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

ScarySquirrel said:
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?
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we sit on the inside of the hairpin (druids bend) generally just at the entrance to the corner where there braking/smashing into each other....

facebook images so highly compressed...
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messy...unlucky for me i was standing at the hairpin waiting for them to come around, while my mates stayed in the braking zone area... by the time id runback my mates was swamped with people and i couldnt even get to where i was sitting LOL...

you have to walk along way from the main entrance to get to here, then across the "car lube" bridge. A Good spot, but you have to be there early really.
 
Messiah Khan said:
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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Thanks :)

I've read the comments on FM but wondered if there is anything you found problematic with the lens ?
 
SDK^ said:
Thanks :)

I've read the comments on FM but wondered if there is anything you found problematic with the lens ?
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NP.:)

Not really. When using it on my D40X, I found the lack of AF/MF switch a bit annoying, but this isn't a problem with my D300 as ive got the switch on the camera body. I also think the Canon version comes with a MF/AF switch. I also initially thought the focus was slightly off, but that turned out to be my camera's focus reticule not being small and accurate enough. Now that i've learnt how to use the lens properly, the shots come out sharp as a cheap computer case. Other than that, its a damn fine lens that does everything I expect of it. Just a shame its not 800mm :)
 
Messiah Khan said:
Now that i've learnt how to use the lens properly, the shots come out sharp as a cheap computer case.
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LOL! :D What sort of lense is within £400 that will be "good" for 300mm (480mm with crop).

seems lenses like the canon 55-250 IS are well within that price, but im guessing they are too soft or lack high F numbers so causes issues at max range?
 
Messiah Khan said:
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.
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right now Dont have a budget, but if I set myself a target I'll try and make it by selling a few bits :)

I may have to wait a couple of months before I could start to look at the right one.

I do like sigma's, and have read good reviews on your lens last year,
didnt know wether to go for sigma or canon? have you tried using a teleconvertor on it? will they work with the sigma 300mm?

but for that price thats really good.
I have to sell a few things, and put some money aside hopeing to find one :)
 
Overlag said:
LOL! :D What sort of lense is within £400 that will be "good" for 300mm (480mm with crop).

seems lenses like the canon 55-250 IS are well within that price, but im guessing they are too soft or lack high F numbers so causes issues at max range?
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70-300 USM IS :)

Not really going to get much better than that, unless you get a 70-200 F4 non IS...
 
Concorde Rules said:
70-300 USM IS :)

Not really going to get much better than that, unless you get a 70-200 F4 non IS...
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whats the dif between EFs and EF? (searched it, ignore this question)

this is a Canon 400d the lense will be going on, wont cause issues?
 
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no issues if were talking about the canon ef.

the early sigma had small problems needing a rechip but anything newer than 3 yrs wont fall foul of that,,
 
I'm still after a media pass.

and with yestadays outing for rockingham. it made me want one even more.
(as it was a media test day) for the BTCC.

I need one really for brands hatch and snetterton, as I will be traveling to these a lot this year.

should I contact them directly.

I might be able to do it with Thomas Cook.
as I work as a photography Executive for them.
my manager said should be fine to use them.

I'll take my door key pass, covering letter.. and small portfolio if needed?

whats the best way to approach this?
and where do I get the liability insurance from?

I'm looking at the first round of the BTCC at brands to get a media pass with.
 
Its unlikley you'd get a press pass unless your shooting for a publication, or for the actual media, or something closely affiliated with the event.

Normally to get a pass you need to demonstrate that your pictures go to magazines/etc, they don't just let anyone in who asks. Its a waste of time letting someone onto the track to take shots which won't appear anywhere other than on flickr, unless you can prove you're involved with the media.. its a bit of a nightmare to get started I think, you may be better off hammering it as a spectator and getting pictures as good as the pros, build up a really good portfolio and get involved with the magazines/publications..
 
::: CooliceT :: said:
I'm still after a media pass.

and with yestadays outing for rockingham. it made me want one even more.
(as it was a media test day) for the BTCC.

I need one really for brands hatch and snetterton, as I will be traveling to these a lot this year.

should I contact them directly.

I might be able to do it with Thomas Cook.
as I work as a photography Executive for them.
my manager said should be fine to use them.

I'll take my door key pass, covering letter.. and small portfolio if needed?

whats the best way to approach this?
and where do I get the liability insurance from?

I'm looking at the first round of the BTCC at brands to get a media pass with.
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If you get a pass this way, to say I would be shocked will be an understatement. Go have a look at the sports section on fredmiranda.com and ask 'how to get on the good side of the fence?' - you'll quickly be told just how tough it really is.
 
TomWilko said:
If you get a pass this way, to say I would be shocked will be an understatement. Go have a look at the sports section on fredmiranda.com and ask 'how to get on the good side of the fence?' - you'll quickly be told just how tough it really is.
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I'll have a look.
I know I could probably sway F1 media pass with Thomas Cook.

they have Thomas Cook Sport.
and offer packages to these events. silverstone and Monaco.

so might have aword with the bosses and see what they can do.

as for snetterton and brands,
I'll contact the local press, I went for a interview with one (turned down the job offer anyway. as was in another job), and he liked my work, so I'll contact him again.

but I do have a lot that are over the fence shots.
so if they need examples I can make a portfolio of them easy.

I have to start somewhere....
 
::: CooliceT :: said:
I'll have a look.
I know I could probably sway F1 media pass with Thomas Cook.
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If you get an F1 Media photo Pass I'll eat my camera.
They only give accreditation to Photo Agencies (e.g. Sutton Motorsport), so your only option to get a job working for them.


A standard media pass which sponsors receive won't get you trackside during an event. The best you'll get is access to the grid prior to race start.
 
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SDK^ said:
If you get an F1 Media photo Pass I'll eat my camera.
They only give accreditation to Photo Agencies (e.g. Sutton Motorsport), so your only option to get a job working for them.


A standard media pass which sponsors receive won't get you trackside during an event. The best you'll get is access to the grid prior to race start.
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I'll hope it will happen.
Not going to get my hopes up.

but with Thomas Cook Sport offering packages to many F1 circuits this year. and we are buying images in from getty, istock, alamy and so on.

they could easly set it up.
and they would get used for Thomas Cook Sport.

also, my boss next door neighbour works for mclaren.
so he going to have a word with him, see whats the best way to do it.

I'll look at getting the Liability next month, for the BTCC at brands.

I'll keep looking and start building up a portfolio to show photo agencies.
thanks for the advice.
 
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