Photographing Powerboats

[Anzxio]

The Powerboat GP is coming to Plymouth on the 15-17th and as i live here i think it'll be a great opportunity to shoot something a little different :)
http://www.class-1.com/calendar.asp?idrace=1

However, i am using a 300D and Sigma 70-300, is this going to be up to the task? My basic concerns are: lack of continous focus in anything other than the useless 'sports' mode, and 300mm not really being all that long.

With regards to actually taking the pictures, does anything have any advice to give? I am thinking that photographing stupid speed boats that are not only moving horizontally, but vertically up and down will not be an easy task! I doubt they're as predictable as a car either!


Thanks

[RockOne]

G'Day.
Firstly you shouldn't need the continuous focus. This only is really necessary for head on shots when the closure speed is great. If you pan with the boats as they move past you should have no trouble with the focus, becasue the distance changes less than the depth of field.
For panning use a monopod so that you don't have to worry about vertical motion in the camera. A shutter speed of around 1/80 to 1/100 second will give a good blurred background. Higher shutter speeds will stop all the action and you end up with photos where the boats look still. Panning does take a little practice however.
Here are some examples -
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=56819
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=56685

[Anzxio]

G'Day.
For panning use a monopod so that you don't have to worry about vertical motion in the camera.

I was thinking more of the movement of the boats :D

eg: http://www.spiritofnorway.com/media/images/preseason_11.jpg
(http://www.spiritofnorway.com)

[RockOne]

I was thinking more of the movement of the boats
Hmm. That one could be a problem. I think if you watch a few laps you will see how much movement they have and there should be a point at which the up motion stops just before the down motion starts, and you may be able to catch that :-) !. Good luck with it. Look forward to seeing the pics.!

[PhotosGuy]

Practice when they practice? ;-)

[Anzxio]

Problem is their practice is further out to sea :( ie. they only come in close for the actual race :( - I guess i could practice on qualifying day though :)

[myth337]

.. after all.. qualifying isn't just fot the boats...
be sure to show us the results... and if you can post some of the qualifying shots as well.. you might get some good tips for the races.

[Anzxio]

Well, it started today :)

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=85646