Does anyone have an image showing a photo finish of a close race?

[tonybear007]

I am writing an article on the effects of fast and slow shutter speeds. I would like to show one situation in which a fast shutter speed is desirable. I would like to show a photo finish of a race (cars, horses or athletes) but unfortunately I have no such image.

Do you have one that I can use for this article? Full credit will be given to the ower of the image.

[tracknut]

While a fast shutter speed is a good thing for photo finish, the more important thing is triggering the shutter at just the right time. Ie, let's say you need 1/1000th of a second as your shutter speed to capture that "nose ahead", what mechanism do you have to guarantee the you pick the correct 1/1000th of the second in question?

I get tons of folks asking me to catch the finish of a race. While I can shoot 8.5 photos per second like the one below, each at 1/1000th (or 1/3200 in this case), getting the *right* 1/1000th of a second, the one just at the point they cross the finish line, is not something I can do by adjusting the shutter speed of my camera :)

Dave

http://www.pixf.com/dm_86777.jpg

[Mike-DT6]

What a great capture! :-) Did you pre-focus on the correct part of the track and wait for the dogs to arrive, or were you panning and auto-focusing?

Mike

[tracknut]

Thanks Mike. Panning and auto focus as they go down the track.

Dave

[tonybear007]

Superb shot. Now that's what I had in mind.

Did you say 1/3200 sec? Aperture was about f/1.4 or f/2.8, correct?

[Mike-DT6]

Thanks for the details Dave. :-)

Tony, the EXIF information in Dave's photo shows f/2.8, as you guessed, and also 1/3200th, ISO100 and 300mm focal length.

Mike

:-)

[tonybear007]

Thanks Mike.

By the way Mike, have you ever photographed a football (soccer) game? What were the requirement to get in and shoot?

[Mike-DT6]

Sorry, I can't help you on the football question, but someone who knows is bound to read this and be able to help! If not, try posting in the Talk About Photography section. :-)

I would have suggested asking in the Sports section, but I think people get told off for posting questions in those forums because they are meant for photo sharing! :lol:

Mike