Manchester Track Cycling World Cup 18-20th Febuary

caaaallum

caaaallum

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Callum
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Hey folks. I've been watching the forum for a while but haven't quite got round to posting yet, so here goes.

I'm heading to the track cycling world cup in Febuary, and I'll be taking my camera (Canon 30D). I'm thinking of hiring a longer lens than the 28-135 I've already got. I'll also have a Canon 550ex flash gun.

So having had a look through, I'm thinking that a 70-200 f2.8 would do the trick since I've got a 1.6 crop anyway. I'm pretty new to the SLR world so i'll take all sorts of advice. :)

Finally would it be possible to be cheeky and get a press pass, how would i go about this.

Thanks for all your time

Callum
 
Which news outlet will you be covering the event for?

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70-200 f2.8 is a good start, lighting is awful in there - track centre like a black hole, harsh floodlighting on the track itself. One hint that came up last time was to set your white balance from the white finish line, otherwise everything ends up a little jaundiced. Its difficult getting a track press at any of the bigger events (assuming you ARE covering things for a specific news outlet :)) - there are only 6 tog's allowed out onto the apron at any one time, and often not everyone (even with the requisite credentials) in the track-centre manages to get out to shoot.

That said, there are some decent shots to be had from the outside of the track if you try, and the Velodrome are pretty cool about taking cameras in - iirc, you fill in a form stating that the shots are taken "not for profit" and the only restrictions are that you can't shoot Minors or members of Team GB.

Lots of threads on this - just search on "Manchester Velodrome" :)
 
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Cycling news websites such as "Cycling News", "Bike Radar", "Daily Peloton", have been known to take freelance images, but that's really not why I'm going. I'm going to watch the racing and hopefully get some photo's.

As far as representing somebody, I will NOT be. I'm a cyclist not a photographer. But since unfortunately i'm watching and not riding I'd like to get a few good photos since I could look at cycling photos for days.

I'm not trying to offend anyone here, i'm just looking for a bit of advice from people that have more knowledge than I.

Thanks for the information BigYin, having been in the track centre as both a rider and a mechanic its all pretty relaxed regulations wise, but I don't know how it works from a press point of view it seems to be a bit tighter. I had a bit of a search before posting and people seem to use a wide range of lenses and i guess different people like to use different things, just like anything else in life !

Thanks folks
 
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Unfortunately it's a bit of a chicken and egg situation. Without a sponsor it's going to be difficult to get a pass, and without one your photos are going to be restricted for personal use as Mark says.

It'd be good to see some decent velodrome images on here if you do get any though, in contrast to the standard MT stuff. You've also just reminded me that I need to go and do some touting at my own local track! :D
 
your profile says you live in London, There is usually a fantastic weekend of racing over the Good Friday weekend at Herne Hill in London with a world class sprint and endurance field. But since its been rained off for the last few years they've decided to move it to Manchester this year. There is a track league every week, but I'm not sure when that starts, probably late April/early May.

I'll be sure to post the results so i can get a slating and hopefully learn a bit :)

Thanks
 
caaaallum said:
your profile says you live in London, There is usually a fantastic weekend of racing over the Good Friday weekend at Herne Hill in London with a world class sprint and endurance field. But since its been rained off for the last few years they've decided to move it to Manchester this year. There is a track league every week, but I'm not sure when that starts, probably late April/early May.

I'll be sure to post the results so i can get a slating and hopefully learn a bit :)

Thanks
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Called it off in London to host in Manchester because of what?? Rain:lol::lol: that has to be your dry sence of humur right?:) ( I know it's inside but still!)
 
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caaaallum said:
Hey folks. I've been watching the forum for a while but haven't quite got round to posting yet, so here goes.

I'm heading to the track cycling world cup in Febuary, and I'll be taking my camera (Canon 30D). I'm thinking of hiring a longer lens than the 28-135 I've already got. I'll also have a Canon 550ex flash gun.

So having had a look through, I'm thinking that a 70-200 f2.8 would do the trick since I've got a 1.6 crop anyway. I'm pretty new to the SLR world so i'll take all sorts of advice. :)

Finally would it be possible to be cheeky and get a press pass, how would i go about this.

Thanks for all your time

Callum
Click to expand...


You'll be very lucky to get a press pass at Manchester Velodrome for a big meet, its hard enough for people shooting for agencies to get in there.

I think you'll be sat on the outside of the track for it so your likely to need a 70-200, i'm not sure if you'll be allowed flash at a competitive meet but slow shutter speed panning shots are probably the way to go
 
The death of it seems to be mostly the weather, and the fact that they didn't want to pay the money to maintain the track. A shame, it was a really good event.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news...friday-international-moves-to-manchester.html

I hope to take a couple of photo's of the national endurance series, when i'm not riding, its all outdoors so hopefully the light will be better and there are no rules or regs about where you can stand.

Thanks
 
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