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Motorsport at Monaco

petrochemist
Posted 01/06/2015 - 23:23 Link
I was lucky enough to get a trip to Monaco just over a week ago for a seminar, which included a near ideal spot for watching the goings on. Still some crash netting but otherwise hard to beat.

Here are some of my favorite shots (mix of GP2 & F1):

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Monaco gp2-18 by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr

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Monaco F1-26 by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr

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Monaco GP2 Location by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr

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Monaco F1 -Close Pastor's Lotus by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr

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Monaco gp2 prang by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr
Mike
.
Pentax:K5ii, K7, K100D, DA18-55, DA10-17, DA55-300, DA50-200, F100-300, F50, DA35 AL, 4* M50, 2* M135, Helicoid extension, Tak 300 f4 (& 6 film bodies)
3rd Party: Bigmos (Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM),2* 28mm, 100mm macro, 28-200 zoom, 35-80 zoom, 80-200 zoom, 80-210 zoom, 300mm M42, 600 mirror, 1000-4000 scope, 50mm M42, enlarger lenses, Sony & micro 4/3 cameras with various PK mounts, Zenit E...
Far to many tele-converters, adapters, project parts & extension tubes etc.

.[size=11:].FlickrWPFPanoramio
08tiger
Posted 02/06/2015 - 07:35 Link
Shame you were on the wrong side of the fence!
C&C welcome.
Don.
percy
Posted 02/06/2015 - 07:43 Link
What a great opportunity - you lucky man

Some nice shots through the fencing
petrochemist
Posted 02/06/2015 - 08:06 Link
percy wrote:
What a great opportunity - you lucky man

Some nice shots through the fencing

There were certainly quite a few where things still managed to block the view. At least with the fencing you can make out something through the posts. Some of the other obstructions were just too big:
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Monaco GP2 censored by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr
Mike
.
Pentax:K5ii, K7, K100D, DA18-55, DA10-17, DA55-300, DA50-200, F100-300, F50, DA35 AL, 4* M50, 2* M135, Helicoid extension, Tak 300 f4 (& 6 film bodies)
3rd Party: Bigmos (Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM),2* 28mm, 100mm macro, 28-200 zoom, 35-80 zoom, 80-200 zoom, 80-210 zoom, 300mm M42, 600 mirror, 1000-4000 scope, 50mm M42, enlarger lenses, Sony & micro 4/3 cameras with various PK mounts, Zenit E...
Far to many tele-converters, adapters, project parts & extension tubes etc.

.[size=11:].FlickrWPFPanoramio
Edited by petrochemist: 02/06/2015 - 08:07
petrochemist
Posted 02/06/2015 - 08:12 Link
08tiger wrote:
Shame you were on the wrong side of the fence!

I've got rather used to that Don, and at least it gives me an excuse for not getting as good shots as Simon does.
At Monaco the other side of the fence is directly on the track, but there are splits in the fence for the pros.
Mike
.
Pentax:K5ii, K7, K100D, DA18-55, DA10-17, DA55-300, DA50-200, F100-300, F50, DA35 AL, 4* M50, 2* M135, Helicoid extension, Tak 300 f4 (& 6 film bodies)
3rd Party: Bigmos (Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM),2* 28mm, 100mm macro, 28-200 zoom, 35-80 zoom, 80-200 zoom, 80-210 zoom, 300mm M42, 600 mirror, 1000-4000 scope, 50mm M42, enlarger lenses, Sony & micro 4/3 cameras with various PK mounts, Zenit E...
Far to many tele-converters, adapters, project parts & extension tubes etc.

.[size=11:].FlickrWPFPanoramio
percy
Posted 02/06/2015 - 08:16 Link
petrochemist wrote:
There were certainly quite a few where things still managed to block the view. At least with the fencing you can make out something through the posts. Some of the other obstructions were just too big

It's always going to be difficult to get good photo opportunities in that kind of situation. I had the same 'fencing' problem when I was at the Macau GP last year. But nevertheless, it must still have been fantastic to be there during the race. Not that I'm jealous of course
carmagw
Posted 02/06/2015 - 16:20 Link
percy wrote:
What a great opportunity - you lucky man

Some nice shots through the fencing

+1
simonarron
Posted 02/06/2015 - 19:06 Link
Glad you enjoyed it, Mike. Monaco has the slowest average lap speed of the F1 season, but from trackside it looks like the fastest, because proximity embellishes the impression of speed.

I do sympathise about the fences - and realise how fortunate I am to be able to access some of the locations I get to.

There are very few F1 venues that allow spectators a wire-free view - there are a couple of grandstands in Barcelona that do the trick, likewise at Silverstone, but there aren't many.

This is a shot I took (Spotmatic, Takumar 250mm, probably Tri-X) at my first Grand Prix, standing on the bank at Club Corner, Silverstone, in 1977: Rupert Keegan leads rookie Gilles Villeneuve. There was absolutely no debris fencing back then (nor much of a crowd on a practice day), but when I returned two years later there was chicken wire everywhere. This Sunday I'm planning to attend the VSCC meeting at Cadwell Park, which is one of the finest UK venues in terms of clear photo access from the spectator areas. I thoroughly recommend it.
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droopsnoot
Posted 02/06/2015 - 19:34 Link
I'm also very jealous of your trip. Monaco is pretty much the only GP I make a point of watching these days, just because the setting is so nice. I'd imagine if you can rule out the thought of getting the kind of pro shots and build in the surroundings for the shot then there's probably some very good photos to be had.
Real name: Mike Edwards. My homage to seventies Vauxhalls: www.firenza.net

Camera - Pentax Kx, 18-55 kit lens, 18-200 Sigma, 50-500 Sigma, 500mm Tamron mirror
petrochemist
Posted 04/06/2015 - 07:31 Link
percy wrote:

It's always going to be difficult to get good photo opportunities in that kind of situation. I had the same 'fencing' problem when I was at the Macau GP last year. But nevertheless, it must still have been fantastic to be there during the race. Not that I'm jealous of course

I wasn't actually there for the race itself, just for the Thursdays free practice, but even so it was an excellent trip! Having visited briefly years ago and driven round the circuit while its a public road I can say that in race format Monaco is quite different than during the rest of the year.
I heard that the equivalent of our hospitality package on race day cost £2800 per person somehow I don't think either the supplier who set up the package or my employer would feel that sort of money would be well spent.
Mike
.
Pentax:K5ii, K7, K100D, DA18-55, DA10-17, DA55-300, DA50-200, F100-300, F50, DA35 AL, 4* M50, 2* M135, Helicoid extension, Tak 300 f4 (& 6 film bodies)
3rd Party: Bigmos (Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM),2* 28mm, 100mm macro, 28-200 zoom, 35-80 zoom, 80-200 zoom, 80-210 zoom, 300mm M42, 600 mirror, 1000-4000 scope, 50mm M42, enlarger lenses, Sony & micro 4/3 cameras with various PK mounts, Zenit E...
Far to many tele-converters, adapters, project parts & extension tubes etc.

.[size=11:].FlickrWPFPanoramio
petrochemist
Posted 04/06/2015 - 08:09 Link
simonarron wrote:
Glad you enjoyed it, Mike. Monaco has the slowest average lap speed of the F1 season, but from trackside it looks like the fastest, because proximity embellishes the impression of speed.

I do sympathise about the fences - and realise how fortunate I am to be able to access some of the locations I get to.

I've not got to many Grand Prix, but I've got familiar with the issues with catch fencing from the work I do with British motorsport. I've found infield locations at several of the major UK circuits where I get a mesh free shot, but the views are all fairly similar. Cadwell Park is unfortunately not one of the circuits I get to visit, but I've heard good things about it in the past, I'll have to see if I can arrange a special trip.

This weekend I'm at Oulton Park with the touring cars, but the timetable won't leave me much chance for photos, I think free practice & the first BTCC grid will be my only options, with such limited opportunities I won't be taking my K7 sticking with my micro 4/3 kit (so if I do get any decent shots they won't be posted here).

Whilst I'm frequently highly jealous of your access I don't kid myself that I'd match your results even if I had it. At Monaco the only professional photo points I saw that I might have been able to get reasonable shots from where the raised TV platforms.
Mike
.
Pentax:K5ii, K7, K100D, DA18-55, DA10-17, DA55-300, DA50-200, F100-300, F50, DA35 AL, 4* M50, 2* M135, Helicoid extension, Tak 300 f4 (& 6 film bodies)
3rd Party: Bigmos (Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM),2* 28mm, 100mm macro, 28-200 zoom, 35-80 zoom, 80-200 zoom, 80-210 zoom, 300mm M42, 600 mirror, 1000-4000 scope, 50mm M42, enlarger lenses, Sony & micro 4/3 cameras with various PK mounts, Zenit E...
Far to many tele-converters, adapters, project parts & extension tubes etc.

.[size=11:].FlickrWPFPanoramio
simonarron
Posted 04/06/2015 - 08:17 Link
The raised platforms are mostly for TV cameras, Mike. Photographers are generally at ground level or shooting panoramas from sponsors' hotel balconies (not an angle to which I've ever had access). There are a few lens holes in the fences, though some of these are also for TV and you have to shoot over the camera operator's shoulder...
petrochemist
Posted 04/06/2015 - 11:56 Link
simonarron wrote:
The raised platforms are mostly for TV cameras, Mike. Photographers are generally at ground level or shooting panoramas from sponsors' hotel balconies (not an angle to which I've ever had access). There are a few lens holes in the fences, though some of these are also for TV and you have to shoot over the camera operator's shoulder...

I know they're for TV, and I wouldn't be comfortable at the end of the jib booms anyway.
The photographers' holes looked too close for me to be able to catch a car, even if security left me there all day. The marshalls points looked to give the best views but I suspect even accredited photographers wouldn't be allowed to be getting in the way.
Most UK circuits the bit between the armco & the netting looks the ideal spot, where the challenges might be closer to what I can cope with. My pit lane pass might get me into this area - but only after the racing is over.
Mike
.
Pentax:K5ii, K7, K100D, DA18-55, DA10-17, DA55-300, DA50-200, F100-300, F50, DA35 AL, 4* M50, 2* M135, Helicoid extension, Tak 300 f4 (& 6 film bodies)
3rd Party: Bigmos (Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM),2* 28mm, 100mm macro, 28-200 zoom, 35-80 zoom, 80-200 zoom, 80-210 zoom, 300mm M42, 600 mirror, 1000-4000 scope, 50mm M42, enlarger lenses, Sony & micro 4/3 cameras with various PK mounts, Zenit E...
Far to many tele-converters, adapters, project parts & extension tubes etc.

.[size=11:].FlickrWPFPanoramio
carmagw
Posted 04/06/2015 - 12:19 Link
Mike, there's a good chance I'll be at Oulton Park this Sunday with the family in tow. I'll keep an eye out for you and hopefully say hello. Phone signal was non existent the last time I was there.
Regards
George
petrochemist
Posted 04/06/2015 - 13:33 Link
carmagw wrote:
Mike, there's a good chance I'll be at Oulton Park this Sunday with the family in tow. I'll keep an eye out for you and hopefully say hello. Phone signal was non existent the last time I was there.
Regards
George

I did think there was a chance of bumping into you again, glad to hear I was right.
Last year I spent too long taking photos at the boat lift before heading to the track & ended up in a huge jam.. only just arriving in time to start work. I'll try to get in a before the pit walk this time & remain visible as the crowds clear!
Mike
.
Pentax:K5ii, K7, K100D, DA18-55, DA10-17, DA55-300, DA50-200, F100-300, F50, DA35 AL, 4* M50, 2* M135, Helicoid extension, Tak 300 f4 (& 6 film bodies)
3rd Party: Bigmos (Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM),2* 28mm, 100mm macro, 28-200 zoom, 35-80 zoom, 80-200 zoom, 80-210 zoom, 300mm M42, 600 mirror, 1000-4000 scope, 50mm M42, enlarger lenses, Sony & micro 4/3 cameras with various PK mounts, Zenit E...
Far to many tele-converters, adapters, project parts & extension tubes etc.

.[size=11:].FlickrWPFPanoramio
Edited by petrochemist: 04/06/2015 - 13:33

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