Drag racing lens filter question

[pastanley]

Does anyone use a protective filter on their lens while shooting pro drag racing? I am particularly referring to the nitro cars where there is alot of rubber and dirty air. Just wondering what everyone uses.

[Jim M]

It has been a while since I shot more than a smattering of fuel cars, so I'm maybe not the best source, but I used to put filters on my lenses. Then I discovered that the strange green reflections and flares were coming from my filters. I haven't shot with them this year and I'm just praying for that L glass coating to hold up to my cleaning. Images are vastly better, though. I actually worry more about rocks and grit than tire sticky. Those burnouts can fling a lot of stuff.

[Jamie Holladay]

I put a UV filter on most of my lense. There are so many schools of thought on filters though. The only reason I use them is to protect the front element. Who knows if that is the right thing to do or not.

[Lowbyte]

If I'm on the starting line, I will use a UV filter- it easier to change out the filters then to clean the glass mid-day.

If I'm not shooting in an angle that will clip the sun the results have been fine.

[justincase724]

Sometimes I'll use a CPL filter just to cut back some of the glare, but other than that, usually no filter. Keep in mind I'm only shooting from the stands. Now shooting in the pits is a bit different, especially if you're up close. I try to keep some kind of filter on as you can sometimes get a spraying of fuel or oil out of those headers.

[gdrMatt]

i don't use any filters either.. I do have some small specs on the front of my 70-200mm, my main Drag Racing lens, but it doesn't affect the photos..

[Jim M]

As a little added note, if you are track-side, it won't take you long to figure out that you need to get upwind and cover up when they spray the track. Luckily, the track stickum I've encountered is alcohol soluble, but it's still a pain.

[Jim M]

I also wanted to add that most of my problems with unwanted green flare seen with filters came from specular highlights on the cars rather than directly from the sun.

I got a little chip on my 70-200 2.8 IS a few weeks ago and I can't tell that it is there from looking at the results. I'm guessing that stopped down there is no image-forming light passing through the edge where it is. The images are still much better with the chip than with the filter. I have a prime lens that has a tiny chip more toward the center and I still can't detect a problem with it either.

[Zilly]

word from the wise nitromethane will go straight threw most of the coatings you have on filters and lenses
its a lot cheeper to replace filters than it is a new front element

[funhouse69]

I always have a filter on my lens and I've gotten some great shots at the drags. I usually just have a UV or Skylight, I've had to clean the rubber off of them many times.

I wore a white shirt to one in Vegas at the last NHRA Event and it was covered. Just think were breathing in that as well :mrgreen: