mathew_brady1

Hand hold the camera and follow the car as it passes by you on the track.

 

Can't answer the tripod question. I don't know if they are allowed in the gate. For that matter, I don't if monopods are allowed.

The grandstands are open on Saturday, but on Sunday you will need a reserved seat. Your reserved grandstand seat includes the general admission areas in the infield, but general admission tickets do not get you into the grandstands.

 

If you are panning (following the cars and blurring the background) you will need to shoot at 1/90-1/125. For stop action, 1/500-1/2000 will do the job. In either case, use the appropriate aperture.

Hi, I attended the USGP a couple of years ago and found the only restriction to be the fencing. To do it again with your equipment, I would bring the 28-70 for atmosphere images and the 300mm for on the track action. The 1.4x may come in handy, if you plan on bringing a monopod for support.

 

There are many locations in the infield that you can shoot over or through the fencing. These locations fill up fast, so on race day get there early and to get the best view. As the race reaches midway, people usually start moving around so there are more opportunities to find new locations. The "mickey mouse" turns are a good place to start as the viewing mounds let you view over the fence and the cars are traveling slowly through them.

 

Have fun, it's a great event.

On a side note, I find that when hand holding the 300mm, I take the tripod collar off. The lens rests in my hands more comfortably without the collar.

Try the Fells Point area, which is just east of the Inner Harbor area. Plenty of good places to eat, drink, and photograph.

 

Yes, Fort McHenry is worth a visit. As is the Edgar Allen Poe grave, the Babe Ruth Museum, and the B&O Railroad Museum and roundhouse.

I'm shooting digital now, so I can't help you on your choice of film, but if you are shooting wide open, 100 speed film would work. When you're using the 2X on your zoom, 400 speed would be the right choice.

 

The weather is usually clear and contrasty, so try to match a film for those conditions.

 

If you can, bring a moderate wide angle or small zoom ( 28-70 ) for the paddock.

 

Happy shooting!

I've shot Laguna Seca a couple of times and found that without credentials, you are limited.

 

The last turn before the pit straight can be shot from the grandstands opposite the pits. Race day, you will probably need tickets, but on Saturday the grandstand should be open. The cars get sideways as they put the power on.

 

The stands that are facing the Dunlap bridge provides a nice angle. Both of these locations require a pretty long lens (at least 400mm).

 

By far my favorite spot is the corkscrew. Many different angles and as the cars head down the hill, you're almost shooting into the cockpit from over head. You can use a 200mm and up there. It can be a long walk up the hill, but it's worth it. Lots of shade trees when you get to the top. I have a hard time leaving this location. It's the most unique corner in all of racing.

 

There are several areas for panning along the downhill portion that leads from the corkscrew to the final turn and as they climb the hill towards the corkscrew.

 

Buy a paddock pass. Some of my favorite CART pics are made in the paddock. If you can be there Friday and Saturday you will have a much easier time in the paddock. Race day is usually VERY crowded.

 

One of my favorite tracks. Hope you enjoy yourself.

Try http://www.cameraquest.com/index.htm for adapters.

 

I've used the Contax to EOS adapter with a 300mm 2.8 and the results were stunning.

Can't recommend a quick fix, but I can recommend Contax Service in NJ. They are fast and reasonably priced.

We spent New Years in Vegas and traveled to Valley of Fire, Mount Charleston, and Red Rock Canyon.

 

Fantastic scenery for an eastcoast boy, but the ONLY wildlife we saw was a big horn sheep running across the highway on the way to Hoover Dam. It was beautiful, but out of sight too quickly.

I've used Sorel type boots with two pairs of wool socks in -30 to 0 degrees. They keep me warm from the air temperature, but I would feel the ice and snow covered ground if standing in one spot too long. A brief walk would warm everything for awhile.

 

The advantage to the liners is that if they are wet from sweat or water, you can switch them out. I've never done this because they dry out and are set to go the next morning. When they wear out, you can replace them.

 

Standing still seems to be the enemy of all warmth when it comes to boots.

 

Haven't tried any others, so I can't comment.

Check out this information page. It might provide the answer to your problem.

 

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-manual-lenses/

For nature photography, Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge is in Delaware, about a one hour drive from Philly. Here's a link that may be helpful.

 

http://www.friendsofbombayhook.org/

The winding lever on the FX-3 is notorious for malfunctioning. If it is slipping, you may try this simple fix.

 

Remove the plastic cap on top of the lever. You will find a very small screw that holds the lever to the camera. This may need tightening. On my camera the screw would loosen itself very easily and I put a dap of loctite on it and haven't had a problem since.

 

Might be worth checking out if you want to still use it.

Forgot to mention the Camera Obscura at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. There is also a fantastic clock collection on display and of course, it is the location of the prime meridian.

England is a photographic smorsgasbord.

 

The British Museum has a great display of equipment and images.

 

The Photographers Gallery (Leicester Sq. tube stop) always has a couple of gallery exhibits.

 

The National Portrait Gallery (down the street from the Photographers Gallery) usually features photography.

 

A short train ride north to Bradford will take you to the National Musuem of Photography, Film, and Television. Well worth the trip.

 

Lacock Abbey is the home of Fox Talbot and the location where the first photographic negative was created. Near Bath, it makes for a great day trip.

 

So much to see and so little time.......

The serial number on these lenses is engraved very small on the dark ring that is inside the aperature setting index ring.

 

Hope that helps.