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[egor110]

I've spent this year shooting superbikes with a nikon d60.

Been pretty happy with my pictures apart from 2 things, it struggles in poor light so have to knock the shutter speed down and pictures are grainy, also i can take 5 pictures in the same spot only 1 will be nice and in focus despite the fact i'm locking on the auto focus as early as possible and tracking the bikes around.

I have a £100 voucher for pc world so thinking of getting the nikon d5100 on sale for £430 plus nikon do a £50 cash back so it would cost £280.

From what i've read the iso range is wider and it has 11 point autofocus rather than the 3 points my d60 has.

 

[pete.rush]

I've spent this year shooting superbikes with a nikon d60.

Been pretty happy with my pictures apart from 2 things, it struggles in poor light so have to knock the shutter speed down and pictures are grainy, also i can take 5 pictures in the same spot only 1 will be nice and in focus despite the fact i'm locking on the auto focus as early as possible and tracking the bikes around.

I have a £100 voucher for pc world so thinking of getting the nikon d5100 on sale for £430 plus nikon do a £50 cash back so it would cost £280.

From what i've read the iso range is wider and it has 11 point autofocus rather than the 3 points my d60 has.

What lens(es) do you use. A new body will improve things so much (unless you're top end), but the lens is the major step changer, especially for motorsport. F4-5.6 lenses just don't cut the mustard in more challenging conditions.

 

[egor110]

What lens(es) do you use. A new body will improve things so much (unless you're top end), but the lens is the major step changer, especially for motorsport. F4-5.6 lenses just don't cut the mustard in more challenging conditions.

My only lens is a nikon af-s 55-300 f/4.5-5.6g ed.

My best pictures this year have been from brands hatch in july when we had brilliant sunshine, my worst have been silverstone for world superbikes where it tipped down. No matter how low i went with the shutter speed it was too dark.

What would you recommend i get with a budget of £300? would the wider iso range of the 5100 help with the light or should i just accept that i', wasting my time shooting in rainy, dull conditions.

 

[pete.rush]

In good conditions your lens would be ok, good light = good images if you get the basic's right. The problem comes when you lose the light and things become more challenging. I was a Silverstone for the WSBs and those were seriously challenging conditions, especially for the races.

OK a body with the current ISO capabilities will improve matters, especially over your D60 but not with your lens.

If you're really serious about capturing motorsport in challenging conditions, then you're talking more than your current budget. Save your money.

Should I just accept that I'm wasting my time shooting in rainy, dull conditions

You said it.... Good images are all about the light, its knowing when to give up and watch the racing

Good light at Silverstone

Pitch Black Pouring with Rain at Brands

Kit used 1D MKIIn and 300mm F2.8 lens