Local auto-x in Clemson, sc

[pcuenin]

I know this is not F1 test but I am shooting what I can get too, so please be kind. this is my first post on the board...hoping I can get some new input. I only have my kit lens that came with my 300D, a 50mm 1.8, and a 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6. I am hoping to get a 70-200 4l soon, and the the 2x extender some time after. Any thoughts on getting this set up? Any suggestions for better... remember I am a college student so and can only buy one thing at a time and the 70-200 will be by big tax return buy. Well enough typing here are some pics. Let me know what you think,

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p.s.
Going to Mitty at road atlanta this weekend so I should have some good stuff to put then.

[Cadwell]

OK, I like what I see. You have a nice choice of angles, the subject matter is good, exposure is bang on and you've got your panning technique nailed.

A couple of observations on the photos if I may. In the first shot I would have preferred it without the cone between the camera and the car. Try some lower angles, kneel or lie down if need be. You badly need to clean your sensor - there are a number of fairly prominent dust bunnies to be seen.

Overall very good work, I know the difficulties of shooting motorsport with a 300D and you've overcome them well.

On the subject of your lens purchases, are you aware that the EF 70-200mm f/4L plus 2x TC combination won't autofocus on a 300D (or any digital camera except a 1 Series)? You might be better off getting a 1.4x TC.

[cbock]

Originally Posted by Cadwell

On the subject of your lens purchases, are you aware that the EF 70-200mm f/4L plus 2x TC combination won't autofocus on a 300D (or any digital camera except a 1 Series)? You might be better off getting a 1.4x TC.

i agree with the af issue. but, i'd recommend a few hundred more on the sigma 70-200 f2.8. mine is great with my 2tc.

nice shots btw!!!

[badgerbaiter]

Originally Posted by Cadwell

Try some lower angles, kneel or lie down if need be.

i'm not sure i'd want to be lying down in the middle of a car park with only a cone between me and a ford mustang

[Cadwell]

Depends how far you're prepared to go for the shot. I've lain down in the pit lane at Silverstone before now to get a nice angle on an F1 car. I'm often seen lying down at rallies as well and no, I'm not sleeping!

Of course, only do it if you can do so safely.

[badgerbaiter]

Originally Posted by Cadwell

Depends how far you're prepared to go for the shot. I've lain down in the pit lane at Silverstone before now to get a nice angle on an F1 car. I'm often seen lying down at rallies as well and no, I'm not sleeping!

Of course, only do it if you can do so safely.

LOL

i'm probably a lot bigger than you, and would just take longer to get up

[pcuenin]

Try some lower angles, kneel or lie down if need be. You badly need to clean your sensor - there are a number of fairly prominent dust bunnies to be seen.

I will try the low angles....I think that could get some interesting stuff...I don't know about lying down in a F1 pit lane but sounds like a good idea. I am going to clean the image sensor But I think it might have been some spots on the kit lens...needed to be cleaned.

combination won't autofocus on a 300D

Okay well what about that combination using a 1.4? I know it will only equal 280mm correct....but hopefully I can work around that.

the sigma 70-200 f2.8. mine is great with my 2tc.

Would that autofocus??

thanks for the suggestions, and ideas.
-Paul

[Cadwell]

The 70-200mm f/4 plus 1.4x TC will autofocus on a 300D.

The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 plus 2x TC will also autofocus on a 300D but I wouldn't recomend it for motorsport.

A 2x TC slows the autofocus drive mechanism to such an extent that it's no longer fast enough to track fast moving cars accurately (unless the lens has incredibly fast AF to start off with like the Canon 300mm f/2.8L prime for example). A 1.4x slows it less and a lens with good AF speed can cope.