Joseph Sebastian

@samamara thanks very much for your patience and that detailed answer covering all the points. Cleared up a lot on the theory side, now for the practical part and trying to produce something passable! The other two pics you have shared including the star trails are excellent as well. Also, thanks @Frederic for your valuable inputs as. For me focusing on the night sky has always been a challenge as my camera is a little old and while it has many customizable features the live view is a very basic one. One can have the best camera and lens - but if the camera shakes or if the focus is off may as well be a pinhole camera But I guess a lot of practice is called for to get the technique right and given that practicing is more than half the fun. here's hoping I can make it on to the drive 🤞

@samamara that is a really fantastic shot, I am sure you are being very modest and a lot of planning and work went into it. Even the dune in the foreground is perfectly lit and without any blemishes like footmarks...really well done! Will be grateful if you could share some data while you have already shared some info...Lens focal length ~16mm (very clear for a zoom lens!) and ISO 3200 (impressive low level of noise still, says a lot about your sensor and camera) Could you also let us know what you used for shutter speed and aperture? White balance? guess you used a tripod and a remote shutter release? any tips to get the right focus? Was it a single shot or blended a foreground shot with the sky shot...could you give some details if and how you light painted the foreground (perfectly done)..... Location I guess you aced it with Rub Al Khali - doubt if we can find a similar low light pollution area within Dubai or Sharjah...there is a glow from the horizon right side but even that adds to the picture rather than detracts from it as it contrasts against the part of the dune which is in shadow... Sorry for the many questions,,,but If I can get a shot as good as this I would consider my lifes work done Thanks!

Thanks @Brettefor a very enjoyable and safe drive as always, and @Hisham Masaad for valuable support and keeping an eye on us newbies from the rear of the conovy. Thanks also to all the other drivers, I think we all managed to cross the challenges in the drive with minimal fuss and a lot of learning. @munkybizness it was a pleasure to meet you and the presence of the Y61 powerhouse in my rear view was steady and reassuring. Hope to meet all of you on future drives and to continue learning 👍

Hello @Fredericcan you please wait list me for this event. Saw it late 😪

Thanks @Frederic other support seniors and fellow drivers for a most enjoyable morning drive. Attaching some pictures...

@BretteI will have to drop out as I realized its my daughters birthday! Apologies - pls remove me from the list and hope it will allow others to join the drive. Have a safe drive everyone...

Ale - thanks for asking. It's working fine, looks like it needed to cool down. So will get it diagnosed first to see if its an electronic issue or a heating issue or something else.... first guess is that maybe an auxiliary transmission cooler, we will see. Will be back on the sand in quick time - once its taken care of...

Thanks @Ale Vallecchifor leading this very fun drive. While trying to give the newbies on the convoy a diverse terrain and challenges to learn, also taking the time to give some theory lessons. And when my TJ had some transmission issues being patient enough to escort me to the nearest track to civilization. Many thanks. Many thanks also to the ever patient guidance from @Veedoosheeand @Mukundan Nair(and anyone else who happened to be nearby was always keen to help as well) during the other minor and non typical challenges on the drive, shows what an inclusive and motivating group this is. Looking forward to be back on the next drive once I get my ride back in decent mechanical shape. See you all soon...

@WrangeldPls take me off the drive list....my car may not be available in time so will wait out this week. Thanks and see you on the next one!

Hi could you please waitlist me for this drive. Thanks!

Thanks for the opportunity @Frederic Looking forward to more....

Thanks @Frederic, confirmed

I realize I am not in the ride yet, but being optimistic! I have a Pentax K-5 and for this occasion I will probably use a 80-300 as it is my longest zoom, but will also take a100 mm f2.8. I know how to use manual focus, though dont use it much. Also have a tripod which, should be useful .

Shovel mandatory? It wasnt in the previous two drives I attended so just double checking).... If yes no worries will pick one up in the evening...

Kindly add me to wait list Pls ignore the above....I realized the list was not yet full so I have now joined the drive.

Thanks for all the valuable advice on this topic! I was in the market for some time looking for Xterras and Wranglers mainly. In the end I have ended up buying a TJ series 4L with no modifications and around 110K kms, GCC spec. Looks reasonably well taken care of but I am no car expert, so would want to get it fully checked out before taking it out on the sands... So I am looking for decent garages in the Dubai area which are reasonable. Not looking for modifications right now but just making sure its road and desert worthy and all fluids, belts and seals are in the correct range. Am sure this is the correct place to ask

@Rahimdad thanks very much for leading the drive and your very helpful words of advice. I learn so much on every drive thanks to selfless sharers like you. And you have a gift for prose! Looking forward to more drives with you and reading your descriptive drive reports. Couple of pics I took...

Totally agree

Fully agree

@Frederic, @Tamas Hoffmann and @Kailas thank you for your guidance patience and enthusiastic support. I learned a lot in those 4 hours thanks to you guys. Look forward to many more rides with you folks. You are doing a fantastic job. here is one of the few pics I took, believe it is @Lawrence_Chehimi car...

Hi guys As promised I am sharing the towpoint pics (for my LR discovery) I removed the front and rear bumper panels and the recovery towpoints are there. I guess it should be there on the defender as well... Joseph

Thanks Miamimoe and Frederic!

Hi All Unlike others I am a bonafide Absolute Newbie, as required! 1. 2017 Discovery Grey, recently purchased and looks like it has never gone offroad. like me 2. No offroad experience unless you count driving on Indian roads in my formative years (kidding). 3. I believe yes, under the fenders (will remove fenders and send pics) Would appreciate some advice where to procure (in short time) the required air compressor and radio. I already have a pressure gauge cum deflator. Looking forward to the drive Joseph