Best panning lens?

[baceball6]

I am into panning at this point, I own a 28mm, 50mm, 18-55 and 55-250.....i have been using the kit 18-55 to pan lately, they are turning out good but i want to know if there is a better lens that i can buy? what are your thoughts?

[canonnoob]

something with an IS mode 2 lol

what is your budget? what are you shooting?

[baceball6]

mostly Motocross and woods moto racing, but want to get into other sporting events.

for panning i would say motorcycles 90%

Canonnoob - i have seen ur pics, very nice

budget - under $350 if possible...

[DC Fan]

...i want to know if there is a better lens that i can buy?

Panning is a matter of technique, not glass.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20090829c0106.jpg

From a non-stabilized Tokina 80-400mm lens at 150mm.




http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20090514a0643.jpg

From a stabilized Canon 70-300mm at 210mm.




http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/2009-08-15a-1890.jpg

From a non-stabilized Tamron 18-200mm at 38mm.

Three lenses, three locations, same concept and technique, same results. Smoothness and framing is far more important than the lens. Use the lenses you have and work on smoothly tracking the target and finding the right shutter speed for conditions.

[baceball6]

like the kawasaki the best, all three are very good....i will keep practicing.....what settings did u use at the motorcycle shoot? AI servo?

[DC Fan]

like the kawasaki the best, all three are very good....i will keep practicing.....what settings did u use at the motorcycle shoot? AI servo?

AI Servo autofocus was used.

From the EXIF embedded in the image:

# Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/160 second ===> 0.00625 second
# Lens F-Number / F-Stop = 14/1 ===> ƒ/14
# Exposure Program = shutter priority (4)
# ISO Speed Ratings = 400
# Aperture = ƒ/14
# Exposure Bias (EV) = 0/3 ===> 0
# Metering Mode = pattern / multi-segment (5)
# Focal Length = 150/1 mm ===> 150 mm

[fkim011]

Those are some real quality pictures!

[chopperdave]

I think its all just getting good at the actual motion, not the hardware. I have done some good panning with a G9.

[dcad10]

first pic is spot on!

[Doctor Sodways]

Its not the lens, its the technique... I dont pan with IS on, sometimes i do it freehand, other times on a monopod... Both are quite successful, as others have said, its not the glass at all..

[C6Shortimer]

Great pics DC Fan. I agree, it's more technique than glass.

[John Thawley]

It's a lot of things. Lens length is determined by WHERE you are standing with relationship to how far away you are from the subject AND how fast it is moving. It's a combination of both.

And, you don't want IS for panning... I don't care if it's setting 1 or 2 .... or even if you find one with 3. It's ridiculous. You don't pan with IS.

http://www.johnthawley.com/journal/2008/8/18/the-pan-shot-taking-control.html