What Lens for the British GP

Scottynoooo

Scottynoooo

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Scott
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Guys

Me and my Dad are going to Friday free practice at Silverstone with the sole intention of trying our hand at shooting F1 cars. Neither of us have done it before but really looking forward to the challenge.

We are looking at hiring a lens between us or one each for the day to make the most of the occasion. What would you recommend we get?

The highest top end I have is 200 f4.5
And the old man is 300 f4.5

Any suggestions? I want some thing with a bit of reach but don't want to spend a fortune renting it.

Scott
 
I don't think you should spend too long agonizing about the choice, Scott. The British GP is one of the biggest events in the calendar for lens hire and many people book way in advance. We have virtually no telephotos of any size available for that weekend, but if you let me know what camera(s) you have then when I get into the office I can compile a list of what we do have available.
 
StewartR said:
I don't think you should spend too long agonizing about the choice, Scott. The British GP is one of the biggest events in the calendar for lens hire and many people book way in advance. We have virtually no telephotos of any size available for that weekend, but if you let me know what camera(s) you have then when I get into the office I can compile a list of what we do have available.
Click to expand...

Cheers Stewart. My and my Dad both have Nikon D5000.
 
I've used a 200 at circuits and not found it long enough, and Silverstone is particularly unfriendly for spectators as you are so are from the track.
The only way you'll get above the fencing is if you have a grandstand ticket, and then you're going to need a very long lens.
 
Scott - The ONLY Nikon-fit lens we have available for that weekend that's longer than 200mm is a Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 zoom. It's huge, heavy and expensive, though arguably not inappropriate - I've had customers take 300-800s to various GPs in the past including Silverstone, Barcelona, Hungary, ...

The only other option we have is a 200mm f/2 VR with your choice of teleconverter. A TC-20E II would give you 400mm f/4 which would be very nice.

Every other Nikon super-telephoto (here is our complete list) is booked for that weekend - about 25 lenses in total. Sorry. Here is our complete Nikon availability chart.
 
I did some film shots at Silverstone a few years back (Schumacher won), using a Canon T90, using initially a 300mm f/2.8, then changing to a 500mm f/4.5, also tried 1.4x and 2x converters. Best shots I got were 'over the wire' from the Abbey (grandstand) and Luffield (bank), sadly both of these corners have been 'adjusted' in this years circuit revamp. Not sure what sort of tickets you have, but normal one day tickets don't give you open grandstand roaming ability, so look for areas where the banks give you a view over the fence, IIRC Luffield only needed a decent tripod and you can peek over the top of the fence. Try to get there early to get a decent spot. Most other places the fence is too high compared to a standing position.

You have an advantage using digital with the smaller sensor which gives you a mag factor so your small lenses will be longer. And of course you can always crop final pictures. Try not to use too fast a shutter speed that will 'freeze' the wheels (no more then 1/250), as your resultant pics will look like a parked car. Catching cars on corners is an advantage as they are slowest there (and you can get some nice angles), remember to pan with the car as it goes past.

Shooting on the day of the race is difficult because of the crowds and you'll be limited to your allocated stand or area.

Good luck and enjoy yourself.
 
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Don't waste your money....stay at home & watch vettel win it on telly in HD
 
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hate to sound like a party pooper but personally i wouldnt bother, its going to be rammed with people and waving a telephoto long enough to cover the massive run-offs around isnt going to make you any friends.
 
Went to the F1 in 2007, and was located in the Luffied stand. Used a Sigma 135-400 on my 350D and found that was too short as the cars came into view - the photos needed too much cropping. It was ok as the cars approached Woodcote, but then they were travelling a lot faster, and it was difficult to capture them between the posts, and other people's heads!! I was seated quite high up, but if you went to a lower level, the fences encroached on more of your view. Lack of experience, a cheap filter, and no IS meant that I didn't rate any of my F1 photos as "keepers" - I kept the shutter speed around 1/500 but still got blurry photos!

Hope you have a good day, and enjoy seeing Button 1st, Hamilton 2nd !!!
 
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