Comments on: Mt. Hamilton Classic – Race Photography

By: Velodramatic

Velodramatic — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 06:21:39 +0000

Good luck on the climb and with the photography, should be a beautiful day.

By: Rick Nolthenius

Rick Nolthenius — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:21:50 +0000

Stark shadows, desaturation, flowing lines – beautiful work! The last shot is awesome. I’m cycling Mt. Hamilton on Sunday w/ a friend, who’s running it, and your shots give me ideas on how to photograph our little training day.

By: Velodramatic

Velodramatic — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:52:05 +0000

Grayson,

I haven’t done Leesville Gap, but have heard of it. Killer roads, gravel, multiple flats etc. Might be fun to ride some time in non-race mode. I might photograph the race this year if I’m around.

thanks for tuning in.

By: Veeral

Veeral — Fri, 29 May 2009 04:16:39 +0000

Wicked perspective on the bridge plus the sepia treatment works really well.

By: christopher

christopher — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:52:31 +0000

fantastic as usual. keep ‘em coming.

By: vectorbug

vectorbug — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:00:57 +0000

Have you ever done the Leesvile Gap? I did it in high school about 10 years ago. Cramped terribly with shoes that were 42 when they should have been 46 and didn’t finish. It pretty much killed my interest in every way in cycling for a few years – but that was a long time ago. What a beautifully hellish race.

By: Velodramatic

Velodramatic — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:01:36 +0000

Yes, those folks at Canon have me on a short leash. By all accounts the 200 f2 is a better all-round performer than its f1.8 predecessor (which weighed about 1.5 lbs more into the bargain), both may represent the pinnacle of Canon lens production. As you point out, the f1.8 continues to command astronomical prices because there’s nothing else like it. I’m not one to worry about changing lenses over dust concerns, but I might end up having a dedicated body for the 200mm f2 and never take it off.

I agree about the 70-200. Don’t own it myself, but I’ve rented it numerous times and for my newspaper photographer brother it’s his bread and butter.

That oily mess recall had me conjuring up images of some newby Canon technician using a spray bottle inside the chamber. Or maybe a robot got the wrong programming instructions.

By: Velodramatic

Velodramatic — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:51:55 +0000

Dave,

Nice photograph of the bridge, it’s such a beautiful iconic structure.

By: Dave Wyman

Dave Wyman — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:20:13 +0000

Since I need money to feed my Rapha addiction, my longest lens – 400mm – is only f/5.6. Yet, teemed with the smaller sensor on my Nikon D300, I can blur out the background when I think it’s called for, while keeping the rider in sharp focus.

When I’m on the bike, the only camera I am willing to carry is a Panasonic Lumix TZ5. (An example of what can be done with my little digicam is here: http://www.pbase.com/image/111431879). It has a sharp lens and a huge zoom range, equivalent to 24-280mm on a full-frame camera.

By: Veeral

Veeral — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:48:20 +0000

I think Canon is clever they want you to shell out for the 200mmf2. Have you seen the ebay prices for the 200mm f1.8 ???

You certainly carried alot of gear for this shoot. Personally, I have two choices 1D2N + 500mmf4 & 70-200mmf2.8 or 1D2N + 70-200mmf2.8 & 17-40mm f4.

For me 70-200mm is my workhorse, simply the most versatile lens in my kit. I can use it from the motorbike no problem and the IS does come handy as well. For shooting crits, the 500mmf4 is sensational, the bokeh just makes me cream my pants.

Lets see what Canon is bringing out with the 1DMK4, hopefully no leaky oil lol!!!!