Who is shooting motorsports with XXD?

[D.A.]

At least semi professional. I am asking that because my 30D is not good
at AI SERVO mode.

[Tessa]

I do. I use a 40D and I'm quite happy with it.

[D.A.]

Is 40D better in focus speed & accuracy then 30D?

[GSH]

How about posting some samples of what you think isn't good?.

The 30D should be more than capable of turning out good Motorsports shots, my old 20D certainly was as is my new 50D.

[Simon Harrison]

The 20D I used to own could deliver the goods, and the 40D I currently own can as well.

As Geoff says, lets see some samples.

Simon.

[Revhard191]

I was using my 400D (Rebel XTi) but now using my new 5D Mark ii, now the 400D is my back up with my UWA lens and my 70-200 F4 L on the 5D2. I believe most of the DSLR's will be more then sufficient as long as you have your panning down and in TV mode starting from 1/250 steping down to 1/60th. Keep practicing on the panning and it will all turn out. I shoot anything from Go Karts, Drifting, to Vintage Race cars at some of our local tracks.

Good luck and keep shooting!

[Lowner]

I'm perfectly happy with my 30D in AI Servo mode. Granted it takes concentration to keep the AF nailed after it has got a lock.

[Bicknell55]

What lens? The L series will track better than others.

[andrewc]

I found my old 30D to be more than capable. Now use a 40D and a 50D. 1D3/4 is on the wishlist.

[ryant35]

I find my 20D wasn't nearly as good at tracking moving objects as my 40D.

[Mama Tried]

I used to have a 40D but when it started having shutter problems I got 2 50D's

[gdrMatt]

i used to shoot motorsports with a D30 and got good results.. 30D is even better. and some of my best shots were from a 10D.

[Echo63]

i use a 1dmk2n and a 40d for motorsports
the 40d struggles to focus a little bit in the darkness, but produces cleaner files at high the high isos i need to use in the darkness.

i cant tell any difference between the files coming out of them, apart from the image names and exif data, they both look very similar.

i do need to get a grip for the 40d, it feels like a toy compared to the 1d

also - my wife used to use a 20d occasionally, and it seemed to work pretty well, she seemed happy with the files coming out of it.

and another local photographer (fia accredited) uses a 40d for all his work, with a 400 f2.8 and 300 f4 and his work looks great

[cdi]

Currently I use a 30D, but I want to upgrade to a 1D series camera. My 30D works good for what I shoot, but then again I'm normally in well lit stadiums, speedways, or fairgrounds.

[neil_r]

I used to shoot motorsport with fully manual cameras for many more years than I have been shooting it with auto cameras, it was an expensive learning curve but paying dividends now :-)

[WRCfan]

I shoot freestyle motocross, drifting and rallying with my 50D. Beautiful shots it gives me that is for sure! Still learning to put my own tweaks on the photos via manual modes although practice makes perfect.

[Z28Ken]

John Thawley (http://www.johnthawley.com) shoots a lot with a 40D. At least a good number that he's shared on the FM forums.

[philwillmedia]

I shot plenty of motorsport (and other sport) with a 10D until it finally cried "Enough!" and went to Canon heaven.
I had no issue with AI Servo and was predomatly using 100-400L.
Can't fault that set up in any way.
I still sometimes use my old clunker d30 (not 30D) and a 400D as backups to my 1D MkII
Regards
Phil

[Dawid]

I did it with a 350D, and then a 20D, both with great results.

Remember, it's mostly how you shoot, not as much what you shoot with, that determines your motorsport shooting ability. ;)

[xknowonex]

40D here with no complaints after a couple of professional events.

Never blame the camera! If you are not satisfied with what you are getting, fine tune your technique because getting a better body isnt going to help

[chungangus]

Yes, technique creates great image.
I am using a 400D and sometimes with sharp picture too.

Of course planning to get a 50D.

[neilwood32]

Ive used a 400D before and got very good results (even if i say so myself!).

Unless there is something amiss with your 30D then I would guess its user error (or lack of practise).

I havent used my 50D in anger at motorsports yet but will be trying in a few weeks!

[Doctor Sodways]

I currently use a 50d, but have used 400d in the past too, and i have never had a problem with either of them coping with what im doing, from MotoGP to tarmac rallies to circuit work with everything from open wheelers to trucks, i couldnt be happier, i would love a pro body, but my budget doesnt stretch that far, so ill just get myself a 300 2.8 and be happy :)

[vheilman]

I use a 40D and a XTi as backup. I love my 40D.

[eric gautier]

I've been shooting with a 30D for awhile now and it works for me.

iso100
f10
1/80
sigma 70-200
http://www.elusivemedia.com/gallery/d/104613-3/IMG_7596.jpg

[grphx]

What's the big deal about shooting motorsports with a xxD?

[DC Fan]

Does the camera body matter that much?

Motorsports with a XTi/400d.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/083120080018.jpg

Motorsports with a 300d.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/online/09112008b0224.jpg

Motorsports with a D30.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/online/img_2220.jpg

All three bodies seemed to work at a race track.

[timberlakephoto]

What lens? The L series will track better than others.

Ditto on that, I've found my sigma lenses tend to lose track, skip off focus, etc.
When I shoot with an L lens & have very little "slop"
This has been with every body from 10D to 50D although in my opinion the 40 & 50 get a tad better, didn't notice much difference between 10, 20, 30.

[ryant35]

It was night and day with motorsports moving up form a 20D to a 40D.

[PhotosGuy]

20D: POTN at Waterford Hills - Open Wheel Club Racing. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=543685)

[DennisW1]

At least semi professional. I am asking that because my 30D is not good
at AI SERVO mode.

I see a lot of working photogs at motorsports events using everything from a 20D on up......lots of 30D's still bring home good images for their owners.

And the comment about John Thawley is well taken. When I first met John he was shooting with 10D's and still wringing incredible images out of them.

Sorry to disagree but the 30D can be an excellent motorsports camera. Lens selection, shooting technique, working with your lighting (where is the sun?...amazing how many people I see at the tracks shooting with the light working against them), and learning how to use the AI Servo mode correctly. I assume you are talking about AI Servo, not AI Focus. AI Focus will kill you every time. It attempts to "decide" if the subject is moving and if it shoud use One Shot or AI Servo, and while it's making up its mind you've blown the shot.

Seriously, there is nothing wrong with a 30D for motorsports. Yes, the 1D series cameras do have a better and faster AF system but that doesn't mean you can't get great shots with your 30D.

[motofan]

shooting MX and a little snocross and some drag racing with 40D and 70-200 F2.8IS, nothing wrong with the pics, AF is nice until it gets dark,

[tylermoney]

I only have a 40d, so I use it for everything. I'm pretty happy with my results. I have shot motor sports and some skateboarding. I'm pretty happy with I've been able to achieve overall:

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix 09:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tggorton/sets/72157621594184897/

Quantity Day - Skateboard Tour 09:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tggorton/sets/72157618890839498/

I just used my 50mm f1.8 (nifty 50)

[Stav_98]

30d works well for me. AI Servo Mode works well enough for motorsport with cheap class.

[chopperdave]

I have used a 300D 20D 30D 50D and T1i

The 50D has better af yeah, but they all work

[Paulo Oliveira]

I use a 40D and I´m very happy. It performs very well in motosports photography :cool:

[D.A.]

Thank you all! Right now I have 50D and race comping up this weekend. I'm gone use two cameras
so will see the difference if any.

[Bosscat]

50D for this pair, and unless I win a lottery will be using them for the forseeable future.