Sparrow
Veteran
I'm off to the British Grand Prix next Sunday I'm thinking a 50 for people and stuff, then a SLR with a telephoto and MD for the cars, anyone got any advise? or experience
user237428934
User deletion pending
If you manage to get close to the parking racing-cars then a wideangle photo might look nice
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Watch out for low flying Aussies ... proof that Red Bull really does 'give you wings!'
Sparrow
Veteran
Ha, yes there is that ... not that I'd wish for anyone to do that, but if they did I'd prefer they did it close to us
tlitody
Well-known
Only been to one grand prix which was Spa many years ago. We got complimetary tickets for all 3 days cos someone knew someone.
Arrived very very early at dawn on the Friday before they had closed the road off so we got on the track and did a couple of laps. Stopped on the grid for some photos and then went into the pits and put the bonnet up for some more photos. Then went and put up tent before returning for first practice session.
First practice day we hopped over the barriers and across the track into the pits before practice started. Spent half a day wandering around taking photos of the drivers and cars before they finally got wise and threw us out.
The second day we walked around circuit and on race day we had grandstand seats opposite the pit exit which was good because we could keep track of who had been in which makes keeping track of car positions much easier.
The second practice day was good because you can take shots from all around the track and gives a better idea of the track layout etc. On race day it will be busy busy busy so you may not get the opportunity for such good photography. Obviously the first bend is a good spot for witnessing the inevitable start shunt.
Get there very very early to avoid traffic queues but a lot of people may be trying that too. Better to get there Friday night and camp out so you can shoot all day Saturday and get a good spot for the race on Sunday having picked it on your circuit walk the previous day.
Arrived very very early at dawn on the Friday before they had closed the road off so we got on the track and did a couple of laps. Stopped on the grid for some photos and then went into the pits and put the bonnet up for some more photos. Then went and put up tent before returning for first practice session.
First practice day we hopped over the barriers and across the track into the pits before practice started. Spent half a day wandering around taking photos of the drivers and cars before they finally got wise and threw us out.
The second day we walked around circuit and on race day we had grandstand seats opposite the pit exit which was good because we could keep track of who had been in which makes keeping track of car positions much easier.
The second practice day was good because you can take shots from all around the track and gives a better idea of the track layout etc. On race day it will be busy busy busy so you may not get the opportunity for such good photography. Obviously the first bend is a good spot for witnessing the inevitable start shunt.
Get there very very early to avoid traffic queues but a lot of people may be trying that too. Better to get there Friday night and camp out so you can shoot all day Saturday and get a good spot for the race on Sunday having picked it on your circuit walk the previous day.
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tlitody
Well-known
Watch out for low flying Aussies ... proof that Red Bull really does 'give you wings!'
He must have been homesick and wanted be his normal way up
Muggins
Junk magnet
Take a very long lens to Silverstone - it's a long, long time since I went, but 90% of the places you can get to easily are a very, very long way from the cars... Brands was always a different matter, pity there's not been a Grand Prix there since '86.
Adrian
Adrian
Sparrow
Veteran
The longest I have is 300-mm would that do? I'd assumed it would be like Brands Hatch with regard to viewing distance
Fenwick
Established
Cool Ive always wanted to see an F-1 race
I agree a long lens 300+ is a must for motor sports
I agree a long lens 300+ is a must for motor sports
tlitody
Well-known
I think the new layout of the track with bendy bits has provided spectator banking so you can see and not be too far away. But again, walking the track the day before is a good idea and then pick two or three locations to aim for during the race.
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
Stop It !!!
Stop It !!!
Why are people always stealing my thoughts...:bang:
Wide Angle +1...
Stop It !!!
Why are people always stealing my thoughts...:bang:
Wide Angle +1...
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
A tripod with a good head if you want to do panning shots... and I realize that you want to shoot this on film, but I guess this is one area where digital really shines, to play with different ISO values to control aperture & exposure time.
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brainwood
Registered Film User
I was up there a few weeks ago for a club meet. For capturing the action one of the best place sis around the Brooklands/luffield section where even F1 cars have to slow down a bit. Also the section around the beckets complex and the new loop looks good as you have cars on both sides. And theres always Stowe where you get the cars at high speed coming down the hill towards you.
Have fun and dont forget the fans/spectators themselves are worth a photography trip. Im sure the burger vans,mechandising,and vast car parks tell their own story
Have fun and dont forget the fans/spectators themselves are worth a photography trip. Im sure the burger vans,mechandising,and vast car parks tell their own story
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
One very handy thing to bring is a little 4 or 5 inch folding "step". This will allow you to shoot over the 5 or 6 foot fences that are common at many tracks.
Example.
I do a lot of racing photography and this has been a big help to many who are not quite as tall as I am. My brother carries one attached to his bag at all races and it's come in very handy.
I recommend you play around with shutter speeds and "pan pan pan". Go down to 1/60th or below, you might surprise yourself. 300mm is a nice length as mentioned previously.
Have fun!
Example.
I do a lot of racing photography and this has been a big help to many who are not quite as tall as I am. My brother carries one attached to his bag at all races and it's come in very handy.
I recommend you play around with shutter speeds and "pan pan pan". Go down to 1/60th or below, you might surprise yourself. 300mm is a nice length as mentioned previously.
Have fun!
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bgb
Well-known
Only one piece of advice and nothing to do with cameras!
The cars are EXTREMELY LOUD so always wear ear protection, i like ear plugs with ear muffs over the top
The cars are EXTREMELY LOUD so always wear ear protection, i like ear plugs with ear muffs over the top
Sparrow
Veteran
Beckets sounds good, I know someone who's got a hospitality tent there
Thanks all I'll think about it all, and try not to take my normal 50 and 35 pairing out on the day, altho I usually end up photographing the audience at such events anyway
PS I know about the noise and have already packed the protectors thanks
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brainwood
Registered Film User
When I was there they were setting up a huge line of hospitality tents from Maggots upto beckets and it looked like a good side on view of the beckets complex
Have fun
Chris
Sparrow
Veteran
What's the fence like there? one of those chain-link jobbies
newspaperguy
Well-known
IMO - a monopod worked better for me when I shot at at Road America and Sebring.
Still easy to pan, and no one is tripping over the legs.
Also great for 'hail mary' overhead shots with a w/a in the pit area.
Still easy to pan, and no one is tripping over the legs.
Also great for 'hail mary' overhead shots with a w/a in the pit area.
menos
Veteran
- go early, spot your places, you have access to,
- make notes and do a plan, which place is best, to shoot from at which phase of the race
- take in account the weather report (more on weather later) for the planning
- don't stay in the way of other folks - they paid tickets too
- don't take more than 2 cameras, if you have to haul by yourself
- the 300 will do - I shot the F1 GP Shanghai this year with a 300 and occasional x1.7 TC
(look at my website, you get an idea)
- the 50 is too wide, to get scenes (I like a 35 or 28 better for that) and too short, to do portraits in the ranks (nice for waiting time, when you are set and ready)
- pack a wide/ fish/ fantasy filters/ zoom lens - the GP is long, you might want to play with effects
- ear packs as advised - F1 is loud - GP2 was louder last year, Porsche cup can be done without, Aston V8 series blasts ears!
- bring your bag with climbing hooks for fixing gear to fence (gear in view and grabbing distance, but not on shoulder and not in the mud, if it rains)
- this is personal taste - some like sticks, others tripods, some don't - I hate sticks and tripods for anything shorter 400/2.8 - gives me more freedom and better feel - do, what you like, BUT DON"T BRING THE STUFF, as suggested, to try it out all (you end up carrying it the whole weekend)
- bring colored electrical tape and a marker to write on it - I take notes, not to forget and tape them on the lens/ camera, I don't want to forget in the heat of action ("1/250 ->1/60" or "min f4 - fence!!!" etc. )
- if you got fences, only three things make them invisible in your shots:
1) wide aperture (if you're rather close to the fence)
2) slow shutter and panning (stay under 1/125 and you're safe, depending on speed at track)
3) a bulldozer
- if you pan shots, do it out of the hip and cement all upper body from moving and you're good with low shutters
- have two belt bags - one for fresh, one for old film
- have your mobile phone charged and be sufficient with sms, vibration alarm active - you won't hear each other, but you want contact your partner, when getting lost
- if you have an iPhone, the official FIA app might be for you with life timing, trackmap and live news feed
- take an UKW radio or if you're full, rent a Kangaroo TV (I LOVE THESE THINGS) - in Le Mans, they even reduced the price for the weekend to 40 or 50 EUR!!!
- have spare batteries - the one time every two years, they run down should not be in the 1 1/2 h of the GP
- if you push your film, you can fasten up the marking of the finished roll for ISO speed with this trick:
Write the 2 or 3 ISO speeds, you plan, top shoot on each fresh roll and just cross the one, you used, when finishing a roll.
No pen needed, no proper writing needed (I use the edge of the baseplate of a Leica for this - great design !)
- bring B&W MRC filter for the lenses, you plan, to shoot in the rain - much easier, to get the water away, than uncoated or no filters in the rain!
- bring 2 or 3 plastic trash bags, folded and at least one roll 3M electrical tape:
builds you a rain cape, a lens/ camera condom, a hat, a dry seat in mud, …
- move a lot position during the race or you end up with a slide show of all cars, one place
There are 1000 things more, to think of, but I guess, this is enough fodder to think ;-)
Most important - enjoy the race and good luck for the team, you're for ;-)
- make notes and do a plan, which place is best, to shoot from at which phase of the race
- take in account the weather report (more on weather later) for the planning
- don't stay in the way of other folks - they paid tickets too
- don't take more than 2 cameras, if you have to haul by yourself
- the 300 will do - I shot the F1 GP Shanghai this year with a 300 and occasional x1.7 TC
(look at my website, you get an idea)
- the 50 is too wide, to get scenes (I like a 35 or 28 better for that) and too short, to do portraits in the ranks (nice for waiting time, when you are set and ready)
- pack a wide/ fish/ fantasy filters/ zoom lens - the GP is long, you might want to play with effects
- ear packs as advised - F1 is loud - GP2 was louder last year, Porsche cup can be done without, Aston V8 series blasts ears!
- bring your bag with climbing hooks for fixing gear to fence (gear in view and grabbing distance, but not on shoulder and not in the mud, if it rains)
- this is personal taste - some like sticks, others tripods, some don't - I hate sticks and tripods for anything shorter 400/2.8 - gives me more freedom and better feel - do, what you like, BUT DON"T BRING THE STUFF, as suggested, to try it out all (you end up carrying it the whole weekend)
- bring colored electrical tape and a marker to write on it - I take notes, not to forget and tape them on the lens/ camera, I don't want to forget in the heat of action ("1/250 ->1/60" or "min f4 - fence!!!" etc. )
- if you got fences, only three things make them invisible in your shots:
1) wide aperture (if you're rather close to the fence)
2) slow shutter and panning (stay under 1/125 and you're safe, depending on speed at track)
3) a bulldozer
- if you pan shots, do it out of the hip and cement all upper body from moving and you're good with low shutters
- have two belt bags - one for fresh, one for old film
- have your mobile phone charged and be sufficient with sms, vibration alarm active - you won't hear each other, but you want contact your partner, when getting lost
- if you have an iPhone, the official FIA app might be for you with life timing, trackmap and live news feed
- take an UKW radio or if you're full, rent a Kangaroo TV (I LOVE THESE THINGS) - in Le Mans, they even reduced the price for the weekend to 40 or 50 EUR!!!
- have spare batteries - the one time every two years, they run down should not be in the 1 1/2 h of the GP
- if you push your film, you can fasten up the marking of the finished roll for ISO speed with this trick:
Write the 2 or 3 ISO speeds, you plan, top shoot on each fresh roll and just cross the one, you used, when finishing a roll.
No pen needed, no proper writing needed (I use the edge of the baseplate of a Leica for this - great design !)
- bring B&W MRC filter for the lenses, you plan, to shoot in the rain - much easier, to get the water away, than uncoated or no filters in the rain!
- bring 2 or 3 plastic trash bags, folded and at least one roll 3M electrical tape:
builds you a rain cape, a lens/ camera condom, a hat, a dry seat in mud, …
- move a lot position during the race or you end up with a slide show of all cars, one place
There are 1000 things more, to think of, but I guess, this is enough fodder to think ;-)
Most important - enjoy the race and good luck for the team, you're for ;-)