Motorsports lens 450D

Duncan16

Duncan16

Messages
123
Name
Duncan
Edit My Images
No
Hi, can anyone cast any light on the best type of lens to go for to be used for Bike/ Car racing? I have a 70-300 but still don't get good results for close up work? Any good sights and help on second hand suggestions or lens enhancers ?
 
I have a 70-300 but still don't get good results for close up work? what do you mean by this? is the lens for promo work on the cars and teams in the pits or actual action shots during the race? Are you accredited, meaning, do you have access to the inside of the track, or are you like most shooting from behind the fence, thus have obstructions and distance between you and the action, and finally what budget are you considering for the purchase of the lens. There's alot more information you need to give us before we can help you with recommendations.
 
Hi pete,

Sorry I am a new starter and not accredited. I am trying to take action shots from behind the fence areas. the work is just for me to start to get some experiance and you ask over a budget?? I would say up to £450ish
I am new and may just need more practice with my current set up.
 
The Sigma 150-500 isn't too bad for motorsports, obviously there are better lenses out there, but for sub £6/700 this one doesn't rank too badly.

Not the best examples, but for a rough idea heres some examples with the lens cars here and bikes here.

Hope that helps.
 
150-500mm in my personal opinion too slow for motorsport f6.3 wide open, stepped down, maybe, but unless you have the right conditions just not fast enough. Sigma 120-400mm f4.5-5.6 is probably more suited and within your price range just about (at least used), and is a slightly faster lens.
 
pete.rush said:
150-500mm in my personal opinion too slow for motorsport f6.3 wide open, stepped down, maybe, but unless you have the right conditions just not fast enough. Sigma 120-400mm f4.5-5.6 is probably more suited and within your price range just about (at least used), and is a slightly faster lens.
Click to expand...

Thanks Pete, once I find out how to add my shots I will post and look forward to your comments of my first outing.
Thanks for the help
 
Duncan16 said:
Thanks Pete, once I find out how to add my shots I will post and look forward to your comments of my first outing.
Thanks for the help
Click to expand...

Check out link for posting images from your flickr accounts....or use the gallery sapce on TP
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=166289

Just another question, as you were struggling with shots, was it the lens or the camera settings. What shutter speeds, apertures were you using to capture the images?
 
Hi Duncan,
I've got the Canon 70-300mm on my 40D and can get some good results.
I think the main issue is getting your settings right to keep the shutter speed up. if it's a bit gloomy then I'll be on iso 800 and not zoom in as much. If you are tying to pan then it's a bit of practice and start with a faster speed and get lower.
The 70-300mm is a good lens and the next step up would be looking at an L lens. 70-200mm F4 can be got for a reasonable price but you loose the top end. I find the 70mm fine for trackside panning shots but if you want to get the oncomming down the track shot you need the longer end.
 
I'd say that practice practice practice is more important (ish) than kit. The wonderful thing about digital is that it costs nothing to practice, fire away until you can prove to your bank manager that the kit is holding you back :D

I took this shot years ago with a 300D + "budget" Tamron 28-300mm. From what I remember the camera/lens was so "slow" that I had to use manual focus get the shots

fastgreen.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top