Lens/Camera Suggestions for Montreal F1 GP

Im pretty set on attending the F1 race in Montreal in June of this year, been a life long dream of mine. Naturally I want to capture the weekend the best I can. I will most likely be renting some equipment for the race weekend as my current gear no where near able to capture what I want.

I was thinking getting the 7D and 70-300L. Any other suggestions? With this setup, its affordable to rent, has good reach, and the 7D is more than capable in terms of AF and FPS. I would effectively be shooting with a 98-480. I would have either the 17-40 or 24-105 on my 5D2.

Tony_Stark wrote in post #15592033
Im pretty set on attending the F1 race in Montreal in June of this year, been a life long dream of mine. Naturally I want to capture the weekend the best I can. I will most likely be renting some equipment for the race weekend as my current gear no where near able to capture what I want.

I was thinking getting the 7D and 70-300L. Any other suggestions? With this setup, its affordable to rent, has good reach, and the 7D is more than capable in terms of AF and FPS. I would effectively be shooting with a 98-480. I would have either the 17-40 or 24-105 on my 5D2.

300mm probably will not be long enough, unless you can get very close to the circuit. Consider 400mm or 500mm. A good starting point would be the Canon 100-400mm push-pull lens.

Maybe rent the 500mm f4? Also get a 7D?

Do you really want to be carrying a 500mm lens in an F1 crowd?. If it were me, i'd be taking my 7D + 100-400L and my 500 would be having a well-earned rest

GSH wrote in post #15598308
Do you really want to be carrying a 500mm lens in an F1 crowd?. If it were me, i'd be taking my 7D + 100-400L and my 500 would be having a well-earned rest

I have really thought about exactly that, and not worth the coin to rent out that beauty to have it be a burden to me. Wouldn't feel comfortable walking around with a $12,000 lens on a subway

I have decided to go with a 1D4, 400 5.6 and 70-200, or a 100-400, I think may as well get the prime of the 100-400 as the quality would be better.

I was thinking getting the 7D and 70-300L. Any other suggestions? With this setup, its affordable to rent, has good reach, and the 7D is more than capable in terms of AF and FPS. I would effectively be shooting with a 98-480. I would have either the 17-40 or 24-105 on my 5D2.[/QUOTE]

Tony, I shot at last year's Austin F1 race and will be going to Montreal this year. 300 mm is typically not that great, depending on your seats. You're usually held back by dual layers of fencing, etc. I plan to take a 24-105 for some walk around shots and a 100-500 mm for the next race in Montreal. I'll keep it in my bag when walking and will take a monopod with me as well.

Have fun in Montreal. I have been there quite a few times for the race and always enjoyed it.

So yea, I think I'm off the 70-300 idea because from the EXIF data I have seen from F1 photos, 600mm is pretty standard, on a 1DX too. I think my best bet will be a 7D or 1D4 with a 100-400 and maybe crop down to get the composition I want. On the 7D the 400 will be like a 640 on FF so I guess I should be good. I have no idea yet how far I will be from the action.

I'll be up there too for my first ever race and here I was thinking my 200mm on a crop would be enough, thanks for the lens envy guys

KalebA wrote in post #15687550
I'll be up there too for my first ever race and here I was thinking my 200mm on a crop would be enough, thanks for the lens envy guys

Why not rent a longer lens? Thats what I will be doing.

Tony_Stark wrote in post #15690375
Why not rent a longer lens? Thats what I will be doing.

Thats probably the route I'll take

Just wanted to post an update, I got back from the Grand Prix weekend last night and the 7D and 70-300L was perfection! Could not have asked for a better setup. Had plenty of reach for the shots I wanted, and the 7D handled focus no problem, I had to learn the settings on the drive up there I am currently working through the photos and will post up later.