Camera for Motorbike Hill Climbing

[tlitody]

I've been asked by a friend what camera he should get for motorbike hill climbing events. Unlike racetracks where you can be a long distance from riders, on a hill climb course you get very close. As close as 10ft as they pass by but further on bends.

He's looking at Nikon D7000 with 18-105 kit lens. I've suggested Nikon D700 or Canon 5DMKII with fast lenses but told him to wait until I get advice on which system has the best/fastest focus tracking which he'll need for these type of shots with fast moving bikes at close distances.

So which system would you recommend for this specific purpose? Canon or Nikon and specifically which lenses on which body.

Thanks

 

[oftheherd]

Or, any camera that allows manual focusing and use pre-focus.

Can't help you on what digital or even film camera would be fastest with autofocus. But I will be watching to see myself.

 

[cambolt]

I think almost any P&S will be too slow. I'd say get the d7000 or 550/600d canon. The 18mm kit lens will be good for close subjects too

 

[cambolt]

Or get a D90. Both this and the 550d will have discounts as they have both just been replaced.

 

[tlitody]

No sports photographers out there with any recommendations?

 

[finguanzo]

I used to shoot the US version of WRC rally.. Any modern day DSLR should be fine.. Cropped or uncropped really does not matter, I used to shoot with a Nikon D200 and D300.. D200 focus was a little slow compared to 300, so anything newer, in that range should be fast enough , with AF-s lenses..... More important I think is AF-s / f2.8 lenses rather than the variable f-stop lenses... Theres plenty of wide , 17mm , lenses for cropped bodyes for close work. I used to shoot 17-35mm and a 70-200..
Hope this helps..


PS; Just in case, AF-s (Nikon) = EF-s (Canon), Its the electronic focus motor in the lens, instead of the older style screw driven by the body.

 

[philipb]

I wouldn't call myself a sports photographer, as I'm more into doing it than photographing it, but I have some experience.

A D7000 with kit lens will do just fine. I have used a D200 with 18-70 and it was ideal. I've also used an F80 with 50/1.8 as here:

With the F80 it's best to set everything to manual otherwise it's too slow. I expect a D7000 will be much faster but I you're selecting a location for a few shots it's still best to go manual.