Drag Racing

Firehouse wrote in post #18606778
Eric Gates in his 23 Ford AA/FA Fuel Altered at the 2018 March Meet.

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Gotta love them altereds.

My first trip to my local drag strip. I don't know why I've never bothered to go before. It's cheap entry fee and it would seem I can get just about anywhere I want and no one says a word to me!!! My panning still needs a whole lot of work!

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/25ib​VZF

Eric Myers wrote in post #18558626
Couple shots from last years race in Sonoma.

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Hosted photo: posted by Eric Myers in
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Tire distortion is so cool!

Last weekend, I went out to our local 1/8 mile track at Barona in East San Diego County. It was really hot (97/36 degrees), but there was a good turnout. I don't often shoot drag racing, so the relearning curve and then the night shooting conditions were a challenge. Enjoy.

I think you did pretty well, especially with the night shots. Must be much brighter than my local track.

Jim M wrote in post #18680389
I think you did pretty well, especially with the night shots. Must be much brighter than my local track.

Thanks, but maybe not, note the ISO of 12800. And that was just at the start line. Once past the tree, it got much darker.

I got to shoot some drag racing for a blog a few weeks ago and had an absolute blast. I'd love to shoot on the staging lanes again.

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I'm a high school football and baseball shooter who's going to give shooting drag racing a go at the upcoming U.S. Nationals here in Indy. This will be my first attempt at shooting motorsports. I'll be shooting from my seat in the stands, which is approximately 350 ft. down the track from the starting line and 23 rows up. Also, the distance to the middle of the track right in front of me is approximately 196 ft. I'll be shooting with the Fujifilm X-H1 (APS-C sensor). I'm trying to decide which lens to bring with me, either the 50-140 f/2.8 or 100-400 f/3.5-5.6. I also have a 1.4 TC. I want to bring just one lens. Which lens shall bring? I would like to shoot some burnouts, and panning shots, prior to, after and as the cars pass me.

racin06 wrote in post #18687924
I'm a high school football and baseball shooter who's going to give shooting drag racing a go at the upcoming U.S. Nationals here in Indy. This will be my first attempt at shooting motorsports. I'll be shooting from my seat in the stands, which is approximately 350 ft. down the track from the starting line and 23 rows up. Also, the distance to the middle of the track right in front of me is approximately 196 ft. I'll be shooting with the Fujifilm X-H1 (APS-C sensor). I'm trying to decide which lens to bring with me, either the 50-140 f/2.8 or 100-400 f/3.5-5.6. I also have a 1.4 TC. I want to bring just one lens. Which lens shall bring? I would like to shoot some burnouts, and panning shots, prior to, after and as the cars pass me.

If it were me, I'd take both lenses + the TC because you never know what opportunities might occur. Before the weekend, I suggest that you try to duplicate the distances where there's some traffic & practice Panning.

Couple from last night

racin06 wrote in post #18687924
I'm a high school football and baseball shooter who's going to give shooting drag racing a go at the upcoming U.S. Nationals here in Indy. This will be my first attempt at shooting motorsports. I'll be shooting from my seat in the stands, which is approximately 350 ft. down the track from the starting line and 23 rows up. Also, the distance to the middle of the track right in front of me is approximately 196 ft. I'll be shooting with the Fujifilm X-H1 (APS-C sensor). I'm trying to decide which lens to bring with me, either the 50-140 f/2.8 or 100-400 f/3.5-5.6. I also have a 1.4 TC. I want to bring just one lens. Which lens shall bring? I would like to shoot some burnouts, and panning shots, prior to, after and as the cars pass me.

Wow, starting motorsports photography at the US Nationals will be a huge challenge for you. The massive acceleration coupled with the sound/shock wave that hits you during launch will be your two biggest challenges. As PhotosGuy mentioned, I would recommend both lenses for shooting from the stands. Personally, I wouldn’t bother with the 1.4x. I know you wanted to minimize lenses, but if you have one, I’d recommend something like a 24-70mm f/2.8 for shooting the pit areas. I would also suggest you try to attend a Friday/Saturday night drags at a local track to practice. They will usually be much slower and give you some time to get used to the burst of speed for panning. Good luck, bring hearing protection and have fun.

Couple more

Shaun Liddy wrote in post #18689027
Couple more

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Really like this one.

racin06 wrote in post #18687924
I'm a high school football and baseball shooter who's going to give shooting drag racing a go at the upcoming U.S. Nationals here in Indy. This will be my first attempt at shooting motorsports. I'll be shooting from my seat in the stands, which is approximately 350 ft. down the track from the starting line and 23 rows up. Also, the distance to the middle of the track right in front of me is approximately 196 ft. I'll be shooting with the Fujifilm X-H1 (APS-C sensor). I'm trying to decide which lens to bring with me, either the 50-140 f/2.8 or 100-400 f/3.5-5.6. I also have a 1.4 TC. I want to bring just one lens. Which lens shall bring? I would like to shoot some burnouts, and panning shots, prior to, after and as the cars pass me.

Awesome! You'll love it! I started shooting motorsports at the Nationals 3 years ago. I'll be there also shooting from the stands. I'd LOVE to shoot from the wall. It has become a dream of mine really. I shoot with an 80D (ASP-C). Sounds like you'll be sitting about middle of the stands and toward the top. You'll get some awesome shots from there. Your 50-140 is plenty from that spot for panning. I'd recommend using 1/125 to start with for panning. Dial it down as the day goes and you get comfortable with following the fast cars. They are FAST af. And rather hard to follow really. Your 100-400 would also work for panning but only at 100mm. Even then the cars will fill a lot of the frame and make it more challenging. But you'll get some really sweet shots on the start line with that lens. So, you should probably take both. TBH. I use a 70-200 and this year I'll be taking my 400mm prime and sitting at the end of the stands down near the track, trying to get some head on shots. There is a small oval to the west of the grandstands you can go into those stands and walk up to the top and get a good view of the drag strip looking east. A good spot to practice panning at various focal lengths with either of your lenses. Also with your ticket you'll have access to general admission. Either side of the track. So the sun will dictate which side is better to shoot from at a given time of day. You could use the 100-400 to try and get some head on shots. I'm pretty sure at 400 from that end of the stands you can fill the frame with a car on the starting line. If not, it would only be a very light crop. Don't be afraid to walk up to the top of the grandstands and walk down toward the starting line for some sweet burnout shots! If you only take one lens, you won't be disappointed with the shots you get from either lens. And I promise, you'll have a hell of a fun time shooting!

I look forward to seeing your shots posted here! I'll be posting a couple of my best shots from that day.
This will be my 3rd year in a row shooting there from the stands. Always exciting. If you have more questions feel free to pm me.

A shot from last year, panning obviously at 100mm from roughly where you'll be sitting this year. A very light crop just for composition.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Xd52​Y2

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Thanks A1