Storm Riders

[brian1208]

a few shots of three happy and skilled loonies riding the gale whipped sea off Avon Beach a couple of days ago, shot using the EM-! + 75-300mk2 with ISO400, single point centre focus, SAF and 6fps sequential shooting, wide open with shutter speed 1/1000th - 1/2000th sec depending on light variation

I had the UV filter on to protect the lens against the flying salt spray and sand

[Olybirder]

Re: Storm Riders

Terrific action shots Brian. Those guys are absolutely nuts. There is no room for mistakes in conditions like that and the consequences of an error or judgment make me shudder. I think I must be very old ...

Ron

[benvendetta]

Re: Storm Riders

Excellent action shots. I would really like to get the 75-300 to replace my 50-200 and if these results from the former are anything to go by, it should be worthwhile. The 50-200 is a superb lens, it is just that it is a bit heavy with my E-M1.

[brian1208]

Re: Storm Riders

Terrific action shots Brian. Those guys are absolutely nuts. There is no room for mistakes in conditions like that and the consequences of an error or judgment make me shudder. I think I must be very old ...

Ron

Me too Ron, as there were only three of them out I found myself trying to keep track of them but they were a long way out to catch the wind (some of these shots must have been at least 1/4 mile off shore).

At one point I lost track of all of them and my heart sunk, a bit like being in loco parentis I guess (at least when our eldest lad does his maniac impressions kite surfing its down in Essex, so we only hear about his near misses well after the event )

[brian1208]

Re: Storm Riders

Dave, I've not used the 50-200 so can't make the direct comparison but the new 75-300 doesn't disappoint in comparison with the old 70-300 LIS on the 7D.

Its not quite so good IQ wise and the focus may be a little slower but I'm getting images now that I struggled to get with that canon combo so I can highly recommend it

[Alpha1]

Re: Storm Riders

Terrific shots Brian. I bet the lads were pleased with them? They should be as I daresay you weren't wearing a wet or dry suit either! You and the lads were brave to test the elements.

[brian1208]

Re: Storm Riders

By the time they were going out I had been on the beach shooting gulls for about 30 minutes and apart from the wind blowing the sand about it was quite pleasant, even better when the sun came out and the lads went out to play

(I did have my wellies on to stop the dreaded "Wet Knee" syndrome when a wave sneaks up from my blind side )

[Zuiko]

Re: Storm Riders

Wow! A spectacular series. The last one is my absolute favourite.

[brian1208]

Re: Storm Riders

thanks John, they put on a great show and I was spoilt for choice when it came to selecting images.

Of this set I think #3 gets my vote as it shows the power of the waves and the skill of the rider in using them

(there are a whole heap more here if anyone has the time and inclination http://www.imagesfromnature.co.uk/ga...-12-2-14-20801 )

[pault]

Re: Storm Riders

Brian, very good series, have a preference for number 5 myself, shows tricky conditions.
I believe you changed from version 1 to version 2 (75-300) what were your reasons. I find the focus ring on v1 a bit to flexible and increase friction when manually focusing.

[Rocknroll59]

Re: Storm Riders

Very good pictures Brian, I too have just sold all my 4/3rd lenses to buy a 75-300Mk2 and a 17mm and I am not disappointed. Just in weight factor alone, I tried the 70-300 4/3rd lens on the EM-1 but it just felt too heavy, now I feel agile and able to get shots I may have missed before....

Cheers

Peter

[brian1208]

Re: Storm Riders

thanks Paul and Peter.

Paul, I made the switch between the mk1 and mk2 as the mk1 I had was used when I got it and I felt it wasn't delivering the very best it could so when I saw some of the reviews and results from the mk2 I decided to get it.

The results have convinced me it was a worthwhile upgrade

Peter, yes that's one of the reasons I think I'm getting so much better action pics compared to my canon days but the downside is that I find it very difficult to control "waver" when shooting birds in flight, especially when they go overhead (still, everything is a compromise and this is one I am happy to make )

[Guest]

Re: Storm Riders

Whoopee Doo! ... Sensational images, Brian.

You are very lucky to have such wonderful weather for photography.

[brian1208]

Re: Storm Riders

Its an ill wind though Mark, whilst it may be fun for a very few of us the wind and rain is causing massive damage and flooding all across the south, south west and west coasts

Even down on the South coast here there are blocked roads caused by floods and fallen trees and lord know how many millions of pounds worth of damage to homes and businesses and we haven't had the worst of it

[Phill D]

Re: Storm Riders

Can't say I'd want to be out in that but fabulous shots Brian.