Full Gallop Horse Trial, '09-08-30; Aiken SC [Sitemap]

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HoofClix

Aug-31-2009, 05:52 AM

Thought I'd show a taste of some of this past weekend's horse trial in Aiken. Mostly as I put my newest lens, a Sigma 120-300 f2.8, into service at a horse trial for the first time. Being a life-long Nikonian, it was a heck of a time to get used to the opposite zoom rotation, but I stuck with it all day long.. This is a series from a professional rider at the Intermediate level, a high level where many are working the horses up to the top levels.. Enjoy:

1. Just a little hop over a truck bed:
http://www.hoofclix.com/photos/635517964_Cbg4b-M-1.jpg

2. The "Cheater's Double Shot":
http://www.hoofclix.com/photos/635518152_RNSsM-M-1.jpg

3. This is an "Up-Bank" and I zoom fairly tight, but making sure the focus target is on the horse while actually looking at the top of the frame so as to make sure I don't cut the rider's head off.. Kind of a portrait shot in that way:
http://www.hoofclix.com/photos/635518360_KgbxN-M-1.jpg

4, The infamous "Crooked Log." This shot is usually easy for me with my 70-200 Nikon, but with the Sigma Zoom ring, I had to go from 220 to 120mm in a quick second, and I kept wanting to turn the zoom ring in the wrong direction:
http://www.hoofclix.com/photos/635518564_hZeHx-M-1.jpg

5. This jump is not the ideal angle, but it was there, and I had to position myself for the first of the series and just take what I could get on this one. They drop off the crooked log and immediately turn to jump this "Skinny," which is half the width of the standard jump:
http://www.hoofclix.com/photos/635518781_wAoDc-M-1.jpg

Hope y'all enjoyed!!!

divamum

Aug-31-2009, 08:06 AM

Oooh.... equestrian eye candy!! :clap

That first shot is an absolutely textbook "perfect" shot - looks like the new lens (despite its backwardness) is doing a good job!!! :thumb

HoofClix

Aug-31-2009, 08:42 AM

Thanks Diva! Also just an example of how the 2/3 portion that I can't control is being handled by a good horse and a good rider!

The shot that they want to buy is the #4, and this level was the first of the day, so my first chance to get a "hand" on it. One thing I do with my 70-200 Nikon is to start that #3 shot at 200mm in portrait orientation, then holding the zoom ring to just turn the camera back to landscape, and voila, I am set at 70mm to take #4. Thinking about it now I'll have to learn yet another technique, perhaps start at 200mm with a hand down portrait orientation, then just turn it upward to 70. I suppose that's how Canon people do it???

divamum

Aug-31-2009, 06:51 PM

Thanks Diva! Also just an example of how the 2/3 portion that I can't control is being handled by a good horse and a good rider!

Well... yeah. That is pretty much perfect in all ways. Even by hunter standards :rofl (YES I am kidding! Kidding!!)

Seriously, what a gorgeous team they look to be. Rider's obviously very secure and balanced, and horse really seems to be enjoying his work, too - not just that his ears are forward, but even over a big, solid fence like that so relaxed and nicely round over the top. Really lovely. Of course, the fact that the "one-third" you control was absolutely right is what got the picture!!

The shot that they want to buy is the #4, and this level was the first of the day, so my first chance to get a "hand" on it. One thing I do with my 70-200 Nikon is to start that #3 shot at 200mm in portrait orientation, then holding the zoom ring to just turn the camera back to landscape, and voila, I am set at 70mm to take #4. Thinking about it now I'll have to learn yet another technique, perhaps start at 200mm with a hand down portrait orientation, then just turn it upward to 70. I suppose that's how Canon people do it???

Well, that's an awesome "action" shot. I love the way he's pointing his toes out before landing. Is he as talented a horse as he looks to be from these samples?

Do Canon and Nikon zoom in opposite directions?! :huh:scratch

HoofClix

Aug-31-2009, 08:22 PM

Is he as talented a horse as he looks to be from these samples? Funny how I'm not a judge, but I just looked through my shots form this division and picked the ones I thought were the best.. I just checked the farm's web site to see that they won the division of 15.. So I guess so.. I expect to see them in the winter/spring working on getting to Rolex.

Do Canon and Nikon zoom in opposite directions?! :huh:scratch:rofl Oh yes.. If you look at a Nikon zoom, the low number will be on the right. This is a lifelong affair I'm working through. Same goes for all of those manual focus lenses in my closet up on the third floor..

canon400d

Sep-02-2009, 03:59 PM

Funny how I'm not a judge, but I just looked through my shots form this division and picked the ones I thought were the best.. I just checked the farm's web site to see that they won the division of 15.. So I guess so.. I expect to see them in the winter/spring working on getting to Rolex.

:rofl Oh yes.. If you look at a Nikon zoom, the low number will be on the right. This is a lifelong affair I'm working through. Same goes for all of those manual focus lenses in my closet up on the third floor..

I really enjoyed looking at those shots Mark. Congrats on the lens which appears to be producing first class shots but I know you are the pro.The first shot really is first class and I can see in it everything you have told me. Unfortunately the Hunter trials was cancelled on Sunday so I had to travel to the Pendragon Stages Car Rally in Cumbria, to learn the panning and the results were awful. However, I have been practicing using a shutter speed of 1/160 and I am getting better results. I remember you saying for horse jumping I need a shutter speed of no less than 1/800 when I am panning and I don't use the continuous.
Regards
Bob

Snowgirl

Sep-03-2009, 02:00 PM

Nice series and good pony and rider, too. I love shooting outside. Shooting in an indoor arena is much more exasperating.

Canon lenses have the low numbers on the left, btw.:wink

divamum

Sep-03-2009, 02:49 PM

So presumably this means that Nikon users like Tamron?

This may be why I'm confused, too... my only zooms at the moment are an old Canon "trombone" push-pull zoom that doesn't need turning, and my Tam 17-50. So as things stand for me these days, the low number is on the right.... :wink

I guess if I ever get a modern Canon zoom I'd better be prepared to feel backwards!! :D

canon400d

Sep-03-2009, 02:55 PM

Nice series and good pony and rider, too. I love shooting outside. Shooting in an indoor arena is much more exasperating.

Canon lenses have the low numbers on the left, btw.:wink

Hi Mark
I have just checked the price of this lens over here and it is £2275. I never knew Sigma produced such expensive lenses. Can you see so much improvement in your photos to justify this price? I like the fact that you can use 2.8 at all focal lengths. If I am right you were using a 70-200 F.4. Is that correct?
Regards
Bob

HoofClix

Sep-03-2009, 06:11 PM

Sorry to have confused you all.. Just a dumb ox here you know..:D

My bad.. Nikon lenses have the low numbers on the right... If you zoom out and hold the camera in portrait, hand up, to shoot the horse at a 20 degree angle, then while it goes by you, just hold the zoom ring steady and rotate the camera to landscape, it moves wider for a gallop shot... That's what I can't get used to with the Sigma.. Diva, you could never be backwards....:rofl

Bob, the lens is the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 APO. I have to have this type of lens, especially for indoor arenas and early morning or dusk shooting, but imho, the glass is awsome...

torags

Sep-04-2009, 07:18 AM

Very nice Mark. #1 is super

canon400d

Sep-04-2009, 01:10 PM