Mallory Park - Boxing Day (lots of pictures warning)

[Joe T]

Hi all

Boxing Day was my first day out with my new Sigma 120-300 2.8. I went to Mallory Park for their 'Plum Pudding' event.

I have an online gallery on a number of the pics that I took (the bikes with sidecars are still to come). (Link also to come)

Here is a sample:


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_5890-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_5912-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_5914-01a.jpg

[Joe T]

http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_5934-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6202-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6224-01a.jpg

[Joe T]

http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_5895-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_5904-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6177-01a.jpg

[Joe T]

http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6209-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6041-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6021-01a.jpg

[Joe T]

http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6060-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6104-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6133-01a.jpg

[Joe T]

http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6347-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6338-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6331-01a.jpg

[Joe T]

With regard to the lens, I am very happy with it. The sharpness is incredible! The HSM motor works very well at tracking subjects. I still end up with a number out of focus, but thats me, not the lens!

It is very heavy indeed though. I had to rest it on the fence inbetween shots. I did use a monopod for part of the time, but I will need more practice in this area.

The focal lengths (120-300, with a 1.5x crop) are absolutely ideal for motorsport. Even on a small circuit like Mallory 300 is very useful, as is 120mm. In fact I used a wide variety of focal lengths. Im so glad I bought the Sigma rather than paying more than double for the Nikon 300 2.8 prime. The Sigma is so much more versatile. Im also glad I picked the Sigma over the Nikon 70-200 2.8 (which I might get one-day anyway). 300mm is so useful.

Anyway I'm very happy! :D

[matty]

its a big shame the weather wasnt kind to you Joe, some excellent shots though, i especially like the car shots

[Marianne]

you have got some excellent shots here....love the movement :)

[CT]

Nice shots Joe. What is the actual weight of the lens then?

[CriPPle]

Some nice shots there, well done :)

[Joe T]

Nice shots Joe. What is the actual weight of the lens then?
2600g

Edit: thanks for the comments all. :)

[DJW]

"Tilted Shots" defintely work best ;)........ 2.6Kg !!!! you need to buy some weights to get training !!

[stepheno]

I'm late looking in but worth it....cracking shots.

regards

[Joe T]

I'm late looking in but worth it....cracking shots.

regards
Late looking in? I only posted them less than 2 hours ago!

I think with the holidays and the snow, everyone is at home and surfing the web! :)

Thanks for the comment. :)

[dod]

There are days I wish I'd gone for the sigma as well Joe, please stop posting cracking shots like these :D

[Joe T]

There are days I wish I'd gone for the sigma as well Joe, please stop posting cracking shots like these :D
Just you wait...

Next year Im going to use it most weekends for motorsport, and Im going to F1 testing four times before September....


:p

[RobertP]

Are these with the lens wide open or stopped down?

They are very good. You certainly seem to have mastered panning. I will have to have a go sometime next year.

Thanks for sharing.

[Joe T]

RobertP, thanks for the comments. Some are stopped down (only slightly), others wide open due to the lack of light.

Might as well do all the EXIFs

(all are ISO 200)

1. f4.0 1/250th 300mm
2. f2.8 1/320th 190mm
3. f3.2 1/320th 190mm

4. f3.5 1/320th 240mm
5. f4.0 1/320th 200mm
6. f3.5 1/320th 200mm

7. f3.5 1/250th 300mm
8. f4.0 1/250th 240mm
9. f6.3 1/320th 300mm

10. f3.5 1/320th 200mm
11. f2.8 1/250th 220mm (this one needed 2 stops of exposure compensation in RSE)
12. f2.8 1/320th 140mm (this one needed 2 stops of exposure compensation in RSE)

13. f3.5 1/320th 180mm
14. f4.0 1/320th 140mm
15. f4.0 1/400th 300mm

16. f2.8 1/1600th 200mm
17. f2.8 1/1250th 200mm
18. f2.8 1/2000th 122mm

[RobertP]

Very interesting. I thought you would have to go for a slower shutter speed than that to get the panning effect you have.

The orange on that car in 16 and 18 certainly stands out! Possibly a bit too much in 18 - is that down to sharpening or was it dayglo or something :)

[Joe T]

The orange really is that orange!

I have upped the saturation ever so slightly on all of them (in RSE, by 2 points). I did the same with vibrance. This lens produces some great colours without the need for much work.

You can use faster shutter speeds when you are moving the lens faster (i.e. for fast moving subjects, or those closer to you).

[Joe T]

I forgot, I also managed to capture this spin:

http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6105-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6106-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6107-01a.jpg


http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/DSC_6108-01a.jpg

[AquilaEagle]

I love the bike one where he looks like he is looking at you!

And that SPIN!! Love it :D

[daveyuk]

Joe
Cracking shots mate :thumb:

[Joe T]

Thanks for the comments all. :)

My full gallery is now online. It can be found here (http://www.diesel-power.org.uk/album/PlumPudding/index.html)

Note there are three index pages, and 57 images in all.

I've still to process the bike-and-sidecar pictures. :)

[Arkady]

Some nice shots there, but can you do me a favour? Post a link next time so I don't have to spend 5 minutes scrolling down the page?
Cheers.