How do I get myself a Photographers Pass at Race Circuits? and whats the best lens?

mr tommo said:
How did you manage to get them shots? Just from the spectator areas?
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the ones with the Mini's I have a friend who raced in there,
so I got in the pits, and there is a fence behind there at brands,

some of them there, the rest was at snetterton. and pretty easy to get close to the action there.

just have to get the right spots :)
 
ScarySquirrel said:
I live quite close to Brands Hatch and would definitely be up for going along for a go at motosport photography. I only have a Sigma 70-300mm APO that would be up for it though, and I have NO experience with panning shots.

Would I be able to get decent shots from anyway, if so what would be the best part of the track?

Would anyone else be up for a Brands Hatch meet?
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i just brought my first SLR canon 400d with 18-55IS lense.... When we goto Brands i rarely used over 70mm on my bridge camera (canon S3IS) due to where we stand/sit, so i stuck with the 18-55IS (29-88 with 1.6x) so im hoping its enough. with my testing so far (i have no CF card yet!) i seem to be about right. I hope so! lol.

Gonna take both cameras with me to BTCC (march 29-30), so i get some pictures on both, and can take videos with the S3IS too.



some of those lenses are insainly expensive.... im guessing the L range are better optics? or faster focus?
 
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::: CooliceT :: said:
Thanks for all the help and comments.

What lens did you use for those shots SDK?

I'm thinking of the 100-300mm sigma lens, heard good things from it, and seems pretty good price compared to a simular Canon lens.
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I'd be wary of the sigma 100-300.
The one i borrowed was very soft at 300mm, even when stopped down to f/5.6
Compared some un-sharpened 100% crops to a Nikon 70-200 with a 1.7TC fitted and the Nikon blew it away with sharpness.
It is a good value lens, the 100-300 but i think its a luck of the draw as to whether you get a good copy. :(
I lust after the 120-300 f/2.8 from Sigma, that is a stonking lens.

Here's a 100% from the 100-300, with no sharpening. Shot info is 1/250@f/4, iso200

nx-grab.jpg



Same image post processing.

488815253_0b3c0ae4ff_b.jpg
 
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Overlag said:
i just brought my first SLR canon 400d with 18-55IS lense.... When we goto Brands i rarely used over 70mm on my bridge camera (canon S3IS) due to where we stand/sit, so i stuck with the 18-55IS (29-88 with 1.6x) so im hoping its enough. with my testing so far (i have no CF card yet!) i seem to be about right. I hope so! lol.

Gonna take both cameras with me to BTCC (march 29-30), so i get some pictures on both, and can take videos with the S3IS too.



some of those lenses are insainly expensive.... im guessing the L range are better optics? or faster focus?
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Where do you sit? If I just turned up one day (for example the British Superbikes testing day that is coming up) can I just pay and go to that area?

Could I do them handheld or would I need a monopod?
 
From my experience you need a much longer lens than 80mm to fill the frame with a car or bike, even standing trackside.
 
I think I just need a really good fast sharp lens.
which isnt insanely expensive.

I dont know what would be a good starter.
also able to maybe at a 1.4 tele-convertor? on without loosing too much, not for sport but for wildlife maybe...

how much was the Canon 100-400L IS?
 
::: CooliceT :: said:
I think I just need a really good fast sharp lens.
which isnt insanely expensive.
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Join the back of the queue ;)

::: CooliceT :: said:
also able to maybe at a 1.4 tele-convertor? on without loosing too much, not for sport but for wildlife maybe...
how much was the Canon 100-400L IS?
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Prices range from about £850 imported to £1000 UK highsteet/web.
But 1)It's not fast (aperture) and 2)You'll lose auto focus with the 1.4x convertor.
 
SDK^ said:
Join the back of the queue ;)


Prices range from about £850 imported to £1000 UK highsteet/web.
But 1)It's not fast (aperture) and 2)You'll lose auto focus with the 1.4x convertor.
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not too bad.
is there a big different to the canon 100-300 ones.
and similar models?

Worth paying extra for the 100-400mm over the sigma and canon lenses?
that are around 300mm?
 
Whats your budget? My suggestion would be to do as I did and pick up a second hand Sigma 300mm f2.8. Managed to get mine for £650 which is a bargain.
 
Bigma 50-500 (sigma) can be had for £450 if you look hard not super fast but a cheaper good all round lens for motorsports.

also Tamron SP AF 200-500mm again £360-£380

theres a few to choose if budget dependant
 
Have to agree with that, although its probably not often that they go for that, if I did see one for that price i'd have one just for the sake of it!
 
SDK^ said:
How often do they come up for sale ?
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Not that often, but they do come up now and then. Keep you eyes open on the members markets of TP, POTN etc

Here are a couple of threads to prove they exist. Both gone unfortunately (I think that second one is mine actually). Just keep your ear to the ground and hope for the best.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=42932&highlight=Sigma+300mm
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=25880&highlight=Sigma+300mm
 
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