Panning question for noob

[picturecrazy]

Been photographing seriously for 15 years, but never shot motorsports. It's ironic because I race and build cars myself... I guess I'd rather be competing than shooting.

I don't know why many people bash pan shots; I like them, I've never done one, what kind of settings are you guys using to do them?

i.e. is there an optimal focal length range?
What kind of shutter speed you use?
Do you use AI servo focusing?

Any other tips to get the car razor sharp?
Thanks.

[andrewc]

optimum focal length - depends how close you can get to the car.

Shutter speed - around 1/200th and experiment

AI Servo - yes

Practise - it more down to being able to move yourself than the camera - you need to be able to move smoothly whilst holding the camera level. Some people like to use a monopod, especially with bulkier lenses.

[QcPhil]

I personally go for he highest aperture possible according to the time value. I first do some tests for the speed depending if I want the wheels to be a little blurry or if I want the whole background to be in motion. If there are trees, the second option is nice. So what I will do on a track is set to shutter priority (which I rarely do otherwise) to the time I find appropriate to the effect I want to have in my pan and keep my center point focus in servo mode straight on the car. The TV mode alloys me to not worry about changing my aperture for different colours of carsa nd works best for me.

Some people say 1/Shutter speed= 1/speed of car. I say try it before anything and judge by yourself.

PhiL

[fstop11.net]

I am finding it difficult to get a satisfactory preview after a shot during motorsport in semi Auto modes. I have been shooting full manaual with these settings

F5.6 / F8 1/200th / ISO 100 / 200 /AI Servo / 9 Focus point mode.

[NordieBoy]

I start with Tv mode, 1/320th, Servo AF.
Adjust shutter to suit depending on how they look on screen.

[shamu06]

I shot some during the ALMS in Sebring last Feb. and it was in broad daylight. Most panning shots were between 1/100 and 1/200, ISO 100, F8 to F16, AI Servo and multishot drive mode. I didn't use a filter but you might want to do that to reduce reflections, in daylight.

[picturecrazy]

hmm, some good tips. Thanks a lot guys. For someone who's never tried it, I was thinking 1/80 shutter would do it, but obviously it's way too long...
I'm glad I asked.

I don't think I've ever used Tv mode my entire life... wow.

[MattSEG]

Most of my pan shots have been drag racing, usually 1/100 or so, I usually focus on the area they are going to be in via manual mode.

example: http://turboninjas.com/gallery/d/13737-2/Viper.jpg

[PhotosGuy]

Drag racing tips
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=108521

There are other "Panning Shots" threads here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58417
Practising.... out my street HELP me out
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=70558

Stand with your feet in a line parallel with the direction that the car is traveling. You want a line drawn perpendicular to your shoulders to intersect the point where you anticipate taking the pic. Turning at the waist, start your pan WAY early, snap the shot when it's in front of you, AND continue the pan WAY to the side. (If the people to the side don't get out of your way, then you aren't following through enough!) This insures that the pan is smooth & steady when you take the shot.
Go out & practice with traffic for awhile. It does help!