F1 Photo's

Mclovin101

Mclovin101

Suspended / Banned
Messages
241
Name
Richard
Edit My Images
Yes
Im going to Sliverstone to watch the F1 in july. I know its a couple of months away but gives me a chance to save up and get whats needed.

Whats the best type of lens etc to get some good photos.

I currently have a EOS1000D with the lens kit but i know im gonna need something slightly better

Any idea's would be good

Thanks
 
Good photos from the stands?

Well the word "Good" is going to need to be subjective here...
 
Well whats your budget? Thats a good place to start...
 
I've tried it with a bridge Fuji camera (Lens eq to 35 - 250 ish) We were on the start finish straight - in a nutshell the pix were dissapointing.
Thwe cars are at quite a pace there and it is nion impossible to freeze them - thats why all the pros are by the barriers and generally looking down a straight or on a corner - oh and have you seen the lenses they use !!!!!!!
I don't want to sound negative - but don't blow a tonne of money just for this. Maybe a 70-300 and take some memorys that will always remind you of a great day and an awesome experience - ooh and take some ear protectors - the noise is something else :D
 
Again, not wanting to sound negative, but you are going to really struggle to take 'good' pictures from the stands, especially if you are sitting at one of the quicker sections of track.

Silverstone is not a great circuit to spectate - most seats are a long way from the track, therefore by definition, photography from teh public areas is challenging at best.

My advice would be to take a few snaps during the warm up / parade laps so you can remember the day, and then sit back & enjoy the race. It is tricky enough to keep track of a live race without messing about with cameras.

Top tip - make sure you take radio & headphones, then tune into the radio 5 live commentary.
 
to be honest i wouldnt go to silverstone without at least a 300mm in my bag. but that said its so busy at an F1 race you wont have much if any space to use it and in the stands youre going to annoy the other spectators waving that around.
 
I'm inclined to agree with the majority here. Do you know where you'll be?

Maybe one option is to hire something like a Sigma 150-500 (about £50 per week I think). That covers most eventualities. Trouble is, if you're packed tightly next to the people around you, you're going to struggle to pan a 500mm lens without making some enemies!
 
I went to the Media day for the BTCC and used my Sigma 150-500 so something in that sort of range. The biggest problem is the fencing if shooting from the stands. I don't think Solverstone is particularly photo friendly. Here's some of my shots.

IMG_4609.jpg


You can faintly see the wire mesh in this shot
IMG_5105.jpg


Shooting through a gap in the fencing makes a difference, probably not possible on GP weekend.
IMG_5215.jpg
 
Will you even be allowed to bring a large lens in?
 
Syd said:
I've tried it with a bridge Fuji camera (Lens eq to 35 - 250 ish) We were on the start finish straight - in a nutshell the pix were dissapointing.
Thwe cars are at quite a pace there and it is nion impossible to freeze them - thats why all the pros are by the barriers and generally looking down a straight or on a corner - oh and have you seen the lenses they use !!!!!!!
I don't want to sound negative - but don't blow a tonne of money just for this. Maybe a 70-300 and take some memorys that will always remind you of a great day and an awesome experience - ooh and take some ear protectors - the noise is something else :D
Click to expand...

You'll never get good f1 pics with a bridge camera.

The 1000d will do the job fine, but you will need to spend money on a good telephoto. I managed with a 250mm but I did need more reach.

300mm or above is ideal.

And you're better off walking out of the stands and onto the perimeter path as there are some cracking places to take pics around the circuit away from the grandstands.
 
Last edited:
James Wright said:
Will you even be allowed to bring a large lens in?
Click to expand...

Yes!
 
I found last year that the spot we were in (general admission) as long as you get there at stupid o'clock you got close no high fences the only fence was just about chest height ideal for using as a rest. The only thing that let the day down was the flabby bit behind the camera.
I only had a 70-300 tamron at the time but returning this year with the sigma 150-500.

Ill try and remember where we were and add it later
 
to hijack the thread a little (apologies) but i am going to be at monaco for friday and sunday next week. Haven't bought up a lens for this, but am thinking of the 70-200mm L or the the 100-400mm L. Is there any noticeable difference in sharpness between these lenses. I am aware that i may need to use a x1.4 teleconverter to get a bit more reach with the 70-200.

with regards to silverstone, i sat at bridge a couple of years ago and managed some fairly decent shots with a 200mm longest reach.
 
The 100-400L isn't as sharp as the 70-200L's, but that's to be expected comparing a 4x zoom to a ~2.8x zoom.
It's still a sharp lens, especially in the 100-350 range, drops off a little at 400mm but still very good especially considering the zoom range.
 
You can get decent shots from spectator positions at Silly stone. A long focal length helps. But if your a bit creative you will get decent shots. F1 cars are fast, but your so far away from the circuit at silverstone that its not an issue and the AF wont have to work too hard to track them (cars are further away so less AF travel needed to track the cars) It also makes panning easier with cars further away.

There are no restrictions on taking lenses into events, lots of people will hire 400 or 500mm specifically for the event. (just try and hire one of these lenses on the F1 weekend for another event - impossible)

Have a look at this chaps gallery. Chris is a very talented photographer, not accredited for most events. He uses a D90 and 120-300 with a TC. Not a hugely expensive setup, but he makes superb use of it.
http://chrisharrison.smugmug.com/Motorsport/British-Grand-Prix-2009/8616137_2xXQH#568383732_mA3RH
 
Silverstone gets an awful lot of negative press from amatuer togs...if anything that's why I always enjoy the occasional visit there. The place is so huge you can't fail to find some fairly unique viewpoints. Obviously F1 will have the additional challenge of 'quite' a few people, but I coped just fine on the Friday (80,000 in attendance), the camera won't leave my bag on Sat or Sun...it's far more enjoyable watching.

As long as you don't chase the sort of frame filling shots you might expect at Brands or Combe you will be just fine, F1 is fantastic fun for panning practice and there are plenty of opportunities for interesting wide angle shots. I would suggest a 70-300 f4-5.6 (plenty of choice in that range), not too expensive but can still produce some great shots.

I'm going again (all 3 days) this year, now only armed with a 70-200 2.8, looking forward to it!
 
Last edited:
ukaskew said:
Silverstone gets an awful lot of negative press from amatuer togs...if anything that's why I always enjoy the occasional visit there. The place is so huge you can't fail to find some fairly unique viewpoints. Obviously F1 will have the additional challenge of 'quite' a few people, but I coped just fine on the Friday (80,000 in attendance), the camera won't leave my bag on Sat or Sun...it's far more enjoyable watching.

As long as you don't chase the sort of frame filling shots you might expect at Brands or Combe you will be just fine, F1 is fantastic fun for panning practice and there are plenty of opportunities for interesting wide angle shots. I would suggest a 70-300 f4-5.6 (plenty of choice in that range), not too expensive but can still produce some great shots.

I'm going again (all 3 days) this year, now only armed with a 70-200 2.8, looking forward to it!
Click to expand...


Im there all 3 days aswell. Dont think the camera will be out on race day but the friday and saturday. I have a 75-300mm f4-5.6 so might just use that
 
I'd maybe suggest hiring something with a wide aperture and some Is and investing in a decent monopod, the 75-300 will do okay,but if its a dull day(and it is Britain) you might want the extra light instead of increasing the Iso.
That's what i'd do, But that's me :P
 
John Mc said:
I'd maybe suggest hiring something with a wide aperture and some Is and investing in a decent monopod, the 75-300 will do okay,but if its a dull day(and it is Britain) you might want the extra light instead of increasing the Iso.
That's what i'd do, But that's me :P
Click to expand...

Unless your shooting a night race motorsport doesn't really require a wide aperture. The only real reason there is a trend towards fast glass is for the obvious shallow DOF and the faster AF that is associated with these lenses. (and at the distances you often stand at Silverstone and the angles available there wont be anything too taxing on the AF)

I would go along to a club event or test day and see how you find it. Bare in mind it will most likely be a different circuit layout to that which F1 will use.
 
Mclovin101 said:
Im going to Sliverstone to watch the F1 in july. I know its a couple of months away but gives me a chance to save up and get whats needed.

Whats the best type of lens etc to get some good photos.

I currently have a EOS1000D with the lens kit but i know im gonna need something slightly better

Any idea's would be good

Thanks
Click to expand...

It's easy to get great photos at silverstone now. They've moved the grandstands back and the fence on the old pit straight and probably the new one.

I used a 70 to 300 and was really happy with a lot of the results, I am going to take a 400mm this year but expect to use the 70 to 300 more.

Obviously the better quality the lens the better, I will be using 'Ls' this year.

The arena is also a good place to get great shots and Luffield.


Here's one from the old pit straight. Taken with a none L 70 to 300


IMG_6768.jpg by splodger1, on Flickr

I would say the most important thing photography wise would be to get there early on Friday in time for the first free practice, the crowds really start to build after lunch on Friday and the you won't be able to move for the rest of the weekend.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top