Motorsport photography through catch fences (Le Mans)

[markmullen]

As usual I'll be at the 24 hours this year but this year I've got a new toy to play with, an EOS 450D.

I've got a 55-250 IS lens (and 18-55 kit lens) to go with it and wondered about getting one of the Canon teleconverters to give me a little bit more length, either that or splash out on a longer lens, maybe a 400 or 500mm.

How do you get around being behind the catch fences though? I've got a decent vantage point up near Tertre Rouge from which I can see over the fence as the cars come down from the Dunlop Bridge but it is a fair way away. If I get closer to the track the bloody fence is in the way.

Any thoughts?

Also I was thinking of getting a monopod as my tripod is a Manfrotto and whilst good and steady is a weighty beast, any recommendations?

[01101001]

Crawl through the woods to get a good spot.
or even better leave the camera at home, I don't take my camera any more as I never have as much fun lugging my camera around.

[Scott330ci]

I'll be at the 24 too, also with my 450d!

This was taken through the fence at Brands. I try and get as close as possible to the fence and have an aperture of 4/5.6 ish. Then scaled down I doubt you will even notice.

As suggested though, go into the woods!

Edited by Scott330ci on Wednesday 7th April 13:56

[mcdjl]

You can get reasonably close to the track on the inside of the porsche curves (even closer before they modified the banking last year) and the view over the fencing down at Mulsanne is pretty damn good. If you have some steps to climb or stand on tip toes you can get a good angle over it at Arnage too.
Other than that you can get some interesting low angles from the outside of the track before the Dunlop bridge.

[cbcbcb]

Don't bother with a teleconverter on that lens. You'll lose autofocus, and the IQ degradation will make it a waste of time.

The fence isn't necessarily a big problem. This shot was taken from 3-4 meters back from the fence at Silverstone 2008. Given the limitations of where I was standing and the lens, I'm quite pleased with this

The trick is to use a wide aperture, and be as close to the fence as possible, as this reduces the visibility of the fence, and stops the camera trying to focus on it.

[MonkeyHanger]

If the sun is directly behind you then forget that spot & look elsewhere. If it's a dull/overcast day then get your lens right up to the fence if possible.

Druids - Brands Hatch, through the 'Raptor Fence.


Same angle in sunnier weather, taken at lunchtime - this won't usually work any later in the day is the sun is right behind you.

[Gemm]

Yes, just shoot through the fence. But, as mentioned above, watch out the direction of the sun.

[Longers]

markmullen said:

I've got a decent vantage point up near Tertre Rouge from which I can see over the fence as the cars come down from the Dunlop Bridge but it is a fair way away. If I get closer to the track the bloody fence is in the way.

Use the pedestrian tunnel just before tetre rouge to cross to the banking inside the corner - it's quite steep so you can shoot above then fencing and remain close to the cars



Alternatively go to the Mulsanne enclosure (can't find any pics from there cos I usually head there after dark!)

I'm off to clean my sensor

Longers

[Longers]

meant to add that I've got a Manfrotto monopod. It's great but I never use it!

[RobDickinson]

No teleconvertor will work with a canon EF-S lens (physicaly wont fit). And anyhow forget it for anything like that 55-250, needs to be a fast sharp expensive lens to start with.