Canon 40d for motorsport

Fireproof Creative

Fireproof Creative

Messages
1,302
Name
Jonny
Edit My Images
No
After much deliberation and advice from you guys I have decided to raid the savings with the view to getting myself a 40d. I'd consider my self a complete amature when it comes to photography. Im really intrested in getting into motorsport photography and ill always be behind the fence so I'd like to know if anyone has some suggestions for a competent lens that will work for me (im talking in the £300-400 so no pie in the sky L series for me).

For the last 3 years i've been using a canon s3 bridge camera, and I think i've done alright. My gallerys here >>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/38302740@N07/?saved=1

the other thing I'd like to know is how much of an improvement will I see from upgrading to a DSLR. I regularly print at A3 I would ideally like to be able to go up to A2. The images at max on my gallery are about 1/3 original size from the 6mp s3is.

Will I be able to get a lens within my price range that can compete with my bridge or will crops from original work just as well from a Dslr.

Ive looked at lenses but I have little or no understanding of all the lengths fstop aperture numbers...ive come from a world that works in zoom levels 12x 14x etc so guidance in this area would also be most helpful.

Thanks in advance for any info you can give.
 
I may be selling my Sigma 100-300 f4 shortly. I've had lots of published motorsport work with this lens and a 40D. This is an ideal motorsport lens in terms of focal length and its constant f4 throughout the range.

Defining a lens as x-times is a bit misleading as it depends on the starting focal length.
According to DPREVIEW your S3 has a lens equivalent to 36 - 432mm.

There are very few slr lenses which cover such a huge range, a few hyperzooms from 28-300 but these are always flawed in some way.
 
I made a lot of motorsports photography using a Canon 20D so, I think you can't go wrong with the 40D.
Most of my shots were made with the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX andrewc is recommending you. You'll have a hard time to find a sharper zoom lens.
You may want to take a look at some MTF charts to check it's sharper than any of the 70-200's L lenses, no matter the aperture.
I just sold mine to keep the 200mm f/2.8 L II prime, which was lighter and better, as expected from a prime.
 
thanks for your suggestion andrew... as far as range im not likley to do a lot of close up work...it was rather the reach of the s3 that I'd like to compete with or better improve on. would the image quality be an improvement over the bridge at a similar crop or not?

Im interested in the lens ill have a look at the specs i still dont really understand all the numbers you guys are throwing at me :) how does the focal length compare to the 40d against the s3 with this lens you speak of :).

its likley to be 2 weeks before i jump in and order the camera...im just not sure which lens to get with it...if its better to get one with a kit lens or just a body and buy lens seperate
 
If you wanted to match the field of view the S3 gives with a 40D and lenses you will need to cover the range 36 - 432mm in 35mm terms.

The 40D has a crop sensor that is larger than the S3 but smaller than a full frame dslr or 35mm camera. This would require using lenses of roughly 22mm to 270mm to give something similar.

The kit lens is normally 18-55mm so this would handle the short end. The long end could be used with a 70-300 or 100-300mm lens. The bit in the middle can be done by moving in and out with your feet unless you choose a different short lens. 17-85mm for example or a 24-105 like me.

Once you've got the hang of it you should notice a improvement in quality as the sensor is bigger, especially in darker conditions (iso rating). Modern dslrs don't have a shutter lag as such unlike the older compacts I've used where you have to pre-empt the action.
 
andrewc said:
If you wanted to match the field of view the S3 gives with a 40D and lenses you will need to cover the range 36 - 432mm in 35mm terms.

The 40D has a crop sensor that is larger than the S3 but smaller than a full frame dslr or 35mm camera. This would require using lenses of roughly 22mm to 270mm to give something similar.

The kit lens is normally 18-55mm so this would handle the short end. The long end could be used with a 70-300 or 100-300mm lens. The bit in the middle can be done by moving in and out with your feet unless you choose a different short lens. 17-85mm for example or a 24-105 like me.

Once you've got the hang of it you should notice a improvement in quality as the sensor is bigger, especially in darker conditions (iso rating). Modern dslrs don't have a shutter lag as such unlike the older compacts I've used where you have to pre-empt the action.
Click to expand...

ok so if im talking about the long end, a lens for the 40d of anything around 300mm is going to allow me to get closer than the s3 does... Sorry if sound like an idiot, im new to this :) lol. Are the resultant images going to be of a high enough res to reproduce at A2? is this reliant on the MP recorded by the camera
 
that combo should work a treat
the 40D is rapid for shutter delay and FPS.
the onyl problem I have with mine I find is metering. however, if you're on a track and you can go manual it should work very nicely.
if you're printing A3 then shoot in RAW and do not skimp on the memory card
sandisk extreme III for example
if you get a cheapy one you'll regret it
 
Virtually any modern dslrs will print A3 - A2 sizes without problems. Printing is defined by the resolution of the camera and the dpi rate (dots per inch). Posters and big prints (eg billboards) are viewed further away than a 6x4 print so you can lower the dpi and get big prints. Can be confusing!
 
Canon S3 IS - 36-432mm (35mm equivalent)
Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX mounted on 40D - APC-S Sensor with 1.6X crop factor - 160-480mm (35mm equivalent)

Conclusion - The telephoto capacity of Sigma mounted on the 40D, is higher than the S3 IS.

I think we don't even have to talk about the difference in the results. :)
 
The 40D is a very capable body for motorsport and the 70-300IS will see you just fine.

If you are on a limited budget, you probably can't do better this side of at least twice the price.

If/when you have the money you can add a 300 prime to that (f4 or better f2.8) and you'll have no problem turning in some crackers.

One of my fellow togs has the 100-300 f4 mentioned in this thread and it seems a pretty good bit of glass too. Not sure its that much better than the Canon 70-300IS though that I had.... certainly the Sigma 120-300 2.8 is, but thats bucket loads more money.
 
desantnik said:
Not sure its that much better than the Canon 70-300IS though that I had.... certainly the Sigma 120-300 2.8 is, but thats bucket loads more money.
Click to expand...

The Sigma 100-300mm that I had, was better than the Canon 70-200mm f/4 L USM that i had before. Although the 70-300mm IS is an excellent lens, the 70-200mm f/4 L is a little better so, you may expect the Sigma to be much better.
The Sigma also has a much better built quality, a true HSM/USM engine (70-300mm IS has a micro type USM engine) and larger aperture.
Of course it's more expensive and it weights a lot (almost 1.5Kg)

By the way, if a fixed 200mm is practical enough for you, consider the Canon 200mm f/2.8 L II. Forgetting about some exotic beasts like the Canon 200mm f/1.8 L, you can't find a better 200mm. You can use it wide open all the time without concerning about the sharpness.
 
if your getting a telezoom for your motorsport, don't forget to get a standard zoom or prime for normal stuff, a 50mm f1.8 is 70 quid from kerso and gives you many more options
 
I have the 70-300 f4/f5.6 on a 40D body and it's been fine for Motorsport. Obviously there are better lenses, but mine has proved to give reasonable results (and with a pillock like me shooting, most would get "pretty good" results I would think).

Here's one from Druids when I first got the 40D

harris22.jpg


Hope that's of use.....

Steve
 
Don't get the 70-200L f/4 (non-IS). That can be had for under £400 now, I believe.
 
Whilst the 70-200 f4 is a good lens, in the zoom range of 70-210(ish) the 70-300IS is also f4 and as sharp as you like.

Plus, you have that extra 210-300 range for when things are further away.

I love my 70-200 on my Nikon, but you do need longer than that for motorsport. I'd be a bit stuffed if that was all I had for sure...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top