What's a good lens for track photos? I have a Canon Rebel XT and since I'm attending a number of vintage events this year, I am looking for something that will give me some quality shots. I have the standard 18 - 55 and 80 - 200 Canon lenses but I'm looking for something a little better for quality shots.
Quite a few options for you depending on budget and where you'll be.
If you're a good distance from the action, then buy the biggest single focus length you can afford. A good 300 or 400 mm with a low F-Stop would be great, but can be in the thousands of dollars. If you're closer to the action (in the pits) you would do fine with a 200 mm lens.
If you'll always be shooting in bright sun, you can get a higher F-Stop lens much cheaper, but it'll need lots of light to get good shots.
If you're shooting close up (like just stills of the cars in the garages and pits) a nice wide angle (30-40mm) along with your lower zoom will produce some good shots.
-Rob
rob_lewis wrote: If you're shooting close up (like just stills of the cars in the garages and pits) a nice wide angle (30-40mm) along with your lower zoom will produce some good shots.
Uh one thing he is shooting a Rebel which is a DX sensor camera, for Canon I think it is 1.6 Nikon I know is 1.5. That means a 30mm is closer to a 50mm on that camera so you lose the "wide" effect. For wide on a DX system (equivalent to wide on film or FX digital) you would want something between like 14-24mm which can be darn spendy.
One of my favorite lenses to use on my old film FM or F3HP is a 35mm 2.8. Awesome angle and tack sharp on the film cameras. However you put it on a DX digital and the images lose their edge, the angle is much narrower and just lose something.
This effect also turns into a benefit when you are wanting to reach out with a longer lens because it effectively gives you a longer lens than what you are paying for. For ranged shots at the track a 300-400mm max should do just fine though I would make sure you are using a zoom not a prime that way you can get in tight on one car or zoom out and catch the field.
Depends what you want, clearer pics? More lens reach? Wide angles? Lower light shooting?
For the money a 50mm L series is about one of the best lenses you can buy, but will only net a 75mm reach on your body.
If your problem is blurry pictures I would blame your technique before the camera. Canon's kit lenses are pretty good to begin with. Post more info about the specific problem you are trying to resolve.
I think if you invested in a good tripod and practiced your panning technique it will solve 90% of your problems. And a good tripod should be part of every photgs arsenal.
No problems, just looking for something new to use. Yes, a lot will be in the pits, I drive the truck, and the last race in GA came out sharp and clear. I have a tripod, maybe I just need a little more schooling.
Most of what I shoot on-track is done with Canon's 70-300 IS lens. It's not the greatest glass, but it's decent and the two-mode image stabilizer makes panning shots pretty easy. It's not super-duper fast, but it's fast enough to get away with being fully zoomed in. Typically, however, I'm closer to the track and shooting at 100-200mm focal lengths.
Still, the lens you're using now is capable of great shots. Just like driving, your biggest improvement will come with training and seat...er...shutter time. When you're taking a higher percentage of good shots, improving your equipment will pay greater dividends.
If you want more reach, I have been extremely happy with the Sigma 120-400. It's great for shooting races.
Supercoupe wrote: No problems, just looking for something new to use. Yes, a lot will be in the pits, I drive the truck, and the last race in GA came out sharp and clear. I have a tripod, maybe I just need a little more schooling.
Like anything, practice, practice, practice. When I was in high school, we had to use a 50mm lens for most assignments. It forced us to put more emphasis on composition. That's probably a little too long for use in the pits with today's DSLRs, but I guess the point is to spend more time/energy on your technique than anything.
And personally, I prefer shooting in the pits--the people and close-ups make it more fun. I use a Canon 17-40mm f4 L-series lens in the pits. It's not a cheap piece, but it's way sharp and I love the focal range.
Do you shoot with a full frame SLR, David?
Tommy Suddard wrote: Do you shoot with a full frame SLR, David?
No, 1.6 crop. I have been shooting that way for so long I guess I'm used to it.
A 50mm lens with the 1.6 crop is probably a little too long for pits, but it makes a nice portrait/product lens. Canon has a 50mm lens that retails for like $52. It's pretty sharp and fairly fast, too.
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