Hub Ride Get Together, Paarl, Western Cape. Confirmed

[Slowbee]

This is a confirmation of this thread:

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/170629-wc-hub-ride-paarl-and-picinic-anyone-keen/

 

There are a couple of reasons for the GTG. Mainly riding, star gazing, some photography and of course meet fellow hubbers but mainly to just have a jol with like minded people.

 

The aim of this event will be to ride the Paarl Monument area. Hopefully someone who knows the area will come along and show us the rides around the area. It is not meant to be a red zone type ride, but something everyone of any fitness and skill level can enjoy.

 

Afterwards we can go and have a sundowners at the Paarl Monument starting at 18H00. They will be setting up telescopes for star gazing so this should be loads of fun.

 

You are ALL encouraged to bring a camera and try your hand at star photography. ChrisF, (hubber) will be around to give us newbies some tips - but again this is all about having fun.

 

It would be really great if your guys could bring the entire family.

 

The details:

 

Meet at Paarl Monument: 15H00

Go ride different areas. Kiddies and Mom's  (and Dads') included.

Come back set up picnic areas, have some sundowners (I will confirm if I can bring a skottle and we can have a bit of a cook up).

 

Go home at about 20H00, or whenever.

 

Bookings at computicket:

 

http://online.computicket.com/web/event/sterrekykpiekniek/1191686927/570424423

 

I can confirm Team Slowbee's will be there as will ChrisF (if only just to take pics).

 

Who else can join?

 

EDIT:

 

OK, looks like not alot, actually no one is going ?

 

We will arrive just before 5pm.

[Fox3]

Man I wish I could make it! I hope this can happen again sometime.

[ChrisF]

See you there 

 

 

Will gladly share the bit I know about star-photography.

 

Please ensure you know how to adjust the following on your camera:

- Manual or Bulb mode (remote is handy, but not a necesity)

- ISO

- "F" (aperture)

- Shutter speed

 

 

A tripod is a must for star photography.  If all else fails we could set up your camera on one of the "round rocks", and at least go through the settings.

 

 

 

Most probably Maritz will be joining us as well, but he may be "tired" after a day at WRX Killarny ....

 

 

If I can come through early enough I would love to try my hand at some cycling-photography ....

[billygoat0523]

What date is this?

[ChrisF]

11 November 2017

 

 

The Taalmonument has set dates for night access.  This is the last practical date for 2017.

[Slowbee]

Hey guys, just a morning BUMP.

 

Also Mrs Slowbee just made a comment I am looking at about riding for two or so hours.

 

Little people riding around the car park, or bigger little people any other tracks this might be a bit long. But I am wanting to keep this flexible to suit everyone and see it as a way to showcase what Paarl has to offer so those not so experienced can go back.

[ChrisF]

For those have not been there before -

 

LOTS of place the kids to play !!

 

Nice "trails" for walking around the monument.

 

Various benches to watch the view all round ....

 

 

The restaurant was being revamped a few weeks back, there is a smaller restaurant operating out of the main building.  Just less seats, still very nice place.

[ChrisF]

Little teaser of what you could do at the Taalmonument -

 

 

 

And when you get the basics of star photography, you could play in the Karoo -

 

[Slowbee]

common guys, anyone else wanting to join the ride ?

[Patensie]

common guys, anyone else wanting to join the ride ?

That kid's birthday party happened... wish we could make it, but alas.

[ChrisF]

Not sure how much I will be on the Hub during the week .... flying up to the Northern Cape on Tuesday.... bit of work, lot of camera time ...    

 

 

 

But I will join the Slow-one and the rest of the Hubbers on Saturday afternoon 

[ABrooks]

ChrisF or Slowbee, could you please comment on essential gear required for night photography. Such as what lens would best suit night time photography, camera setting etc.

 

I might be joining.

[ChrisF]

Hi Brooks, hope to see you there.  This truly is a very rewarding field of photography !!

 

 

"Essential" -

- camera.  Full SLR if you have, but I have helped people with bridge cameras as well

- Tripod.  If you dont have a tripod, bring a bean-bag or a cushion ... 

 

 

"Nice to have" - 

- most cameras allow up to 30 second shutter speeds in the camera options.  This is okay for a "star-shot" (not a "trail").  Having a wired remote with a "lock out" button allows you to have much longer shutter openings.  You want about 20 minutes or more for a short star trail ... either as a single long exposure, or multiple 2 to 5 minute exposures which you then "stack" in software to get the "star-trail". 

- An intervalometer is a really handy tool !! (it is just a wired remote on steroids!)  Now you can accurately control the exposure time, but you can also program it for many photos of a few minutes each, and the gap between photos .... (also handy for family photos - set it up to take 10 photos, 1 second appart, line up the family, and ask them to pose for TWO photos ... the real keepers are when they relax after the second photo, not knowing the camera is still going ...)  {I bought an intervalometer from ORMS a few weeks back for R450 ... the branded units goes as much as R3k !}

- Camera - as said, a full SLR camera works well  ( I am familiar with some Canon models ... the concept is the same on all, but I might not know how to find a specific function on another camera .... please bring your manual along) 

- typically star photos are taken with "wide" and "short" lenses ...  I have used a fisheye, a wide angle, standard 24-70, and even a 70-200 lens ... so really any lens CAN be used to get the basics !!  (Tomorrow night I will be using the 70-200, to capture the Southern Cross and the clients vineyards - the idea is to isolate the Southern Cross from the multitude of stars ....)

 

 

Best if you are familiar with the following functions (or at least where to find it on your camera) :

- F stop

- Bulb mode

- ISO

- Manual focus on your lens

[ABrooks]

Thank you for a very good explanation on what to expect. I have a Canon 700d, currently only with the kit 18-55mm lens so it does not let in too much light. will try to get a remote to allow shooting with bulb mode, otherwise 30 sec photos stacked will have to do.

 

I have tried to study up on all the functions of the camera, have never tried night photography yet, so I was not sure what to expect lens and settings wise. I have a tripod which I will bring along.

[Pure Savage]

Will there be a back up vehicle

[ChrisF]

Will there be a back up vehicle

 

 

YES, but it WONT hogg the lane and block others from passing ....