Trackside Photography - Equipment Recommendations?

[Adenauer]

I'm thinking of taking up trackside photography at the ring and wondered if anyone could point me in the right direction of Camera, Lens, etc. for a beginner please?

No idea really of budget, maybe €1,000 or so max. I don't want to splash out a stupid amount of money in case I don't get on with it

Thanks in advance.

[ESDavey]

I would suggest you think about the style of shots you want to take.

Panning shots need quite a low spec camera because its more about technique. Freezing the action from a distance will need a long lens with a wide exposure and this is where the serious money needs to be spent.

I'm a Nikon fan & would suggest looking for a 2nd hand D7000. These are strong camera's so a 2nd hand purchase should be ok. The kit lens was 10-105mm so add a 300mm and you should be good to go.

These are my attempts at panning @ Jarama http://www.esdavey.com/gallery_527838.html

[nellyleelephant]

For that budget, Canon 1DMK2, and a version of the 70-200 (probably F4 non IS). That's what I would do anyway.

You would have to be pretty close to the track though.

Or start saving, 1DX, 400 2.8

[richwig83]

Canon 40D and a 70-300mm IS lens....

[Adenauer]

ESDavey said:

These are my attempts at panning @ Jarama http://www.esdavey.com/gallery_527838.html

Love those shots!

Thanks for the advice so far

I'll be standing right behind the armco, so not far away

[markmullen]

nellyleelephant said:

For that budget, Canon 1DMK2, and a version of the 70-200 (probably F4 non IS). That's what I would do anyway.

Exactly what I would recommend.

You could add a 1.4x converter too if you needed more reach.

[Adenauer]

markmullen said:

nellyleelephant said:

For that budget, Canon 1DMK2, and a version of the 70-200 (probably F4 non IS). That's what I would do anyway.

Exactly what I would recommend.

You could add a 1.4x converter too if you needed more reach.

Mark, care to explain to a total novice what a 1.4x converter is and what it does please? I really am a total newbie on this.

Just registered www.ringphotos.net though. It's going to be huge!!!

[Adenauer]

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Canon-EOS-1D-Mark-II-8-2-MP...

http://www.ebay.de/itm/CANON-EF-70-200-1-4-L-USM-C...

Correct?

[nellyleelephant]

It kind of does what it says on the tin.
The 70-200 will become a 98-280 and lose a stop of light, so it becomes f5.6, focus will slow slightly too.

[nellyleelephant]

Adenauer said:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Canon-EOS-1D-Mark-II-8-2-MP...

http://www.ebay.de/itm/CANON-EF-70-200-1-4-L-USM-C...

Correct?

They're the ones.

If you can find one, the 1DMK2N is pretty much the same camera, but has a larger screen.
They're quite heavy bodies, about 1.5kg, but they're built to last.
If you do end up going for one, make doubly sure that it comes with a charger as they are NOT cheap!

[markmullen]

Adenauer said:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Canon-EOS-1D-Mark-II-8-2-MP...

http://www.ebay.de/itm/CANON-EF-70-200-1-4-L-USM-C...

Correct?

Yes, but don't forget those will be left hand drive

As NTE says, a 1.4x converter makes your lens 1.4x longer (the car will be bigger in the shot).

[Adenauer]

nellyleelephant said:

They're the ones.

If you can find one, the 1DMK2N is pretty much the same camera, but has a larger screen.
They're quite heavy bodies, about 1.5kg, but they're built to last.
If you do end up going for one, make doubly sure that it comes with a charger as they are NOT cheap!

Top tip on the charger, thanks.

I've just told the wife, and she's not happy, she uses a Nikon D90 and now has Camera envy

[markmullen]

Just a thought, with registering a domain, are you hoping to make a business out of this? If so you'll need experience and technique more than you will equipment.

Getting good motorsport shots isn't easy, particularly for a beginner.

Go out and do it for fun for a couple of years, get used to what works and what doesn't, refine your kit, I've not been to the Nurburgring so don't know how close you are, hence what focal length you'll need. If weather is poor you'll be shooting in low light and will need kit capable of high ISO.

[Adenauer]

markmullen said:

Just a thought, with registering a domain, are you hoping to make a business out of this? If so you'll need experience and technique more than you will equipment.

Getting good motorsport shots isn't easy, particularly for a beginner.

Go out and do it for fun for a couple of years, get used to what works and what doesn't, refine your kit, I've not been to the Nurburgring so don't know how close you are, hence what focal length you'll need. If weather is poor you'll be shooting in low light and will need kit capable of high ISO.

Just as a hobby really, Mark. I just saw that it only cost €15,00 per year to register that domain so got all excited and did it

On another note, 'ze Germans' over here are all saying that the Canon 1100D is a good entry level camera, any thoughts on this as a package, seems very cheap!

http://www.saturn.de/mcs/product/CANON-EOS-1100D-1...

[markmullen]

Adenauer said:

Just as a hobby really, Mark. I just saw that it only cost €15,00 per year to register that domain so got all excited and did it

Cool, I didn't want you to be giving up work thinking you'd find your fame and fortune! As a hobby it'll be good fun.

Adenauer said:

On another note, 'ze Germans' over here are all saying that the Canon 1100D is a good entry level camera, any thoughts on this as a package, seems very cheap!

It is a good entry level camera, but not as good for motorsport as a 1D2, even if it is an older body. The 1D2 will have been £3-4000 new, the Autofocus capability is still very very good, they're weathersealed (with the right lens), you get 8 frames per second (important for the corner on action shot with wheels off the ground etc) and you could hammer nails in with them.

The 1100D package would be OK as a general first dSLR kit, the 75-300 isn't well thought of, I'd prefer the 55-250 is possible which is a great little lens.

[nellyleelephant]

Adenauer said:

Just as a hobby really, Mark. I just saw that it only cost €15,00 per year to register that domain so got all excited and did it

On another note, 'ze Germans' over here are all saying that the Canon 1100D is a good entry level camera, any thoughts on this as a package, seems very cheap!

http://www.saturn.de/mcs/product/CANON-EOS-1100D-1...

The 1100D is Canons current entry level camera, so will be easier to use and newer tech.
The 1D is a pro camera from the mid 2000's, much more adjustable, much, much better focus system, higher fps, better build, probably not as good high ISO ability.

Out of the 2, I know which one I would go for.....

[Adenauer]

Hmm, well for the sake of a few hundered Euros more the 1D sounds like the more sensible option. And I do like the look of those off-white long lenses too

[markmullen]

nellyleelephant said:

Out of the 2, I know which one I would go for.....

I know which I went for! I upgraded my modern 450D to a 1D2 and was delighted with it, there started a slippery slope.

Being mostly into landscapes I thought a 1Ds would be ideal, I bought one, then sold it to you.

Having enjoyed the 1Ds I bought a 1Ds2 to keep the 1D2 company.

Then I realised I could combine both cameras into a 5D3.

Then I sold the 1D2 leaving me with a 5D3 and a 1Ds2

Then I realised two bodies was a better bet than one so kept hold of the 1Ds2 as a backup.

Now I keep fancying a 6D to replace the 1Ds2, if it had dual slots I'd be in like a shot!

[nellyleelephant]

You're getting on well with the 5D3 then? I've come into a bit of cash (or will be later in the year) and I have permission to blow spend some of it on gear.

Current thinking is trade in the 1DS2, add a 5D3 and a 500 f4.

I take it the 5 comes highly recommended then....

[markmullen]

nellyleelephant said:

You're getting on well with the 5D3 then? I've come into a bit of cash (or will be later in the year) and I have permission to blow spend some of it on gear.

Current thinking is trade in the 1DS2, add a 5D3 and a 500 f4.

I take it the 5 comes highly recommended then....

Very very good. AF like a 1 series, files that feel like you can push and pull them that much more, good dynamic range, excellent screen. I don't miss the weight of the 1 series TBH, nor the lack of grip built in (I shoot 99% of my stuff off a tripod so no loss to me).