Going to Le-Mans for the MotoGP this weekend and will be wanting to try and get some good shots. Has anyone got some basic settings that i can start with and adjust from there to get some differing shots,all in focus hopefully :)

I will be taking my

Canon 40D
Sigma 18-200 lens (its the longest i have at the moment)
Tripod

I am sitting in one of the grandstands which is at the end of the start/finish straight and will need settings for sunny and dull just in case

Thanks
Scott

Leave tripod at home.

I'd use ISO 100 unless weather is gloomy, in which case up it.
AI Servo mode
Shutter priority mode (Tv) set at about 1/250 for a front 3/4 shot, and for panning shots, start at 1/200 and gradually work your way down.

Dull - adjust ISO upwards.

I've only done one bike meet and found them to be tricky buggers compared to cars. Bike racing isn't really my cup of tea TBH.

You've not really got enough reach, but hopefully you can crop them down a bit when you get back.

Thanks mate, that should give me something to go on :thumb:

Scott, you're going to struggle with a 200mm lens, but if you can't get a clear sight to the tarck then get as close to the fence as you can, use the widest aperture (so smallest f-stop) you can and focus through the wire.

Unless you're really good at panning, 1/250 is way too slow when you're starting. Try 1/1000 until you get used to it.

Agree that you should forget the tripod - total waste of space and you won't have room or time to use it anyway.

Here's one I did earlier...

http://www.motorbikestoday.com/news/Images//sbk_08_monza_3_lge.jpg

That's on 1/650 with a 400mm f2.8 at ISO 100.


Or this one

http://www.motorbikestoday.com/news/Images/sbk_08_valencia_3_lge.jpg

Same lens but on 1/250 and panning. It gets the movement but expect to throw away a lot of pictures...

SB

I like that first pic SB :thumb:

RB5 - can you not borrow a longer lens or a teleconvertor from a mate to get that extra reach?

Simon

Good advice from SB, but for good action pics of bikes, you really need to get close (ie track pass) and have some big lenses.

Unles you get very lucky with position, I would concentrate on capturing the atmosphere. Be prepared to whack the ISO up to max and use flash if you are allowed.

Can you squeeze into pit lane, perhaps during the quieter hours?

Good luck,

Richard.

Sorry, but MotoGP is almost impossible to get track access, even for bona fide press. You can get into the pit lane for an brief period during the official pitlane walk (which is extra) but there's no action at all unless you count the totty. In which case there's loads ;)

Things are a bit more relaxed on practice days so if you can get there on Friday you may have some more success.

No problem with using flash, though.

SB

PS Simon, if you want a bigger one of that first pic let me know ;)

SB - go on then :)

simon@p1f.co.uk pls

Thanks again

I don't know anyone to lend off of. I was thinking of buying something like this to buy Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM - Jessops (http://www.jessops.com/Store/s30795/0/Lenses/Canon/EF-70-300mm-f-and-4-56-IS-USM/details.aspx?&IsSearch=y&pageindex=2&CatId=143&ManIds=1159,&SortBy=SkuOfferingPriceASC&IsInStockOnly=False&comp=n)

Would like one of those white telephoto's but i'm not that rich :D

It's £40 cheaper if you preint this off and take it in...... they'll price match themselves :confused:

>> Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Cheapest Prices, Reviews and Price History (http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod60.html)

then you get a further £40 from canon...

done it yesterday, myself... :D

Simon, it won't be 'til tomorrow night, sorry.

What's your desktop resolution?

SB

Erm gosh 1680x1050 I believe (22" widescreen).

Cheers,
Simon

Moto GP bikes are pretty quick so panning you might get away with 1/300, maybe a bit quicker if you're on a straight and still get some sense of motion and wheel blur. And shooting through the fence is very doable if you stick to below f5.6 or there abouts.


He's already left, hasn't he? :D

Simon, YHM

SB

Simon, YHM

SB

Got it. Thanks :thumb:

Simon