Yet another panning advice thread...

[AndyC]

Hi all,

I wanted some specific advice on my panning technique, focussing in particular.

I tend to go to Drifting events and they all seem to like panning shots, which I have been working on.

Now, I have a 'bridge' camera (Fuji S9600) at the moment until I start taking pics that make me feel like an upgrade to a DSLR is justified. What I wanted to query about my technique is this.

What I do is to pre focus on a section of the track and hold the shutter release halfway until a car comes by then follow it and release the shutter. This seems to work most of the time but sometimes I will only get part of the car in focus nicely and say maybe the rear end will be out of focus.

I recently invested in a sturdy monopod which has helped to a degree but I still feel that something is lacking in my camera setup or technique. For example I can get nice shots at 1/160 1/120 1/100 but seem to hit my 'talent barrier' at 1/80 :bang: thing is that I have seen similar pics by togs who go to the same events as me as low as 1/40 and they have the car pin sharp! :shrug:

Any ideas and advice would be greatly appreciated!

Andy

 

[ekimeno]

OK, I don't shoot cars, but rather bicycles, but I can imagine that the speed of the panning would be the similar as with bike racing I'm standing 10-15 feet away from where the riders pass, whereas you might be standing further back? Hope that makes sense...

I would recommend loosing the monopod, and just try handheld. Also, if you're using IS, switch it off.... Depending on how fast the car is going, just start focusing on it from 5 seconds away from your position and hit the shutter release as soon as it passes. For pretty decent panning my shutter speed is around 1/320.... 1/40 sounds a bit scary... not really sure, but I usually follow the rule of - keep the shutter the same as your focal length - ie. 100mm - 1/100 or 200mm - 1/200.

In this shot my settings were 1/320 and focal length was at 55mm - very cautious to get the sharpness right. Rider is still sharp, but background is very blurred...

 

[AndyC]

Cheers for the advice...

Here is what I mean...

ISO 100, f4.5, 1/100

ISO 80, f4.5, 1/80

See how the latter is not as clear? Have I just hit my 'talent barrier' and need more practice?

Re the monopod - I was really shakey, maybe as it was bloody cold over the low season (Drift events tend to be on cold windy airfields) and I find the monopod great as I can only shake in one plane lol!!!

Cheers,
Andy

 

[ekimeno]

Yeah, 1/80 must be quite difficult to get a moving subject in focus - higher shutter speeds will get you sharper subjects, but, yes, practice makes perfect.

Those shots aren't bad! Keep trying, mate!

 

[StuntMonkey]

Hi Andy

welcome to the club

the best bit of advice i can give you is ditch the monopod, i tried for a while and found it limited me rather than helped.

for decent panning shots i tend to use 1/80 or 1/60 for drifting. though this does depend on the speed of the vehicle

i have been taking pics of drifting for a while(tbh the only thing i do seem to photograph!) and have to agree that it really is trial and error.
i started off with an early fuji bridge camera but just couldnt get the results i wanted so took the plunge anf got my 400d. i have to say it is the best thing i have ever done and it has enabled me to take exactly the pics i wanted, check out the link to my flickr page below and you will see the progress as time has gone on. some of the early pics('trampdrift sw' and 'trampdrift southwest part deux') were taken on my fuji, the set tdsw july was my first outing with the 400d and shows a marked improvement to say the least

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuntmonkey/

it is also very dependent on your angle. im lucky enough to have track access to my local event and get my best shots in the middle when they are drifting around me(even been used as a clipping point once or twice lol).
play with you possition, breath slow, keep smooth... and dump the monopod!

good luck

 

[AndyC]

Thanks again for all the advice!

I guess I need to just keep practising!

 

[StuntMonkey]

where is your nearest drifting spot btw?

 

[andrewc]

Now, I have a 'bridge' camera (Fuji S9600) at the moment until I start taking pics that make me feel like an upgrade to a DSLR is justified.

At the moment you're fighting against the limitations of the camera. Get the dslr and you'll find an increase in keepers as the camera is faster, and image quality.

 

[AndWhy]

There's some useful info above but I haven't noticed anyone mention the obvious. Particularly with drifting shots, the front and rear of the car can be following a different trajectory (sometimes at marginally different speeds).

If my calcs are right, at 60mph the car will travel approx 30cm in 1/80 sec. That's not impossible to pan with, but it does mean that if the back of the car swings round, say, 3 - 4.5cm more than the front, the difference in sharpness will start to show.

1/125 - 1/200 is probably your best shutter speed range IMO

 

[StuntMonkey]

If my calcs are right, at 60mph the car will travel approx 30cm in 1/80 sec. That's not impossible to pan with, but it does mean that if the back of the car swings round, say, 3 - 4.5cm more than the front, the difference in sharpness will start to show.

its very very rare that you get the chance to see 60mph drifting in the UK as most of the practice spots are far too small and any tracks where these speeds are likely you cant get close enough or a decent vantage point(without a pass).

1/125 - 1/200 is probably your best shutter speed range IMO

speaking from experiance i can tell you that alhough you will get very nice crisp photographs at this range you just dont get the sense of movement to make the shot with the speed the car is likely to be going. the car might as well be parked.

 

[AndyC]

where is your nearest drifting spot btw?

Either Santa Pod or Silverstone are my closest spots, I usually get good access so long as I wear a hi-vis. So 60mph shots are possible! And like you, I have been used as a clipping point in the past too, that kept me on my toes I can tell ya!

Looks like I will have to save up some pennies and take the plunge in to DSLR land.

Thanks again for the tips and advice!

 

[PsiFox]

At the moment you're fighting against the limitations of the camera. Get the dslr and you'll find an increase in keepers as the camera is faster, and image quality.

Agreed the inherent delay between shutter press and click plus the inability to view through the lens is costing you already.