Timid about owning a DSC-R1 on here

[V8HSV]

This is only my second posting here although I view this section every day & find it more interesting than the HSV & Monaro forum that I really belong to, I would like some advice as a novice photographer.

Being a ‘baby’ I steered away from a proper camera & bought at the time what I thought best ‘point & shoot’ camera, a Sony DSC-R1 being brought up with Cybershots it seemed the right thing to do. After a while it was very apparent it was not the best choice for action shots or motorsports for which I would like to use it. I also thought, no detachable lens so I won’t be spending a fortune on addition lens, wrong again as I bought the wide angle & telephoto lens & adapter, alone costing more than the camera.

To my question, I want to take shots from a track day my boss is organising on the 21st at Brands and I think I will get the other side of the fence after signing a media form, no doubt a disclaimer. If the cars are next to stationary I won’t have any problems, would I be best using the green idiot button for auto everything or try and focus manually following the car before pressing the button?

Any tips on manual mode appreciated, I have a good telescopic single leg stand to use.

[itsnotarace]

Beg, borrow or steal a DSLR and stand inside Druids Hairpin. You won't need credentials as you'll be within arms reach of the cars anyway.

Your problem with the P&S will be two fold - shutter lag and focussing. It won't do either well enough for moving vehicles unless you fluke it, and your hit rate (car in the frame and in focus) will be in the region of 1 in 100

Edited by itsnotarace on Thursday 11th February 14:39

[V8HSV]

itsnotarace said:

Beg, borrow or steal a DSLR and stand inside Druids Hairpin. You won't need credentials as you'll be within arms reach of the cars anyway.

Your problem with the P&S will be two fold - shutter lag and focussing. It won't do either well enough for moving vehicles unless you fluke it, and your hit rate (car in the frame and in focus) will be in the region of 1 in 100

Edited by itsnotarace on Thursday 11th February 14:39

Thanks for that, I will do exactly what you say, good job I know someone who will help me out, cheers.

[baz7175]

R1 is great (I've 2 of them for static stuff as well as my 40D and 400D), but the R1's major downfall is fast movement - it will still do an "ok" job, but nothing up to what the "real" SLR's do.

[baz7175]

Just to show that the R1 can do a fast movement panning shot:-



Shot at Castle Donnington a few years back during a PCC race...

[V8HSV]

baz7175 said:

R1 is great (I've 2 of them for static stuff as well as my 40D and 400D), but the R1's major downfall is fast movement - it will still do an "ok" job, but nothing up to what the "real" SLR's do.

Don't feel so embarrased now, I own two R1's, one with the telephoto lens attached at all times & as you say, if it is stationary it will perform OK.