Motorsport lenses

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Simmy

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Hi Guys,

I may have managed to land my self a job with a media company that puts me on the right side of the fence..

Most of the talk on here is about using massive lenses as you can be far from the track.

if i am actually right next to the track will i get away with using a 70-200mm 2.8?

Cheers
 
Depends entirely on the tracks and where on the track you are! Some, yeh, I'd say you probably would, others, definitely not!
 
It depends which circuits/corners you will be at and if you are covering bikes or cars. In many cases you'll be at best just a few feet in front of the fence so not that much closer.

I would say a 70-200 with a 1.4x convertor on a crop body you'll be fine for many circuits if you are prepared to crop a bit from time to time.

Remember also that you'll not always be taking shots of the action at the closest point to the track, but instead might be further away capturing cars/bikes coming out of the corners which needs a longer focal length if there is a big run-off area.
 
There's no "one size fits all" answer - everything will be compromised somewhere.

While a 70-200 on a crop body, especially with a 1.4x TC, will be suitable for most circuits, it might not get you something you want/need at another. I used pretty much every lens in my bag for motorsport, from the 14-24 and Fisheye, through the 70-200 range and up to 400mm plus TC.
 
cheers guys!

i own a sigma 70-200mm 2.8 already its not the greatest but ill keep it i think.

and look at maybe getting something that lets me go 400mm ish.

will purchase a 1.4tc as well thanks for your advice
 
Also depends on your style, or the style you're being asked to fulfill, but ask most motosport photographers if they'd like a longer one (oo-er) and most will say yes, but there will always be the requirement of something in the 70-200 range.
 
After being lucky enough to have the use of a 400mm 2.8 for the last year i have concluded that it's very nice for the 5% of the time you need 400mm at f2.8. However the rest of the time you are just lugging around a massive lens for no reason. And it means that when you think you might have spotted an angle, you are less prone to stop and actually look at it.

I take better photos when i'm not carrying the 400mm. However for those shots that require 400mm it's epic. But I think you need to set out with a plan and stick to it.

70-200 is King.
 
the ideal would be 2 bodies/lenses 70-200 f 2.8 and the likes of a 400 mm prime or as said a 70-200 mm and a tc and pos a 24-105 or the likes for the odd close ups
 
For motor GP I use one FF body with a 70-200 f/2.8 and the second FF body with a 600 F/4 and monopod. The third body (my mate) to carry it.
 
went with the 70-200mm and a x1.4 TC on a full frame its if its not far enough ill use it on the crop
 
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