F1 Testing next week.

[R2D2]

Cheers john! The times are much quicker than tuesday.

 

[andrewcliffe]

This year the track was open between club and luffield. Last year it was between bridge and Copse.

Shame you couldn't get into the main grandstand and watch activity in the pits but it was nice to see the cars from the other angles this years section allowed.

 

[Diesel Benz]

05.00 am Wake up like a big kid waiting for Christmas.
06.00 am Get up.
06.30 am Breakfast.............Did I mention I'm going to F1 testing today

I would test drive a F1 car too but I'll skip it if you have to wake up that early.

 

[glojo]

Cheers john! The times are much quicker than tuesday.

I suppose they are testing all different set-ups and no doubt different days different set-ups.

With these modern cars, I wonder how much the wind and track temperature will effect times?

If the weather was different between the two days then that in itself will be valuable information.

Regards
John

 

[andrewcliffe]

Weather can have a surprising effect on times. We race an old F3 car (Reynard 883) and earlier in the year we had a double header weekend at Snetterton. Our best time of the day was about 1s different on one day to the next, despite no changes to the car. Both days were dry but there was a big temperature difference - probably 6 degrees.

 

[glojo]

Weather can have a surprising effect on times. We race an old F3 car (Reynard 883) and earlier in the year we had a double header weekend at Snetterton. Our best time of the day was about 1s different on one day to the next, despite no changes to the car. Both days were dry but there was a big temperature difference - probably 6 degrees.

Hi Andrew,
Thanks very much for responding, that 1 second is very significant and no doubt on a highly tuned, highly sensitive car like a Formula 1 beast, I should imagine the gap would be even more significant.

Regards
John

 

[Defiant]

I,m sorry i have no idea what that means

I apologize. It's not your fault that you live in a country enlightened enough to not only hold a Formula 1 event, but have the capabilities to attend same, even if it's "only" for practice.
As you might deduce from my unconventional spelling, I come from a land of couthless oafs who are baffled by the idea of having a motorcar's steering wheel turned in both directions while at speed. Nevermind that we have.... what, four or five? tracks that are not only wholly suitable for F1 use, we've corrected a few more to enable them for such utility. Still, circumstances keep me from the experience, apparently.
I further apologize for having the temerity and short-sightedness to ever sit down to a keyboard while not fully intoxicated, when my true feelings might boil to the surface without the excuse of John Barleycorn's assistance.

Still, though, you are a cur for it. Oh, damn. :bannana:

 

[R2D2]

LOL. I think that means you wish you could have come to F1 testing. Hey cheer up you've got Sunshine, Mcdonalds, er Corvette.

 

[Defiant]

Yes, we have sunshine. And of course, I love rain. C'est la guerre.

And no, I'd not have a plastic pachyderm. The car for the man who has too little.

I'd probably be removed from F1 testing, owing to a continual screeching of, "Here, gimme that, let me show ya somethin'!" They seem to get so ....testy.... about that.

 

[andrewcliffe]

Some photos from the Wednesday test

Wasn't too pleased with my photos. Just didn't click on the day (geddit?) Anyway...

1) Felipe Massa. Driving quickly. Yesterday.

2) Piquet Junior's Renault. Caused a number of red flag incidents (at any sort of test they have minimal marshalling and any incident is automatically red flagged. No waved yellows. Session only halted for about 5 minutes normally. Driver comes back first in a mini bus, then the team come out and cover the car. Why bother covering the car? You can tell if the driver is embarrassed if he takes his helmet off or leaves it on.

3) Mark Webber - Red Bull
Only did 40 laps or so as much of the morning was wasted with problems. Many other drivers did over 100 laps (almost 2 race distances)

4) Webber again. 1/60th

5) Heikki Kovalinen 1/60th

6) Jarno Trulli - Toyota

7) was going to put a picture of Jenson Button here, but his Honda is now so ugly with its nasal appendages and other oddments it has sprouted that it will frighten the children

Some in black and white because I wasn't happy with the colours and despite some tweaking still wasn't happy.

 

[glojo]

That's a blooming steep hill some of the cars were negotiating.

Thanks none the less for posting them.

regards
John

 

[andrewcliffe]

I normally try a mixture of styles, from slow shutter speeds, panning, front 3/4 views, tilt shots (not to everyones tastes I admit) plus other experimental shots.

 

[glojo]

I normally try a mixture of styles, from slow shutter speeds, panning, front 3/4 views, tilt shots (not to everyones tastes I admit) plus other experimental shots.

Observations from me are not worth the time it takes to read them and if you think those angled shots are okay, then go for it.

I like your pictures and am trying to read the adverts, by having that angle it makes that difficult so I try to tweist my head to get things level.

You do what you thik correct.

Regards
John

 

[R2D2]

Nice photos Andrew. Hope you had your ear plugs in!

 

[andrewcliffe]

I didn't need them but others in my party did. The comments were "the McLaren looks much prettier in real life" and " you don't hear the popping on the overrun on the telly" from two people who'd never experienced F1 cars in close proximity before. I think they'll go again

 

[R2D2]

I was OK for 10 minutes but then the noise started rattling my ears and I gave in for my hearings sake!

 

[Diesel Benz]

I normally try a mixture of styles, from slow shutter speeds, panning, front 3/4 views, tilt shots (not to everyones tastes I admit) plus other experimental shots.

From the file names I thought you had not taken many photos yet but either it is a new camera or you have restarted file numbers recently, I would not expect those photos without good experience.

When the file says you have used 300 mm focal length, is that from the lens or does it take into account the camera sensor crop factor? I was wondering how big tele-lenses would one need to get that close.

 

[andrewcliffe]

I have some motorsport photography experience - about 18 months worth. Last year I became official photographer for one series but was restricted to shooting from public areas. This year, thanks to the co-operation of the main regional newspaper, I have been able to apply and get media passes to allow me trackside for better angles (bit scary sometimes)

I wouldn't class myself as anything more than an fortunate amateur though.

These were all taken with a Canon 40D (x1.6 crop) with a Sigma 100-300mm f4 lens. The focal length stays the same regardless of the sensor size, the field of view changes. In this case it would be equivalent field of view to using a 480mm lens on a 'old fashioned' 35mm SLR.

These photos were all taken from the public galleries on the open section of the course, from Club Corner up through Abbey, Farm, Bridge, and finally onto Luffield. The only one that has been cropped further than how it came out of the camera is number 3.

Silverstone isn't the best for photography from the public gallery (Rockingham is the worst IMO) as there are many fences in the way, but there are plenty of usable angles.

I sometimes use an additional teleconverter which gives a 420mm focal length.

It is a comparatively new camera. I started with a 350D, upgraded to a 30D and then to a 40D - this isn't to say the older cameras were no good, but I chanced upon some good deals which would have been silly to turn down.

 

[ckember]

I have some motorsport photography experience - about 18 months worth. Last year I became official photographer for one series but was restricted to shooting from public areas. This year, thanks to the co-operation of the main regional newspaper, I have been able to apply and get media passes to allow me trackside for better angles (bit scary sometimes)

I wouldn't class myself as anything more than an fortunate amateur though.

These were all taken with a Canon 40D (x1.6 crop) with a Sigma 100-300mm f4 lens. The focal length stays the same regardless of the sensor size, the field of view changes. In this case it would be equivalent field of view to using a 480mm lens on a 'old fashioned' 35mm SLR.

These photos were all taken from the public galleries on the open section of the course, from Club Corner up through Abbey, Farm, Bridge, and finally onto Luffield. The only one that has been cropped further than how it came out of the camera is number 3.

Silverstone isn't the best for photography from the public gallery (Rockingham is the worst IMO) as there are many fences in the way, but there are plenty of usable angles.

I sometimes use an additional teleconverter which gives a 420mm focal length.

It is a comparatively new camera. I started with a 350D, upgraded to a 30D and then to a 40D - this isn't to say the older cameras were no good, but I chanced upon some good deals which would have been silly to turn down.

I have been looking at these canons for a while which is the best in you opinion. the 350D 40D or the new 450D?

I have a canon powershot S2 with a 2X convertor, will this be any good for the GP this weekend. I will be at Club corner for the race, hope to be near the pits for the qually sessions The wife is going for the first time

 

[andrewcliffe]

The 40D is going to be the best for this sort of task. Its from the mid-range tier of cameras, the 350D, 400D & 450D is from the bottom tier. Whilst the 40D doesn't have 12mega pixels (unless your printing A2 the only advantage of more pixels is cropping), it has a broader range of features. However, good lenses are important and the best cost a fortune.

I've no experience of the Powershot, but compacts often suffer from shutter lag so you'll need some practise to time your shots. If your camera has a Shutter priority mode I would use that set to about 1/320 and focussing to AI Servo mode (if it has it). There will be some trial and error - so practise on the support races - or even go out and photograph traffic.