I will have the Sigma 100-300 checked over, Paul. I usually use Alan Marlow at AM Technical in Shepperton. I currently have a 17-70, 50-150 and now the 100-300 that all need attention. At this rate, I'll run out of lenses by May...

Having spent three days beetling around the country watching racing cars, I'm still miles behind with editing. And it wasn't a great weekend for equipment. Eight days after my Sigma 50-150 ingested rain at Oulton (it still isn't working), I dropped my K-3 and Sigma 100-300 while unpacking the car between events. The K-3 seems to have survived a significant impact, but the Sigma's zoom ring is now incredibly stiff (although the internals seem to be working OK). Another trip to the vet beckons. In the meantime, here are one or two bits from venues 190 miles apart...

Thruxton

1 - The art of suspension travel (K-5 IIs, DA300)


2 - GT symphony (K-3, Sigma 100-300)


3 - Many alternatives have been introduced since Formula Ford was invented in 1967, but the original still provides the best racing (K-3, Sigma 100-300)


4 - Every which way, but loose (K3, Sigma 100-300)

Oulton Park

5 - It was a touch misty when first I set foot in Cheshire... (K-5 IIs, DA300)


6 - ...but things soon perked up (K-5 IIs, Tamron 17-50)


7 - Reed buntings are known to be big fans of the British GT Championship (K-5 IIs, DA300)


8 - Harri Newey, son of F1 design talisman Adrian, is starting out at the foot of racing's ladder (K-3, Tamron 17-50)


9 Attack! (K-5 IIs, DA300)

Yes, it does. I have bought quite a bit from them over the years - including a K-3.

This seems particularly good value: K-50 plus 18-55 kit lens and 55-300 for €509, which as I write is about £372.20.

Lightning deal at Amazon France: link

Customary high quality, Alan. I have a slight preference for #2 & #5, but all make me envious.

Thanks, all, for the words of encouragement.

@ Nigel: yes, I was properly weather-proofed - just wish I'd extended my Sigma 50-150 the same courtesy. It still isn't working...

@ George: thanks for the tip-off - I supplied a few shots to MSV (which manages Oulton), but didn't expect them to appear quite so quickly in the public domain.

This weekend I'm preparing for two days at Thruxton and one at Oulton Park, Obviously...

Sussex last weekend, Cheshire this. I'll try not to post a motorsport album every weekend, but the season is still young and I'm finding it hard to resist. Unfortunately, conditions on Saturday morning were so foul that most automated functions ceased to operate on my Sigma 50-150 f2.8 (although it continued to work OK as a manual lens). I'm hoping it will recover when properly dry... These were taken with K-5 IIs and DA 300mm f4, unless otherwise indicated.


1 - Charge of the light brigade


2 - "It'll actually go faster if we leave the ignition off and push..." (K-3, Sigma 50-150)


3 - The sticker at the top of the screen gives it away, but otherwise this might have been taken 50 years ago...


4 - Legends in their own lap times


5 - Cheshire life (K-3, Tamron 17-50)


6 - Flaming nuisance


7 - Panning application (K-3, Tamron 17-50)


8 - Slip, slidin' away


9 - "I'm sure there used to be a racetrack around here somewhere"

Some nice, crisp work there, Paul. Particularly like the Tyrrell 012 shots (car #44). Suspect my first Donington event this year will be the Historic Festival at the start of May, although I might try to get along sooner. Tomorrow, meanwhile, it will be 2CV o'clock at Oulton Park...

Amazon France is at it again, if anybody needs a Q-S1 kit. lightning deal price is €275,00 (£202.60), but stock is limited...

link

Those take me back, Andrew - great shots, and a dignified portrait of an area that was always regarded as potentially problematic when I lived in Sheffield (more than 30 years ago, admittedly).

Very nice work.