Originally posted by K-Three is your shot of the on coming cars (head on?), or looking at the tail pipes after they have passed?
The tripod would be in between the two cars, aimed down the track shooting up the tailpipe. During staging, heat would be minimal as the exhaust would be behind the camera and shooting back. I probably get more heat from shots like in my original post when doing the pre-stage flame shows. Only when the tree goes green and they take off would the camera get any direct thrust/heat as they pass.
Quote: Either way, the camera and lens would be in the line of fire.
If it's looking up the tail pipes, I'm imagining that you would need to clean off or change the filter after every run. Those jets are spewing a lot of debris, ash, soot, water vapor, unburned fuel, etc.
True, and I would have time to clean. Unlike regular drag races that launch in quick succession, jets have a fair bit of time between runs due to setup time.
Quote: As others have suggested, some kind of enclosure for the whole rig may be called for, an insulated metal box perhaps, with a heavy glass window for the lens to look through. And some way to anchor it to the ground. The bigger your "package" the more it will want to become airborne in the blast. Are there physical anchors into the pavement you can fasten to?
There's a shielded divider between the lanes where they stage. You can see it somewhat in the photo, which has the Randy O'keefe sign on it. So the tripod, which I can put low with a very wide stance, would be shielded and the camera barely above the divider wall. The anchors will be another questionable aspect that I won't know about until I get there. I think there will be some posts for the divider I can tie down to and prevent a situation like this.
(alternate view linked in the video description)
Quote: How are you going to trigger it?
A great shot if you can pull it off without losing your rig or someone getting hurt.
I have a wireless remote to trigger it. Ideally I'd just get up there and hand hold it, which would solve all my problems and allow other shots as well, but the track likely wouldn't allow it. I have been in talks with one of the teams to have a photo session they can use for their advertising, so I may try name dropping them to get special permission for this. Doubtful it'll work, but we shall see.
The other advise is appreciated, and much of it things I've already been mulling over. I do think the protective box idea is likely the best option, if not for issues with portability and expense to build it. Having been up close and personal with these beasts, I think it should be ok on an anchored tripod, and perhaps a protective sleeve of some sort for the body.
Why must my hobbies be so difficult??? Lol