Back To Shooting /  by Matt Pham

After the first drift event, I ended up sending in my camera in for repairs. After the repair work, I let the camera sit idle. I lost some motivation to  take photographs after working so many hours. But with a long weekend  I picked up my camera again to take some portraits of my latest cousin and his older sister.

So let me introduce you to little Brady! I'll have to find some time to get a little session with him. I wasn't expecting him to be awake and so alert. I didn't think of bringing my macro lens with me.

Now that I am re-energized after spending time with my family and having a long weekend. I am ready to get back behind the camera. I'm counting down the days until the next drift event on April 19th!

Resolute Drift Off 3 /  by Matt Pham

Drift season has officially started for 2015. The weather forecast was for rain and more rain as the day progressed. So I was a little nervous driving towards the track. Once there I was not as worried, it was cloudy but there wasn't a dark cloud in the sky. I arrived and heard the roar of cars on the road course. I had a little time before the driver's meeting for the event, so I went to check things out.

Before I knew it, I had to leave the track side and head over to the driver's meeting. This is where I begin taking mental notes, trying to figure out the best location to get photos. The track layout was a little different from previous events. It was in "reverse", which allowed me to shoot with my back towards the sun. Combine that with some cloud cover, it provided from some ideal shooting conditions.

After waiting around, I scouted for the ideal location, I found a place that would give me different looks. The first part would have the cars coming towards me. Then getting the backs of cars as they transition into another corner. Two different looks without having to leave an area or have a remote camera.

After awhile I had to take a break from the heat and head in. On my walk back I grab some images of people watching the action on the track.

After taking a short break, I switch from a 70-200mm to a 35mm. It changes my perspective and allows me to capture the tandem drifting. While I love getting close ups of the action, there is something unique about a wide angle image. 

Just like that the day has come to an end. Everyone ends up having a great time, watching some drifting and enjoying each other's company.

Tamron Sp 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Review /  by Matt Pham

Happy New Year! I rented the Tamron 150-600mm for two weeks and gave it a go over the holidays. Here is my basic review of the lens.

The lens is fairly compact, it a little bigger than the 70-200mm F2.8 without the hood attached. With the hood attached, it makes it look massive! Surprisingly enough, there is only about a one pound difference between the two. The Tamron weighs in at 4.30 pounds while the Nikon comes in a 3.39 pounds. So if you're used to the 70-200mm, there isn't much a difference. Crazy enough this lens will fit with the hood on in the Lowepro Flipside 400AW. But with no camera attached, you'll have to assemble everything in the field.

Build quality felt on par with the 70-200mm, I didn't notice any thing cheap about the lens. Everything felt on par with my 70-200mm. Nothing that really screams this is a budget lens.The only minor thing I could complain about is zooming in and out. There was a tad too much resistance for my tastes.

The autofocus is where things start feeling unequal. It wasn't snappy and hunts some times. But once it hits the focus, the photos are sharp as can be. Now to be fair, some of those focusing issues could have been my fault. I was hand holding the lens, after awhile I was struggling to keep the lens stable.

Overall it's a solid lens, something to keep in mind when on a budget. It'll be something I'll rent again, if I need that extra reach. Curious to see how it will compare to the two Sigma lenses in the same range.