Best Motorsport Lens?

Aside from Photography I am a HUGE racing fan (F1, WRC, Champ Car, ALMS) and I was wondering what do you consider the most versatile/best lens to use for taking shots at the track?

Depends on where you will be standing at the track. Bunkers in the corners? Special media stands? Helicopter? Pit side?

where you standing? in the stands?

That's a good question. At The Indianapolis road course we will be sitting at a couple of spots on the infield and at Long Beach I will probably be taking shots by the bridge near turn one.

300/2.8L IS

KevC wrote in post #2170169
300/2.8L IS

Now that'd be a lens to dig your teeth into... not to mention having a complete spring cleaning of your bank account.

I second the 300 f/2.8, second choice would be 100-400L, or 300 f/4.0.

If you want a real versatile lens you get the 300mm f/2.8.....

Buy the 100-400mm and shoot circles around the nearest corner squatter!

70-200 if you can get close to the track
100-400 if you can't plus get good light (late in the day in the UK and in winter, this lens suffers)
300 f2.8 gives you the option of 1.4 and/or 2x converter to get that extra reach.

The first two will set you back £800 - £1100 roughly
The 300 f2.8 IS will set you back between £2500 and £3200, depending on who you buy it from
I just got a second hand non-IS 300 for £1600 and although I'm not 100% happy with it's condition, from my test shots it's sharp as a sharp thing.

Then, up close and personal:-

24-70 if you're right on the inside corner/pit shots
16-35 for wider shots

Hope this helps,
Carl.

what about a 70-200 with a 1.4 converter? would this be a good or decent combo for motorsport?
is IS that essential?

ezza wrote in post #2170632
what about a 70-200 with a 1.4 converter? would this be a good or decent combo for motorsport?
is IS that essential?

280mm is not enough for alot of situations....As long as you have a monopod, IS is not a must. Slow shutter pans? Yes

Sigma 120-300 2.8 if you're feeling flush, otherwise 100-300 f4 EX Both will take a TC.

300mm f4 IS L USM for track photography is the cost effective solution. The f2.8 version if you have deep pockets. 1.4xTC a good investment to stick on this.

For rally stuff you need to go wider, a 17-40 or similar for most of it.

andrewc wrote in post #2170675
Sigma 120-300 2.8 if you're feeling flush, otherwise 100-300 f4 EX Both will take a TC.

and retain decent AF speed with a 1.4x

the 2x kills the AF on the 120-300, and you lose AF altogether on the 100-300 don't forget. unless you have a 1 series body.

The 100-400mm zoom is very popular for motorsports.