Need to choose a lens for a car race

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S

07/16/2010 03:00:15 PM · #1

I would need your help in choosing a lens for a car race.
My brother will be driving a Mustang GT at iCar (//www.circuiticar.com/the_track.html) and he asked me to take some pictures.

As you can see in my profile, I don't have a lens for that kind of situation, so I will rent one.
This is what would be available to me (Canon):
* 10-22mm f3.5-4.5
* 16-35mm II f2.8L
* 17-55mm f2.8 IS EFS
* 17-40mm f4L
* 20-35mm f3.4-4.5
* 24-70mm f2.8L
* 24-105mm f4L
* 28-70mm f2.8L
* 28-105mm f3.5-4.5
* 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS
* 70-200mm f2.8L
* 70-200mm f2.8L IS
* 70-200mm f4L
* 70-210mm f3.5-4.5
* 75-300mm f4-5.6
* 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 IS L

This is an aerial picture of the track (please tell me if it's too big):

I've highlighted the track in yellow, and the area to which I think I will have access is in red. Still need to confirm that.

Since the race will be counterclockwise, I think the best spots are #1-6 (in green in the picture).

Here is a link to the map

So, with all this information, can you please tell me which lens you would suggest me?
I would say the 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 IS L, but I would like to know your opinion.

Any other thing I should do/think for a good shooting?

Thanks a lot in advance :)

bassbone

Nikon Z8

07/16/2010 03:12:43 PM · #2

I would personally rent the 70-200 2.8 IS. It is very very fast focusing and sharp as a tack. On your crop sensor, you are effectively getting out to 300mm so that is pretty good considering how close you will be to the racing.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

07/16/2010 03:23:52 PM · #3

The 100-400 IS would have been my pick. However, I don't have firsthand experience with it, nor with the one Peter recommended.

Message edited by author 2010-07-16 15:25:14.

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

07/16/2010 03:29:32 PM · #4

Will it be a day race or a night race? Do you have more then one camera so you can take two lens with you?

Edit to add, I'd like to have one zoom and one long prime with IS. Personally I'd take a 300MM F4 or 400MMF5.6 lens and a 70-200.

Actually I'd take F2.8 versions of the 300 and 400, but I like big lens...it compensates you know. :D

Message edited by author 2010-07-16 15:30:54.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

07/16/2010 04:03:04 PM · #5

Thanks for the ideas :)

I didn't think of the speed factor, and of the advantage of the f/2.8 aperture would give me.
That's something I'll consider. Thanks.

To answer Matt's questions, it will be by day (around 1:00 - 3:00 PM) and I have only 1 body, so only 1 lens.

I would also like to have a prime lens, but since I can only have one, I think I should get a zoom.

Do you have any tip on shooting a car race?
For example, I will have a tripod, and I will try to do panning.

And for your information, it will be on August 7th, so it's too far for a weather forecast.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

07/16/2010 04:08:51 PM · #6

Why not take a couple of lenses and swap around for different types of photos. I assume you are going to wander around the allowed area, so you will be presented with quite a few opportunities? How many laps? If I go out with body, I always have at least one more lens, you never know what might happen. Also, the hairpin will give slow moving cars(although in a motor race the speed is far greater than expected)with the chance of overtaking. Straights give you panning chances. The list is endless, and then there are the pits, very hectic place.

Good luck and enjoy it:)

rjkstesch

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

07/16/2010 06:41:42 PM · #7

I like SteveJ's idea, although it can be dusty.

I've taken a few shots at the Raceway, including this one:

For this shot, I used the 70-200 2.8 IS, shooting from a distance. It was like being on spot 1 and shotting cars coming along the long stretch on the far left of your shot. The cars were doing about over 150 on the straight aways. Being that far away and having the long lens, I was able to pan hand held and do a pretty decent job.

Moving down to the 70 end of the lens, I was still able to pick up what I wanted to shoot without feeling like I was on top of thing most of the time. The 24-70 was my back-up lense and made a good pair.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

07/16/2010 06:44:57 PM · #8

From the list you provided, I would the the 100-400 would be a fun and versatile choice, especially if you are in the stands...

As per panning? Switch the IS into mode 2 and hammer away!

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/16/2010 07:44:23 PM · #9

My 0.02 would say that 400mm is too much so I'd easily take the 70-200 over the 100-400. You already have a crop sensor and a car isn't so small that you will need the equivalent of a 640mm lens unless you somehow want to shoot the sweat on someone's brow. Something with a mode 2 IS would be nice too because the best car shots are like the example above with motion blur.

I can't imagine you would be disappointed with that, although others here (like Matt) have much more sports shooting experience than I do.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

07/16/2010 08:40:09 PM · #10

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

They have models there usually... I still say 100-400 :) LOL!

ETA: Looking at where you will be standing, I really do agree, 100 might be too tight.

I do have to say that I've been SHOCKED at how easy motion panning is with the new 15-85 IS (4-stop...), it's good, really really good.. If I'm right, the 70-200 IS II uses a very similar IS system (although it still does have a mode switch, so it might be somewhat different (the 15-85 senses panning, no really, it does..)..), so from that perspective, I would say that the 70-200 might be good, although, again, looking at where you want to stand, I think even that might be too tight, all of those spots are pretty much on top of the action..

Message edited by author 2010-07-16 20:51:55.

Google Glass Google Glass

07/17/2010 07:34:29 PM · #11

Thanks a lot for all your comments :)

The votes:
* 70-200 2.8 IS = 4 votes
* 100-400 IS = 2 votes

So, maybe I'll change my mind and take the 70-200 mm.

It's not really a race... My brother will have a theory class for 30 minutes, then he will drive 10 laps.
I don't know if there will be other people on the track at the same time.

So... only 10 laps...
I don't think I'll be able to go to each spot I marked... So, I will probably have to stay at 1 place.
There will be some towers also, but I don't know where. So, maybe I'll try 1 ground spot + a tower.

So, which spot would you choose? (numbered in green in the second picture).

ambaker

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

07/17/2010 08:11:28 PM · #12

I'd probably aim for spot 6, if it is near the track. Turns are where a lot of the action is. The straightaways are just panning action and not much other than a car going in a straight line, for the most part.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/17/2010 09:46:34 PM · #13

#3 would be a great spot. You have lots of options. You can pan the far long straightaway. You can pan the close straightaway for more zoom. You can shoot down the barrel of the straightaway directly "south" (down on the map). You can shoot some corners. I also think you should easily be able to run to point #4 between a lap and shoot the hairpin corner at the bottom.

d56ranger

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/17/2010 11:13:38 PM · #14

A couple of questions I'd ask myself. 1) which way's north; 2) Where's the sun going to be on the day of the race; 3) What's the expected weather; and, 4) where do you expect the principle action (passes, accidents, etc) to be? And most important, what do you expect to go wrong and what are your contingencies if the sh*t hits the fan? Yes, and I know, that's more than a couple.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/18/2010 06:07:19 AM · #15

what a BLAST, for both you and your brother!

if i had two bodies, i'd get a 70-200 f/2.8 and a 300 f/2.8

if i had only one body, i'd take the 70-200.

forget the tripod, it will only get in your way.

if i had my choice, i'd shoot from spot #3 or #5. those have the most varied views, especially the straight on shots.

practice panning moving cars before going out to the track, and practice on other drivers as much as possible once you get there. hopefully, your brother won't be going first; if possible, get him to go as close to last as possible so you can get in as much practice as you can. there is no substitute for practice.

while you're practicing, try some shots exposing for the car and some shots exposing for the driver. you should be able to see into the car fairly decently, but it will blow out the background. you want to find a happy medium, and it's best to get an idea as to what that is before your brother hits the track.

for really good panning shots, i typically shoot in TV mode around 1/200 to 1/250 at whatever iso it takes to get me down to around f/5.6 (which is a lot easier during the day than at night which usually leaves me around iso800 and f/2.8). with practice, 1/250 will let you nicely blur the background and the tires while keeping all the details of the car razor sharp.

with regards to positioning, the only other thing i would want to do is to make sure i'm there when he gets out of the car, and that i would want to change lens to the kit lens. and i would shoot like mad to capture him getting out and i would want to almost be in his face while he's taking his helmet off (i say 'almost' because i'd want as much raw emotion as possible, but i'd still like to have some of the environment). you just need to make sure the spot you pick gives you access to both good views and where they get in and out of the car (if you have a choice).

lastly, if you can, take a step ladder with you; it will be immensely helpful in shooting over barriers.

good luck to both of you, and have a rockin great time!