A camera for motorsport

<(Multi)>

<(Multi)>

<(Multi)>

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Hi,

I've been trying to stop myself posting this question on here for a good for fews weeks now - I'd much rather see peoples threads full of awesome photos they've taken, than yet another "spec me a camera" thread, but I think the time has come that I need to hear/use peoples experience in these matters. Sorry, but hopefully someone can through me some advice.

Anyway, for the last 12 months I've been seriously interested in buying a camera to use for when me and a few mates go watching motorsport events (typically 5-10 events a year) We all attempt to take good shots, but seriously lack the equiptment required. I'm bandishing an Olympus Digital 600 campact which has absolutley no chance of capturing the action (as do the rest) as the optical zoom is so limited. As with all motorsport events, the spectator is sat 70-150 meters away at times, so I really need something that has both the ability to keep up the the rapid action (shutter speeds, right?) whilst also having the optical zoom to actually see the action.

I ran straight into the Canon 400D and Nikon D40X debate, Im leaning more toward the Nikon D40X as I hear out the box its a better camera than the Canon, which appartently requires much more investment with lenses and such like. My question is, between the D40X and Canon 400D, is either physically better for the action shots I require? I've also been toying with the idea of buying a standard D40 (not the X) and investing the rest into a better lense I'll almost certainly need. Are there any issues with the D40 that would make this a bad idea? I cant quite get my head round the differences between the D40 and D40X apart from the resolution difference.

Thanks :)
 
Few main Differences are:

D40x
3fps over 2.5 the non x provides.
10mp over 6 (thats a fairly big leap)
100 - 1600 ISO expandability over 200 - 1600 the non X gives (cleaner images at 100)

And I think there is something regarding auto focus too but don't quote me on that. I'm more your Canon resource :P
 
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<(Multi)> said:
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To be totally fair I think both cameras are pretty good, they're both 10 megapixel, offer similar AF, I think you'd be happy if you went with either, it'll be more to do with the lenses you end up choosing and how you apply it all on race day :)
In terms of lenses for motorsports it depends on your budget, I guess you want something which will cover most things to start with, so you really want the longest zoom telephoto possible for the money, simply so you have enough reach. If you ended up going with Nikon the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G, is a very nice starting point and at £330 you'll struggle to get much better imo.
Having quite a bit of experience at shooting all kinds of different motorsports from superbikes to drag racing, i'd say that 200mm would leave you wanting more reach unless you're very close to the track, and this isn't always possible. I think 70-300 would suit you down to the ground.

I wouldn't get caught up in any debates over whether Nikon is better than Canon or whatever, they all take good pictures and have a very similar lens lineup.
 
It's an argument with no clear winner, but I would advise you look to the lens lineup of any system you are buying into along with physically having a go on one of the cameras you are looking at in a shop.

I went with Canon and have been thoroughly impressed with everything. Like you have highlighted, Motorsport is what I am interested in and I have never had problems...great for learning with and great for getting super sharp shots.

Don't be in doubt the Canon can take sharp, smart Motorsport shots:

IMG_8163.JPG


clioCup_01.jpg


Both with the 350d and 300 F/4 L IS.

Thanks,

Tom
 
Excellent, thanks for your input guys.

V-spec, you've just answered my other question as to which lenses to look into, sounds like the 70-300 is the one to get.

TomWilko, Its nice to see some of the shots I 'could' potentially be getting with a good SLR. The cilos look like Donington, maybe the Renault World Series? If so, I was at the chicane both this year and last for that event.
Cant help think Leon is also at Donington on the last corner into the main start straight? Didnt make it to the British superbikes at Donnington, we did Brands and Oulton Park instead. Some excellent photo's though!
 
This year for Motorsport use I've been using a Canon 400D & Canon 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III USM (getting more lenses this winter). Very happy with it & got some good results for a n00b on there first SLR (when we got it I only knew of 'Aperture' as being an OSX program!)
It's been a great improvement on the Fuji S5600 :D

Haven't got many decent Motorsport shots online to show for it though:(, but heres some I found on the webserver

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Colerne_sprint_070507_10_disp512.jpg

20070915_1490_disp512.jpg
20070818_1168_disp512.jpg

Colerne_sprint_070507_6_disp512.jpg




And also with the same lens/camera combo I've got some other fast action stuff:
20070714_1018_full_disp512.jpg


<Not gonna mention the whole Canon vs Nikon thing though :p>
 
Mohinder said:
Motocross is actually pretty good for this, spectators can get very close indeed.
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I think he was asking the OP that, since the answer to that question tends to dictate your lens choice. No use having a 400mm prime if you're trackside; no use having a 70-200 if you're half a mile away.
 
This was taken using a Sigma 100-300 f/4 on a D80. Oulton Park for the BSB round.

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And this was taken with the kit 18-70 o the D80 at Grizedale Forest during the Malcolm Wilson rally.

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SDK^ said:
The best for less motorsport setup has to be a 400D with a Canon 300mm F4 L IS.

Cost approx : £1200
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Sounds about right!

I have the 300mm f/4 IS and it's the sharpest lense i own. I use the 30D as you can see in my sig but the 400D will be a more than capable camera.

Both my lens and body were 2nd hand but as new. Cost me just under £1k.

Only limitation is the fixed focul length of the 300mm. The sigma 100-300 f/4 or sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and 1.4x TC would be perfectly viable 'zoom' alternatives. The 70-200 is a particularly ace lens BTW and can be had for reasonable amounts. Again my version of this lens is 2nd hand and was bought (bundled along with a sigma EX 2x TC) for £330. :)

gt
 
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gt_junkie said:
Only limitation is the fixed focul length of the 300mm. The sigma 100-300 f/4 or sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and 1.4x TC would be perfectly viable 'zoom' alternatives. The 70-200 is a particularly ace lens BTW and can be had for reasonable amounts. Again my version of this lens is 2nd hand and was bought (bundled along with a sigma EX 2x TC) for £330. :)

gt
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The problem with the 100-300 is that it can be quite soft. Looking at some of the shots i took prior to post processing, they aren't that sharp and i wasn't pushing the iso too much.
Better choice is the 120-300 f/2.8. Supposed to be a belter, but a lot pricier.
Reckon ideal motor sport setup would be the sigma 120-300 fitted to a Nikon D2Xs.
You get FOV crop factor on the sigma equivalent to a 450mm, but then if you put the D2Xs into high speed crop mode, you have a 600mm FOV crop factor. Just enough reach for silverstone. Start putting TC's on the sigma and you get even more reach.
 
robmiller said:
I think he was asking the OP that, since the answer to that question tends to dictate your lens choice. No use having a 400mm prime if you're trackside; no use having a 70-200 if you're half a mile away.
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I was asking anyone really. Want to visit some motorsport events but only have 200mm of reach atm so obviously need something I can get fairly up close and personal with, and also which doesn't cost the earth to attend.

Would love to have visited Mallory Park yesterday but didn't realise it was on until today. Are there any good websites to visit to keep abreast of such events or is it just a case of trawling around?
 
Vertigo1 said:
I was asking anyone really. Want to visit some motorsport events but only have 200mm of reach atm so obviously need something I can get fairly up close and personal with, and also which doesn't cost the earth to attend.
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Well my answer was, luckily, still useful then!
I got them with a 200mm - you can get pretty close to MX, and national level events are ordinarily about £15 entry and you get some **** hot riders and racing there.

gogogo!
 
Shoei said:
Better choice is the 120-300 f/2.8. Supposed to be a belter, but a lot pricier.
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Oh i agree!

Just a lot of money and a great deal of weight to consider.

If money was no object and i could happily manage the weight of the lens i'd love the 120-300.

As you say, it takes TC's really well too... even the 2x from what i've seen.

gt
 
I personally wouldn't recommend someone who is just starting out in motorsport photography and using a DSLR to go straight into a 300mm prime, no offence but the general person starting out isn't going to be able to get the best out of the sharpness of such a lens, as getting razor images in motorsports takes a lot of practise, its money that doesn't need to be spent for someone who is learning for the first time.

The important thing is to learn the shots get out there and get photos with whatever gear you can get your hands on, a medium priced zoom with a large range (70-300) is pretty much perfect, lets face it there are many people on here who cannot afford prime lenses who post very respectable photos with entry level bodies and lenses, once you've learnt how to nail the shots, your panning technique and your abilty to get the most of of whatever position you're in, you'd be in a better position to spend a bit more cash as you're more likley to make use of the extra image quality obtained from a prime without feeling limited or bewildered by its fixed length.
 
Wow, thanks for all the info guys!

To answer the question regarding what motorsport events I generally attend: British MotoGP Donington, British Superbikes Oulton and Brands, Nurburgring Renault World Series + Track events at the Nurburgring, Renault World Series Donington, and then a few Touring Cars or track days at Oulton.

My aim is to be all sorted for when we go to the Assen TT MotoGP June 28th, and then tackle the Nurburgring on the way back. Would love a decent photo set of the track + my Prelude :)

I find the bigger the event the harder it is to get decent access for photography, Silverstone for example is a total waste of time as you end up sitting hundreds of meters away from everything and anything, Donington and Brands on the other hand have some great corners to camp out at - Im just let down at the moment with a rubbish compact camera.
 
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