New 300d - lenses for autoracing

[loumash]

I’m planning on buying a 300d in the next month or so with some well needed tax refund money. I’m getting the cannon lens kit for most of my snapshot type use but my real reason for getting the camera is for motorsport photography.

For about 15 years I have used my trusty Pentax K1000 and 70(?)-300 zoom, and 500mm fixed lenses. Manual focus all the way, baby. I bought a Kodak DC4800 about 3 years ago and I found that it was really only suitable for in the paddock style photos.

Anyway, I figure I can’t afford any L glass so I’m looking at a 300mm zoom lens with a practical budget of about $300. In that range I’ve been looking at the Cannons, the Sigmas and the Tamrons. I same some mention of the Cannon 70-200 L with a teleconverter for about $500, but I’m not sure if that’s the best way to go. With the pentax and the 300mm I use it all at place like Lime Rock, which I go to the most frequently. Id like sharpness at the max zoom. I’ve been panning for 15 years, so I’m sure there some new technique to learn with AF. :-) I’m not sure if IS is useful for me or about the USM feature on the cannon lenses. This is going to be a departure, as I mentioned.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

[CoolToolGuy]

Welcome to the forum.

Are you aware of the crop factor that occurs with the Drebel (300D)? Due to differences between the size of the sensor and a 35mm film frame, the field of view in a Drebel is magnified 1.6 times. So a 300mm lens on a Drebel acts like a 480mm on a film camera. If you know what length lenses (with 35mm) give you what you want, just do the math to find out what will work (length-wise) on the Drebel.

I suggest you ponder that and let us know how the crop factor affects your decision process. There are lots of lenses in that range.

[where1]

If you like to shoot bursts, the D_Rebel will only give you 4 in a row before you need to wait for the buffer to unload. Just thought I'd let you know.

[loumash]

Thanks for the input. Im no expert but I always thought teleconverters were to be avoided, and I saw some comparasons with and without and I think that the non converted is the way to go. That being said, a 480mm effective sounds ideal for my budget. Occasionally I could sue more but at the race track I work in the 300-500mm range. I saw some nice pics with the L series lenses, but keep in mind what I have for equipment now. All manaul, (no burst there) and older stuff. I recently talked myself out of one of the 10 or 12x prosumer cameras. The 300d is abut as high end as I can go. :-)

[Andy_T]

Hi loumash,

welcome to the forum!

Be aware of the 'Search' button that will find you a lot of threads covering the exact question you asked 8)

Also look at information on the difference between 300D, 10D (about 500$ more expensive) and 1D (a lot, i.e. about 1000$ more expensive). As where1 pointed out, one of the major differences is the number of frames you can shoot off per seconds before the images are saved to CF card. The 1D also has mejor differences as far as focus performance for fast moving objects (e.g. race cars :)) are concerned. Sounds like you have made up your mind, but still, it's always a pain in the a** if you discover later that you should have invested that extra 500$.

All that said, the 70-200 L f/4 (112-320 35 mm equivalent on the 300D) and the corresponding Sigma, Tokina and Tamron 2.8 lenses (all about US$ 500) might be worth looking.

Best regards,
Andy

[KennyG]

manaul, (no burst there) and older stuff. I recently talked myself out of one of the 10 or 12x prosumer cameras. The 300d is abut as high end as I can go. :-)

There are very few who shoot in burst mode so I wouldn't worry too much about that feature. I only use it at events like F1, with a good view of an overtaking corner where something is likely to happen. Even then, it takes the speed of a 1D to make it worth while. The key is lens reach as you are aware and the best way to get there without breaking the bank.

Keeping in mind your budget I would go for the 70-200 F4L and, if you can stretch the extra few bucks, a 1.4 converter. This will give you a lot of flexibility while staying within the AF limits of the 300D, as well as good results. You will lose very little in image quality with the 1.4 which is well compensated for by the additional reach. Without the converter it becomes an excellent pit lane and paddock lens. Another plus is that should you move up from the 300D in the future you will have a quality lens to use with your new camera.

Good luck with whatever you chose at the end of the day.

[CoolToolGuy]

There is no question that the buffer in the better bodies (10D, 1D) makes it easier to shoot action. But if you are coming off of a film camera without a motor drive you probably have developed a good sense of timing. So the lack of a fast buffer on the Drebel should not be a hindrance. Go for it. :wink:

As for the lenses, I have the 75-300 IS, but I am underwhelmed. My first race of the year and my first one with the Drebel will be the Vintage race at Summit Point in May. I will be doing some serious lens evaluation there. The 70-200 f4L gets a lot of good press on this forum, and if it meets your distance needs, it may be the way to go. When you get up to 300mm, the air is thin and the prices are high if you want a fast lens. :?

[Motorsports Photo]

If your budge is already used up or your arms cant hold up an "L" lens all day, consider the 100-300 f4.5-5.6. I have used this lens for years and it does very well. Twist zoom instead of push pull, focuses quickly and the front element doesnt turn if you're using a polarizer.

-Pete

Cool tool guy- Vintage races at Summit sounds cool. Maybe I'll have to make the trip.

[CoolToolGuy]

Cool tool guy- Vintage races at Summit sounds cool. Maybe I'll have to make the trip.

Pete,
Check it out:
http://gorace.com/jefferson500/main.html
That is a link to Brian Redman's site for the race.
http://www.summitpoint-raceway.com/
That is the Summit Point site.

A great weekend. They split the schedule up so there is a race for each group on Saturday, and one on Sunday. I can usually only get away for one day, so it works for me. Many great cars and some famous drivers as well. Brian Redman himself is no slouch, and I have seen Paul Newman there as well.

[dn7elson]

Many great cars and some famous drivers as well. Brian Redman himself is no slouch, and I have seen Paul Newman there as well.

Bobby Rahal was there in 2002 when I last went.

[IndyJeff]

loumash if your wanting the 70-200 f/4 L you can pick one up at Roberts Camera (http://robertsimaging.com/) for $550 USD. Another lens you should give a good look at is the Canon 100-300 4/5.6 II. I picked one up off eBay for $165 last year new in the box.
One thing I gotta ask, are you credentialed or shooting from the stands. If your in the stands, go with the 100-300 definately, the 70-200 would make some good shots but they might be pretty loose from the stands.

[loumash]

Thanks for all the advice. I have already done some searching of the arcinves and most of the threads I have read have had some sample pictures by the people I see posting in this thread. My question is how does the image quality of the 100-300 f4.5 lens compare? Soecifily on an action shot at around 300mm? I know the L glass is the way to go, I just dont think its in the budget. Plus Im afraid that with the 1.4 converter im afraid the image quality will suffer. With the 1.4 is it better than the 100-300 f4.5? Does anyone have any images witht the 100-300?

Thanks again.