First panning shots w/30d at APBA race...needs work

[HWP]

I got these pic's today at an APBA race at our local lake. I'm fairly new to photography and have been using my 30d for over a month now. I was practicing panning at this race and I think they're not too bad. This particular panning shot needs some pp work but it's typical of all the panning shots I got. I'll take any C&C on these

I'm using the 28-135mm IS USM kit lens that I got with the camera. Both of these pic's illustrate the need for a new lens. I definately want the reach but I don't know what to get. I'd like a 300mm f2.8L with a TC but I'm not ready to mortgage the house for that. I'll keep looking and I'll take any suggestions for the next practicle lens to get this type of shot as well as wild life.

These are both cropped pretty tight. If I crop too much more I lose a lot of detail.

Thanks for looking

Henry

[Richtherookie]

Was this Trenton? Shot #1 could be sharper, but these boats haul..... i like them both. Any more. I need more boat action, this forum lacks water. As for help with panning i lack in the department also so i won't comment much, These look as good as anything i have taken.

www.haysphotography.net for my APBA pictures.

[HWP]

Richtherookie,
This was from Quake-on-the-lake on Pontiac lake in White Lake Twp.

Thanks for the comments. This was my first panning attempt and I think getting good panning and a sharp subject is pretty difficult but I'll keep trying. I need a lens with better reach and I'm thinking about getting the lens you have listed and then adding a TC later. I hear it's a great lens.

Henry

[JaguarXJ7]

Congrats mate ............ for one of your first attempts at panning I think you did pretty damn good. It is a tricky thing to master. I too am trying to master it as can be seen in my drag racing post (my first pan). Almost nailed it, but I apparantly moved the camera faster than the bike. :(

[HaroldC3]

I will be shooting hydros this weekend. Do you have any tips? Anything you learned? #1 was definitely a good attempt, I will be trying my hand at panning with my new canon 70-200mm f2.8. Thanks

[HWP]

Jag.. thanks for the comments. I'll look for your pic's

HaroldC3.. What I experienced was that I could follow the boats very smoothly for panning but pushing the shutter button disturbed that smoothness. So try to concentrate on keeping that smooth panning motion especiall during the shutter press. I'm no expert of course but that's what I noticed that caused me problems. Keep a good solid stance too. I'll post another of my pan shots which I think is a little better. I can't get at my photos where I'm at now.

Also, Please post your shots. I want to see what kind of reach you get with your 200mm. I want to upgrade my current lens of 135mm max length.

Thanks
Henry

[Richtherookie]

HWP, if you want to try the 70-200 IS f/2.8 i have yell at me. I'll meet ya somewhere and we can go shot for a couple of hours. If you wanna try more boat racing I can get you good "seats" (in the rescue boat) on Sept 15 & 16 at grass lake (east of jackson) or In Big Rapids (131 expressway exit 131) on Sept 22 & 23. These boats are unlimited but they go 80mph and are good practise.

[HWP]

HWP, if you want to try the 70-200 IS f/2.8 i have yell at me. I'll meet ya somewhere and we can go shot for a couple of hours. If you wanna try more boat racing I can get you good "seats" (in the rescue boat) on Sept 15 & 16 at grass lake (east of jackson) or In Big Rapids (131 expressway exit 131) on Sept 22 & 23. These boats are unlimited but they go 80mph and are good practise.

Sounds great. My wife has relatives in Grass Lake so maybe she could visit them and I'll meet you at the lake. I'll drop you message through this site.
I appreciate the offer. I may even have a new lens by then but I'd still like to shoot some more.

Here's another hydro that show's a good sense of motion but unfortunately not much detail in the boat.