Is the 70-200 generally enough?

Great shots. Thanks.

dinanm3atl wrote in post #14196290
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.

I found that out the hard way at Laguna Seca in 2010 shooting MotoGP. I was setting up to shoot in turn 5 using my 70-200 with a 1.4 extender and noticed a lot of other photographers with at least a 300-400mm in that turn. The next time I shoot there again I will rent a 400-500. I talked to a couple of Pro guys while there and they were shooting with 500-600mm for the "tighter framed" in your face shots that people enjoy today.

If you want to get head on shots, or shots at the apex (shooting from outside of the turn) it's generally not even close to enough for track shooting. I have a 100-400mm and I find it most of the time all the way out at 400mm on a crop body (7D).

If you are on the inside of a turn, a shorter lens is perfect, but when on the outside of a turn....length is what you need