Circuit de Catalunya F1 Testing (help!)

cokebottles

cokebottles

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Chris
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Hi guys,

I've just rather spontaneously booked flights, hotel and car rental to head out to the F1 tests at the end of this month in Barcelona.

I emailed the circuit in anticipation asking about the use of "cameras with zoom lenses" to take photos for personal use thinking I was just being prudent as SLR with zoom lenses are common at these type of events. Their response was

"If your camera is not a professional camera (with very big zoom lenses) it’s ok as the pictures are for personal use."

This has worried me a bit as I intend on taking a 450D with a L series zoom (undecided as to which yet)

Has anyone been to the Circuit de Catalunya for a a similar event, and have you been allowed in with an SLR and zoom lens?

I appreciate any advice people have. :)
 
Just don't wave them around. To be fair I doubt they'll notice you even if you have a big zoom.
 
I've seen pics from Valencia on Flickr that seems to be from individuals. Seems ok to me and I doubt you'd be challenged. I reckon it's probably just the standard response. The only issue would be if you were selling them imho.
 
You should be fine. There were 36,000 people at the final day of the Valencia test, and some of them will have had some fairly serious equipment. If the photos are for personal use I don't think they can do anything anyway.
 
I an sure you will be OK.

I have used Canon 40D + 100-400L as well as 300f2.8 at this circuit for photographing the DTM (german touring cars) from several parts of the circuit without any problems.

Relax and enjoy the circuit, it is great for photography. The stands near the chicane give good photo opportunities.

Stephen
 
Thanks for your input guys, it's helped to reduce my worry over the situation!

Anyone else been to Circuit de Catalunya for a similar event and have any further insight?
 
Went to the actual grand prix last year, the fri and sat are free roaming so you can go wherever you want, which I think is the same as testing :shrug:

If you go to the repsol corner (need to go via the underwalk passage) youll get cracking shots, along with the chicane at the end (not pictured below) :thumbs:

track-barcelona.gif


shot taken at repsol corner:

A-(559).jpg
 
Thanks Dave, that's really useful. Will be sure to check those spots out!

A further question: how bad are the presence of fences around the citcuit, and also what focal lengths did you end up using the most?

Cheers!
 
cokebottles said:
Thanks Dave, that's really useful. Will be sure to check those spots out!

A further question: how bad are the presence of fences around the citcuit, and also what focal lengths did you end up using the most?

Cheers!
Click to expand...

well fences werent too bad, at the chicane for example you are on elevated seats, so the fence is no problem. with the hamilton shot i posted, i stood on a raised bank just to the right of the curve, so that wasnt a problem. If you go right into the repsol corner (ie where the L in repsol is on the map image), its bloody steep so no issues as the fence is well below you. Here is a shot of myself at the top of the hill and my friend half way down, its that steep! :

AAAA-(451).jpg


As for focal length, I only took 250mm longest with me, and barely used it full tilt.

I had the choice of this testing or bahrain gp, so I wont see you there lol

any more questions ill be happy to answer, got 2 weeks before you go lol

also worth mentioning that the hamilton shot is how it was in camera, no cropping! was at 194mm according to exif :)
 
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