Superbikes

[SmartWombat]

Taken with two point and shoot cameras.
Panasonic FZ25 with "35mm equivalent 432mm", 5MP and Minolta A2 with "35mm equivalent 200mm" but 8MP.
You should be able to tell which is which !

[SmartWombat]

and more bikes ....

[SmartWombat]

... more, anyone?

[SmartWombat]

... last one, by now you should see that Optical zoom beats megapixels :blush2:

[SmartWombat]

... Oh all right, just one more.
I tried both sports mode and panning mode on the FZ25 and got one, just one halfway good panning shot.

As usual with P&S, the hardest part by far is getting the focus right. Then after that, the panning.
But the lack of a large, bright, high resolution viewfinder seriously hinders the use of P&S cameras in Manual Focus. Since their AF systems just don't seem up to the job, whether used in contunous mode or in one shot mode with a half-press to focus on a point on the track, it becomes a lottery to get a decent photo.
Add to that the shutter lag and it was a real challenge to get those closest shots through a gap in the fence.
Definitely the IS on the two cameras helped immensely.

[ciddog91]

Nice pics.... Thses were a P&S???? They look great for that type of camera. My kodak does not allow for manual anything and my action shots suck.....my have to re-think my P&S and look for one like yours...

[JSPhoto]

Why the P&S? The focus is really slow compared to your normal gear, and it's really obvious here, maybe one or two shots that focused really well.

JS

[SmartWombat]

Why the P&S ?
After crashing my car, all my gear is at Canon for service.
Except the technicians were ar Monaco for media support to the F1 photographers.
So I didn't get it back in time for this weekend's racing - I'm pushing the limit of the P&S.

[SmartWombat]

I didn't use manual anything, either.
Either "P" program mode, or Sports mode, or Panning mode.
The FZ25 unfortunately is pretty poor at high contrast edges, and has colour fringing.
It also has appalling JPEG artefacts unless in Extra Fine mode, even Fine mode has strong colours bleeding well beyond the boundary of the rider's helmet.

[RP Racing]

So how's Troy Bayiss doing? Gotta root for my countrymen. (Aussie born here )

Road America here is trying toget FIM cert and may try to get a WSBK event. Since MotoGP is across country here from me and quite pricey (not to boot I know the Road America people and can get paddock passes no problem).

My guess theses are from Silverstone?

[SmartWombat]

Troy did pretty well. Didn't seem to mind the rain in wqualifying too much.

Yes, Silverstone is our local circuit.
Paddock passes are fine here except for F1, but accreditation is difficult..

[Old Timer]

Well I think that considering the circumstances and equipment used these shots are remarkable. Way to go in a very difficult situation Paul.

[SmartWombat]

Thanks, OT
I was torn between the closest approach in the first two shots of #3, or one corner earlier like the last shot in #4. Further away but a better angle on the rider.
I think this one is probably the best bike shot of the day ...

However James Toseland's celebration of 3rd place went a little wild.
Gloves, fine - Helmet, the sponsors will buy another one - Boots, good job the fans could catch them - - - the commentators didn't believe he was going to throw his race suit into the stands !!

.

[livin4lax09]

The FZ25 unfortunately is pretty poor at high contrast edges, and has colour fringing.
It also has appalling JPEG artefacts unless in Extra Fine mode, even Fine mode has strong colours bleeding well beyond the boundary of the rider's helmet.

yeah, those are the downsides of a camera with a good optical zoom. Good shots considering your equipment and the circumstances though.

[SmartWombat]

Thanks, I guess it might be the photographer behind the equipment :thumbsup:

[masdog]

Is the person in the third picture getting an autograph where I think she is getting an autograph??

Great shots, SW. It goes to show that equipment is only one aspect of sports photography.

[RP Racing]

Is the person in the third picture getting an autograph where I think she is getting an autograph??

Great shots, SW. It goes to show that equipment is only one aspect of sports photography.

More likely a event souviner t-shirt being signed.

[SmartWombat]

Is the person in the third picture getting an autograph where I think she is getting an autograph??

If you think her T-shirt is getting signed, you're right.