Lens for Motorsport Photography
Discussion
I'm looking for a good long distance lens for motorsport photography. I already have a Tamron 70-300mm f4.5-5.6, but would like something a little more powerful, with a fast shutter speed. I'm still learning about photography having just bought my first DSLR (Canon 450D) so go easy on me if I spout utter rubbish on here! 
4hero said:
Well done on the 450, good choice. What's your budget?
For the right lens, up to say £1000. I'm off to NYC in the next few weeks, so tempted to take advantage of lower prices there (they appear half price) - hence I have been looking at the white canon lenses at www.bhphotovideo.com.Ideally I want a zoom telephoto - 100-400mm could be very useful, but I'm not experienced enough to know whether this kind of thing would be right for me.
The purchase of the DSLR came after I attended the Silverstone F1 tyre test (I had paddock access due to the motorsport website I own) and didn't have a camera capable of capturing action shots (old Fuji S5000). I don't have the luxury of such access at all events, and a zoom telephoto sounds like a good option for such occasions...(I think)
With a budget of 1k, I would definitely get the 100-400. I have one of these and it's a stunning piece of kit. Mind you, my 70-200 f2.8 is also brilliant, and at under 1k it's within your budget.
No need to worry about being a novice, if you are deadly serious about getting into photography you will not regret buying either of the above. I had my 350D for one month then got the 100-400.
What do you plan on shooting?
No need to worry about being a novice, if you are deadly serious about getting into photography you will not regret buying either of the above. I had my 350D for one month then got the 100-400.
What do you plan on shooting?
4hero said:
With a budget of 1k, I would definitely get the 100-400. I have one of these and it's a stunning piece of kit. Mind you, my 70-200 f2.8 is also brilliant, and at under 1k it's within your budget.
No need to worry about being a novice, if you are deadly serious about getting into photography you will not regret buying either of the above. I had my 350D for one month then got the 100-400.
What do you plan on shooting?
Likely to be taking motorsport pictures of anything from F1 to karting - and will also use for wildlife and the occasional airshow. The following lens is the one I'm quite tempted with (believe it will fit the camera I have - LOL), but will have a look at your suggestion above too.No need to worry about being a novice, if you are deadly serious about getting into photography you will not regret buying either of the above. I had my 350D for one month then got the 100-400.
What do you plan on shooting?
http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cam...
Yes the 100-400 will work with the 450D. It's the perfect lens for what you need 
Feel free to take a look at my motorsport shots, most of these were taken with the 100-400 and either my 350D or 40D.
Feel free to take a look at my motorsport shots, most of these were taken with the 100-400 and either my 350D or 40D.
4hero said:
Yes the 100-400 will work with the 450D. It's the perfect lens for what you need
Feel free to take a look at my motorsport shots, most of these were taken with the 100-400 and either my 350D or 40D.
Already having a sneaky look, sorry! Feel free to take a look at my motorsport shots, most of these were taken with the 100-400 and either my 350D or 40D.
Regarding the lens above, will the aperture be troublesome when taking action shots in low light? I haven't quite got a feel for things like that just yet.
I'm still learning all this photography malarkey as well, just started around 18 months ago, so am still not 100% sure of the technical in's and out's 
The 100-400 is not the best lens for low light to be honest, unless you whack the ISO up of course. That's where the 70-200 could come in handy. I suppose you have to weigh up distance vs low light..
The 100-400 is not the best lens for low light to be honest, unless you whack the ISO up of course. That's where the 70-200 could come in handy. I suppose you have to weigh up distance vs low light..
I use a Canon 70-300 IS and have hired a couple of alternatives to assess:
The 70-200 f4 L IS was really very good indeed, but while suitable for motorsport in my area - you can get quite close to the action, I felt that is was a bit short overall (wildlife).
Hired a 70-200 f2.8 L non IS and frankly found that not as good as the f4 IS for motorsport. Although I was able to shoot at 100 ISO.
So I have decided to buy a 100-400 IS when I can afford it
If money wasn't a problem I'd get the 70-200 f2.8 IS as well.
Bob
The 70-200 f4 L IS was really very good indeed, but while suitable for motorsport in my area - you can get quite close to the action, I felt that is was a bit short overall (wildlife).
Hired a 70-200 f2.8 L non IS and frankly found that not as good as the f4 IS for motorsport. Although I was able to shoot at 100 ISO.
So I have decided to buy a 100-400 IS when I can afford it
If money wasn't a problem I'd get the 70-200 f2.8 IS as well.
Bob
4hero said:
I'm still learning all this photography malarkey as well, just started around 18 months ago, so am still not 100% sure of the technical in's and out's
The 100-400 is not the best lens for low light to be honest, unless you whack the ISO up of course. That's where the 70-200 could come in handy. I suppose you have to weigh up distance vs low light..
Thanks for your help this evening! The 100-400 is not the best lens for low light to be honest, unless you whack the ISO up of course. That's where the 70-200 could come in handy. I suppose you have to weigh up distance vs low light..
Will have a think about the different lenses over the next few weeks and let you know how I get on.bobs4c said:
I use a Canon 70-300 IS and have hired a couple of alternatives to assess:
The 70-200 f4 L IS was really very good indeed, but while suitable for motorsport in my area - you can get quite close to the action, I felt that is was a bit short overall (wildlife).
Hired a 70-200 f2.8 L non IS and frankly found that not as good as the f4 IS for motorsport. Although I was able to shoot at 100 ISO.
So I have decided to buy a 100-400 IS when I can afford it
If money wasn't a problem I'd get the 70-200 f2.8 IS as well.
Bob
That's useful info - most of the reviews seem to suggest 'IS' is worth the extra money. I think the 100-400 is the way to go...The 70-200 f4 L IS was really very good indeed, but while suitable for motorsport in my area - you can get quite close to the action, I felt that is was a bit short overall (wildlife).
Hired a 70-200 f2.8 L non IS and frankly found that not as good as the f4 IS for motorsport. Although I was able to shoot at 100 ISO.
So I have decided to buy a 100-400 IS when I can afford it
If money wasn't a problem I'd get the 70-200 f2.8 IS as well.
Bob
Right, pretty sold on it now - just found some decent motorsport pictures at 400mm:
http://www.ph-digitalphotography-motorsports.com/c...
http://www.ph-digitalphotography-motorsports.com/c...
B&H is a great place, also try Adorama on West 18th Street. Both are very reliable NYC suppliers, lots of other stores are not so genuine. If you have a quick surf on the web you'll see what I mean about some other stores, lots of horror stories out there. Personally I'd use Adorama first then B&H.
B&H and Adorama are zoos, full of customers, but both their staff know their stuff. B&H is wild, basically if you want it they either have it in stock right there or they can get it faster than anyone else.
Three small things to remember for any PH'ers stocking up over here;
1. They will requrie some kind of additional I.D. if you're spending over about $400 as credit card fraud is quite rife here. I have used either passport or the photocard bit of UK driving licence with no issues.
2. Don't forget to add the sales tax to the price. NYC is currently about 8.5% I think.
3. Adorama is shut on Saturdays, B&H is big enough that they have a broad enough staff base for Saturdays not to be an issue but do check on line first as they do shut for lots of Jewish holidays and festivals.
Have fun, I could spend most of a day in B&H there are so many interesting toys in there.
Chris
B&H and Adorama are zoos, full of customers, but both their staff know their stuff. B&H is wild, basically if you want it they either have it in stock right there or they can get it faster than anyone else.
Three small things to remember for any PH'ers stocking up over here;
1. They will requrie some kind of additional I.D. if you're spending over about $400 as credit card fraud is quite rife here. I have used either passport or the photocard bit of UK driving licence with no issues.
2. Don't forget to add the sales tax to the price. NYC is currently about 8.5% I think.
3. Adorama is shut on Saturdays, B&H is big enough that they have a broad enough staff base for Saturdays not to be an issue but do check on line first as they do shut for lots of Jewish holidays and festivals.
Have fun, I could spend most of a day in B&H there are so many interesting toys in there.
Chris
sa_20v said:
Has anyone dealt with him before, even better, is he a PH'er?
He is a PHer and several people have bought from him (I'm going to order a 50mm for my 40D from him shortly).His prices are lower outside of eBay and a mail I had from him 2 weeks ago had this price outside of eBay for the 100-400
Canon EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 L IS USM SLR lens -77mm...799
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