Suitable lens for Renault World Series, Silverstone

[DaveHope]

I'm heading to the Renault World Series at Silverstone in a few weeks time and am a little concerned about the focal length I'm going to need.

I've not shot at Silverstone before, or any motorsport, but will be taking my D7000 and 17-55 as a general walkabout lens and then my 80-200 for track shots. I'm planning to give panning a go, but is 200mm likely to be long enough or am I better renting a 1.4 or even 2.0 TC ?

Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[artyman]

I went to Silverstone for the first time this year for the BTCC press day, I think you will find 200mm a bit short for close shots. I was using my Sigma 150-500. And don't forget slower shutter speeds for blurring whilst panning I was using 1/320 I think 1/250 may have been better. Oh and take plenty of cards

Through the fencing so a wide aperture to blur it, watch your focusing.

Through a gap

 

[Flash In The Pan]

is 200mm likely to be long enough or am I better renting a 1.4 or even 2.0 TC ?

If you do they'll need to be Kenko ones unless your 80-200 is the AF-S model, as the Nikon tcs won't work with the older AF-D model.

 

[tdodd]

I went with a group of non togging friends back in 2008 with a Canon 40D and 100-400 lens. Being lumbered with friends I didn't have the flexibility to get to the best vantage points, but here are some samples of my results, uncropped at 200mm, 210mm and 400mm....

At shorter focal lengths, if shooting through fencing, it was a problem to throw the fence OOF when stopping down to small apertures to allow slower shutter speeds. At the time I did not have an ND filter, but these days I would take an ND8 to allow me to open up the aperture and still get acceptable pans - assuming sunny conditions.

So 200mm is not hopeless at all, but I think longer options would be beneficial.

 

[DaveHope]

If you do they'll need to be Kenko ones unless your 80-200 is the AF-S model, as the Nikon tcs won't work with the older AF-D model.

Thanks for the warning, but it's the AF-S one :thumb:

I guess I'll need to make the decision between renting a TC-20E or just rending the Sigma 150-500. Thanks for the sample pics and recommendations guys!