Camera for Motorsport
Discussion
Hi folks,
Looking for a little advice, its a few years since I've had any decent camera gear but after borrowing a friends Sony A77 and Sigma 100-300 to use at a couple of motorsport events I've got the bug again!
I didn't really get on with the EVF on the Sony however so I'm ideally looking at Canon/Nikon or Pentax but I'm not sure what body / lens would be the best combo for motorsport.
I'm probably looking at used and on the Nikon front the best buys would seem to be either a D7000 or a D300 / D300S but I wondered which would be better suited to motorsport, particularly weathersealing and focus speed?
Are there equivalent Canon bodies I should look at?
Also which telephoto lens would be reccomended? The Sigma 100-300 was a good lens but I'm aware that for a Nikon/Canon I'd need to buy lenses with VR built in which the Sigma doesn't...
Looking for a little advice, its a few years since I've had any decent camera gear but after borrowing a friends Sony A77 and Sigma 100-300 to use at a couple of motorsport events I've got the bug again!
I didn't really get on with the EVF on the Sony however so I'm ideally looking at Canon/Nikon or Pentax but I'm not sure what body / lens would be the best combo for motorsport.
I'm probably looking at used and on the Nikon front the best buys would seem to be either a D7000 or a D300 / D300S but I wondered which would be better suited to motorsport, particularly weathersealing and focus speed?
Are there equivalent Canon bodies I should look at?
Also which telephoto lens would be reccomended? The Sigma 100-300 was a good lens but I'm aware that for a Nikon/Canon I'd need to buy lenses with VR built in which the Sigma doesn't...
VR can be handy in some situations but often isn't required - just keep an eye on shutter speed - and of course the modern generation of DSLRs are very good at high ISO to help keep it up if necessary.
As for focus speed, choose a lens designated AF-S (Nikon), HSM (Sigma) or USM (Canon). Another aspect is focus tracking (ie adjusting automatically as target comes towards/away from you). Generally the more 'pro' the body and the more it costs, the better this will be.
Sports isn't my area but if I need to shoot something faster than a bride, I use a Nikon 70-300VR.
I also realised yesterday, on Mersea beach on a family assignment, how fast horses go!
As for focus speed, choose a lens designated AF-S (Nikon), HSM (Sigma) or USM (Canon). Another aspect is focus tracking (ie adjusting automatically as target comes towards/away from you). Generally the more 'pro' the body and the more it costs, the better this will be.
Sports isn't my area but if I need to shoot something faster than a bride, I use a Nikon 70-300VR.
I also realised yesterday, on Mersea beach on a family assignment, how fast horses go!
The 7D is considered the best (Within reason) Canon body for motorsport. I have one and its good. Not that a 50-60D won't get great results.
Lens wise the 100-400L will do most things motorsport wise, but costly if starting out.. 55-250mm is a great lens for the money. or one of the 70-300mm Canon lenses, there are a few and I'm no expert.
Lens wise the 100-400L will do most things motorsport wise, but costly if starting out.. 55-250mm is a great lens for the money. or one of the 70-300mm Canon lenses, there are a few and I'm no expert.
99hjhm said:
The 7D is considered the best (Within reason) Canon body for motorsport. I have one and its good. Not that a 50-60D won't get great results.
Lens wise the 100-400L will do most things motorsport wise, but costly if starting out.. 55-250mm is a great lens for the money. or one of the 70-300mm Canon lenses, there are a few and I'm no expert.
+1Lens wise the 100-400L will do most things motorsport wise, but costly if starting out.. 55-250mm is a great lens for the money. or one of the 70-300mm Canon lenses, there are a few and I'm no expert.
Have the same combination now, but started off with 350D
I faced the same choice between D300 & D7000 about 6 months ago although as an upgrade to getting back into photography and not specifically motor sport. I eventually settled on a second hand Nikon D300 (don't need video so discounted the 300s as a choice) as the D300 is classed as semi pro and has the better weatherproofing. I have taken a few motor sports shots with a very basic 70-300mm lens (not even VR!) and have been pleased with my decision so far!
Pricing is definitely in my mind, the D300 can be had used for about £400 and I'd imagine a D300s for a little more, the tougher body and weather proofing is attractive as I like landscape shooting too.
My only concern about the D300 is low light performance which I think is a little behind the D7000.
That said a purchase of a cheaper D300 over the D7000 would be to get me back into the game really as I think I'd like a D600 but theres no way I can afford that now!
My only concern about the D300 is low light performance which I think is a little behind the D7000.
That said a purchase of a cheaper D300 over the D7000 would be to get me back into the game really as I think I'd like a D600 but theres no way I can afford that now!
Total budget has not been mentioned as far as I can see. Realistically if you feel you need top end weather sealing and fast focus you're probably seeking what you get with top end bodies and the equivalent lenses. Weather sealing is a system thing rather than a component thing.
So, an off the wall thought from me.
Canon 1D3 seems to be shifting on eBay for about £850 these days. Pro quality weather sealing (with the right lenses and accessories) fast focus, good overall performance and up to 10fps for you motorsport satisfaction. (Buy big fast memory cards. Sensibly sized files but you are likely to create a lot of them). Built like an brick outhouse. Huge battery life. No video. .
Plus it looks 'right'.
Maybe outside your budget though. In which case ... get a bigger budget!
So, an off the wall thought from me.
Canon 1D3 seems to be shifting on eBay for about £850 these days. Pro quality weather sealing (with the right lenses and accessories) fast focus, good overall performance and up to 10fps for you motorsport satisfaction. (Buy big fast memory cards. Sensibly sized files but you are likely to create a lot of them). Built like an brick outhouse. Huge battery life. No video. .
Plus it looks 'right'.
Maybe outside your budget though. In which case ... get a bigger budget!
cmcivic said:
My only concern about the D300 is low light performance which I think is a little behind the D7000.
The brief was motorsport not low light... the D7000 may have the better sensor but is the rest up to it in terms of build, controls and AF?D300 is OK up to ISO 1600 I'd say; haven't tried a D7000.
Simpo Two said:
cmcivic said:
My only concern about the D300 is low light performance which I think is a little behind the D7000.
The brief was motorsport not low light... the D7000 may have the better sensor but is the rest up to it in terms of build, controls and AF?D300 is OK up to ISO 1600 I'd say; haven't tried a D7000.
cmcivic said:
Simpo Two said:
cmcivic said:
My only concern about the D300 is low light performance which I think is a little behind the D7000.
The brief was motorsport not low light... the D7000 may have the better sensor but is the rest up to it in terms of build, controls and AF?D300 is OK up to ISO 1600 I'd say; haven't tried a D7000.
I have not seen any mention of which lenses you have been looking at. My experience is you are better spending a higher proportion of your budget on the glass and compromise the body. Plugging a low quality lens onto a high end body will not give the results a quality lens on cheaper body will.
99hjhm said:
The 7D is considered the best (Within reason) Canon body for motorsport. I have one and its good. Not that a 50-60D won't get great results.
Lens wise the 100-400L will do most things motorsport wise, but costly if starting out.. 55-250mm is a great lens for the money. or one of the 70-300mm Canon lenses, there are a few and I'm no expert.
I bought a second hand 100-400L a few months ago, and I'm using it with a 550D currently. The lens is a bit of a luxury given the amount of use it sees, but sometimes it's just nice to have the right kit. Having said that, I agree the 55-250 is great for the price, and very easy to use. Have got some decent motorsport shots with the 100-400. eg:Lens wise the 100-400L will do most things motorsport wise, but costly if starting out.. 55-250mm is a great lens for the money. or one of the 70-300mm Canon lenses, there are a few and I'm no expert.
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