Contarama
Well-known
What are your favorite focal lengths and film speeds for taking pictures of cars?
emasterphoto
Established
For film speed, whatever will get me f5.6-8 or better with decent shutter speed under the conditions. For focal length, it depends on where you're shooting. Usually 24-50 in most situations depending on how tight the suroundings are. (this is assuming car shows and the like)
Contarama
Well-known
Thank you sir...
Warren T.
Well-known
My personal preference is not to use too wide a lens because I don't like the distorted look for automobile shots, but that's just me. So I prefer not wider than say, 28mm or 35mm, depending on how much space is available to shoot. If I have space, I've gone as long as 500mm at times, but usually 85mm to 105mm are plenty long.
Here's a digital picture shot with a 40mm equiv. FOV (Lumix GF1 w/ Lumix 20mm f1.7), it's a 1957 AC Ace Bristol Zagato, my favorite from a recent show in San Francisco:
--Warren
Here's a digital picture shot with a 40mm equiv. FOV (Lumix GF1 w/ Lumix 20mm f1.7), it's a 1957 AC Ace Bristol Zagato, my favorite from a recent show in San Francisco:
--Warren
Last edited:
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
28 Elmarit asph / 400 Tmax / f5.6
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
50 pre asph Lux / 1600 neopan
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
Front View w/ the 50 Lux...
mathomas
Well-known
With my Contax RX I like the Zeiss 28mm. With my M8 I like the Zeiss 25mm (crop factor gives about 32mm). I usually shoot around f/4 or so.
(yes I choose my cameras so I can shoot Zeiss -- a Hassy is on the short list)
(yes I choose my cameras so I can shoot Zeiss -- a Hassy is on the short list)
peterm1
Veteran
JeffL
Well-known
I think the focal length would depend on what you see in the shot, and what you want to express. I have used everything from 17mm to 300. For action I would shoot anywhere from 60th to 500 or 1000 of a sec. all depending if you want to freeze it or pan. When not shooting action, the aperture choice was more important to me. I have some car stuff on my flickr if you're interested
Stuart John
Well-known
Hot Rod. I can't remember what setting I used to shoot this, but I thought you might enjoy this.
robklurfield
eclipse
if the car is wonderful enough, it almost doesn't matter how you shoot it (or in this case, how poorly you shoot it beneath a tarp and behind a window with a lot of glare). just shoot it.
Ferrari 275GTB and its engine...
While others, not so much...
Ferrari 275GTB and its engine...
While others, not so much...
Contarama
Well-known
Thank you everyone for the response. Those are some beautiful cars and great photographs.
Since I started shooting film a year or so ago my primary subjects have been cars and faces. I own a car upholstery shop located inside a used car lot. I go to car shows frequently as many of my customers participate in these events. To sort of spill the beans as to why I asked for advice on this topic - recently I was asked by a car dealer if I would do his advertising photography. He has offered $15 per car and I figure with a 36 exposure roll I can squeeze 4 cars per roll for a net income of about $50 per roll. I think I am going to try it because I like the idea of making a little cookie jar money with my hobby. My initial thought was to use 50mm as it is close to what the eye sees and maybe that would be best for advertising but I also like the idea of a wide angle lens for it's ability to work in a tight area.
At any rate thanks again for your help and any more advice you have to offer would be fantastic.
Since I started shooting film a year or so ago my primary subjects have been cars and faces. I own a car upholstery shop located inside a used car lot. I go to car shows frequently as many of my customers participate in these events. To sort of spill the beans as to why I asked for advice on this topic - recently I was asked by a car dealer if I would do his advertising photography. He has offered $15 per car and I figure with a 36 exposure roll I can squeeze 4 cars per roll for a net income of about $50 per roll. I think I am going to try it because I like the idea of making a little cookie jar money with my hobby. My initial thought was to use 50mm as it is close to what the eye sees and maybe that would be best for advertising but I also like the idea of a wide angle lens for it's ability to work in a tight area.
At any rate thanks again for your help and any more advice you have to offer would be fantastic.
kuzano
Veteran
Consider the nickel or other local classifieds....
Consider the nickel or other local classifieds....
Those free classifieds you see on newstands are often paying someone to take pics for display AND classifieds. There the listing is often X dollars for only one pic. Check these to see who is doing their ad photos. Opportunities open often.
Consider the nickel or other local classifieds....
Those free classifieds you see on newstands are often paying someone to take pics for display AND classifieds. There the listing is often X dollars for only one pic. Check these to see who is doing their ad photos. Opportunities open often.
kuzano
Veteran
I always shot Fuji Velvia 100 at car shows...
I always shot Fuji Velvia 100 at car shows...
Can't remember the lens focal length or camera, but this is only one of my cases for Fuji Velvia 100 at car shows. Probably and Olympus OM-2 and 50mm lens. Long time ago. Local car show.
I always shot Fuji Velvia 100 at car shows...
Can't remember the lens focal length or camera, but this is only one of my cases for Fuji Velvia 100 at car shows. Probably and Olympus OM-2 and 50mm lens. Long time ago. Local car show.
cambolt
Green Spotted Nose Turtle
that e-type...
BOW DOWN
BOW DOWN
mathomas
Well-known
Great car shots here. I'll add a few of my own. The first one, and the yellow Cobra were with a Contax RX + 28mm Distagon on Ektar. The rest were with my M8 and the Zeiss 25mm and 35mm lenses.
mwooten
light user
On these I used a 28mm on my RD1 (~ 35mm fov on film).
Luddite Frank
Well-known
If depends ( a bit ) on why you're shooting, I think...
If I 'm going to a car show as a general spectator, I usually have a wide angle lens on my camera, as things are usually kind of cramped, and it's difficult to get a whole car with a 50mm lens ( assuming 35 mm film format). Usually color, Kodak or Fuji 200.
A good friend is a long-time automotive-journalist, both author and photographer, who does feature articles on a given car. Hew tries to shoot the subject vehicle in secluded surroundings, and preferably with a long-focus lens, in the 90 - 135mm vicinity. As to film type / speed: B & W: Tri-X; Color: Kodak Gold 100.
Polarizing filters are handy to minimize unwanted glare.
If I 'm going to a car show as a general spectator, I usually have a wide angle lens on my camera, as things are usually kind of cramped, and it's difficult to get a whole car with a 50mm lens ( assuming 35 mm film format). Usually color, Kodak or Fuji 200.
A good friend is a long-time automotive-journalist, both author and photographer, who does feature articles on a given car. Hew tries to shoot the subject vehicle in secluded surroundings, and preferably with a long-focus lens, in the 90 - 135mm vicinity. As to film type / speed: B & W: Tri-X; Color: Kodak Gold 100.
Polarizing filters are handy to minimize unwanted glare.
JHP
Well-known
Golf GTI's.
D3S, 85mm f/1.4D @ about 2.8 or 4.