:If anyone has any rally photography tips, let me have 'em!

Bring your camera.

gstark wrote:

ozimax wrote:If anyone has any rally photography tips, let me have 'em!

Bring your camera.

Very good advice Gary.

ozimax wrote: I might even bring my guitar and sing some old Hank Williams/Roger Miller classics.

Well that tears it. Melbourne is sounding good this time of year

Mr Darcy wrote:Well that tears it. Melbourne is sounding good this time of year

Especially if you're a Collingwood supporter

gstark wrote:

ozimax wrote:If anyone has any rally photography tips, let me have 'em!

Bring your camera.

+Like!