Sony DSLR A900 at Dakar Rally

In addition to having excellent technical parameters, professional equipment should be durable and resistant to various factors hazardous to its proper operation, even if this is provided at the cost of its appearance, technological advancement or price.  Examples may include military weapons, space equipment or even a frying pan in a professional kitchen.
In my previous articles, I presented the technical parameters that indicate Sony?s DSLR A900 professional characteristics. They show that the camera can be successfully used in the studio as well as in the outdoors. But I also wrote that it was a piece of good, universal photojournalism equipment. And I didn?t just mean a photo shoot of a church ceremony. I also did not think about AF speed, which for some is the key parameter determining whether or not a camera can be used for reportage photography. I was only waiting for a chance to prove that.

I did not have to wait for long. The first serious test for the Sony DSLR A900 as a reportage and sport photography tool was a golf tournament in sunny Spain where it survived pouring rain. It rained cats and dogs for three days. Professional photographers were running around wearing trash bags; those who were more elegant had brand-name rubber protectors, commonly referred to as protective wear.
 

I am not such a professional, so my clothing was more modest and I was getting wet, along with my alpha. However, neither me nor my camera broke down because of cold or rust. However, that was only a brief period. The real test was in Argentine and Chile during the ?Dakar? rally.

Fot.: Jacek Bonecki

The Dakar Rally is a one of a kind event. On one hand, the race is very intense, taking practically 24 hours a day, while on the other hand, it is very long, taking place over a period of two weeks. All this in the atmosphere of dust, sand, quicksand, dirt, noise, heat, humidity, and back to dust, sand... etc.  It is a killer rally not only for the vehicles and their drivers and riders; it is also arduous for mechanics, for the logistics crews as well as journalists. As they say, everyone has their own Dakar.
 

Fot.: Jacek Bonecki

Fot.: Jacek Bonecki

This year, this typically African event was held in South America. This is good and bad. The drivers complain that this is different than driving through the broad African expanse, but for me it is great because I have visited Africa several times during the Dakar Rally, but it was my first time in the beef country. However, the landscape was unfortunately not my reason to be there. I followed all stages of the rally using the assistance route and, although I did not participate in the race, time was important to me due to my professional duties. Photography was my third priority, after shooting videos and after transporting myself and my three grumpy colleagues to the camp at each of the stages.

However, I wouldn?t be myself if I didn?t take photos. This was a very stressful task. I was surrounded by beautiful landscapes, but there was no chance to stop for long breaks. It was also a strain on the equipment. I had no time to play, wait for light, frame, search for subjects. I had to count on my ability to select frames quickly, make immediate decisions about subjects, counting on my luck and good operation of the equipment. Even the slightest failure and everything would be over.
 

Fot.: Jacek Bonecki

Fot.: Jacek Bonecki

Fot.: Jacek Bonecki

Fot.: Jacek Bonecki

There was no time to fiddle with the camera. Very often, I had no time to change the lens. You see the subject, you break and shoot. Many times ? just out of the window. In those circumstances, there was no chance to properly pack the camera in the bag. Oftentimes, it rolled around the cabin together with bottled water. Naturally, it did not happen all the time, but it did whenever something interesting was going on. For example, when we were crossing the Andes or the Atacama desert. We did have time to rest during our free days, but then other things were happening.

Fot.: Jacek Bonecki

Fot.: Jacek Bonecki

Fot.: Jacek Bonecki

Fot.: Jacek Bonecki
 

Fot.: Jacek Bonecki

Fot.: Jacek Bonecki