Motorsport 300mm or 400mm Prime?

[Gadget-Guy]

As in the title whats the best all rounder for motorsport from the public side of the fence?

Have the 300 f2.8 and use mainly with the 1.4x or 2x TC so seeing im up around 420mm most of the time was considering a second hand 400 f2.8 but is this lens as good with the TC's as the 300?

[andrewc]

Which circuits, what body?

[Gadget-Guy]

1D MKIV and mainly Silverstone but also Brands and Mallory but most places at Mallory as you know a 70-200 will do your that close.

[GSH]

I'll throw a 500 into the mix just to confuse things a bit ;)

[Gadget-Guy]

I'll throw a 500 into the mix just to confuse things a bit ;)

LOL cheers Geoff

[KennyG]

I have a 300 and 500 on 1 series bodies. The 500 is way too long at most circuits except for bikes (smaller targets), The 300 can be a bit short in some places at Silverstone, ideal at Brands - just about anywhere except out at the GP loop where the 1.4TC comes in handy. The 400 is disproportionally heavy for the extra length and can sudddenly become too "long" with nowhere to go.

IMHO the best mix is two bodies, one with a 300 and the other with a 70-200 2.8IS. That covers 95% of my work. The older I get the less I like to carry too much weight around the circuits.

[Gadget-Guy]

Thank you very much for the responce KennyG,as someone who's work i have admired for a long time i really appreciate your answer to my question.

[fashioneyes]

It's the weight of the 400 2.8 that put me off the lens. Its over double the weight of the 300 2.8 !

[Gadget-Guy]

Cheers Fashioneyes, had a play with one today and must admit that i will stick with the 300 for now.

[Picturesports]

300 and a 70-200 on a crop body and a 1D I find fits most situations. 60% of the shots at Silverstone need a longer lens, although there are places you can still get a very decent shot at 200 on a crop body.

So like most people I'd go (and do) with the 300 F2.8 and a crop body rather than the x1.4.

For those lens envy weekends you can always hire one :-)

[Gadget-Guy]

Thanks for the replies and will stick with the 300mm and TC's for now and start saving for a 7D to get that extra bit.The 300 with 2x TC did perform well at the weekend at most points but found it a little short sometimes but was pleased with some of the results.

300 + 2x TC no crop

http://www.freezeframe-photography.co.uk/moto%20gp%202010%202/uncrop-600mm.jpg

[restyles]

I will give my two penneth and agree completely with Kenny and say 300 + 1.4x and a 70-200. That should cover most of what you are likely to encounter. I use 1D3 bodies, but a 1.6 crop may be handy.

[fashioneyes]

Yup ... agreed again

Sounds crazy, but that's why I bought a 7D ... for the 1.6 crop factor, combine that with a 1.4 extender and the 300mm f2.8 and I have 420 f4.0 IS with an effective angle of view as a 672mm on FF.

+ 70-200 2.8 on a 1.3 crop ... or visa versa ... or any other combination.

Gonna sell my Bigma 150-500 now ... just can see where I'd use it

[GSH]

Silverstone...from the public areas as per the OP...

500 & 1DMKIIN (i reckon someone in this thread is familiar with my MKII)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Images%202009/HSCC%20Silverstone/HSCC%20Silverstone0589_1.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Images%202009/HSCC%20Silverstone/HSCC%20Silverstone0453_1.jpg

500 & 50D

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Images%202009/HSCC%20Silverstone/HSCC%20Silverstone0306_1.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Images%202009/HSCC%20Silverstone/HSCC%20Silverstone0071_1.jpg

Brands - MKIIN/300+1.4x
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/120-300/GSH_6366.jpg

MKIIN + 600 (300+2x)
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/120-300/GSH_6469.jpg


Yes, there are places where a 70-200 will also be useful, but IMHO from the public areas a 300+TC's and a 500 is a very useful set-up. At the end of the day it's your money ;)

I might just pay the extortionate ticket price and come down for the Silverstone Classic this year if you want to try a 500 for size. I won't comment on Mallory as i've never shot there :)

[Simon Harrison]

One thing I was told many moons ago by a then regular poster on POTN, is that if you buy a lens and then put a TC on it for most or all of the time, then you've bought the wrong lens.....

From the public areas, and indeed many signed on locations, I have never found 500 mm to be too long. On the contrary. In most cases it was pretty much the perfect focal length. This is from shooting at Silverstone, Croft, Knockhill, Cadwell and Oulton.

[Simon Harrison]

One thing I was told many moons ago by a then regular poster on POTN, is that if you buy a lens and then put a TC on it for most or all of the time, then you've bought the wrong lens.....

From the public areas, and indeed many signed on locations, I have never found 500 mm to be too long. On the contrary. In most cases it was pretty much the perfect focal length. This is from shooting at Silverstone, Croft, Knockhill, Cadwell and Oulton.

[Gadget-Guy]

Thanks for the exzamples Geoff and also Simon for your post,although i would love a 500mm for loads of things i am going to invest in a 7D to replace my backup 20D for now and then see if i still feel the need for a different lens.

Let me know Geoff if you are going to Silverstone and will see if i can get up to meet you and see if your keeping my old MKII clean ;).