Racing from Brands Hatch

[ehasler]

I was at Brands Hatch last weekend to support a mate (and fellow PHer custardtart), who was racing his Westfield in the series that I sometimes race in (when I've not spent all my money on camera gear ) and took a few snaps. Hope you enjoy!









The rest are here

[fergusd]

really like #2

Fd

[up-the-dubs]

fergusd said:

really like #2 Fd

Great shot.

[LongQ]

Is that sunshine, or have you got a very powerful flash?

Or maybe it was night racing under floodlights?

If it was sunshine I want to know why we didn't get any at Donington!

Great shots. Very much liked the second one as soon as it appeared.

[ehasler]

LongQ said:

Is that sunshine, or have you got a very powerful flash?

No flash - just a bit of luck with the weather which threw showers, cloud, wind and a bit of sun at us in equal measure

[theboyfold]

How did you get access to all the different parts of the track?

[ehasler]

theboyfold said:

How did you get access to all the different parts of the track?

I was shooting from spectator areas, so didn't need any special access. I shot from banking on the outside of Paddock (just outside the cafe), at the top of Druids, and also from the inside at Druids near the bridge.

[theboyfold]

ehasler said:

theboyfold said: How did you get access to all the different parts of the track? I was shooting from spectator areas, so didn't need any special access. I shot from banking on the outside of Paddock (just outside the cafe), at the top of Druids, and also from the inside at Druids near the bridge.

OK, which sort of lens were you using? When I was there the girlfriend had to sweet talk her way into getting a special vest so she could go where she wanted, ended up at some great vantage points.



This was taken at the tight corner after the bridge on the Indy circuit.

[ehasler]

theboyfold said:

OK, which sort of lens were you using?

A big one

I was using a 300mm f2.8 lens with a 2x TC (which gives 600mm f5.6) and also a 100-400 zoom.

[theboyfold]

ehasler said:

theboyfold said: OK, which sort of lens were you using? A big one I was using a 300mm f2.8 lens with a 2x TC (which gives 600mm f5.6) and also a 100-400 zoom.

I'm guessing you don't find you loose too much in the way of quality with a TC? Can you suggest a good place to look for one?

[ehasler]

theboyfold said:

I'm guessing you don't find you loose too much in the way of quality with a TC? Can you suggest a good place to look for one?

I got mine (the Canon version) from Warehouse Express, although most other camera gear shops should sell them too.

Quality wise, it does lose a bit, however the 300mm f2.8 is very sharp to begin with, so it doesn't show up so much. It also loses 2 stops of light, so isn't as useful if your lens isn't f2.8 or faster.

[HankScorpio]

When you were at the top of Druids were you -
shooting wide open through the fence?
standing on a box?

Or are you seven foot six ..?

I'm not short and struggle there unless I stand on one of the concrete footings of the posts and try and shoot between the top wires.

Panning on the 2nd half of druids from the inside is my personal favourite and you don't need a monster lens either.

[Trackside]

HankScorpio said:

Panning on the 2nd half of druids from the inside is my personal favourite and you don't need a monster lens either.

Agree with that. You can get some good results just there and, in fact, at most corners at Brands due to the lack of bloody great catch fencing! The inside of Surtees is one of my favourites; you can get a good impression of speed and can get very close to the circuit too.

Indy Circuit line...


...and Grand Prix circuit angle.


Oops, bit of a thread hijack...nice pics, Ed!

[HankScorpio]

Now you mention it...
(Apologies for the blatant repost of pics but not an opportunity I can bypass )

Inside of Surtees, very nice indeed:


On the GP, westfield:


Stirling:


And off to get more today hopefully...!

(Hopefully, they'll turn out as good as Eds)