Motorcycle Racing Advice needed

Ive been contacted by a motorcycle Manufacturer to maybe do some race coverage, this will mostly be non track stuff, BUT , I think i might be required to do some actual race shots. My equipment is mostly studio based, I have a canon 5dMk2 or 30d, i m leaning to the 30d if i need to do some actual race shots. Also my lens choice is limited to 70-200 f4L non iS, or the 24-105F4L...I m thinking that i may rent if needed....Also is there any good mid priced lenses that would be good for on track shots?...thanks for any advice....Larry

Dirt or Pavement? I assuming by your screen name it would be pavement. More info about the particular racing is needed if possible.

328somewhere wrote in post #9756053
Dirt or Pavement? I assuming by your screen name it would be pavement. More info about the particular racing is needed if possible.

It will be all Pavement.....AMA streetbike series....thanks for any help...Larry

All of the bike shots on my flickr were shot with a 70-200 and the XTi I had at the time. FL youll need is dependent on the access you are given. If you can get out on the track maybe rent a 1.4x for some extra reach. If you have to stay behind the fences you may want to rent one of the big guns, again it depends on the track and locations to shoot from.

I would use the 30D for the extra reach, less shutter lag, faster FPS.

Hope that helps some.

silvrr wrote in post #9757060
All of the bike shots on my flickr were shot with a 70-200 and the XTi I had at the time. FL youll need is dependent on the access you are given. If you can get out on the track maybe rent a 1.4x for some extra reach. If you have to stay behind the fences you may want to rent one of the big guns, again it depends on the track and locations to shoot from.

I would use the 30D for the extra reach, less shutter lag, faster FPS.

Hope that helps some.

THANKS...i really appreciate the info....Larry

Well........I'm slightly mixed on this

If your doing non track action shots.......definitely use the 5DII....you may find they want some large prints or for print work

The action sequences again...depends on your access. If your in the right place...still would encourage the 5DII....it will give you more resolution to crop from...........but if your not going
to have great access....go with the crop body.

Also...once you know your access......consider renting a 300 or 400 2.8 you'll never regret it for the longer needs and action shots.

ducatiwv wrote in post #9755499
Ive been contacted by a motorcycle Manufacturer to maybe do some race coverage, this will mostly be non track stuff, BUT , I think i might be required to do some actual race shots. My equipment is mostly studio based, I have a canon 5dMk2 or 30d, i m leaning to the 30d if i need to do some actual race shots. Also my lens choice is limited to 70-200 f4L non iS, or the 24-105F4L...I m thinking that i may rent if needed....Also is there any good mid priced lenses that would be good for on track shots?...thanks for any advice....Larry

Depends on distances, but longer is better. From a Canon 70-300mm IS USM:

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Thanks again everyone , I appreciate it..Oh and GREAT shots DCFAN!!!

What track are you shooting? There are quite a few guys on the board that know tracks quite intimately, Im sure they could lend some track specific advise on 'reach' needed.

silvrr wrote in post #9759425
What track are you shooting? There are quite a few guys on the board that know tracks quite intimately, Im sure they could lend some track specific advise on 'reach' needed.

I m not sure yet, hopefully Road Atlanta, VIR, Mid Ohio , maybe Barber

If the manufacturer can get you good track access, then you might find that the 30D/70-200 is sufficient, but I personally would like to have 300+ along just in case.

ducatiwv wrote in post #9761565
I m not sure yet, hopefully Road Atlanta, VIR, Mid Ohio , maybe Barber

Mid-Ohio? Bring a long lens. From a Mid-Ohio event:

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DC Fan wrote in post #9762468
Mid-Ohio? Bring a long lens. From a Mid-Ohio event:

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300mm.

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140mm.

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260mm.

Motorcycles are smaller than cars, so longer lenses - or closer locations - would be needed to get comparable framing for bikes. These images came from spectator areas.

VERY COOL...i really like that track...Usually go to Bucks to eat when im in Mansfield, lol

Dean Rachwitz wrote in post #9761636
If the manufacturer can get you good track access, then you might find that the 30D/70-200 is sufficient, but I personally would like to have 300+ along just in case.

Thanks Dean....How about a Tc for the 200?

ducatiwv wrote in post #9762958
Thanks Dean....How about a Tc for the 200?

Sure, so long as the TC doesn't compromise your IQ to the point that you're worse off than just cropping a shot without it, if that makes sense.

Also, I like to make sure I get sharp shots of everyone at high shutter speed before moving to slower shutter speeds and panning shots(and fewer keepers). If its an overcast day, your 70-200 + TC might not be as fast as you need. In that case, you might want to rent a fast prime.

Dean Rachwitz wrote in post #9766887
Sure, so long as the TC doesn't compromise your IQ to the point that you're worse off than just cropping a shot without it, if that makes sense.

Also, I like to make sure I get sharp shots of everyone at high shutter speed before moving to slower shutter speeds and panning shots(and fewer keepers). If its an overcast day, your 70-200 + TC might not be as fast as you need. In that case, you might want to rent a fast prime.

Thanks again Dean.....one more question, depending on my access, is there any chance of just using the 70-200L alone, without the TC? I m such a newbie at this, lol...