New pics + finally custom shot *UPDATE VIDEO*

[topgeartom]

well, i got my new cam for christmas and have finally got my act togeather and taken some more pictures of the car, this time with a custom pic!! :P :P

I must appologise thoguh, that my pictures are absolute shite quality as i am completely new to photography - any suggestions to help me with my technique would be appreciated!

So without further ado here is the custom shot:
http://img91.exs.cx/img91/2857/xk80014nh.th.jpg (http://img91.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img91&image=xk80014nh.jpg)

And now the crap quality photos begin :D
http://img155.exs.cx/img155/5273/xk80028zv.th.jpg (http://img155.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img155&image=xk80028zv.jpg)
http://img156.exs.cx/img156/4545/xk80099xt.th.jpg (http://img156.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img156&image=xk80099xt.jpg)
http://img15.exs.cx/img15/9379/xk80089mn.th.jpg (http://img15.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img15&image=xk80089mn.jpg)
http://img152.exs.cx/img152/4839/xk80032vf.th.jpg (http://img152.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img152&image=xk80032vf.jpg)
http://img152.exs.cx/img152/5052/xk80050wc.th.jpg (http://img152.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img152&image=xk80050wc.jpg)
http://img100.exs.cx/img100/633/xk80066kn.th.jpg (http://img100.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img100&image=xk80066kn.jpg)


**UPDATE**
Made a little video today. Quality isnt too good, i used my digi-cam. The road leads to my grandmas in the Yorkshire dales, and this is one road my dad KNOWS has no speed cameras :D

The video is about 20-95mph, using the manual section of the J-Gate gearbox, going from 2nd to 3rd to 4th, dam near redlining it in 2nd and 3rd.

After this video was taken, further along the road (there are about 3 roundabouts separating long dual-carriageway sections) and into the small Yorkshire dales roads, there was a twat in a Skoda Fabia vRS (diesel) who tried to race us. We passed him at about 90, so he pulled out and overtook us, it was quite amusing when he was tear-arsing around screwing the cock of his car to get away, while we were doin 2000rpm sitting right behind him all the way :D

Anyway, here is the video.

http://fire.prohosting.com/topgeart/20-95mph.avi

[cooperluke]

Nice car, TGT!! Seen it already before, but now it seems even better. Just don't like the coclour very much, it's not very British... and the car IS a LOT!

Another thing, I was seeing your signature... have you noticed that you are on the "wrong side" of the car? What is there so interesting on the glove compartment for you to seem so happy? ;)

[possessed_beaver]

trial and error, thats the best way to learn, lol before you could preview the pictures on you're digitial camera i use to take SHOCKING pic's, but it all comes with practice, always try different angles, what else.. umm i would just recomend reading a book on it,

btw nice car!
i must comment you're handwriting looks a million times better then mine, lol!

[topgeartom]

thanks, personally i though my handwriting was shocking on the picture - i rushed it out and thought it looked like a 5 year old had written it! thanks anywayz!

@cooperluke - i am sat on the correct side - i am British! all you foreigners drive on the wrong side! :P j/k

[TransAm]

That 's a reet nice motor you have there! 50k on a '98 is some seriously low miles.

As for photo tips, I am new to photography too but one thing I have picked up from the photgraphy book I am reading is try using the flash (yes during the day) I have attached two examples of the same pic with and without flash. I'm sure you can tell which is which! :lol:


http://img74.exs.cx/img74/678/dscf00076kn.th.jpg (http://img74.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img74&image=dscf00076kn.jpg)
http://img74.exs.cx/img74/4522/dscf00080on.th.jpg (http://img74.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img74&image=dscf00080on.jpg)

Also, you'll get better interior shots using a faster shutter speed too. I dunno what camera you have but a 'sports mode' will have a fast shutter speed. You could try using the flash on the interior stand way back and zoom in or it tends to show lots of specks of dust and makes the interior look dirty.

[TT]

Thanks for the pics, but if I can disagree with transam, NEVER use the flash ;) use a tripod instead, and longer shutter settings if you need more light to come into the camera ;) (and that way you are sure the pic won't be a bit blurry) :)

If you don't have a tripod and nowhere to place your camera, just wait for a sunny day when your shutter will be faster anyway :)

[topgeartom]

thanks for the tips - i can change the exposure so i will try that, it should maybe solve the blurring problem. I think a better location would have helped for my pictures though - if the car was out in the open i think the light would have been much better

[TransAm]

Thanks for the pics, but if I can disagree with transam, NEVER use the flash ;)

No problem! Like I said I am pretty new to all this photo malarkey!
:oops:

[TT]

Sadly the flash has only one positive point.. all the others are negatives..

pro: you can be sure the shutter speed will be set decently fast (probably 1/60), so you just need an average steady hand to get a sharp pic
cons: it generates weird and bad reflexes in everything like side indicators, rear or front lights and so on..; if you have a deep field of view, wich is not the case in your pics transam, the subject will be in the light while all the rest will be VERY dark; it also gives an unnatural light/color to the image in the end..; it uses batteries lot quicker ;)

flash IMO is to be used only for emergency cases like unexpected sightings in dark places and so on, but well, a better idea is to have a pocket tripod you always carry when you have your digicamera with you :P

[topgeartom]

i did get a mini tripod with my cam, but i cant always get down on my knees and set up my camera when i just want to take some pictures of the car :P I'll take your advice though dude - your pictures show how it should be done!

[TT]

Thanks dude :D sadly not all my pics turn out perfect but well :D .. and remember, to obtain a perfect pic you can't forget Photoshop... as they turn out directly from the camera, beside beeing too big, they can ALWAYS be improved (in a good way, not by cheating).

Oh yes, another easy advice for emergency cases when you can't use a tripod but light isn't enough for a shutter speed faster than 1/60 - 1/80: don't use the LCD screen but use the camera like an "old" one, looking thourgh the "regular" visor. In my case also in it you see the same things you see in the LCD with all the options and such.. in some cases I think you just have a simple visor to "aim" at the subject.. anyway, this is an easy trick to have steadier hands (closer to the body)

[topgeartom]

Thanks dude :D sadly not all my pics turn out perfect but well :D .. and remember, to obtain a perfect pic you can't forget Photoshop... as they turn out directly from the camera, beside beeing too big, they can ALWAYS be improved (in a good way, not by cheating).

Oh yes, another easy advice for emergency cases when you can't use a tripod but light isn't enough for a shutter speed faster than 1/60 - 1/80: don't use the LCD screen but use the camera like an "old" one, looking thourgh the "regular" visor. In my case also in it you see the same things you see in the LCD with all the options and such.. in some cases I think you just have a simple visor to "aim" at the subject.. anyway, this is an easy trick to have steadier hands (closer to the body)

cunning thinking my man, thanks for the tip!

[RC45]

^^^ another trick I use, is to hug a lamp post or street sign when taking pictures.. :)

Prop the camera against the fixed object as a brace.

Sure - you look like a drunk leaning up against things - but your images come out nicely. :lol: hehe

[topgeartom]

^^^ another trick I use, is to hug a lamp post or street sign when taking pictures.. :)

Prop the camera against the fixed object as a brace.

Sure - you look like a drunk leaning up against things - but your images come out nicely. :lol: hehe

another trick of the trade, thanks for the advice

[sameerrao]

Another trick I would employ for taking good pics is to drive your car East and head to the outskirts of Geneva. Leave your car on the street. Get out, walk about, saunter around the lake. Come back in two housrs and head home.

I am pretty sure a good pic of your car would have been taken by some roving papparazzo

[RC45]

Another trick I would employ for taking good pics is to drive your car East and head to the outskirts of Geneva. Leave your car on the street. Get out, walk about, saunter around the lake. Come back in two housrs and head home.

I am pretty sure a good pic of your car would have been taken by some roving papparazzo

Ah - that's how they real money does it.. :P hehehe ;)

[topgeartom]

Another trick I would employ for taking good pics is to drive your car East and head to the outskirts of Geneva. Leave your car on the street. Get out, walk about, saunter around the lake. Come back in two housrs and head home.

I am pretty sure a good pic of your car would have been taken by some roving papparazzo

or TT! lol

[TT]

LOL, remember not to go there from Jan 10 to Feb 9 since I will be w/o my license and not sure I will go there with a Smart limited to 45 kmh :D

[topgeartom]

LOL, remember not to go there from Jan 10 to Feb 9 since I will be w/o my license and not sure I will go there with a Smart limited to 45 kmh :D

WTF will you be without your licence? and WTF will you have a smart that is limited to such a bloody stupid speed?

Even though you said it as a joke, i actually will be in Geneva exactly around those times! towards the end of January i am goin to Cern with my school - it is like 10 mins drive from the airport, and we get a whole day devoted to shopping in geneva - should be a nice oppportunity to snap some motors!

[TT]

Well, I was caught speeding (only 157 km/h, tollerance deduced, in a 120 area) and in Switzerland when you loose your license you can still drive anything limited to 45 km/h.. so it's better than nothing, especially in town :D

[topgeartom]

Well, I was caught speeding (only 157 km/h, tollerance deduced, in a 120 area) and in Switzerland when you loose your license you can still drive anything limited to 45 km/h.. so it's better than nothing, especially in town :D

thats a comlete fucking sham!

Do you not have a points system like we have here - if you are caught speeding (under 160km/h) you get 3 points on your license as well as a fine - your license is taken away if you get 9 points.

And why is this restriction only due to come into effect next year?

[TransAm]

TT,

How easy is it to derestrict the Smart? :twisted:

[TT]

We don't have any point system here. you just pay the fine and the license is suspended if needed :D that's nice, but if it will happen again, I will be license-less for 6 months I think!
I was very lucky since the speed when they started recording (following me with another car) was 178... I had to brake because of another car so the average over 300 meters 8the value that counts) was much lower than that :D

Anyway well, it starts in January basically because I asked so.. you can usually decide when you want the license to be suspended. The speeding was in November, the report filed early december and the case judged around the 10 of december I think

[topgeartom]

id like to back up transam's question :D :D :D

[TT]

TT,

How easy is it to derestrict the Smart? :twisted:

Well I am sure it is done electronically, so basically you could derestrict it in 2 minutes.. but it's a rental car and I doubt the rental would like to help :D

[Darkel]

And then you would be caught doing 150km/h in a crappy rental smart :mrgreen:

[TT]

I'd rather crawl around at 45 than risking my life at 100+ in such a car :D (remember the Stigg at hammer head :D) actually I think every smart (ForTwo I mean) should be limited to that speed just in case :D

[topgeartom]

I'd rather crawl around at 45 than risking my life at 100+ in such a car :D (remember the Stigg at hammer head :D) actually I think every smart (ForTwo I mean) should be limited to that speed just in case :D

they are indeed about as much use as a chocolate fireguard when it comes to the twisty stuff.

[TransAm]

I'd rather crawl around at 45 than risking my life at 100+ in such a car :D (remember the Stigg at hammer head :D) actually I think every smart (ForTwo I mean) should be limited to that speed just in case :D

You'll be ok in it. At least every other car is not a 3 tonne pick up truck or SUV where you are LOL!

Can we have some pics and a 0-45 vid? :lol:

Edit: @tom I prefer 'chocolate teapot' but yeah...

[TT]

HAHA sure you will have pics and the 0-45 vid :D in fact you could also have a 0-45-0 :D

[RC45]

HAHA sure you will have pics and the 0-45 vid :D in fact you could also have a 0-45-0 :D

Just be sure to try keep the movie length to under 10 minutes.. - maybe a 0-35 would be better... heheh :lol: ;) :P

[TT]

Yes I was thinking the same.. also considering where is the closest airstrip since I will need varioud km to reach top speed :D

BTW, who said we don't have big cars in Europe? :P

http://img71.exs.cx/img71/1462/fordexcursion0019cs.th.jpg (http://img71.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img71&image=fordexcursion0019cs.jpg)

[topgeartom]

lmao @ 0-45 vid, that would be very funny though.

My personal challenge to you is to get it to wheelspin!!! :D :D :D

[TT]

Comon, you can't get not even a millisecond long wheelspin on a "normal" Smart.. let alone a restricted one :D

BTW, are we slightly OT? :D

[topgeartom]

yes maybe but who gives a shit - im still laughing at the thought of you valiantly trying to make the thing wheelspin :D :D :D

[TT]

I just hope not to end up on the roof just to produce some "nice" videofootage :D

[topgeartom]

I just hope not to end up on the roof just to produce some "nice" videofootage :D

lol! i doubt neither the rental company, nor the courts would be best pleased if that happened!!

[RC45]

I just hope not to end up on the roof just to produce some "nice" videofootage :D

lol! i doubt neither the rental company, nor the courts would be best pleased if that happened!!

That's why you take the "extra insurance".. ;) hehe

[sameerrao]

HAHA sure you will have pics and the 0-45 vid :D in fact you could also have a 0-45-0 :D

Just be sure to try keep the movie length to under 10 minutes.. - maybe a 0-35 would be better... heheh :lol: ;) :P

LOL!

[TT]

HAHAHAH okok, now I finally see its meaning :)

[BADMIHAI]

Nice Jag. But i'm not so sure about the colour. I think the British Racing Green fits it a lot better.

Going back to OT: I saw a bunch of Smarts at the Mercedes dealership in Mississauga today. I get the feeling they're gonna be a major flop. But I'd like to go for a test-drive. I wonder if they'd let me test drive one. :?

[Pimp Racer]

That is badass!

[saadie]

nice car ... looks a bit girlish in red with white interior :D
anywayz .... do yea drive it ? :mrgreen:

[TT]

Nice Jag. But i'm not so sure about the colour. I think the British Racing Green fits it a lot better.

Going back to OT: I saw a bunch of Smarts at the Mercedes dealership in Mississauga today. I get the feeling they're gonna be a major flop. But I'd like to go for a test-drive. I wonder if they'd let me test drive one. :?

Yes they will, and they will probably beg you to keep it :D

[topgeartom]

@saadie, not a chance in hell. I cant even start to learn to drive until July of this year, and my dad is tighter than a camels arse in a sandstorm, so i doubt he will let me behind the wheel!

@TT - lol!!

[Wutputt]

Nice car, Tom. I always like the Jaguar XK8/XKR, especially the dashboard with the dails. Although you may not have a conventional colour combination, it looks pretty good. IMO.

[alexgee]

Nice Jag. But i'm not so sure about the colour. I think the British Racing Green fits it a lot better.

Going back to OT: I saw a bunch of Smarts at the Mercedes dealership in Mississauga today. I get the feeling they're gonna be a major flop. But I'd like to go for a test-drive. I wonder if they'd let me test drive one. :?

Yes they will, and they will probably beg you to keep it :D

:lol: :lol: :lol: that's so true! :wink:

back to topic: nice Jag!! my father had once a XKR convertible, also in red and man I loved to drive that car. and I think they really look good in red!

[saadie]

@saadie, not a chance in hell. I cant even start to learn to drive until July of this year, and my dad is tighter than a camels arse in a sandstorm, so i doubt he will let me behind the wheel!

lmao ... jelousy ends ere :P :oops: ...... well now i know theres one advantage of having a cheeper car .... i can drive it when ever i want :D :wink:
i've been driving fer a year now .. :P ... but am not gonna get ma licence till december :( lol

anywayz .. its a great car ya got there ... 8) 8)

[nurbrun]

nice car Top gear tom. its a shame it has a limiter but i love the colour

[TransAm]

nice car Top gear tom. its a shame it has a limiter but i love the colour

Limited to 155 perhaps? But isn't that fast enough? Anyway, as Tom said his dad is 'careful with money' (politely put) so I can't see him enjoying single figure MPG returns when petrol costs 4 pounds/8 US dollars per gallon!

[topgeartom]

nice car Top gear tom. its a shame it has a limiter but i love the colour

Limited to 155 perhaps? But isn't that fast enough? Anyway, as Tom said his dad is 'careful with money' (politely put) so I can't see him enjoying single figure MPG returns when petrol costs 4 pounds/8 US dollars per gallon!

your spot on there, although, since he has got a car that is much more sporty than a 535, he does put his foot down a lot more - trouble is there are speed cameras EVERYWHERE around here, on roads he knows there are no traps he does go pretty fast actually. There is the road that leads to my grandma's house uo in the Yorkshire Dales that is a PERFECT driving road - good surface, but really twisty, and there is one long straight where you can floor it and overtake anyone in your way. As he lived round there when he was younger - he knows it like the back of his hand, so whenever we go, he usually gives it some welly.

[RC45]

^^ a "cheap" Yorkshireman.... ;) :lol: hehehe - at least all y'all are staying in character... :P

[topgeartom]

UPDATE - Video added to first post

[bmwmpower]

thanks, nice car- not bad first car to drive, you must be happy

[topgeartom]

im not driving it yet - i dont have a license just yet :D

[blah]

the vid doesnt work for me when i try and play it.

[topgeartom]

odd. It works for me after downloading it. Do you have the latest codecs?

[Wutputt]

It works also find with me.

Blah, you need to have a Motion JPEG codec to view this vid

[topgeartom]

thanks for that wutputt - being a digital camera that usually takes pics it sounds about right!

[topgeartom]

you need the motion jpeg codec

get it here:
http://www.free-codecs.com/download_soft.php?d=56&s=54

[ikon2003]

wow, impressive stuff tom. good effort on getting all the stuff together.