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You’re the Pajero Master @Stumpy Paj ! Have a look at the Australian Pajero forums, I noticed they had some articles about it.

Great topic @Looper, let's start some coaching again with the lens lover club, I miss those big time. Im still in love with my single lens AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR on my Nikon D750 that always served me well from close up to wide angle.

Thanks everyone who showed up especially to @Fredericwho led the drive, Dr @Chaitanya D who swept and support by @DP1011 and @Rajiv Sam It was a relaxing, scenic and enjoyable drive. This drive was good for me since I has been away from the sand for a few months. I have shared some photos.

@babaski@BIBIN THOMAS@Pierre de Maigret@Glenn W@Thejas Uthran@topgear@Bashar Beasha@Dorian Zissi@Rajiv Sam@DTG@Arun Menon@Haneef Thayyil@Harshal@Abhilash Kottakkal @Chaitanya D @DP1011 Thanks to everyone for joining yesterday! I hope you enjoyed the laidback atmosphere and had a safe trip back home. Great support as usual from @DP1011, @Chaitanya D and @Rajiv Sam ! You’ll find some nice pics in the drive gallery ! See you soon in the sands again !

When it comes to desert driving photography, having the right equipment is essential to capture the action from far as well as the cuteness of your ride from near. At the same time, you would also want to capture the vastness and unique beauty of these arid landscapes. Super zoom lenses offer a versatile solution, providing both telephoto and wide-angle capabilities in a single lens. We need the wide-angle for capturing photos of own cars that we love and cherish and telephoto for distant subjects like other cars while doing sidees or being recovering as well as ancillary subjects like the wildlife or other interesting details in the landscape. In this article, we will delve into the basics of super zoom lenses, highlight their benefits and drawbacks, and provide a selection of models available from popular brands. Understanding Super Zoom Lenses: Super zoom lenses, also known as all-in-one or bridge lenses, are designed to cover a wide focal range, typically ranging from wide-angle to telephoto, all within a single lens. Typically, you will find 18-300 mm in the APSC or crop sensor models and 28 mm - 200mm for the full frame models. These lenses offer convenience and versatility, eliminating the need to carry multiple lenses while driving. Benefits of Super Zooms for Desert Driving Photography: Versatility: Super zoom lenses provide a wide focal range, allowing you to capture various perspectives and subjects. Whether its photographing distant cars doing their things or your own vehicle up close during breaks, a super zoom lens has you covered. Compact and Lightweight: Compared to carrying multiple lenses, a super zoom lens simplifies your gear setup and reduces the overall weight, making it more comfortable to handle during drives or even on hikes. Quick Adjustments: With a super zoom lens, you can swiftly switch between telephoto and wide-angle focal lengths. This enables you to adapt to different photography opportunities on the go, ensuring you don't miss any crucial shots. Cost-Effective: Investing in a single super zoom lens can be a cost-effective option, saving you money compared to purchasing multiple lenses to cover the same focal range. Great Travel Companion: Even when you are not driving, and you are on a break, it is still a great lens to take with you. Super zooms are typically listed in the Travel Category of the manufacturer page. They offer better clarity than the phone you have up close as well as taking those faraway landmarks. Cons of Super Zooms: Image Quality: Super zooms do not match the optical performance of specialized prime or high-end zoom lenses. But the difference in quality is often negligible for the intended use in forum or in Instagram. Aperture Limitations: Super zoom lenses have smaller maximum apertures compared to prime or high-end zoom lenses. Plus, they are most often variable as well. This can affect low-light performance and limit depth of field control. But when we drive in the desert, we most often have ample light, and the smaller apertures are not necessarily a problem. Distortion and Chromatic Aberration: Super zoom lenses most often than not will exhibit distortion, vignetting, or chromatic aberration, especially at the extreme ends of the focal range. However, these shortcomings can often be corrected during post-processing. When I import my photos into Lightroom I import them with lens correction, and Lightroom is smart enough to apply the necessary lens specific corrections to all the photos automatically. Here's a small list of compatible Super Zoom lenses: APSC Super-zoom Lenses for DSLRs Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR (I bought mine second hand for my D5100) Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Sony E 18–200 mm F3.5-6.3 OSS APS-C Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary Full Frame DSLR Lenses: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM Sony FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Lenses: Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM Sony E 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS LE Sony FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD Fujinon XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO (available for Fuji) Note: Some lenses could be discontinued but listed here because they can be bought secondhand.

@Frederic Thank you for Smooth and Relaxed Drive.

Dear Pitch Black Loopers Hello and welcome to the second version of this night drive which is reloaded this time with more loops and darker then ever . its a dark hot night and trust me you will need all the fluids needed for your self and your truck . having said that check your vehicles and your gear and be prepared for lots of climbs , loops re loops and in and out boweling especially around the big red . little advise dont bring passengers whom are liable to develope motion sickness. there will be no immediate exit when we are in the middle of the darkness. stay tuned toward end of the week . MUST READ AND COMPLY Environmental Policy Offroad Flag Guideline Two Way Radio Guideline Off road Driving Etiquette's Emergency details for all off-roaders Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities Drive Details Level: Fewbie and above Meeting time: 8:15 PM Friday 21 July Meeting Point https://goo.gl/maps/BEPGeXWQD5g8jKNR7 Tawi Nazwa 4X4 track Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 8-10 inches of ground clearance. What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 12:15 AM Saturday 22 July P.S. Only join if you have a compressor to inflate your tires after the drive. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 10 cars maximum. RSVP will close the night befor the event. If the RSVP is full and you wish to join, please add your self on the wait list option and the system will pull in after one drive retriction will be released if there are available slots and drive not closed yet. Latecomers will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS. Members without RSVP will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS. Members that do not confirm the terms of the COVID requirements will be removed from the RSVP list. Please withdraw your RSVP, if you aren't joining, so your spot can be taken by others. Repeated no-show members after RSVP will have their account suspended for a month. PLEASE RSVP ON THE CALENDAR

Very good topic @Looper ! I agree that desert-driving photography is a bit tricky. I use full frame Canon EF with 24-105mm L series which is a good overall range but quite heavy to carry along. The fact that it has optical stabilization is a must in my opinion if you start to zoom in completely, and on a 300mm that would be definitely even more the case. (we are using it handheld and not on tripod). The Sigma 70-300mm with IS is a better and more cost-effective option and also less bulky. Aperture is indeed lesser of an issue as there is plenty of light available. Even too much at times. I've seen plenty of your photos on the forum, and how you nail them every time is impressive as my camera is quite old and is not that great for the quick shots (5D mk2). It takes time to get focus right and there's never enough time when cars are zooming past

Thank you @GauravSoni for leading this drive, Your track was amazing, loved every moment 💛 Thank you @Chris Wing & @Sunil Mathew for your guidance and support

It was an amazing newbie drive really enjoyed @Frederic thank you.

I Was having the same problem with my cronos switch. Loose all lights and could not reset without restarting car. Would also get the handbrake (abs) warning light come on when ambient temp was above 30ish. I removed the cronos switch and replaced it with one made in Australia (I am told cronos tried to copy the Australian one) all my problems are fixed, the new one works perfectly. new factory look switch old harness on the left, looks similar but the new one on the right has much better workmanship/quality parts.

Amazing drive. Despite the high temperature, all showed on time, and got ready to move. Had to do briefing while starting the drive, since it was really hot and not convenient to stand more under the sun. As soon as radio check done and briefing over, we started crossing the most un pleasant part of mahafiz, with many bushes. Visited few bowls, and started moving towards faya. Faya was really amazing with very smooth un touched track, allowed us to keep moving, crossing the little fossil rock, till we reach the back of faya dune. All made his way climbing and down again, from both sides of the bowl. All enjoyed, then after that to faya. Wanted to reach top, and start taking videos for all, and suddenly found most of you guys already behind me 😅. Thought, will stop for few minutes to try to enjoy the sun set, and the wind, which was not bad. Down from the center of faya, to ask big boys IM level drivers to climb from the right side.By around 7 started moving out. @lucas amat first time driving together, you did amazing job, with your little liberty Jeep. I really liked how you were driving and appreciating your car capacity. Keep it up. @Saverio Arena again first time meeting, you did very well, no issues all the way through. @Abdelghani @Hugo @KAMALIO good job, nice meeting you again. Big thanks for the support @Mohamad Anwer @Benjamin @Pacific and @salah2u sweeping us. Thank you friends again for joining, and the most important for the great job, exiting without any shoveling or tugging, which was really tough to do under such weather. Nice weakened. Take care

Relive video: https://www.relive.cc/view/vYvrVzEEExv GPS Track: Check out this trail from @Wikiloc! https://www.wikiloc.com/offroading-trails/shj-scenic-drive-3-emirates-140635213 (SHJ- Scenic Drive 3 Emirates)

Thanks @GauravSoni for the joyful ride today. @Gertjan I'm already back )) Right after my early exit I went to the garage and get it fixed. As @Krishna R said it was a fast and very cheap fixing. It was great to catch up with all you guys in today's ride. See you next time 👋

Thanks @GauravSoni for a great trip! Appreciate the extra bit to see new places. Luckily we did not meet the ghost of Ghost Town! Each bolw is a learning opportunity to try and do better next time. See you all soon on the sand! @Arda Yagcioglu we hope you are soon back in action!

Just don’t get stuck near the ghost 👻 town please 😂anywhere else no problem 🤣

Our Grading Structure provides you with a clear road map for your off-road journey, recognizing Offroaders based on their Capabilities, Skills and Performance. This lets you navigate your own path as you gain experience while keeping you, other drivers and your vehicle safe. Driving with graded routes maximizes the fun for everyone without causing any delays or pushing yourself or your vehicle beyond limits. With an aim of continuous improvement, we have clarified, improved and developed this new grading structure version 3.0. Club Member Subscribe to off-road enthusiast subscription. Joins the Off road Club. Introduce yourself on the forum or drive topic. OFF-ROAD PROMOTIONS ARE BASED ON THESE FOUR MAJOR CRITERIAS: NEWBIE Drive Attended No prior offroading experience required What you'll learn Introduction to off-roading Desert driving techniques Advance vehicle handling Precise tire deflation and inflation Use of HI/LO gearing and differential lock Basic side sloping and crossing sand dunes safely Basic self-recovery techniques Basic radio communication skills Skills required Attentive and cautious Patience and tolerance towards others Clear communication and listening skills Car Worthiness Any 4x4 with 8 - 10 inches of ground clearance Front and rear tow hooks (stock tow hooks/eyelet are acceptable). Low Range Transfer Case. Off-road gear required Safety flag, tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio (walkie-talkie), air compressor. Drive teamwork Follow the briefing and Trip Lead instructions Follow Off road Driving Etiquette's at all times No dangerous maneuver and stunts Drive Joining Join Newbie drives only Forum participation Active participation on the forum Share drive experience + feedback Share drive pictures in the gallery Update Emergency Contact Details under Carnity user profile FEWBIE Drives Attended (Indicative) Minimum 5 Newbie drives are required within the last 3 months for Fewbie promotion. After a long gap of 3 months of not off-roading with Carnity or a change of vehicle, you should join at least one Newbie drive, before resuming at Fewbie level drives. What you'll learn Basic dune and sand reading Self-recovery techniques Shoveling at right place Crawling out of difficult situations Blip Blip - Coordinate steering and gas control Basic side sloping and hill climb Basic ridge riding and criss crossing Basic control over technical dunes Slightly faster pace desert driving Ability to manage stuck/refusals with radio Learn to control and avoid fishtailing Never fight or challenge gravity Skills required Enthusiastic and positive attitude Willingness to learn and help others Presence of mind and attention to detail Car Worthiness Any 4x4 vehicle with low range gearing Suitable approach and departure angle Off-road gear required Safety flag, tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio (walkie-talkie), air compressor. Drive teamwork Manage second lead and sweep positions upon request Intuitive and proactive to support Trip Lead Observe recoveries and offer help, when needed Drive Joining Join Newbie and Fewbie drives Forum participation Active participation on the forum Share drive experience + feedback Share drive pictures in the gallery Post trip report after the drive Apply for Fewbie Promotion, once you complete a minimum of 5 Carnity Newbie Drives. Duration: 3-7 days, to gather your feedback from all trip leads. FEWBIE PLUS Drives Attended (Indicative) Minimum 10 Fewbie drives are required within the last 6 months for Fewbie Plus promotion. After a long gap of 3 months of not off-roading with Carnity or a change of vehicle, you should join at least one Fewbie drive, before resuming at Fewbie Plus level drives. What you'll learn Advance dune and sand reading Advance recovery techniques Rocking and crawling to make path Learn to flatten/compact soft sand patch Self recovery from crest Advance side sloping and long hill climb Advance ridge riding and criss crossing Advance control over technical dunes Slightly faster pace desert driving FULLY control and avoid fishtailing Never fight or challenge gravity Skills required Enthusiastic and positive attitude Willingness to learn and help others Extremely attentive and focused while driving Car Worthiness Any 4x4 vehicle with low range gearing Suitable approach and departure angle Bash plate and skid plate protected Off-road gear required Safety flag, tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio (walkie-talkie), air compressor. Drive teamwork Manage second lead and sweep positions upon request Intuitive and proactive to support Trip Lead Observe recoveries and offer help, when needed Drive Joining Join Newbie, Fewbie and Fewbie Plus drives Forum participation Active participation on the forum Share drive experience + feedback Share drive pictures in the gallery Post trip report after the drive Apply for Fewbie Plus Promotion, once you complete a minimum of 10 Carnity Fewbie Drives. Duration: 3-7 days, to gather your feedback from all trip leads. INTERMEDIATE Drives Attended (Indicative) Minimum 10 Fewbie Plus drives are required within last 6 months for Intermediate promotion. After a long gap of 3 months of not off-roading with Carnity or a change of vehicle, you should join at least one Fewbie Plus drive, before resuming at Intermediate level drives. What you'll learn Basic GPS and navigational skills Basic tow rope and winch recoveries Extreme side sloping and long hill climb Tall dunes ridge riding and criss crossing Precise control over technical dunes Fast pace desert driving Clear radio communication skills Advance recovery skills Self recover from dune crest Soft sand recovery Pop-out fixing Skills required Adventurous and thrill seeker but in a safe manner Level headed under stressful situations Responsible, dependable and accountable Car Worthiness Capable 4x4 vehicle with low range gearing Suitable approach and departure angle High profile tires Off-road gear required Safety flag, tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio (walkie-talkie), air compressor, tool kit, rated recovery rope and 2 rated shackles, GPS. Drive teamwork Manage center forward position with Trip Lead’s permission Learn/assist recoveries under Trip Lead’s supervision Re-route convoy and coordination, when needed Drive Joining Join Newbie, Fewbie, Fewbie Plus and Intermediate drives. Forum participation Active participation on the forum Share drive experience + feedback Share drive pictures in the gallery Post trip report after the drive Apply for Intermediate Promotion, once you complete a minimum of 10 Carnity Fewbie Plus Drives. Duration: 3-7 days, to gather your feedback from all trip leads.

Having a fire extinguisher in your car is good, but sometimes it's of no use if car catches an instant and uncontrollable fire. In that scenario, best is to learn - how to exit the burning car with all your "critical belongings" under 10 seconds. Here are the stats that show the percentage of each type of cause that is responsible for an uncontrollable fire. 49% - Mechanical failure or malfunction 23% - Electrical cause 11% - Leaks or breaks 09% - Unknown causes 05% - Catch fire from another burning source 03% - Accidents or rollover So in short, 83% causes of an uncontrollable car fire is because of an owner negligence and only 17% is beyond anyone control. So NEVER delay car maintenance, use cheap parts, ignore leaks / rattling / grinding noise again. Here are the 7 main reasons that can cause an instant and uncontrollable car fire and how to prevent it: Engine Oil: As much as buying the best engine oil for your car is very important, you should also pay equal attention to any engine oil leaks. Most of the car engines leak oil when they get older, as the rubber gasket inside the engine tend to stop work and ideally they should be replaced before the leak starts. It's always a good practice to inspect the engine oil leak under the engine and sump area to notice any spotting or dry leak stains at least once a month. If you see any stains in your car park, it's already too late and you should check for its severity and/or replace gaskets/hoses asap. Changing engine gasket is not cheap so if you are press for expenses, get it checked for its severity and let a mechanic or car experts advise you if it's safe to drive for a while. You should also check your engine oil regularly if you have done any engine tuning recently. You can also do the car engine compression test to find out the overall health of your car engine. If engine oil is dripping on the exhaust or on any other heated surface, then don't take any chances as it may ignite on your next drive and get it fixed asap or stop driving that car immediately. If you get the check engine light or see smoke from the engine hood, switch off the car immediately. Even a small engine oil leak can catch fire and that small fire can burn down the nearby high-pressure hoses that can result in an uncontrollable car fire. Coolant: As the name suggests, it cools down the engine internally that has varied temperature from 60 degrees to 1500 degrees at various stages. Engine coolant constantly circulates between the engine jacket and radiator. Thermostat work as a gatekeeper to let the coolant cool down in radiator to exchange with hot coolant that was running in the engine jacket. Even the smallest of a coolant leak is very dangerous, because first, it will spoil your engine within a few seconds and then burn the whole car down in minutes. If coolant quantity reduces or becomes totally empty then the engine won't be able to cool down and will blow the engine head gasket first, warp the engine head and then catch fire. Make sure to check your coolant level always at least once a week, and for off roading just before every drive. And you should know how to test car engine coolant. If there is a coolant leak, please DO NOT DRIVE to save from huge expense that comes from rebuilding an engine or risking your life. Always keep an eye on the heat gauge in the dashboard while driving and pull over the car if it rises above the ideal range. If the heat gauge moves up "little" in the slow-moving traffic and AC stop cooling and come back to normal on the highway, that means something is wrong in the cooling system and get it checked asap but still, you can drive with caution. Gear Oil: Any unusual behavior from the gear shifting with jerk or delay in picking gear or confused with downshift or upshift is a tell-tale sign of failing gear or gear oil. You should also read 5 signs to change your transmission for more details. As the first rule of thumb, get the gear oil and filter change to OEM specs and inspect the sump magnet for any metal shavings. Very fine shavings like a paste are acceptable but if shavings are like spikes then the gear is failing and it needs to be rebuild or change asap. And never believe on the myth about lifetime transmission fills. Continue driving with failing gear is extremely hazardous as it will heat up the gear oil more than its normal temperature. If the car is equipped with A/T light, you can still stop until it cools down, but if the car has no A/T warning light in instrument cluster then it will overheat and explode the weakest pipe or joints and catch an instant and uncontrollable fire under the dashboard. I have recently witnessed this scenario and we were unable to fire-fight instead of several extinguishers used and the car was fully burnt within few minutes. Fuel: One of the most inflammable item in your car and you should never ignore the fuel smell coming from any part of your car. The fuel system is completed sealed and pressurize so ideally not even a vapor can escape. In several occasion leaking fuel pump due to the bad gasket or leaking injectors can cause an instant and uncontrollable fire. If you spot any such fuel smell immediately switch off the car and let competent mechanic have a thorough look rather than taking a chance to drive back home or work. If the smell is coming from fuel cap, then switch off the car and wait for 10 minutes and open the fuel cap to release any excess fuel pressure (if any), occasionally this helps to some extent and then start the car and let it idle for 5 minutes to test. If you still smell the fuel, take no chance and put the car on recovery bed. Electrical: One of the easiest thing to fail and cause a fire is electrical wiring, fuses, relays, etc. Although most of the time the electrical fire is controllable by a car fire extinguisher, but if it happens near hot and pressurized hose then it will become uncontrollable very fast. A major cause of electrical failure is bad workmanship and running the cables from non-designated areas. Using educated electrician is very important to install new electrical components safely, be it off-road lights, winch, music system, amplifier, etc. If any additional cable has been pulled from the car battery then it has to have a certain rating to draw the required amperage load. Wrong or cheap cables will melt and may cause a fire. Such fire or short circuit is also traceable with the plastic burning smell and thin smoke. If you spot the plastic burning smell or smoke or both, immediately switch off the car and reach to your fire extinguisher. First and foremost check the switches, wire and electrical component that you have recently installed. Most of the bad workmanship fail within a few months or under extensive load, so you can doubt accordingly and go close to that switch, cable or component and smell the source. Switch on the car ignition and see if it again smell or produce smoke, then switch off the car and disconnect that component either from switch level or fuse or directly from the battery. Accident: Rare but possible, that after an accident you might damage some flammable fluid hose that can cause a fire. For safety reason, in case of an accident especially small ones, on which we always focus on the accident damage rather than the whole integrity of the car. You should inspect the car from all sides and look for any leaks or burning smell from the engine bay and under the car. If you spot any leak other than AC water dripping, don't drive the car until you figure out what has been leaking and is it safe for a short drive to mechanic or not. Ignoring any small leak, smell, smoke can cause an instant and uncontrollable fire as something under the hood must have been impacted and might leak or explode under the pressure if you drive again. Must read: The top 10 things to check after a car accident. Accessories: One of the first things to fail in your car is an aftermarket accessory, as many car owners buy the cheapest quality of car accessory for the sake of price only. If you are really lucky, it will simply stop working, but if not it can cause the other car component to fail to cause the fire or shutting off the car completely for smallest of internal short circuit. Always stay away from rock-bottom cheapest accessory as it might cost you the whole car. Go with a trusted brand, model and spec that has been proven in the market. Do your research before installing them, for what all additional changes/upgrades you should be doing to support that accessory. For example, if you plan to install 3000 watts music system with amp and woofer, battery upgrade is a must or at least test your battery. Same for additional lights or other electrical stuff that you plan to install. It's always best to discuss your build plan with car experts to seek the best advice like here: Help needed in car audio system selection. It's a prime example of how to research, discuss and then build any aftermarket car accessory that brings you great value and peace of mind for years. MUST READ: How to correctly use the Car Fire Extinguisher Types of extinguishers that are out there to stop a fire in your car