Im doing some motorsport photography.. Help!

[mr tommo]

Right guys, a friend of a freind of a friend has a race team and races all across the world in a series. I may have hinted that Id love a pass to take photos next time he races and he got back to me saying that his next race was at spa, Belgium (IIRC).

However, next wednesday he has a test session somewhere in Leicester (don't know all the details yet) where we can go down and practice.

What kit should I take? There will be 2 of us, I'll be using a 1Ds mk III and my partner a 40D. Now the only lens that is even semi adequate for this is an L series Canon 70-200mm f/4.

Im thinking of hiring one for the day from..
http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/canon-telephoto-8-c.asp

What would you recommend? bearing in mind no money is being made from this so I don't want to spend too much on hire but Im not sure 200mm will be enough ?

Ive never tried panning but as I understand it you dont need a ridiculously high shutter speed for this so something like a f/1.8 is a bit overkill, right?

Any tips? Do I need a monopod or will handheld be fine?

 

[mr tommo]

I prefer to shoot handheld than with a monopod, though I might change my mind if I had a seriously monster lens to prop up all day.

You might be right about 200mm being too short (it depends on the circuit)... I found at the Silverstone F1 test a couple of years ago that 300mm is too short from the public side of the fence (even on a crop camera).

Oh I just thought It'd be easier to track the car better with a monopod but thats one less thing to squeeze into the car

Hi mr tommo.

You should get in contact with the race club your friend races with,as they normally have a rule that you can only get trackside for photography if you have insurance.

My dad races classic motorbikes and know that track in Leicester very well, it's Mallory Park, you should be able to get some shots from the pit lane, and at the hairpin if you can get trackside.

I haven't been able to get trackside yet as im going to try a sort out insurance for next season. But depending on the circuit you can get quite close public side.

Ah yes insurance, make sure you've got some despite having a pass, they may not let you near the track without some form of PLI

Will this be needed for a test day ?
Really hadn't considered this.... ANy recommendations on where I could get this from (short term)? I'm current covered with work but I won't be working for them on this occasion.

ANd yes I'm guessing its Mallory park, we are definately in the pit lane so that should be ok.

 

[mr tommo]

I think any track but Silverstone, you'll do fine with the 70-200mm. Unless you want full frame shots head on with the car then this lens will be fine, even on some corners you can produce high quality shots which are magazine favourites with this lens.

For a good pan then shoot on aperture priorty at around f6.3-f10 depending on how good you get. Or depending on weather then shutter priorty at around 80-120.

Just have a play and enjoy yourself

Thanks for that, very useful. Obviously I will pick things up as the day progresses but I'd rather have a decent idea before I get there.

The problem is we only have one 70-200mm, so would you recommend just hiring another one of them?

 

[mr tommo]

If you dont mind splitting up then i'd probably recommend you go for a prime... say 300mm and you can both get some different types of shots.

Why would you recommend a prime?

Looking at these two....

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/canon-ef-100-400mm-f45-56-l-is-usm-11-p.asp

or

Canon EF 300mm f/4 L IS USM
http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/canon-ef-300mm-f4-l-is-usm-14-p.asp

There is only a £5ish difference?

Hi mate

I have been to the last 2 british GP's armed with only my D90 + kit lens 18-105 VR + cheap 55-200 VR. Panning is a little tricky to start with, but im sure you will get the hang of it very quickly.

Some examples to give you a reference.
2 shots from pit striaght grandstand @ 105mm, and 2 from lufffield grandstand @ 200mm.

http://www.mywedge.co.uk/ocukphoto/pit105mm.jpg
http://www.mywedge.co.uk/ocukphoto/pitstrght105mm.jpg
http://www.mywedge.co.uk/ocukphoto/luff200mm.jpg
http://www.mywedge.co.uk/ocukphoto/luffield200mm.jpg

Not the greatest motorsport piccys ever taken granted, but i think a decent effort

200mm is a lot shorter on a 1Ds then it is on a crop so bear that in mind with recommendations. 300mm f/4L would be a good bet http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/canon-ef-300mm-f4-l-is-usm-14-p.asp but I've never been to the track in question.

Totally slipped my mind about it being shorter on the 1Ds... Again... whats the advantage of a fixed 300mm over that 100-400mm f/4.5 I linked to above?

Really looking forward to this now....I know I will look stupid like but theres no legal reasons I can't practice panning by the side of the road is there?