Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Check out this spectacular series of photos of Larry Dixon Top Fuel crash in Gainesville today... Incredible images...

http://markjrebilas.com/blog/?p=21971#more-21971

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

BasqueLady Loc: Woodburn OR

Wow fantastic shots The Dx1 is very fast. I have a Di mark IV and love it also.

mrova Loc: Chesterfield, VA

WOW! Never seen anything quite like that, thanks for sharing this!

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

A little explanation of what happened for those not so familiar with drag racing and Top Fuel (Nitromethane) dragsters. Google top fuel dragster for many mote interesting facts and figures...

These are incredible machines...

(Download)

Birdshooter Loc: Wisconsin

Great images - but also great his lens was a 600mm - One wouldn't want to be real close to those scenes.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

If you read the photo captions he indicates that a pulley came within 10 ft of him. Sometimes being able to get the best shots puts one in some risk. Certainly true in war and disaster zones for sure.

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I would say the photos have a lot more to do with the skill of the photographer than what brand of camera he was using.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

John, that the photographer was able to follow without losing the shot was his skill, for sure. That the camera stayed with focus locked at 300mph while that car came straight at him was ALL camera.
Just ask anybody that shoots that style of photography!! Just saying ;-)
SS

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I'm not sure what Canon calls their top AF system, but these new systems are amazing. Nikon's is called Group Area AF. These photos are top notch. Thanks for sharing.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

And Canon is the only brand of camera he could have gotten the shots with?

anotherview Loc: California

Good camerawork whatever the make of camera, to capture these shots.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

John, lets say any camera would get those shots, which all sports photographers know that's not true.
Then, this was one of the NHRA nationals, so there would have been a small army of Photogs down there. So WHY these shots??
Shooting time from start to finish was probably 2 seconds of shoot time.
Would you rather shoot that 2 seconds at 11fps or at 14fps?
This guy was moving that lens pretty darn fast from 200+ yards out to right in FRONT of him to past him. John, would YOU rather be rotating an 11 pound lens, OR would you rather be rotating an 8 pound lens?! Would you rather be taking those shots at 16mp or at 18mp?
Those couple of facts could make the difference between getting this sequence and being splashed all over the internet, or just being another also ran.
John, I shoot a Canon, but not because I always have, or am a Fanboy. For those very reasons I mentioned, I wanted to hedge my shooting bets. When something far superior comes out, I will sell my system and move on!!
John, I have no idea what you shoot and don't care, I just hope you too are hedging your bets carefully.
John, do you know what it's like to shoot sports with a 200mm f1.8 lens? Just so you know, if you don't shoot with a Canon, you will NEVER get the opportunity to even find out!!
After all, any camera will probably get the job done.
I suggest if your photography is SERIOUS you hedge your shooting bets. If not, it won't matter anyway!! :lol:
SS

Chris F. Loc: San Francisco

Great post! Thanks for sharing. NHRA comes to N. Cal every July at Infineon / Sears Point. It's a fun time with the camera, especially on Friday night.

Chris

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

Very dramatic.
Especially the video clip.
Thank you for the link.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I'm not saying it doesn't take a high end, state of the art camera to do those kind of shots. I'm just questioning if the best Nikon camera could do it also. Myself, I don't have anywhere near a good enough camera to do it, as I am primarily a portrait photographer. I have shot some bicycle racing, as I love that sport, and I've gotten some great shots without a high end sports camera.