Motorsport Photography w/D30

[aggarcia]

Got a slightly used D30 back in June. Currently I am using a Sigma 70-300 APO Super Macro II. This setup works for right now, but after seeing the great shots on this board there is room for improvement.

I know I will at some point need to upgrade the body, but I would like to build a collection for good lenses first ( easier WAF ).

I could get the 70-200 L 4.0 in a few weeks, but should I hold out for one of these lenses. Also which of these would be better for motorsport photography and in which order would you buy them. An input would be greatly appericated.

Canon 100-400L
Sigma 70-200 2.8 EX or
Canon 70-200L 2.8
Sigma 50-500 EX

ANDREWG

[Cadwell]

I find 200mm too short for most motorsport venues.

Out of your list that leaves the 50-500mm and the 100-400L. I have the 100-400L which works well.

Someone who had owned the 50-500mm and is an excellent motorsport photographer once told me that it's AF was a little too slow. Never used it myself.

So my vote goes for the 100-400L or my personal favourite motorsport lens the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX HSM.

[Panza]

I use my Canon EF 400 5.6 L for motorsport and I find that it is a great lens for that use (too).
Just choose your location visely and the lack of zoom won't be a problem. At least it isn't for me. And the AF speed is very fast.

Here is a picture I took at a rally last weekend:

http://wrc-cosworth.org/dv/ill/Schie01S.jpg

[despot]

I've managed to get some good shots with my 70-200 F4 and 2x TC. But it's not ideal. I'm still trying to decide whether to get the 300F4 L or 100-400L next.
There will always be places where you can use what you have - and always times when you want more!

Andy

[RoB_m]

is it good to use a polarizer to get rid of the glass refelctions or does it stop down the shot oo much?

[Cadwell]

is it good to use a polarizer to get rid of the glass refelctions or does it stop down the shot oo much?

It sometimes helps but you need a lot of light to get away with it.

[BigRed450]

100-400L IS on 10D for Drag Bikes... Awesome, I love this lens..

http://users.air.on.ca/cbjaps/jtphotographic/Proofs5/main_images/IMG_2447web.jpg

and MotoX

http://users.air.on.ca/cbjaps/jtphotographic/images/IMG_1481web.jpg

[Persian-Rice]

is it good to use a polarizer to get rid of the glass refelctions or does it stop down the shot oo much?

It sometimes helps but you need a lot of light to get away with it.

Ditto, but it helps when panning.................. Besides, he lives in the States, it's not like we have crappy muggy British weather on this side of the planet hahah.

I wonder how the tanning salon business is over there lol.

[Cadwell]

I wonder how the tanning salon business is over there lol.

We prefer the "pale blue" look :P

[Mark Kemp]

http://www.m-kemp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/html/rockingham.html

All taken with a D30 and 100-400L IS.

so are most of the bike pics on the same site.

If I can get some pretty fair pics with that setup you should be able to as well.

I Just got a 20D, but I won't change the 100-400 its a very good piece of glass and the D30 is good enough, even if the new toy is better still.

[aggarcia]

Thanks for all the input and some great racing picture examples. Looks like there are a lot of recommendations for the Canon 100-400L. It is the most expensive lense mentioned ( except Cadwell's Sigma 120-300 EX 2.8 ), so I will hope that Santa will be good to me. Thanks for your input.

ANDREWG