Lens hire for F1 motorsport, recommendations?

AndyBakerUK

AndyBakerUK

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Have a weekend away later in the year to go see the F1 racing and will be taking my camera along but mindful my current longest lens (24-105L) may not be long enough so am considering hiring a lens for the weekend to take with me.

As I’m only hiring I’m trying not to go mad budget wise but have the following short listed:-

Canon EF 300mm f/4 L IS USM - £61.00 (fixed length maybe a problem)
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM - £64.00 (possibly too slow)
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM - £57.00 (maybe too short)

Which of the following would be recommended or should I be considering something else and upping the budget?

Thanks
Andy
 
What track you going to? Always helpful to know :)
 
Definately helps to know what circuit. If you go to Monaco next weekend, then you can get away with your 24-105, as you can get very close to the track. Last year I only took the 70-200 to Abu Dhabi, and didn't feel I needed anything longer. Silverstone is different, and a 100-400 would probably work best.

Nick
 
I think the 100-400 will give you most flexibility. I didn't find it too slow when I hired one for a MotoGP race last year.
 
You don't have to worry about lenses being too slow! Usually I can't stop them down enough without diffraction to get a slow enough shutter speed to get some motion in the wheels. If its a bright day I usually use f/8-f/11. Personally I'd get the 100-400 incase you cant get close and need more reach.
 
I posted some images from 2006 that I took at the F1 at Silverstone on another thread.

They were shot with a Sigma 50-500 which is f4-6.3, and it was plenty quick enough (albiet in sunshine - since used it successfully on overcast day) and it gave me the flexibility to grab some fairly decent (amateur) shots by varying the focal length.

That in mind if you are talking about Silverstone, I deffo echo the earlier recommendations of the 100-400. Although, if you can stretch to it, the 300mm would be a lovely option to have alongside the 100-400 and your 24-105! :D
 
GSXRMovistar said:
Have a weekend away later in the year to go see the F1 racing and will be taking my camera along but mindful my current longest lens (24-105L) may not be long enough so am considering hiring a lens for the weekend to take with me.

As I’m only hiring I’m trying not to go mad budget wise but have the following short listed:-

Canon EF 300mm f/4 L IS USM - £61.00 (fixed length maybe a problem)
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM - £64.00 (possibly too slow)
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM - £57.00 (maybe too short)

Which of the following would be recommended or should I be considering something else and upping the budget?

Thanks
Andy
Click to expand...

The 70-200 would be a waste of time, too short.... You'll have to contend with safety fencing, run offs, etc, you wouldn't be that close to the action unless you'll have a media pass and will be on the other side of the fence with no obstructions. As for a suitable lens, that will all depend on light conditions on the day (something you can't predict), the 100-400mm would be the most practical, but you'll need to more research on where you'll be and what views / obstructions that maybe in the way.

Melbourne, street circuit, fantasticly close to the action, but safety fencing/barriers made photography for no media togs fairly impossible to get clear shots of the cars. Even Silverstone, you'll struggle with a 400mm lens to get great shots from behind the fence.
 
Spend the lens hire money on upgrading to hospitality and enjoy the show...

You aren't going to end up with photos like you see in the magazines, so just take some wide angle snaps of the event for your album and then kick back with some alcohol.

Just my two roubles of advice...
 
desantnik said:
Spend the lens hire money on upgrading to hospitality and enjoy the show...

You aren't going to end up with photos like you see in the magazines, so just take some wide angle snaps of the event for your album and then kick back with some alcohol.

Just my two roubles of advice...
Click to expand...

Sounds like the best plan to me. LOL!
 
Well I'll be there for four days so will see the practice, qualifying, and race so hopefully plenty of time for a mix of photography, relaxing, and plenty of beer. :D
 
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