what lens

[will_ainsworth]

hi just wondering what an ideal lens would be for taking some motorsport shots...

basically a mate is going up for a driving experience up at thruxton and im going to go along and take some photos of him driving etc... i have only got the standard canon 18-55 lens but i think i may just be able to get hold of a 70-300 would that be an ideal lens or what would you recommend? cheers
will

 

[desantnik]

You need at least 200mm for Thruxton, maybe more depending on where on the track they are driving...

If you haven't got a big pile of cash, try the Canon EF 70-300 IS. That will work...

 

[dazzajl]

Unless things have changed at these Thruxton days, there is only really one place that you can shoot from. That's a viewing platform just behind the pit lane.

From there, a 300mm lens should be just fine. The pit straight is also speed restricted so he wont be passing by that quickly either.

 

[Shak]

The 70-300 will be a good starter lens for motorsport but once you improve you will want a 70-200 as that can be at any aperture throughout the entire focal range, ie 70-300 at 300mm will only be f5.6, but the 70-200 can be f2.8 anywhere in the range.

 

[pete.rush]

Depends what you want to spend. A budget for a decent motorsport lens can set you back abit. The 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS will get you started and is better than most at that price range. As for recommendations of a good motorsports lens, it really depends how close you can get to the action. Everyone loves the 70-200mm f2.8, but about £1000-1200, or its junior f4 lenses from £450, all very sharp lenses. The sigma 100-300mm f4 is a great lens for around the £700 mark, a very good lens. If the action is further away so you need the range, the canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 is versitile enough (although has problems focusing in poor light) or the sigma 80-400mm f4-5.6, both these lenses around the £800-1000 mark. Another lens loved by motorsport fans is the sigma 120-300mm f2.8, but price approaching £1600-1700 and then you have the primes, which are silly money.

Peter