Lens choice for Silverstone F1?

[StewartR]

Hey stewart. Am looking to hire something for the Silverstone F1 testing at the end of june (im going on the 25th). My budget is fairly limited (can't justify splashing too much on a rental when I'm saving to buy some kit). I don't have a great insight as to what will do the job better - but have narrowed it down to: EF 70-200mm F2.8 L + 1.4x TC or EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 L IS. Are both available, and would either be better (im not holding my breath for sunshine that day)??

I'm not an expert. Can anyone help?

 

[Yv]

unless you are quite tall, there are very few spots at silverstone where you shoot over the fence and still be close by [the only one I can think of its from certain points on Luffield terracing], plus, unless its changed recently, you cant access the entire circuit during testing only the pitlane end from roughly bridge to just past copse [they may have extended this since they started charging last year, but really not sure]. So you want something that will shoot through a fence [using speed and apertures to blur it out] and at same time, have distance if you cen get up in the stands. For most flexibility I would go with 70-200 and TC - or I would if my choice was Nikon based IYKWIM, but I know 100% of nothing about canon lenses.

 

[Issey]

Have you thought of the 300 F2.8 or the 400 F4 DO I used the later last year and its quite light for a days shoot, this year I am going same day and hope to hire the 300 mm F2.8 as I already own the 70 200 F2.8 plus the 1.4 extender

Les F

 

[cokebottles]

I am a complete Silverstone novice. I have never been. Really fancied to try and get some nice shots. The fences hadn't occurred to me. I have already emailed Silverstone regarding access on the day and got this response:

"The area open to the public will be between Abbey through to Luffield. Some grandstands will be open."

That seems like a smaller area than you mentioned LadyLens. I think I'd prefer a zoom rather than a prime, as I will have the lens for a week and will be using it for some other random snaps. Will the IS on the 100-400mm help me much? I see its a push-pull zoom too - I've never used one of these.

 

[Yv]

I doubt IS will help as even if the weather is poor you are unlikely to be using very low shutter speeds. To give you and idea, I took some shots of a Jaguar F1 car at brands last weekend and the lowest I could go shutter speed wise was 1/250 whilst the car was slowing for a bend. Now ok, through the complex at luffield you can probably get lower then that, and IS might help there.

I suppose the next question should really be what other lenses do you have that you might be able to make use of? I ask because personally I would prefer being able to pull back in to 70mm if I was only taking the one lens, but if you have something already in your kit that will complement the 100-400?

 

[andrewc]

Luffield complex is the place to be. I use a Sigma 100-300 f4 with optional 1.4TC and got good frame filling shots.

I'd recommend either a 300 f4 IS prime or 100-400L

 

[rhubarb]

I think you need at least 300mm, I used to go there with a 70-200 and a 1.4TC which was ok, but you really can't get that close. Now there with a 120-300 and 1.4TC which does a good job.

If you can get something like an 80-400, or a 100-300 f4 both of which should be reasonably cheap I guess then they'd be ok, but can definately recommend the 120-300

 

[andrewc]

I'm guessing StewartR from lensesforhire is asking as he's got a customer.

300 f4 IS or 100-400 is more handholdable than Sigma 120-300 f2.8 which is a beast of a lens. I'd guess the former lenses may be more forgiving with regards to bad technique than the Sigma.

 

[cokebottles]

I suppose the next question should really be what other lenses do you have that you might be able to make use of?

I have my 18-55mm IS kit lens, lol. I switched over to a Canon 450D from my Olympus E330 a few weeks back. I'd like to try some of these L series telephotos before laying down any money on buying one. I've also never shot motorsports, so this should be interesting. I'm leaning more toward the 100-400mm. I figure that extra reach might end up being priceless.

Another point; will I be okay using the 100-400mm handheld - or is it a bit of a beast?

Thanks for all the help so far!

 

[Nod]

If you can afford it, the infield and pitlane pass is worth it since you can get to the inside of the pit exit where the drivers all do the practise starts, so you can get decent close up shots (albeit through the fences) of the drivers. The pit lane is open during the lunch break (or was a couple of years ago) and some teams allow quite close access.
Most of the track shots were at 300mm.

 

[stylgeo]

I second the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 + 1.4X. The lens is handholdable for short burst of photos, but I don't think that handholding the lens at Silverstone is an option, because you will lose more photos that way. Why not considering that lens with a monopod? That's what the pros do..

 

[andrewc]

The only passes available on the Silverstone website is general admission, and this year it seems you can't just turn up on spec and expect to get in.

So book your day off work and book a ticket whilst you still can.

VIP tickets and pit access is by invitation from a team or special arrangements.

 

[cokebottles]

So book your day off work and book a ticket whilst you still can.

Done it! The Sigma 120-300 looks a bit huge, and is way out of my budget. I think I've got the choice of lens sorted, so will have to book that in the near future. My only stumbling block now will be finding a place to shoot from on the day, and then actually taking the photos! I don't assume for a second that motorsport photography is easy. Does anyone have any tips for shooting through fences, just incase?!

 

[rhubarb]

There's always the F1 Paddock Club that Bernie runs thats available for all F1 races for absolutley stooopid money, somewhere in the region of £1,200 a day or something like that, you do get a glass or two of bubbly though !!!!

 

[Nod]

http://www.silverstoneracingclub.co.uk/Club_Benefits

So, join the club (which grants you pit and paddock access at testing) and enjoy the view from the inside of the track. £105 which gets you membership for a year and 2 guest passes - so 3 people @£35 each.

You also get access to the clubhouse (and bar) and the club's own stand opposite the pit lane.

I know it's not cheap but it does get great photo opportunities. And don't forget a pod of some sort.

 

[Nod]

I find that the easiest way to shoot through the fences is to start panning WAY before you plan to shoot so you're trying to focus on a moving target. That way the camera will ignore the fencing since it can't get a fix on it. The other option is to pre-focus on where the cars will be as they clip the apex of each corner then pan and shoot as the cars pass through.

Really wish I could make it up for testing but I'll have just got back from holiday and cash might be a bit tight!

 

[percymon]

The grandstand that is straight ahead as you drive through the main entrance to Silverstone gives you a view immediately after bridge and through the following complex of bends (Nuffield). On practice days there isn't that much activity in the stands (not for GT anyway, more for F1 i suspect) - you can easily shoot from the top 3 or 4 rows of seats and avoid most of the fencing (unless you want cars exiting under bridge for instance).


Anything around 250-300 mm is ideal for images to fill the frame, if you want close ups you'll really nned something more like 500-600mm.