Best place to take pictures

[russdaz]

Inside of druids you wont need much more the 50mm on a 40d.

150mm

What are you using mate? 150 on a 40d will be very tight crop if going to the centre of the bend. Just had a check of some old shots i generally hide away from Druids but heres one of a 125 at 135mm and wasnt cropped as i perfer to attempt to get my shots framed in camera, there are exceptions at times thought. Hers a few of my favorate locations on the Indy track.

This from 2007 on a 30D
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Another on the approach to Druids again 2007 at 155mm.
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From outside of druids you can go just about everywhere with 400mm.

Depending on what your after, and who good you at at following the bikes then you can walk down the towards Graham Hill bend at get them just tilting over, ok this example was 560mm on the 1d but thats equilivant to 400mm on the 40d due to crop factor of the cameras.

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Clearways though a tv hole.
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Or go further around and shot through the fence.
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[russdaz]

If you make the GP event then add Westfield.

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If you get lucky with lighting (which i havent been) the Dingle dell can be nice.
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Exit of Sterlings bend is great for wheeling bikes.
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the lines the bikes take though Clearways is also different.
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Which is where possibly my favorate shot so far was taken.
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But everything depends on lightling and what your after, but hopefully that give you some idea's.

[philthewindsurfer]

Russdaz, I thought you had missed the 1 from 150.
70-200 on a 20d
159mm the shortest focal length I could find in my pictures



200mm

[russdaz]

Really liking that 2nd shot Phil, honestly didnt think it was far off been a while since i last shot on the inside of Druids bend itself. So i stand corrected as the crop on the 20d is the same as 40d.

[Schwantz34]

Andy, I'm a complete rookie photographer with a wee cheapo digital camera and it seems you have some Carlos Fandango equipment.

However when I went to WSB at Brands I went to the short straight between Dingle Dell and Stirlings. Got some decent shots as you are real close to the track and just watch the speed superbikes get thrown into the cambered Stirlings, awesome.

[Schwantz34]

Russdaz. I love the picture of Easton at Clearways but more so Broc Parkes? coming out of Stirlings on the back wheel. Do you have any of Haga in his Santander Yam days from there? If you do would it be possible to purchase an A3 poster size from you?

Cheers

Colin

[philthewindsurfer]

Nice photos Russdaz, what length lens did you use at Stirlings for those and can you get those shots from Joe Public's side of the fence?

[russdaz]

Russdaz. I love the picture of Easton at Clearways but more so Broc Parkes? coming out of Stirlings on the back wheel. Do you have any of Haga in his Santander Yam days from there? If you do would it be possible to purchase an A3 poster size from you?

Cheers

Colin

Thanks
Yeah that was Broc Parkes when Paul Bird did the GP one of last year.

I havent got anything WSB other then a few on the site any more but they will not print A3 any-way, had a HD failure lost alot of very early stuff.

Nice photos Russdaz, what length lens did you use at Stirlings for those and can you get those shots from Joe Public's side of the fence?

Thanks.
First one is 400mm on a 1dmk2 but does have a small crop, did try with the 1.4tc on it but that was too long, so 400mm on the 20/40d would be fine there. 2nd one is 180mm at 1/160shutter.

(if you click on the images it will take you to a web page where the exif's are still in place.)

[lfb2]

Agreed that Brands is a long way better than Thruxton for pictures, especially if you go back for the GP circuit round.
But Thruxton can be good. The mound just after the chicane is best, but from my experience over the last few years,
more like 7am than 8am to get a spot there. There are a few good spots beyond the 'mound', especially
looking back down the pit straight and in front of you at Allard, then the Cambell, Cobb, Seagrave ''Complex''.
Up to last year you could walk on past the complex and get some good shots, especially where the footpath dips and
your lens is level with the front spindle. It was locked off last year so who knows.
I usually try to go on the Friday practice as well, as the main problem is that on race day the place is packed, and
once you find a good spot for watching or snapping, you're pretty much hemmed in. Although as ever lots more room
after the second BSB race exodus.
Some shots take a bit of care, as there's plenty of trucks, hangers, water bowsers etc on the infield.
Hope that helps a bit

[andyh]

Hi folks,

Just wanted to thank everyone who replied to my post.

We spent 3 great days at Brands, meeting riders, managers, Big Ed, enjoying some great racing, and taking a fair few photos to boot.

Here are a few from the various places people suggested, Brands is not the best circuit for photographers and I could have done with a x1.4 converter as a few shots will need tweeking here and there to remove the fences. I am extremley happy with the results as this is the first time the lens has been used in real anger, just cant seem to get them to look as good when I transfer them to the web.

Roll on Thruxton, my first time there too, if anyone can point me in the right direction as to the best places to capture the action please let me know.

Cheers,

Andy H