Is the 70-200 generally enough?

With a media/press pass/credentials, is the 70-200 usually enough for actual racing coverage? Or is longer glass preferred? I've been saving and planning on replacing my 300 F4L with its 2.8L bigger brother for the upcoming race season, but now I'm debating if I should hold on to my 300 F4L and upgrade my 70-200 to the IS II version. I know I'll have media credentials for the season so I won't have to worry about access and being too far from the track, plus the IS would sure be nice to have on the 70-200. What do you all think? Continue saving for the 300 2.8L IS or go for the 70-200 2.8L IS II?

Completely depends of what you shoot. I find 70-200 more than enough for most rally, cross, go-kart and offroad events, but it's definitely too short for track racing. Yes, credentials get you closer, but most of the time still not close enough.

Also, I have the non-IS 70-200 f/2.8 and don't miss the IS.

I'll be shooting time attack racing at Buttonwillow, Road Atlanta, Palm Beach Raceway, New Jersey Motorsports Park and Texas Motor Speedway all of which I've never shot at so I don't have a clear idea where/how close I'll be able to get. I shot the last race of the past season at Infineon Raceway and the 70-200 worked great there but I also used the 300 F4L. Other factor is cost. Would be around $1000 to go from the non-IS to IS II 70-200 while going from the 300 F4L IS to 300 2.8L IS would be around $3000 more.

GOA510 wrote in post #14094606
With a media/press pass/credentials, is the 70-200 usually enough for actual racing coverage? Or is longer glass preferred?

It depends.

For every circumstance where a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens will work well, such as this image at 104mm...

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Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Thanks Tessa and DC Fan for the info and photos Just liked you talked about DC Fan is the various lenses you can use. When I was saving for a 300 2.8L I started thinking "Wait, shouldn't I go for a 400 2.8L for when I really need the reach?" Thing I have to remember is that (with fingers crossed) this wont be my last time shooting motorsports. Plenty of time to grow in skill and lens selection, we all start somewhere.

i think that if the 70-200 is your workhorse it should be the best glass in the lens that you can get. the other stuff will fall into place. The 300 you have now is no slouch and could use an upgrade in a bit. I would go with the IS II

Tessa wrote: Completely depends of what you shoot. I find 70-200 more than enough for most rally, cross, go-kart and offroad events, but it's definitely too short for track racing. Yes, credentials get you closer, but most of the time still not close enough.

Completely agree, too short for track racing.

Ash

Thanks peeaanuut and rsash The 70-200 2.8L did serve me well for the last race of the previous season, but of course, none of the races this year are at that same track lol I think what I may do is continue saving and stick with my current setup for the first race. I believe we're also doing a testing day at the same track as the first race so it'll give me a little extra time at the track. Then I can have a better idea (hopefully) of what will suit me better. I was thinking of renting one of the lenses I'm interested in for each race, but looking at the weekly rates it'd be nice chunk of change out of the new lens savings

The 70-200 is a standard in motorsport shooters kits, but it's not the be all and end all.
It depends on what you're shooting as has been mentioned.

I'm going to Long Beach this year with my 70-200, and considering either buying or renting a 1.4X, but am on the fence about it, at this point.

Mike, just a heads up. Fullerton camera has a used 1.4x II for $275, or they at least had it a day or 2 ago. Just a heads up if you are looking to buy. Also, Calumet might have a few more 1.4x II in stock at $309. I got the last one at Santa Ana the other day but they may have them in the LA store still.

i'd highly suggest a 1.4x at long beach. I'd also suggest carrying a wide angle (17-40 or 24-70).

Thanks guys !

Mike

id use a F4 as its much lighter and most mospo events are in good lighting, and if its an open course, you dont want to be running with a monopod and f2.8 lol.

also carry a 1.4 teleconverter at least just in case you need the extra zoom

Usually good enough for more standard panning work but if you want the 'in your face' tele photo compression style shot you will want 400-500 IMO.