Silverstone - lens question.... another

mho

Messages
3,135
Name
Mark
Edit My Images
No
Well i'm off to the Renault weekend and am thinking of taking a long lens, as i dont shoot motorsport and have never been to silverstone i thought i would ask what length is the best for silverstone ?

Edit : i have 600mm or 400mm
 
Well i'm off to the Renault weekend and am thinking of taking a long lens, as i dont shoot motorsport and have never been to silverstone i thought i would ask what length is the best for silverstone ?

I might see you there then, think im heading down to it!

Sorry i couldn't answer your question though!

EDIT: Scrap that, when i went last year i managed with a 70 - 300mm lens, got some decent shots, just a case of finding the right spot
 
I took my 100-400 for the grand prix and didn't end up going over about 200, but I suppose it depends where you stand.
 
Depends if your signed on and your requirements? Is it on the full GP circuit? This makes a big difference as to the best shots. I've seen some belters from the Maggotts, Becketts, Chapel area (its the area that they change direction in with a grass run off area) on a 400 shot loose. The grass had stripes cut in it following the track. Stunning!
If you need the normal Silverstone start/finish line shot down the straight from copse then I've seen both 400 and 600 used and both are fine.
A 600 is good for the shots back up Farm straight from the Bridge. Nice and tight!
The others, like Vale, Abbey and around Luffield/Woodcote a 400 will be a bit tight, which is cool if the racing is close but if (when) they spread out it will be a one car only type of shot, if that makes sense. Depends on your requirements.
So choice of 400 or 600, how far will you be walking? Which do you find more comfortable panning with?
If it was me, 600 (I wish) on one and maybe a 300 or 70-200 on another body.
Have fun,
Shaun
 
I took my 100-400 for the grand prix and didn't end up going over about 200, but I suppose it depends where you stand.

I took my 70-200mm with a 1.4TC to the Grand Prix this year and for the race I was sat at Luffield and 280mm (200mm through the 1.4TC) wasnt quite close enough but at other parts of the track 280mm was more than enough, as the other guys have said it really does depend on where you are planning on sitting/standing (and your wallet size :P)
 
Thanks for the reply's guys,
think the 400 with 1.4 (when needed), i will be taking the 70-200 on the other body.
 
I don't know how well you can make these images out, but all these were taken at Silverstone at the Renault World Series last year. These were all shot with my 100-400 lens at 400mm on a 40D. Only the first image, top left, has been cropped. I did have other shots at other focal lengths, some as short as 100mm, but 400mm seemed favourite.

Since the fencing at Silverstone is bloody awful for public togging you need to know how close you can get to the fencing. Anything you can do to make the fencing blur into oblivion will be a plus, so the closer you can get, the better. If you will be stuck further back then maybe 600mm will help you cut through the fencing more. If you're on a body with a larger sensor than a 40D then the 600 should be strongly considered, I think. Of course, if your lens is a bit short, ou can crop. If your lens is too long then......?

I'm not a motorsports tog so take my comments with a pinch of salt, but that's my tuppence worth :)

20090702_170529_0010_LR.jpg
 
Back
Top