Shooting at Donnington?

[Incomplete Pete]

Just realised that I can get to Donnington Park in about 30 minutes on the bus, thus am going to head over and shoot some racing/track days.

Any tips for locations on the track etc.? I'll be using my 1D, 70-200 f2.8 L IS along with my 1.4TC.

[Cadwell]

If you've got anything longer than the 70-200 take it. Donington is a horrid place for photography and even with a TC that lens is going to be short. If they're running the full GP circuit (unlikely) then there are a couple of nice spots on the Melbourne Loop from the outfield, otherwise it's not much good. Over by the Spitfire on the infield is perhaps one of the better spots with a decent view of the Craner Curves... I also like Starkey's Bridge just beyond the Spark Plug (again on the infield) which gives a nice view of the run in from the old hairpin and then up the hill to Mcleans.

[Brands]

Apart from the spots Cadwell suggested you might have enough lenght to shoot at the end of the pit straight, from the infield, by the gate at the start of Redgate corner.

[Huckaback Photo]

Pete
really cant see what the problem is.
Canon make a 1200 mm lens just set it up in the next town and away you go.

Did i mention the price !!!! you have to check this amount to believe it.

Unfortunately they dont do the 1200mm f2.8 version yet.

I once covered the historic part of RAC rally and managed to get into a competitors entrance area at Donington , a bit different with a race day though.

Now have some of my images up in a gallery, some motorsport & classic cars.

Cheers
Martin

http://www.pbase.com/huckaback_photo

[KennyG]

Great circuit to race at (been there, done that) horrible circuit for a photographer. There and Silverstone tempt me to drag out the 500mm. Even then I end up in the same spots as every other pro (there being so few good spots) and all my shots look like theirs. To be honest I more or less gave up on the place as there are far more interesting circuits to work at.

[Incomplete Pete]

Will be fun to see what I can get as I'm so close. Mallory Park is pretty near by, so will investigate that when the season kicks off. Will make a change from football!

Thanks anyway! Will investigate secondhand 400mm f2.8 L lenses in the US this summer!

[neil_r]

If they are using it and you can get inside the Melbourne Hairpin is excellent



http://www.neil-rice.com/gallery/photo/small/Rossi_2_w.jpg

http://www.neil-rice.com/gallery/photo/small/Shinya_4_w.jpg

Bit of a pedantic point but no double n in Donington :o

N

[Jonny]

Pete,

I have looked at going to donington too, i only live in beeston so its about 15mins away. There are plenty of track days there too.

Does anyone know if photogs can just turn up and shoot on track days? I have never been to a circuit before. Where can you go?

Thanks

[iwatkins]

I quite often go up to Dono for track days. I just pull up at the paddock gates and say "I'm here for the track day". Track days are usually a lot easier for access. For instance, you can get in the pits and up on the pit wall.

Ian

[sGu]

Pete,

I have looked at going to donington too, i only live in beeston so its about 15mins away.

Hey Jon, I used to live in Beeston 5 years ago before I move to manchester, lovely little town :D

Only if I knew it's so close to the track ... :rolleyes:

[glane606]

Pete

I concur re the location by the Spitfire, the infield is good, and easy access with your own car. I went up last year for my first time at the end of the year, this year I will be going up alot more.

Longer than 200mm would be very useful though.

Some of my first attempt are at

http://www.pbase.com/glane606/donington_park_racing_31_july&page=1

if you want an idea of what i came away with on day one, I am looking forward to getting the 20D up there.

Enjoy

Gary

[Incomplete Pete]

I'll be up at Donington this Sunday for the British Superbike Preview Day, can't wait to get inside the Melbourne haipin and explore the pit garages :D

Anyone else going?

[Cadwell]

I'll be up at Donington this Sunday for the British Superbike Preview Day, can't wait to get inside the Melbourne haipin and explore the pit garages :D

Anyone else going?

Nah, there's some proper racing going on at Brands Hatch ;)

[neil_r]

I'll be up at Donington this Sunday for the British Superbike Preview Day, can't wait to get inside the Melbourne haipin and explore the pit garages :D

Anyone else going?

May get there for second session, have you got accreditation?

N

[Incomplete Pete]

Yea, so will get to explore the place fully!

[neil_r]

Yea, so will get to explore the place fully!

If the press bus is not running you will be knackered by the end of the day :)

[Incomplete Pete]

Yea, hopefully there will be a few shooters there, otherwise will try and stick with a few decent locations for the day!