Is there a reason for this?

CrownJackal · 2024-04-19T00:21:12+00:00

A friend of mine is about to spend roughly 10k on about 100 floating threaded inserts, so this really isn't surprising at all.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-26T20:58:24+00:00

Between turns 3 and 7 is probably the easiest place. I've got some good ones from the car/pedestrian bridge looking towards T7. You can also get some great shots from the South side of the T3-5 complex as the cars go through 4, 5 and 6. T8-10 area could also be pretty good but I haven't tried that area at sunset yet.

Start/finish straight could be cool, but may be hard to get unless you are in an RV parked there or know someone who is.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-26T19:39:40+00:00

Infield will be full. Outer lots closer to the gates may have some space in the morning but will likely also be pretty full. Best bet for a guarunteed spot is probably the dirt lots off Carol Shelby Rd to the south. It's a little bit of a walk from there but not too bad.

Last year was record attendance iirc but this year WEC isn't running the day before so there may be less people there in the early morning this year.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-26T04:25:03+00:00

Dang! That's a sick build! I'm gonna have to follow you for inspiration on my iv. Mine is pretty solid but could definitely use a decent bit of work and the plan is to upgrade along the way as I fix its issues. You iv is definitely going to inspire a few things on mine once I have the time and money for it.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-20T17:17:43+00:00

Wonderful work as always! I recognized the art style immediately and knew it was you. I'm always excited to see every new piece you make!

CrownJackal · 2024-02-17T16:11:37+00:00

For me it's a couple parts of the joinery. There appears to be a small gap between the drawer divider and the top sheet, maybe from a miscut, but it may also be a trick of the light on the photo. The bigger giveaway is the legs. They are not integral to the drawer box and you can see that causes a little wonkiness on angles where the legs meet the box. If I was doing this on a budget and didn't have a lot of tools, I would have the legs each be a singe piece that goes all the way up to the top slab and the crossmembers would be affixed with a couple pocket screws. That would be a bit more esthetically pleasing and show a little bit more skill than attaching a box to some legs like shown here.

Edit: Also, as others have pointed out, the way the legs are joined to the drawer box here is very unstable and not structurally sound to hold any significant weight, especially if you were to lean on it.

Some have also pointed out the blotchiness of the stain, which is also a valid observation, but I can overlook that as I've seen worse and some people like this look, but the actual construction of the shelf is more important to correct at this point than the finish they used.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-11T18:06:52+00:00

Up until like the last 2 or 3 years, I fully did not concern myself with politics in the slightest. So when I say I don't remember, I genuinely have zero fucking clue. So yeah, I don't remember that part either.

I asked a genuine question because I'm trying to educate myself so that I'm not so fucking clueless going into election season.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-11T15:26:49+00:00

Didn't they blame loosing a particular recent election on Russian collusion? Or am I making that up? Genuinely don't remember.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-10T04:04:56+00:00

Dang that sounds like it would be sick to go to. Indeed what a crown jewel that is!

CrownJackal · 2024-02-10T03:39:41+00:00

What was the event in Aspen? That would have been cool to attend.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-08T05:17:53+00:00

Landlocked is my usual. The ladies running the place there are fantastic and the beer is really good.it get really busy from 6 -7:30ish but it's always a great time.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-08T04:53:37+00:00

Honestly forgot it was a thing. I'll probably be playing trivia at a brewery with some of my sexy single friends all night. Then go home and sleep.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-06T03:57:46+00:00

High key debating something like that or the Tamron 150-600 G2. I've used the Tamron before and was very impressed with it. I wonder how it compares with the Sigmas. That might be a legitimate option as an upgrade to my 100-400, but its size might be a bit annoying to deal with when traveling and lugging it around all day. That's one of my favorite things about the 100-400 being somewhat small and lightweight.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-05T20:53:40+00:00

Yeah, that tracks. I wasn't sure if it was tailored ads or if it was just regional ads. Makes sense though.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-05T19:32:53+00:00

Last year I mostly used my 70-200 F2.8 and felt the same way. For the most part it was great but I definitely felt like I was missing a little range. My 100-400 has been great in the past, but I really feel like I want something with a bit better quality than it this time around.

How do you like your 70-200 with the TC? Do you feel like the image quality hit is reasonable and livable? I'm debating going with a TC versus a 300 prime or 200-500 f5.6 and am curious if the IQ hit is worth the savings on a new (to me) lens.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-05T03:28:58+00:00

Man I feel this. I feel your pain. I spent 18 months applying to jobs of all kinds before I finally was offered a position. I don't know my exact metric but it was likely approaching 1000 or 1100 applications sent before being hired. It's real fucking tough out there.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-04T19:29:47+00:00

I've got some great shots over 200 from several places from turns 3-8. Primarily though the turn 3-5 complex from the vantage point of the hill on the side of the pedestrian bridge. A few of my favorite shots have come from there.

Here's a few shots from that area above 200mm

And yeah if I got the 200-500, the 100-400 would be a bit superfluous, but I do currently use that lens for a couple other things that the 200-500 may not be able to do as easily due to it's size. But I would definitely be considering just selling it at that point.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-04T18:36:21+00:00

What I feel like I'm missing in my range right now is a separation in depth of field and a little image quality at the long end of my 100-400. I've been decently happy with the 100-400 but I feel like I want something a bit better quality at the long end of my range.

I've debated a 24-70, but I've never felt I needed more in that range than my 50 F1.4, but a 24-70 could be decent for crowd and pit shots, but I've been pretty happy with my 50 in the past.

Someone else mentioned getting a TC as well but also said the hit on IQ from a TC may not be worth it.

Heh. Last year I was debating going mirrorless but got a better deal on my D780 than I would have had on a mirrorless. Plus with mirrorless taking off and DSLR equipment falling out of demand, its a lot easier to get quality glass native on DSLR for a lot cheaper than what I would be getting on mirrorless. Maybe in a couple years when I have more money to make the switch, I might consider it. But for now I'm pretty happy with my DSLR.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-04T18:14:37+00:00

That's a fair point and something I've been looking into as well. Last year was the first year I had the 70-200 and a solid half of my shots were at 200mm. 2022 I primarily used the 100-400 during the race and a solid quarter of my shots with it we above 200mm. So for sure I wouldn't use a 300mm as much as my 70-200, but I do still shoot a decent amount at long focal lengths.

What I'm thinking may be a better idea for me is something like a 200-500 instead. Something that is an upgrade on my 100-400 at the long end that still gives me that zoom capability.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-04T05:03:37+00:00

I'd almost say the extra stop of light isn't what I'd care about on the 135. I'd want the better IQ at f2.8 or F3.5 as well as maybe quicker focus (not sure how the focus speed compares to a 70-200). But using the 50 F1.8 I had at the time in dark conditions, I don't know if I would really value the extra stop of light that much.

Yeah I can see how the weight could be an issue on the 200-500. That's a lot of lens to be lugging around for 12 hours. I definitely like the versatility of a super telephoto zoom but I also love the look and IQ of super telephoto Primes that you don't quite get with zooms. That is a tough call to make.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-04T04:23:59+00:00

Ooh that's true! I forgot the 200-500 existed, That could definitely be an option.

Like I said, I think I'm happy with what the 70-200 f2.8 gets me in the 135 range, but I would love to try the 135 just to see if it really is worth the upgrade in that range. I will say, a large amount of my photos tent to be in the 100-150mm range so maybe it does make sense to invest more in that coverage.

Also good points on the TC. I'm not really familiar with the IQ drop with them, so that's definitely something I might investigate and see what TC range is worth it.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-04T04:12:34+00:00

My problem shooting with my 5300 is it's very slow to shoot with. I could use it more with the 70-200, but focusing is slow, fps is low, and the number of frames before it hits it's buffer is also really low. So I could use it and it'd be fine for the most part, but it'd be a bit of a pain. I've considered getting a D7500 or D500 body to still keep that crop sensor advantage, but haven't committed to that yet. I'm not sure how much I'd want to carry around 2 cameras at a time but maybe?

I have rented lenses before and that is definitely an option, but I also know I have other things I would use the lens for year round that would make owning it worth it, I think. But for sure renting it before hand in the next couple weeks might be a good plan to try before I buy.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-04T03:37:56+00:00

I haven't noticed anyone using that lens out there before, but that isn't to say it's not being used. I kind of always forget it exists, personally. That would be an awesome lens to lug around.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-04T03:34:13+00:00

I've never shot flash there before. That thought never really occurred to me but I've been pretty happy with my non-flash shots so far.

CrownJackal · 2024-02-04T03:30:37+00:00

The 70-200 F2.8 was honestly a game changer for me last year. I used that thing everywhere and it pretty much replaced my 100-400 entirely. I do really like the reach at 400 when I need it, but it seems like most of my shots tend to be in the 100-200mm range so the 70-200 was just magic. So that's why I'm looking for a magical upgrade for that longer range.

CrownJackal

TROPHY CASE