Motorsport Lens Dilemma

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toyanorak

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Phil
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Hi to you all,

Yes, I’m a newbie to the forum and only found it a few weeks ago – what have I been missing!

So, my dilemma is I want to replace my old Sigma 70-300 Macro, with a better zoom primarily for motorsport.

The issue I have is that my main circuits are Silverstone where I need as much zoom as possible and Goodwood, where for the Revival I can get close to the action and need the lower end at 70mm. The 300mm is useful, but could live with 200mm.

I’m running a D70 (yes old, but not ready to change just yet), so one obvious choice would be the 70-200 f2.8, but would still need something for Silverstone.

My thought is to replace my current zoom with the 70-300 vr and then look at a sigma 150-500. Another thought is to go for the sigma 50-500 – I understand this is a bit of beast.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I don’t want to spend 1000’s and would probably look for a mixture of new and used.

Phil
 
70-300 is actually a good range for motorsport for most people, so I would suggest a good 70-300 or 100-300 eg constant f4 or even f2.8 and then use a x1.4 TC for extra reach when necessary.

However a newer body with more megapixels would allow more aggressive cropping.

The Bigma or 150-500 are fairly slow in aperture but some people use them with quite good results.
 
Hi Phil!
I'd certainly recommend the 70-300vr. I bought one a while back to fit my D40, and love it.

I took it karting last night and got some good shots. i'll post a link here as soon as i've downloaded them.

I think that you may be lacking in zoom a bit with a 200, especially at silverstone where you can't get really close to the action. although a f2.8 would be tasty. ;)
when the light started getting poor last night I had to drop the shutter speed considerably and raise the ISO from 200 to 800 to get anything half decent.
I guess a decent f2.8 would help with that and with a higher MP body, as andrewc suggested, would allow a bit of digital zoom afterwards.

if you've not used it before, the VR function is excellent btw.
 
how about the sigma 70-200 and 1.4x teleconverter? giving 280mm f4.:D
 
sigma 120-300mm f2.8
 
Thanks guys for all the comments.

Agreed the 120-300 would be good, but the price is the downer (I know I should have bought one in Dubai two years ago!) and would still need something at the lower end.

I hope to be able to borrow a 70-300 vr soon and will try that at Silverstone.
 
Definitely try the 70-300VR - you will be impressed that you get so much for so little!

The Siggy 100-300 f4 seems the next step up, before you go to the 120-300 2.8.

Thats assuming you want one lens to do it all :D
 
I know i'm faily new to this, but I would have thought the best option would be a 70-200mm f2.8 with a x1.4 TC for Silverstone, which would keep the size and weight down. I dont think the IS is really necessary for motor sport, but thats only from my limited experience.
 
70-200 2.8 and TC keeping the weight down???

1310g for the lens plus 220g for the 1.4x TC = 1530g

The 70-300IS is 630g, which is almost a third of the weight!!

*edit* I know the OP was asking about Nikon, but its virtually the same there. I use the 70-200VR sometimes with a TC and its definitely a heavy beast, I don't need the figures, my aching back tells me all I need to know after a weekend of it! Remember when you add a TC you move the weight of the lens away from the body by the depth of the TC, using basic physics of force/distance you create more force (aka "weight") on the other end - the bit you are holding!
 
70-200 2.8 and TC keeping the weight down???

1310g for the lens plus 220g for the 1.4x TC = 1530g

The 70-300IS is 630g, which is almost a third of the weight!!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have to agree.

The VR isn't a necessity for motorsports, but it does however have a rather clever function whereby the multi-axis accelerometers can tell if you are panning, and therefore damp vertical movements without affecting horizontal. if you're talking shots with vehicles coming head-on towards you/away from you and you're at a 300mm focal length without a tri/monopod, i'd be very impressed if you can produce a sharp image unless you have enough light to be able to up shutter speed pretty high. VR will help with this.
 
Which sigma?
 
Well, the quote of me did have 70-200 and 70-300 in it and sigma make both of those :D

I handhold the 70-200VR with TC or SB900 all day, but its not the "weight saving combo" that was mentioned up this thread a bit... its heavy!
 
desantnik said:
70-200 2.8 and TC keeping the weight down???

1310g for the lens plus 220g for the 1.4x TC = 1530g

The 70-300IS is 630g, which is almost a third of the weight!!

*edit* I know the OP was asking about Nikon, but its virtually the same there. I use the 70-200VR sometimes with a TC and its definitely a heavy beast, I don't need the figures, my aching back tells me all I need to know after a weekend of it! Remember when you add a TC you move the weight of the lens away from the body by the depth of the TC, using basic physics of force/distance you create more force (aka "weight") on the other end - the bit you are holding!
Click to expand...

Keeping the weight down was a reference to the Sigma 500mm zooms that was suggested as an addition to a possible 70-200 f2.8
 
I use Nik 70-300 VR for motorsport you may struggle at Silverstone however anything longer than 300 handheld is a bit iffy unless using high shutter speeds, which are generally no good for motorsport as you lose the sense of speed. However dont use a TC with the 70-300VR IQ is affected and you need plenty of light.
 
andrewc said:
He doesn't want to spend thousands. A new one is about £ 2300

Sigma 100-300 f4 is a good alternative.
Click to expand...

Most ebay 120-300mm go for about £1000.
 
Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. As I tend to shoot panning shots the 70-300 vr would be the logical choice. This would be my choice for Goodwood as I don't need the length. I would still like around 500mm for Silverstone, so will see what the second hand market has on offer.

I'm thinking of hiring some lenses and TCs and trying at a club meet at Silverstone - although a bit of a cost, should save money in the liong term.
 
I was shooting 420mm (on a Canon 30D) at Silverstone and then cropping heavily...
 
Some examples from my very first motorsport outing with the Nikkor 70-300mm AF-S VR:

1.
4604_108722348034_743953034_2774889_5286613_n.jpg


2.
4604_108722318034_743953034_2774885_1706666_n.jpg


3.
4604_108722483034_743953034_2774909_1160532_n.jpg



No very good pictures, and I know that this probably isn't the type of msport you'll be shooting, but i've not yet been anywhere else to take my telephoto :( Was very difficult to get any panning shots from the spectator enclosure :bang:
 
personally I would go for 2 lenses consider the different types of circuits and distance from the subject.

a nice 300mm f4 and perhaps an 85mm f1.8 :D, but thats just me
 
Your 70-300 range should be fine for most situations but you may need extra reach depending upon the circuit.

I shot this at 275mm on a 1.3x crop 1D Mark III with Canon 100-400:

OultonPark01.jpg
 
Thanks jammy_c. Believe it or not that was my first stab at any form of Motorsport. However, I did go with a fellow member of the local camera club and his help and knowledge of the course (Oulton Park) was invaluable.
 
I had the 120-300 as mentioned, 100-300 and now the 70-200 VR

I can say that you need more than 200mm

I found me needing beyond 200 alot over the weekend, its a good job I had access to a 1.7x converter to help but if you want something for silverstone you really need to go beyond 300
 
I used my Nikkor 70-300mm AF-S VR at Silverstone recently for the EDC/Time Attack event. Around the complex (shooting from Luffield across towards Brooklands) and the infield at Copse (from the end of the temp grandstand it was just about enough without any cropping. Althought I can understand you'd need more at other times.

This lens has been my best investment so far and is a very good quality piece of kit. I know prices have gone up slightly since I bought mine (2nd hand on here) but they are definitely worth the money without being bank breakers :)

Let us know which way you go.
 
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