How is 30D for motorsports?

I have a friend who is a novice in photography but wants a camera/lens combo to shoot good pictures of the Indy 500. His seats are on the track but are elevated 20 yards or so above the surface. A 1-series body is too expensive and difficult to use. What do you motorsports experts think of the 30D (5fps I think) as a compromise. Is the servo mode good enough? Any lens recomendations 100-400L/ 70-200 f/2.8 range (no super teles).
I shoot mostly portraits so I am only helpful in teaching him how to work the camera. I checked the Indy site they dont seem to have any restrictions on photo gear. If anyone knows of any please speak up.
Thanks for any advice.

I'am in the same position, I had a try of a 30D last week to see how it comapred to my 350D (I shoot motorcycle racing) and I'll be buying one as soon as I sell the 350D body it impressed me that much...

FYI the 30D and XTi have identical AF. So unless he's going to be doing 5fps (which is too slow for indy cars IMHO) the XTi would also work. I'd get a budget from him and see what he wants to spend. Also if he can get to a store with both to try them out do that.

As for lens, at short distances a 75~300 IS might be a great lens thinking he doesn't need a 70~200 (limited range) or 100~400 (expensive) for one race. If he wants to get into photography in the future, them MAYBE a nice piece of glass is worth it, but otherwise, get him something lightweight with more range in the zoom. On a 1.6 crop a 300mm at close range will be more than enough.

So I'd say:
XTi
Grip (if he needs to make it bigger)
Extra battery
70~300 IS

Ben

jacobsen1 wrote in post #3017333
FYI the 30D and XTi have identical AF. So unless he's going to be doing 5fps (which is too slow for indy cars IMHO) the XTi would also work. I'd get a budget from him and see what he wants to spend. Also if he can get to a store with both to try them out do that.

As for lens, at short distances a 75~300 IS might be a great lens thinking he doesn't need a 70~200 (limited range) or 100~400 (expensive) for one race. If he wants to get into photography in the future, them MAYBE a nice piece of glass is worth it, but otherwise, get him something lightweight with more range in the zoom. On a 1.6 crop a 300mm at close range will be more than enough.

So I'd say:
XTi
Grip (if he needs to make it bigger)
Extra battery
70~300 IS

Ben

Or if he wants to save some money, a Sigma 70-300 is a better-performing lens than the 70-300 IS Canon. He won't need IS for 200mph cars.

For me, I need the IS to eliminate my camera shake, especially as I zoom out to 300. It is amazing how much this helps.

He can probably pick up a 20D at a reasonable price also..

angryhampster wrote in post #3018083
Or if he wants to save some money, a Sigma 70-300 is a better-performing lens than the 70-300 IS Canon. He won't need IS for 200mph cars.

Great point.

angryhampster wrote in post #3018083
Or if he wants to save some money, a Sigma 70-300 is a better-performing lens than the 70-300 IS Canon. He won't need IS for 200mph cars.

RIghtO!!! IS has nothing to do with fast moving subjects.

IS is for unsteady hands, so I can only assume that at 300mm he has a rock solid stance!

I'd rock the canon over the siggy, even with IS turned off.

syntrix wrote in post #3018264
RIghtO!!! IS has nothing to do with fast moving subjects.

IS is for unsteady hands, so I can only assume that at 300mm he has a rock solid stance!

I'd rock the canon over the siggy, even with IS turned off.

Hopefully he won'tbe shooting below 1/320 anyway....Like I said, he'll be chasing 200mph cars.

Panning fast cars is done at very slow shutter speeds guys:

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Buying a decent kit to shoot motorsports from the stands sounds like a bit of a waste to me.

Buy something you'll use a lot and get your moneys worth out of.