Im going to some racing. help

bravocars1 · Im going to some racing. help

Right im off to watch the touring cars at brandshatch this month, This is going to be my first real outing with the camera, So what does people think i should take and use? I have a canon 400d eos camera with 2 lenses. 1- 18-55 and 2- 55-200 do you reccomend a different one? if so let me know.

Also what sort of setting would be best?

Im currently queed for basic photography course but got a long wait so just want to get out there now and play.

Any help would be great

Venom

Hey bravo,

For fast moving things the ideal is a fast lens say an F4 and below but I wouldn't buy one special unless this will be more than a one off.
Shot in Aperture priority on the smallest F number your lens will go down to. It all depends on the conditions and lighting but look at ISO 400 and maybe above but I'd say you want a shutter speed of around 250 or above to freeze the action. You can play with the ISO to give you this. The small F number will give you a small DOF so making the cars stand out from the background.
Hope that helps!

Mike

Venom

Oops forgot to say if you have a tripod or mono pod you could try some panning shots or if your steady enough then theres no need for the tripod etc. This also allows you to use slower shutter speeds so making the background blurred and giving a sense of speed.
See Here

Evolution104

These sites have some good tips - one I would echo is to find a nice corner to shoot from.

Get Great Race Shots…Without A Press Pass

How to Photograph Motor Sports

hil26

can't help thinking that 200mm might be a bit on the small side - but taht will all depend on where you are spectating from

Best advise I can give is

enjoy yourself and remember to put the camera down so that you can actually see whats going on from time to time

bravocars1

cheers for you help so far guys and girls, If you think of anything else that might help please let me know,

i have a tripod so will be taking this with me.

derek

Follow some of the other photographers (not the vested ones who have special permits) to see where they are going to shoot from. Get as close and as low to the track as you can.

I was at Silverstone a couple of weeks ago and took about 1,000 photos! I tried all different settings just to see what worked and what didn't. Even shots taken on Auto were quite good although it freezes motion so car looks stationary rather than giving impression of speed. I did get a few blurred background shots but others were completely blurred!

I'd recommend a monopod as it's a bit more flexible than a tripod. I just got a good one for 10.99 from 7dayshop.

All the above advice is from a beginner so it may be a little too simple but just enjoy the day is the most important advice

cheers derek

bravocars1

I do enjoy racing a lot. once ive done the touring cars im of to the renault cup in september and then also a mate of mine does motorcross so going to go and get some pics of him.

So if i was to buy a lense for racing what would you guys and girls reccomend?

to be used with my 400d

hil26

Motorcross - get a lens long enough so you do not get covered in dust or mud!!

Venom

bravocars1

Thank you Venom, im looking at those lenses and also a 170-500 lense to. I will scout around and see what is the best price i can find.

Has anybody bought any lenses of ebay?

richard

Everyone has pretty much echoed what i said to you on MSN.

But i would also like to put another thing into the mix (hey its photography and there arent strictly any rules, apart from thirds Very Happy

)

Use TV, AV is great, but if you're wanting to slow something down using TV will give you an instant reference point, Ive got some excellent images in TV as well as AV, just i find TV a bit more instant.

Just remember the light levels, and ISO speeds. Otherwise your DOF may well end up too wide and the car/bike/object may not be fully focused.

Lenses off of ebay...personally i would never buy any camera kit off of ebay. Thats my personal choice of course, the risk of getting something with marks on it, mould! yes mould etc which could affect the image is too much of a risk when you can get a new one for not alot of difference, plus it will have a warranty.