Recent drag outing

[madramper]

Here are a few shots from a recent trip to the drag strip. This was only a day or 2 after I got my first DSLR, so be gentle :D I have a lot to learn and the kit lens just doesn't cut it with 55mm of reach! I have a new lens coming in a week or so, so I will be much better prepared for next time.

I am in a Lightning club (SVT performance Ford trucks for anyone that doesn't know), so that is why they are mostly trucks.


http://www.delvallo.net/gallery/data/569/IMG_1042.jpg

http://www.delvallo.net/gallery/data/569/IMG_0792.jpg

http://www.delvallo.net/gallery/data/569/IMG_0953.jpg

http://www.delvallo.net/gallery/data/569/IMG_0903.jpg

http://www.delvallo.net/gallery/data/569/IMG_0770.jpg

[Hartness53]

Pretty good shots. I'm a Dodge guy though!

[sastein]

Chip,

Not bad for the first time out with a new camera and kit lens. You're right. You need a bit more reach and that new lens will be helpful.

Next time out try to slow down the shutter speed some as this will give your shots a sense of motion and also blur out the background some and make it less of a distraction.

The downside of drag racing is that there isn't a lot of opportunities to try really slow shots if there aren't many races. So if you go to track days and practice your panning, this will get you those great shots when the big races happen.

One rule of thumb I was told was the slower the car, the slower the shutter speed. I'd start out at 1/60 sec and pan with the cars (if you have a Canon, set the focus to center spot only and AE Servo mode). If 1/60 doesn't work out for you, bump it up to 1/125 to get a couple of keepers.

[madramper]

Pretty good shots. I'm a Dodge guy though!

Sorry man, I just can't do a Dodge :D j/k I'd be all over a Mopar muscle car if I could get my hands on it!



Chip,

Not bad for the first time out with a new camera and kit lens. You're right. You need a bit more reach and that new lens will be helpful.

Next time out try to slow down the shutter speed some as this will give your shots a sense of motion and also blur out the background some and make it less of a distraction.

The downside of drag racing is that there isn't a lot of opportunities to try really slow shots if there aren't many races. So if you go to track days and practice your panning, this will get you those great shots when the big races happen.

One rule of thumb I was told was the slower the car, the slower the shutter speed. I'd start out at 1/60 sec and pan with the cars (if you have a Canon, set the focus to center spot only and AE Servo mode). If 1/60 doesn't work out for you, bump it up to 1/125 to get a couple of keepers.


Thanks for the advice! The shutter speed was one of the first things I read AFTER I got back :D I am getting a 55-250 and probably a 1.4 TC, so tat should really help. Unfortunately, I don't think I will have an opportunity to try it out until Spring when the track reopens. And yes, I have a Canon. I picked up a 450D about 2 weeks ago. I love the camera! I shot about 3500 pics on my old camera in a year and a half. I am right around 2000 with the new cam in 2 weeks! :D

[madramper]

Pretty good shots. I'm a Dodge guy though!

Sorry man, I just can't do a Dodge :D j/k I'd be all over a Mopar muscle car if I could get my hands on it!



Chip,

Not bad for the first time out with a new camera and kit lens. You're right. You need a bit more reach and that new lens will be helpful.

Next time out try to slow down the shutter speed some as this will give your shots a sense of motion and also blur out the background some and make it less of a distraction.

The downside of drag racing is that there isn't a lot of opportunities to try really slow shots if there aren't many races. So if you go to track days and practice your panning, this will get you those great shots when the big races happen.

One rule of thumb I was told was the slower the car, the slower the shutter speed. I'd start out at 1/60 sec and pan with the cars (if you have a Canon, set the focus to center spot only and AE Servo mode). If 1/60 doesn't work out for you, bump it up to 1/125 to get a couple of keepers.


Thanks for the advice! The shutter speed was one of the first things I read AFTER I got back :D I am getting a 55-250 and probably a 1.4 TC, so tat should really help. Unfortunately, I don't think I will have an opportunity to try it out until Spring when the track reopens. And yes, I have a Canon. I picked up a 450D about 2 weeks ago. I love the camera! I shot about 3500 pics on my old camera in a year and a half. I am right around 2000 with the new cam in 2 weeks! :D

[Quarantine]

you need a slower shutter speed and some panning practice.

[O3DigitalBath]

Mustang looks good, a little longer shutter might show more speed.

[RadAL]

too fast of shutter speed (good for clarity but bad for motion)...