Packing for Paris - Rally Connex Paris-Dacre

Just packing my things now for this year's Rally Connex Paris-Dacre event.
I'll be working as support crew/ photographer for the FlannyMedia KTM450 race team.

The Rally Connex Paris-Dacre is an homage to the real Dakar rally, and simulates one full stage of the event. It's going to be very hard on the riders - approximately 800km on trails, railbeds and backroads -  starting at 4am and ending around 7pm. 
It's been raining for two days, there's going to be many water crossings. Pontoons might be in order...

Starting in the very wee hours of the morning only a handful of riders can expect to pass the final cut off check in around 4pm that afternoon - and still have 2-3hrs to go before making Dacre. It is these final few hundred km's that put the icing on the cake making the event really special.

Aside from the motorcycle and camping gear, I'll be packing My usual kit of:

LX2 Compact camera
Nikon SLR body
28mm 2.8
11-16 2.8
85mm 1.8
SB-800 flash
Manfrotto 190XB tripod with a 486RC2 Ball Head

I sure could use a long lens for this kind of event, a 70-200 2.8 would be the ticket, but the 85 will have to do.
I anticipate shooting a lot of candid portraits of the racers and close-up details of the motorcycles tomorrow, and plenty of action shots on race day. High ISO and wide-open apertures will be on order.

Rain may be a concern, but I've got a trick or two that may help with that. I'm bringing the lens hoods this time. They'll keep any glare off the front of the lens and protect it from rain and getting scratched if I bump into anything.

The race starts at 4am so I've packed the tripod for long exposures and the SB800 flash for early morning action shots.

Check back next week for the results!

5 Response to "Packing for Paris - Rally Connex Paris-Dacre"

  1. Anonymous Says:

    Enjoy Anton! I was supposed to be there partaking, but alas heath got in the way. I donated some prizes, so it will be cool to see if we get any sort of exposure...
    -elroho

  2. Unknown Says:

    Excellent Anton, I ll be checking your flickr for those impressive shots you ll be taking.

    Saludos desde Mexico.

    Charmin

  3. Doug Chapman Says:

    Just found your blog after you posted a comment on mine, looks cool, looking very much forward to the pics since I didn't have time to stop and take any myself.

  4. Anonymous Says:

    May I ask what kind of tripod you use? Thank you :)

    Caroline

    PS: nice work with the books and blog, keep it going!

  5. Anthony - Motojournalism Says:

    Hey everybody! Thanks for checking in.
    Caroline, that's a Manfrotto 190XB with a 486RC2 Ball Head.
    It's quite cheap, as far as good tripods go. Simple and sturdy with some good features.

    Motojournalism Book two - Equipment, will be out in a few weeks, keep your eye out!

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