Motorsport Photography - Lens\kit advice.

kingbrumak

Hi All,

After a long time of floating around photographing different subjects I think I have finally found my "niche" - motorsport photography. It combines two subjects that I love, namely cars and photography.

The only problem is that I really don't know what I should be using in terms of equipment. Can anyone give some good advice as regards what lenses and other equipment would be recommended. So what's in your bag on a track/rally day?

Also any other advice as regards motorsports photography is certainly appreciated.

richieg

Here is a link to some shots I took at Lurgan park a year ago with a D40 and kit lens. I now have a D90 which gets even crisper shots

In terms of lenses I would recommend and I am starting to look at faster glass like f2.8 or something which will let me run at faster shutter speeds

http://www.flickr.com/photos/richieg2007/page2/?savedsettings=2892010938#photo2892010938

AnimalRights

A poster called Paddy is our resident Motor sports expert,, I'm sure he'll be along shortly.

kingbrumak

Thanks guys. Richie, some nice shots there. Love the old school escorts

richieg

Cheers, it was my first time trying to capture moving shots and freeze motion. Meant to say it would be worth looking for a camera with high fps burst mode and good iso capabilities.

I presume you are going DSLR. Have you any bias towards a particular brand it might get more suggestions

kingbrumak

I have a Canon 400D at the moment, still learning all the functions as I'm relativeley new to photography. I'm slowly working my way through the learning curve though!

Brndn

I went to loads of road racing last year and it seems nearly all the pros used a Canon 1D and 300mm f2.8 lens. A 1d has a 1.3 crop IIRC so thats a focal length of 390mm. I'd recommend a 70-200 2.8 lense on your 400D, which has a crop factor of 1.6, should give you a 320mm focal lenght. I have the sigma 70-200 f2.8 on my 450D and its great for motorsport stuff. This was shot in Mondello at 175mm & f13 @ 1/100 sec.

kingbrumak

Good advice and great shot Brndn, nice sense of speed and the black borders give it a nice dramatic feel. Hoping that I can get myself up to speed and a sufficient skill level for the next drift season. I feel a few choice purchases comming in the new year!

Brndn

If it's drifting you're into, you should head to the drift practise days in Mondello as they are free in if you're spectating. Good for practicing your panning shots. There's one on this Saturday, if I can get out of the bed I'll be there myself :rolleyes:

kingbrumak

That's a great idea, I may just venture out (weather permitting of course!). So are there any particular techniques you use when taking drift photos?

AnimalRights

That sounds interesting about free in to the practice days as I need to learn to pan.
Any ideas on times etc?

/edit
I thought Mondello was in Santry!
It's 25 miles away!!

Scrub that so.