F1 - HELP!!!

[tgr141291]

I'm very new to motorsport photography, before i have been photographing Rugby. I am going to the F1 testing at Silverstone on 24th June and would like some tips please. The kit I have is;

Canon EOS 400D
Canon 200mm f/2.8 L
Canon 2X Convertor

What settings should i use on my camera. How close can i get etc....

All help gratefully recieved

Thanks

[LaSarthe&Back]

I stay in the bracket of 1/125th to 1/500th shutter speed. You can control apeture/ISO to acheive the effect you want. The key is not to use to fast a shutter speed else the cars will look like they're parked.

If testing is as the last time I went, you are only allowed to access bridge and luffield viewing terraces. Though they may have opened up more since startign to charge for it.

[andrewc]

The area between the bridge and first corner is open. You can get shots from the top seats in the grandstands, but the most interesting photos come from the luffield complex. 200mm wouldn't give frame filling images, but you can crop quite a lot. 2x converter may be OK but focussing speed may slow and IQ may reduce. Do some test photos first if you can (not on F1 cars, but possibly real cars at a reasonable speed) and examine pictures.

Use AI Servo, shutter priortity mode of around 1/320. Most modern F1 cars have silly brake ducts on the first wheels, so they look as if they're parked anyway.

You need to book tickets in advance, you can't just turn up on the day any more.

[tgr141291]

Thanks all,

Got my tickets.

Because focussing is slow with the 2x, I was thinking that i could use manual focus to focus on the track and then use continuos shooting to take that shots and that would give me one or two that were in frame.

[tgr141291]

How low will my f stop have to be to shoot through the fences?

Thanks

[petrolhead]

I always try to end up with about f/8 adjusting ISO to get there.

The 200 f/2.8 with the 2x on the 400D will give you a focal length of about 600mm (Taking crop factor into concideration) and be at f/5.6. I would start with 1/500th and work my way down

[ForzaF1]

No traction control=oversteer
oversteer=great photo opportunities

Although I don't know the kind of access you will have to the facilities, as I have never been to Silverstone, I'd suggest trying to get some photos of the cars on the exit of Luffields, unless there's too much fence between your lens and the track. Just curious-are you going to the GP, too.

Have fun,

John

[luigi1991]

cant give much advice except it isnt going to be easy!

[GSH]

I am led to believe that due to pre-GP construction work there will be NO access to Luffield and spectators will be "housed" at Farm.

I suggest you confirm with the circuit and make your plans to suit.

[luigi1991]

if thats the case the farm grandstand is brilliant!!

[steve46]

I am led to believe that due to pre-GP construction work there will be NO access to Luffield and spectators will be "housed" at Farm.

I suggest you confirm with the circuit and make your plans to suit.


Well if thats the case it's not very good value and will cut down the picture taking chances.

Damm those fences lol.

[luigi1991]

farm has a grandstand, if u can get in there and on the top row thats where i took all my renault shots with no fence in sight

[keegsmeister]

Sorry if this isn't helping but Silverstone is an awesome circuit, you should be able to get quite good shots from it. Just try to pan as best as you can on a monopod (or handheld), best of luck!

[benjo]

I'm also going Tuesday never been before. Any ideas of times as tickets or web site do not mention any

[Daniel_B]

There were thousands of people at testing last year - how can they 'house' them all at a single corner? Their website says they'll be opening extra terraces compared to last year. Maybe they'll extend the open corners from Farm to Copse?

[luigi1991]

id imagine they will open it from abbey so u have abby terrace,bridge terrace,luffield,front straight and copse

[strikerstu]

Just emailed Silverstone and this is the reply....

Thank you for your e-mail.

The areas open will be Club through to Luffield.

Grandstands open will be Abbey, Club B and Luffield A plus Farm and Bridge Terraces will be open.

Kind regards

Silverstone Circuits Limited


HTH

Stu

[Cadwell]

Sorry if this isn't helping but Silverstone is an awesome circuit, you should be able to get quite good shots from it. Just try to pan as best as you can on a monopod (or handheld), best of luck!

Actually Silverstone is a poor circuit with awful facilities, a boring layout, too many large fences, poor grandstands and even worse spectator views...

[benjo]

Thanks for cheering us up

[bildeb0rg]

Actually Silverstone is a poor circuit with awful facilities, a boring layout, too many large fences, poor grandstands and even worse spectator views...

Glenn, is this a direct quote from Bernie Ecclestone???
I was there in '94 (some English guy won) and was actually able to get within a mile of the track, something that seems ridiculously dangerous today.

[Lowner]

Bernie and I share a hatred of the place.

[Cadwell]

Glenn, is this a direct quote from Bernie Ecclestone???


No, it's a personal opinion from someone who spends far too much time there, me! :lol: