lens for capturing motorsport

Kev_mk3

Kev_mk3

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Kevin Greaves
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ok im a massive motorsport fan and im looking to get a lens to help with this/ been advised a UWA (10-20) but wasnt sure!

is there a better option out there ( that doesnt cost a million pounds!! ) or is this the one to go for??

also wheres best to get things like these?

:help:

i have a canon 350d if that helps.


Kev
 
UWA is not what you want for motorsport. You could get some arty shots with one, but whoever gave you this advice needs a slap.

For circuit work, you need a long zoom 70-300mm or 400mm !

I use a Sigma 100-300 f4 which is a mid range - semi-pro level lens. It doesn't cost a million pounds.

For rallying you can often get closer, so a shorter zoom range is needed. But its often darker if in forests, so you need good fast glass.
 
Yep, andrew is right, Kev. Forget the UWA. Get a zoom telephoto lens for motorsports.

Have fun!
 
I have an Eos 350D, like yourself, and I have found the 70-300mm IS lens very useful for Motor sport work. I think there's one in the For Sale section too...

Here it is... <link>

.
 
cheers guys ill see what moneys like after ive paid my car insurance :)
 
Depends on the circuit as well. At Oulton Park anything over about 150mm is too much! Great views there, recommended.
 
andrewc said:
Rockingham - carp for photography, so don't bother going.
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That makes me feel less bad about missing the 2 events I wanted to go to at my local circuit!

Currently I have a 75 - 300 III USM (can't remember the aperture range off the top of my head) but was thinking of replacing it with a 70 - 200 f4L as that is meant to be a great lens for snowboard photography which is what I mainly do. Will the 70 - 200 be too short for motorsport stuff?
 
well theres only 3 tracks i go to! :woot:

Oulton Park
Lemans ( for the 24hr )
The Ring ( nuremberg ring )

;)
 
There are one or two places to take shots from Rockingham, but unless you're high up in the stands, you're shooting through a fence, and if you are in the stands, the cars are close to the fence anyway. You can get some if you can get to the paddock and climb on top of the pit garages, but not worth going to unless you've got free tickets or media credentials to get on the other side of the fence.
 
70-200 could be fine if your body has a magnification factor it'll make it a bit longer anyway. I've been going to Silverstone for years and it's generally poor for pics cos everything is a long way off, high fences, huge gravel traps etc. Never been to Donnington but probably OK and Castle Combe is also very good.
 
I followed by brother racing our F3 single seater last year, and the best circuit for photography was Brands, with Mallory and Castlecombe and Snett being pretty good. Silverstone - OK but need reach. Rockingham - disappointed.

This year we're going to Cadwell Park and Oulton Park and Anglesey. Donington was on the calender but has been cancelled as Mr. Red Bull has more money than our club...
 
I've just bought the Sigma 70-300mm APO DG to use for motorsport. I was advised to buy this one ( within my low budget), I hope it does the trick. It just arrived today so haven't got any test shots done yet.

POintless post i know, sorry
 
Kev_mk3 said:
well theres only 3 tracks i go to! :woot:

Oulton Park
Lemans ( for the 24hr )
The Ring ( nuremberg ring )

;)
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Brands is good, bikes & cars.....

Le Mans,is pants, every time I've been there it's p***ed with rain :(
 
I've just bought a 70-200 F4 L IS, with 1.4x extender, hoping it will be the business for motorsport where the cars aren't miles away!
 
Jelster said:
Brands is good, bikes & cars.....

Le Mans,is pants, every time I've been there it's p***ed with rain :(
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it seems to be every 3 / 4 years it rains so you have had bad luck :thinking:
 
I have 100% with rain, but then I've only been once...

Now the 'ring on the other hand, that IS the place to be!
 
daveb99 said:
I've just bought a 70-200 F4 L IS, with 1.4x extender, hoping it will be the business for motorsport where the cars aren't miles away!
Click to expand...

I have the 70-200 F/4 non-IS, great lens. With the extender it will offer a useable range for Motorsport.

In respect of lenses and circuits my thoughts are much like everyones, the longer the better, however the ability to cover the middle ranges with sufficient quality is also necessary.

I have found 200 restrictive to a point on any circuit I have been to. It simply doesn't offer quite enough distance for the closed crops, but it is an ideal distance for nice pans (especially as the shutter speed can be dropped for greater background blue). With my 300 I am looking forward to some happy hunting this season particularly at Silverstone.
 
I wouldn't say a UWA is useless for motorsport, certainly not my first choice, and certainly not for track work. For track work a 70-200/2.8 IS, 300/2.8 IS or 500/4 IS depending on how far away you are. For pit/paddock work a WA helps, I have used a 15mm Fishy to great effect, otherwise on a 1.6x cropper any 17-85 or 24-70 will be useful.
 
Kev_mk3 said:
The Ring ( nuremberg ring )
Click to expand...

Repeat after me:

Nürburgring

Not Nurembergring! :bonk::bonk::bonk: That is on the other side of Germany!

One of my pet hates that many people say! :bonk::bonk:

I use a 70-200 f2.8 for motorsport photography.
 
Shak said:
Repeat after me:

Nürburgring

Not Nurembergring! :bonk::bonk::bonk: That is on the other side of Germany!

One of my pet hates that many people say! :bonk::bonk:

I use a 70-200 f2.8 for motorsport photography.
Click to expand...

sorry :nuts:
 
dolomitefan said:
Depends on the circuit as well. At Oulton Park anything over about 150mm is too much! Great views there, recommended.
Click to expand...

Ideal lens for Oulton Park would be the Sigma 100-300 f/4.

Taken with the Sigma 100-300 @ 300mm as the bike is going into cascades.

489842319_cde0bc5627.jpg
 
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