Motorsport Photography Help !!!

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supafly

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Hi there everyone, I'm new here and this is my first kinda post. I recently purchased a Nikon D80 and am wondering what is the best setup for motor sport like rallying and the likes as i would like to get the best shots i can and if i can buy lenses sec to help me out then i will as long as the price isn't sky high. Thanks in advance.
 
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70-200 sort of range is as good as any :)
 
ive just photographed a rally in the forest of dean, i used a 28-50 and 70-300 and was not impessed with the results... will try again
 
Whats up with your current setup?


Nikon D80 | 55-200mm AF-S DX VR F4-5.6 | 50mm F/1.8 A/F D |
70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG | MB-D80 Grip | 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF

Possibly add a Sigma 24-70(?) F2.8
 
The best setup is all dependant on exactly what sort of motorsport you are wanting to do and how far away from the action you are.

I'd say your current kit should be fine, certainly for rallying where you are generally quite close to the action and even for track based motorsport dependant on the circuit (not Silverstone as the distances and wire fences are not tog friendly). I've got some shots I'm happy with at Oulton Park with my D80 + 70-300mm (no where near the 300mm end), the aperture isn't a problem if you shoot side on and pan, the blurred background comes from that (I'll try and dig up an example - but may have to wait as I think the photos are at home and I'm away on business this week).

To behonest to really capture the movement and excitement it's the skill of the photographer that will make the difference so my advice would be go with the kit you have now and master the craft first before spending vast quantities of cash on more lenses. Although if you do want to buy more I'd suggest going for f2.8's as these will be better in low light situations and to help control Depth of Field, they are also generally better quality glass. 80-200mm f2.8's are generally available S/H at reasonable prices if you can't afford or wait to save for the gold standard 70- 200mm f2.8 VR at £1.3K.
 
OP mentioned rallying. If forest stage rallying, light levels could will be low, so an f2.8 lens would give most accurate focussing, and you'll still have to raise ISO. If tarmac stage on airfields / circuits or open spaces, then current kit is ok as a starter kit.
 
Whats up with your current setup?


Nikon D80 | 55-200mm AF-S DX VR F4-5.6 | 50mm F/1.8 A/F D |
70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG | MB-D80 Grip | 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF

Possibly add a Sigma 24-70(?) F2.8


Theres nothing wrong with my current setup, im just looking for advice and if my lenses can be good then thats all the better :)
 
The best setup is all dependant on exactly what sort of motorsport you are wanting to do and how far away from the action you are.

I'd say your current kit should be fine, certainly for rallying where you are generally quite close to the action and even for track based motorsport dependant on the circuit (not Silverstone as the distances and wire fences are not tog friendly). I've got some shots I'm happy with at Oulton Park with my D80 + 70-300mm (no where near the 300mm end), the aperture isn't a problem if you shoot side on and pan, the blurred background comes from that (I'll try and dig up an example - but may have to wait as I think the photos are at home and I'm away on business this week).

To behonest to really capture the movement and excitement it's the skill of the photographer that will make the difference so my advice would be go with the kit you have now and master the craft first before spending vast quantities of cash on more lenses. Although if you do want to buy more I'd suggest going for f2.8's as these will be better in low light situations and to help control Depth of Field, they are also generally better quality glass. 80-200mm f2.8's are generally available S/H at reasonable prices if you can't afford or wait to save for the gold standard 70- 200mm f2.8 VR at £1.3K.

Yea I was looking at the 80-200mm f2.8, its not too badly priced although it is expensive saying I just bought the D80, might just have to wait a while but tbh, I would love the 2.8 VR but at around the £1.3k I dont think I would buy it, I think for that type of money you would need to be making a living out of it. lol.
 
OP mentioned rallying. If forest stage rallying, light levels could will be low, so an f2.8 lens would give most accurate focussing, and you'll still have to raise ISO. If tarmac stage on airfields / circuits or open spaces, then current kit is ok as a starter kit.


Yea most likely, well it will be like tarmac rallys and gravel with some forest ones.
 
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