Speedway = really bad light!

[sheepie]

It amazes me how bad the light at Parramatta Speedway is - for a major city such as Sydney, to have lighting as bad as this is pitiful.

That said, I was happy enough with a few shots from last night's meet (the first I've gotten to in a long while) - shooting fast moving objects in low light with a fence between you is always a challenge - appreciate any comments...


Tony Stewart, of Nascar fame - D200 with 80-200mm 2.8 @ 200mm - f3.2 1/320th ISO400


D200 with 50mm 1.8 - f2.2 1/250th ISO640


D200 with 80-200mm 2.8 @ 200mm - f3.2 1/160th ISO800

And finally, although it's only part frame I quite like this one -

D200 with 80-200mm 2.8 @ 170mm - f2.8 1/160th ISO800

I've pushed the exposure in post processing a fair bit in these (ahh - the memories of doing this for real in the black and white darkroom!), so there's a bit of noise - would be nice to have the lower noise of the D300 and up, but the D200 is plenty for me given the number of photo's I actually take these days.

[Dipstix Pix]

2 & 3 do it for me. That 50mm is a real livesaver in situations like these. I think the first one would look better with the pole cropped out - pretty good effort all round

[Jeff]

Hi mate
You have done well with the D200. Speedway is difficult especially with the distance and a fence. Most tracks are poorly light.

Jeff

[wendellt]

it looks like you did a pretty darn good job considering the difficulties

[padey]

Nice shots considering the conditions.

I took the kids a few weeks go and it was really dark and mud flying everywhere. The kids loved it and a tough gig for photos especially if you were on the outside of the cage....

[inmotion]

HI I cant believe you have been able to screw these images from a D200--well done maybee the light could have been worse??The D300 is only the next step in a long road of high ISO--low noise.I shot last year at a country S.A. meeting and had to go up to 25000ISO with a D3 and used the 70-200VR.My Images were ok so you have certainly got the best from what you have which is a great compliment to you
Keep up the good work and maybe pick up sa S/H D300
cheers jim

[CraigVTR]

Nice work Sheepie. I last went to Parramatta speedway 25 years ago, met my wife there, must be why she hooked up with me, couldn't really see me in the crap light.
Great shots, I like the last as well.

[gstark]

Great shots, I like the last as well.

As do I.

Well done Leon; I do like seeing people produce good work under difficult conditions. It helps to emphasise that it's the photographer's skill, rather than the camera, that makes the real difference.

[Geoff]

Great shots Leon, especially under the circumstances.
You know you can always ask to borrow my D700, if I'm not using it you're more than welcome to loan her.

[sheepie]

Thanks for the responses guys - really appreciate it

Dipstix Pix - I considered re-cropping the first to remove the pole, but I don't mind it being there. I asked a few people and they hadn't even noticed it until I pointed it out. To me, I think it kind-of provides some sense of location to the viewer - it puts them back on the outside of the fence (maybe I'm just talking out of part of my body not designed to talk ).

Geoff - I may well take you up on that offer sometime, although I fear it may be a dangerous move for my bank balance

Speedway photography is something very special to me - it's what I cut my teeth on as a photographer (albeit amateur) many moons ago. Back then, I used to roll my own b&w film, and then develop and print myself as well.
It certainly puts pressure on you to know your camera and have good technique, as any lack in those areas is exaggerated due to the conditions. It also helps to have a feel for where the action is likely to be - like most sport photography, a certain amount of anticipation is helpful