Camera for drifting....

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Malaki

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...hi all...my first post...

Im looking for a camera to take pictures at the drifting events i attend..

Im not after the biggest and best, not by a long shot. I have about £200, so im guessing for a start im looking second hand.

Thats about as far as my knowledge extends. I did a quick search and confused by some of the responses. Talk of different bodies and glass and APO and such >.<

Can anyone recommend a camera for the above (will also be used to take pics of the family and stuff but majority will be for drifting shots)
 
You need something without any shutter delay. So it'll have to be a dSLR I'd say. You won't have masive choice with £200 but something like a Canon 350D (or the Nikon equivalent) with a kit lens should be possible.
 
You don't need expensive kit for drifting although it helps. You can focus early on the car as it approaches the first clipping point so super quick auto focus is not essential, track side I use the 50mm 1.8 regularly which is one of the cheapest canon lenses.

I've got quite a few threads up for drift events and links to Flikr to give an example...
 
Thanks for the replies, ill check your threads out :)

Someone recommended the 350, then someone said spend the extra and get the 450, then 550....hence why i came here, as im clueless lol

So a 350 with a cheapish lens should be sufficient for good quality pictures? i imagine itll be my skill that needs more work than the actual quality of the camera
 
Panning skills are definately important depending on your style. Some drift togs shoot high speen stopping the action where a better camera will help especially as a lot of events I've been to this year run late into the night resulting in a higher Iso needed, others prefer a much slower shutter allowing a lower ISO.

Depends what shots you want to take...

Another option as the drift season is over until next year is to hold off and save some pennies for something like a 500/550 and have a newer camera if you would like newer kit rather than older.
 
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I just want some nice detailed/crisp shots showing off car and tyre smoke :)

Im currently saving for wedding so am unable to scratch anymore cash up towards the camera
 
You can easily get a DSLR with kit lens for under £200 which will give you what you want.

I have had a few cheap DSLRs and my favourite was the Canon 20d (around £100 for body) but any of them should give you what you need (Canon 350d, Sony A100, Nikon Dnn etc,.)
 
Okie doke. So im looking at getting a 350. What am i looking at lens-wise?
 
You should be able to pick up a Canon 400D for around £200 with the standard 18-55mm kit lens as well which will get you started. Depending on which drift track you go to, you might want to look for a long focal length lens say up to 300mm.

This one was taken at Cadwell Park at about 200mm if I recall correctly:

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I go to birmingham wheels and santa pod mostly. Is there much difference between the 350 and the 400?
 
For Birmingham I would recommend a lens in. Excess of 200mm to shoot through the wire.

These were taken behind the fence earlier this year.

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Ahh. Those were from drift allstars 2012? I missed that show :(

So if im looking at getting a 350, are there any 200mm lenses you would recommend or are they all the same? Sorry if thats a stupid question
 
They're definately not all the same :)


Recommendations in order of price

Canon 55-250
Canon 70-300
Canon 70-200 L f4
Canon 70-200 L F2.8

There are of course other manufacturers but I haven't personally played with those...

For your budget am guessing the 55-250 the most appropriate, looks cheap against the others but a fantastic budget lens.
 
Great! Thanks!

Ill get some of my first pics up when ive bought it!
 
Malaki said:
I go to birmingham wheels and santa pod mostly. Is there much difference between the 350 and the 400?
Click to expand...

The 400d has an extra 2MP and a slightly bigger screen if my memory is correct. I started off with a 400D, and then moved to a 40D which was better for motorsport.
 
If you need to stick to £200 and want a 55 - 250 (if going Canon) that will leave £100 for body so you can just get a 350D (or 20D) by the look of it. Would be pretty good for £200 I would think.
 
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