Photography - Track and race day hints and tips req.

**Katman** · 13th January 2008, 14:22

Ditch the zoom lens and buy a prime lens with as fast an f stop as you can afford. The optics are considerably better. (300mm f4 is still in the realms of affordability.) Prime lenses also make you think a lot more about where you position yourself to shoot from. I have a 400mm f5.6 which I find quite limiting at times with the shutter speed I can use. The extra f stop on a lens is worth more than an extra 100mm in focal length.

**timg** · 13th January 2008, 14:59

Don't waste valuable time at the track or wherever practising. Do that on a road handy to where you live. Practice panning on cars as they go by until you have the hang of it and are smooth. Try it from different angles and positions. Change settings until you are familiar with what works and doesnt, particularly shutter speeds and continous auto focus (CAF), I'm not sure what Canon call it. Find a corner or round-a-bout or similar to play around. Try on different days with different weather conditions. Settings on bright sunny summers days will be different to dull overcast days. Practice whan it is not important until it becomes second nature. As it's digital it does not cost anything to practice. Good luck

**Her_C4** · 13th January 2008, 15:08

Originally Posted by Number One

If you are using a huge lense you won't need to get as close but then you have to deal with the weight. You can get a pole for your lense that will still allow you to track objects in frame too.

I peferred to get closer with a lighter lense - photo's just seemed more intimate and exciting a bit more organic and raw I guess (when I got them right that is!)

Thanks for the tips.

I have a monopod that I can get reasonably low down with and the lens is a 70-200 (F2.8L IS). I won't be buying any new ones until I can effectively utilise what I already have.

Originally Posted by Number One

At Manfield...take a go at standing on the concrete slab at SPLASH (the infield esses) and shoot the bikes looking down on them (while tracking)...there's an option to lock your focus at the point you want the shot to be taken then track and depress the shutter at the right time to capture it you'll fill the frame and get a great action shot.

Ahhh is that where they are taken from - makes sense now

thanks. I will take Jimbo's lead and play around a fair bit... I just want to have a bit of fun.

Originally Posted by katman

Ditch the zoom lens and buy a prime lens with as fast an f stop as you can afford. The optics are considerably better. (300mm f4 is still in the realms of affordability.) Prime lenses also make you think a lot more about where you position yourself to shoot from. I have a 400mm f5.6 which I find quite limiting at times with the shutter speed I can use. The extra f stop on a lens is worth more than an extra 100mm in focal length.

Its always difficult knowing what to buy first off and taking in all the advice from all quarters. I am not JUST going photo's at the track so I wanted a camera (and lenses) that would allow me to be as versatile as possible.

As I mentioned earlier the bigger lens that I bought to get started is a EF70-200mm F2.8L IS USM that I thought I would be able to add an extender to at a later date if I felt so inclined (EF1.4X II or 2X). Is this not an option?

**Nasty** · 13th January 2008, 15:11

If you want to go onto the track area be aware you will more than likely be asked to sign an indemnity form .... you may also (and will also with Vic Club) be required to provide and wear a fluro vest.

**Kendog** · 13th January 2008, 15:12

Originally Posted by Her_B4

Heeey they are pretty damned good! How did you get that shot of flame from that angle? Pit wall?

That would have been from the infield. Pretty sure it's is in the esses somewhere.

**Kendog** · 13th January 2008, 15:17

Originally Posted by Her_B4

As I mentioned earlier the bigger lens that I bought to get started is a EF70-200mm F2.8L IS USM that I thought I would be able to add an extender to at a later date if I felt so inclined (EF1.4X II or 2X). Is this not an option?

Oh yeah!!!!!!, that is pretty much my dream (almost affordable) lens. If I get a more bit serious at it maybe I would look at something like that, for now it really is a part time hobby.

From what I have read you will be able to add an extender to that lens and camera no worries.

**Number One** · 13th January 2008, 15:21

Originally Posted by Nasty

If you want to go onto the track area be aware you will more than likely be asked to sign an indemity form .... you may also (and will also with Vic Club) be required to provide and wear a fluro vest.

Good point..forgot that bit and make sure you are there for the riders briefing too - especially if you haven't hung out inside the track much before. You need to know when breaks are, when you can cross the track...speak with the officials etc. AND again ENJOY

**Her_C4** · 13th January 2008, 15:22

Originally Posted by Kendog

Oh yeah!!!!!!, that is pretty much my dream (almost affordable) lens. If I get a more bit serious at it maybe I would look at something like that, for now it really is a part time hobby.

From what I have read you will be able to add an extender to that lens and camera no worries.

Yes I know I definitely can add them no worries - I was more responding to Katmans comments, and the question for clarity SHOULD have been - Would I have been better off buying a different lens instead of the proposed option of adding an extender (to get the 300mm f4 option)?

**Her_C4** · 13th January 2008, 15:26

Originally Posted by Number One

Good point..forgot that bit and make sure you are there for the riders briefing too - especially if you haven't hung out inside the track much before. You need to know when breaks are, when you can cross the track...speak with the officials etc. AND again ENJOY

Ummm yeah no worries there I think!

I haven't been far away from many of the tracks for a couple of years now, and I am ALWAYS there for riders briefing

**Katman** · 13th January 2008, 15:27

Originally Posted by Her_B4

As I mentioned earlier the bigger lens that I bought to get started is a EF70-200mm F2.8L IS USM that I thought I would be able to add an extender to at a later date if I felt so inclined (EF1.4X II or 2X). Is this not an option?

Teleconvertors are not all they're cut out to be (in fact I refuse to use them any more - they further reduce the optics of your lens as well as sacrificing stops). As I said, prime lenses have far better optics and even if you're not at the track a prime lens muchs you think so much more about where you shoot from. Zoom lenses make you lazy.

**Kendog** · 13th January 2008, 15:31

Originally Posted by Her_B4

Yes I know I definitely can add them no worries - I was more responding to Katmans comments, and the question for clarity SHOULD have been - Would I have been better off buying a different lens instead of the proposed option of adding an extender (to get the 300mm f4 option)?

Depends on what you want to use the camera for, I reckon that is why there are so many different lens types to choose from.

A wise man (felix) said to me before I got my camera to use it for a while with the comparatively cheap kit lenses. That way you get to find out what you enjoy and what range you shoot in the most.

I imagine the 70-200 is a better first up buy as it has the zoom flexibility so can be used in different situations. The 300 is probably a bit more specialised and requires you to be in the right spot. But from the shots Jimbo takes the fixed length lenses really are very very good.

**Her_C4** · 13th January 2008, 15:39

Originally Posted by katman

Teleconvertors are not all they're cut out to be (in fact I refuse to use them any more - they further reduce the optics of your lens as well as sacrificing stops). As I said, prime lenses have far better optics and even if you're not at the track a prime lens muchs you think so much more about where you shoot from. Zoom lenses make you lazy.

Originally Posted by Kendog

Depends on what you want to use the camera for, I reckon that is why there are so many different lens types to choose from.

A wise man (felix) said to me before I got my camera to use it for a while with the comparatively cheap kit lenses. That way you get to find out what you enjoy and what range you shoot in the most.

I imagine the 70-200 is a better first up buy as it has the zoom flexibility so can be used in different situations. The 300 is probably a bit more specialised and requires you to be in the right spot. But from the shots Jimbo takes the fixed length lenses really are very very good.

Yeah ok - thanks for the info guys, I really appreciate it

. I will stick with what I have for starters and once I can use them ok, then will probably look at a prime lens set up.

**Katman** · 13th January 2008, 16:01

One more tip - if you want to take photography seriously, only show your best work. If you make a habit of showing poor work you will be remembered for it.

**Her_C4** · 13th January 2008, 16:51

Originally Posted by katman

One more tip - if you want to take photography seriously, only show your best work. If you make a habit of showing poor work you will be remembered for it.

VEEERY good point

I am pretty backward in coming forward though, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue (very aware that as many things in life, 'quantity' does not necessarily equate to 'quality'..)

**Deano** · 13th January 2008, 16:57

Originally Posted by jimbo600

I use full manual for track photography as bike headlights can upset the auto settings. The camera also operates quicker when on manual.

I will be happy to accompany you on the infield next time I'm at Manfeild.

The 40D is a great camera and I look forward to seeing your work on the site.

Another tip is only photograph good looking buggers like me.

Ya can't go past Jimbo for great bike pictures. He'll make ya look like a GP star.