Lens - Motor racing

[Beav]

Hello.

Ive been offered to go to a race day with a mate and his dad (ive been before just not when they were marshals and I didn't have a DSLR). Ive only got the standard 18-55mm lens for my canon 400D. Will this be good enough for some good'ish shots of the racing?

Thanks

 

[Houston1863]

Why don't you see if you can hire a zoom for the day or weekend? Depending on how far you are going to be from the track, anything up to 300 or 400mm would do. In fact I think a 70-200 would suffice too and you can crop if needed.

Your 18-55 would come in handy on a pits walkabout.

My 2c


Enjoy your day at the races!!!

 

[odd jim]

I'm afraid the 18-55 will be no where near long enough. You need to be looking at least 200mm, preferably 400mm + for motorsport, but as with a lot of things it depends where you are ( if you're at a small airfield location for example, you may get away with something stragetically placed).

I use a 70-200 with an x2 extender which gives me 140-400 mm (obviously, lol!) and still find myself wanting more reach. For years I used the brilliant little Canon 55-250 for a while though and got some very good shots.

Where is the event?

 

[ljphil78]

Your 18-55 might be ok, depending on how far away from he track you are, this was taken at just under 50mm on my 40D before i got my 70-200

 

[andyred]

Hi

Really depends on the circuit your going to as to what focal length is a minimum

eg @ Oulton Park you can use 200mm, where as Silverstone probably 300+ is needed.

If you are buying, the Canon 55-250IS is def worth a look and will match your current lens nicely for your photography.

The Canon 70-300IS is a belter and one I used for a long while for motorsport...

Alternativey you can look at hiring, you can then be looking at the L series


Hope you have a good day

 

[ljphil78]

Agreed about depending on the track , the pic I posted above was actually from brands hatch, but I wouldn't be without my 70-200 now

 

[pete.rush]

As comment above 18-55mm just too short. As its a race day rather than a track day, you'll have the problem of safety fences. This is the case for most circuits, ok there are area's where you can get close to the action without too much obstruction, but they're few. It depends which circuit you're going to? but most you are talking about a minimum of 300mm, most 500-600mm to shot through the fencing. If you what a decent set of images your best bet is to hire a lens, check out www.lensforhire.co.uk prices are very reasonable and you'll be able to get a decent lens for the day/weekend.

I personally won't buy a lens unless you serious about getting your money's worth out of it and although the 70-300, 70-200 and 55-250 have been mention, those definitely won't be my lenses of choice. It would also depend on your budget, but if its a once off, hire a lens and get something with abit extra zoom. 300mm is the minimum focal length, unless you want 200 shots, all from the same position on the track.