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Hello everyone. I'm new to this site, but having been reading and lurking the forums for a few weeks I thought I'd join and ask your opinions.
I'm a keen motorsport photographer. I do it first and foremost for enjoyment, although I have sold the odd print and had a few in a magazine. I'm in the process of uploading a few pictures to the reader gallery if anyone is interested. I'll try to add some non-motorsport pictures but I'm rather hopeless at photographing anything under 40MPH 
I currently use an EOS 50e with a Canon 75-300 USM III lens. I want to improve my photography and am wondering whether to invest in a new lens or to go digital with an EOS 10D.
The lens I have been looking at is the Canon 100-400 IS, which is about the same price as the 10D body. Will this lens be of much benefit to me for motorsport? I understand that there are two stabilisation settings, one of which is set up for panning shots?
As for the 10d. It is sorely tempting. Being able to preview shots as soon as they are taken would be a huge advantage, and owning the 10d could make selling pictures at events a possibility again. The one disadvantage I can see is that it would end up being the more expensive option, what with extra batteries, memory cards etc, but would make up for it in money saved on films and processing.
Also, would I be strangling the camera by putting my current lens in front of it? Should a 10D really be used with an L series lens?
Very interested to hear your views.
Rich,
If you have been lurking then you may have seen my opinions on the 100-400 vs the 70-200 for rocketrainford who is asking similar questions.
I'm also into motorsport photography - mainly for fun, although trying to get trackside for next year or even the last couple of races at Thruxton this year.
Let me try to answer some of your questions
1) An IS lens will assist you in panning shots in mode 2, and for all handheld shots in mode 1. I use the 300mm f2.8L IS primarily for mine sometimes with the 2x extender, IS is amazing.
2) The preview is useful, but not as much as with wildlife/travel as usually if you mess up the shot you will not get it again (e.g. crashes, some overtaking manovuers). It may help if you are able to reshoot the images, or can refocus your efforts on a particular driver or race.
3) The 10d could allow you to sell at events (if permitted by the organisers) - you would need either a laptop, and take orders - or a laptop and portable printer to get the shots out - the screen on the 10D is not sufficient to know if the pic is really sharp etc, and I wouldn't sell on the basis of the preview screen.
4) The 10D sensor, and all digi slrs are supposed to demand the best out of lenses so your comment about an L series is in some way correct, although you could use your consumer zoom. I can't comment as I am fortunate enough to have a bag full of L lenses
5) You will need to get extra batteries (I'd get the BD-EG3 grip and another 1 or 3 batteries - 15 each from 7dayshop). I'd also budget for 2 or 3 512KB cards (about 210 RAW images) and then maybe a portable hard drive. I tend to shoot about 200-300 images per full day at the track and am on the limit with my 1x1GB and 1x512KB cards. Phototainer 300P is on the Xmas list !
6) Finally the lens question and 10D s film. I would always say go for good glass first (especially as digi slrs are dropping in price), although if you could stretch to both I would plump for a 10D and a second-hand lens. My preference as otherwise indicated is for the 70-200 f2.8L and extenders rather than the 100-400...see my other posts for reasons why.
Hope this helps. I have deleted my motorsport images from my portfolio here but you can see some on my website at www.meonshorestudios.co.uk
Mike
Thanks Frenchie.
I was leaning towards getting a new lens next. It is a big outlay though, and I am debating whether my level of photography justifies spending that sort of money.
The 70-200 looks like a fantastic lens but is more expensive again, plus the cost of a converter (200?). This lens would make more sense with a view to one day going digital though.
Re: getting trackside. This is another thing I was going to look into. I'm lucky enough to live near Castle Combe, which is a great venue for getting close to the action. It would be nice to get on the other side of the fence though. Am I right in thinking that to do this you must be representing an organisation or publication? I have heard that motorsport photographers must be accredited with the RAC Motorsports Association. Is this something you intend to do?
Rich,
I have sponsorship from my local paper who will provide accreditation for me.
Thruxton, my local track, have not required or mentioned anything to do with the RAC....
On the lens you can get the 70-200 for about 850 secondhand and a converter is about 200 s/h - so about the same. Of course this is unlikely to have IS - but I find that I can handhold or monopod that lens + 2x and get reasonable shots.
As to the justification for the spend it has to happen in one of 2 ways....
1) Picture sales pay for it over a reasonable period (my 10D is currently being repaid this way - half done and Jessops finance until April 2004, should be more than OK on that front)
2) It comes out of the salary as a luxury purchase or you sell something else....my 300mm required me to sell a VW camper and some windsurfing kit :-(
Any races left at Castle Combe this year ?
Mike
No more races at Combe but there is a sprint meeting in October. Speed events are usually a much more relaxed affair and I've been lucky enough to get trackside at a number of local sprints and hillclimbs.
I'm looking to buy a car at the moment so I may spend slightly less on that and leave some money for extravagant photographic purchases 
Did it take much effort to get sponsorship from your local paper or have you provided pictures for them in the past? There is a club motorsport magazine called In Gear Motorsport who are probably worth contacting. I believe that they are always interested to hear from people who can cover and photograph events.
Rich
Thanks for the info - when is the sprint - I might come up for it ?
On the car I would go for it - cars only lose money
I am on the papers books as a freelancer following a successful speculative coverage of a demonstration locally. I trade pics for access at Thruxton....most local papers would be interested in this type of deal, especially if there are local drivers taking part. Just don't expect to make any money from the local rag.
Thanks for the tip on Gear Motorsport - I'll get in touch with them - do you have contact info ?
Thanks again !
Mike
There is a website HERE which you should be able to contact them through.
The sprint is October 18th, run by Bristol Motor Club. I've just had a look at their website for photos of previous events and they are mostly static shots, so I expect they would be interested in having someone come along to record the action.
I'm not sure about any local drivers competing nationally these days but I have heard about a local motorcycle shop which has riders competing. Might be worth following up.
Thanks for that magazine link I'm on to it.....
The 18th is the day before finals at Thruxton - I'll see if the wife will let me disappear for a couple of days !
Mike
Not wanting to put you off, you should be aware of a few things before investing in time and kit.
In order to get "the" shots you will need to go trackside, otherwise as frenchie will testify, any expense on kit will be somewhat pointless.
Getting a trackside pass is not easy as usually there is only a limited amount to go around in the first place and these are allocated to magazines, press agencies and papers etc, who do not like others coming in a taking up that allocation. Beware rivalry does exist and can at times be a bit harsh, with the likes of you and I losing out simply because of the 'establishment' wielding its power.
However, there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to get in there. I would contact Brands Hatch Leisure as a first port of call as they own a number of circuits and having a pass for one could get you into others much easier, but be aware they will get countless applications for passes in any one season from all sorts of people, so you have to find a way of making yours "more appealing". Send some samples of your work and offer to supply free shots for programmes, this will certainly help.
Being a member of the RACMA used to help get access to foreign events, but to be honest, over here it probably doesn't matter, but it wouldn't hurt.
Selling shots at the circuit would be frowned upon and you would need permission from the organisers and track owners, they are not always the same people.
However you decide to move forward, don't go into it thinking that it will make you rich, it probably won't. If you do manage to get yourself a pass however, you'll have a great time and meet some amazing people, just make the most of it as I didn't and now regret it.
Good luck.
Hi Guys
Dont forget the Network q rally in November - great opportunity to get close to the action and get some sellable shots, made a good profit from last years event.
Maybe we could try and arrange a motorsport photographers day out - a chance for us members to get together.
Thanks Rossi. Good advice. I think starting with club motorsport is probably the best way as it will be less of a bun-fight for the precious passes. Getting to trackdays is probably also an easier way of getting trackside and learning the circuits, as long as you make it clear that you don't want to step on the toes of any official photographers (or steal their business!)
Rallying is also a good shout. I did plan to get to a few rallys this year but somehow work always seemed to get in the way.
I'm going to write these ideas down and come up with a plan of action for next year.
Darren,
Network Q sounds like a good idea for a get together...
Any suggestions for a meet up ?
Mike
What date is the Rally GB on? I know the local motorclub usually takes a bus full of marshals. I wonder if they'd like a photographer with them to record them in action?
Back to the equipment dilemma again. What sort of difference would I notice if I swapped to an EOS 3 or similar? I assume that such a camera would be capable of faster focussing and have improved TTL metering? Another camera that requires quality glass on the front?
GB rally, this year not Network Q but called Wales Rally GB (sponsored by 'Wales' now!) is on from the 6th to 9th November, thats Thursday to Sunday. Saturday is a good bet and you can get a ticket for about 25-30 which gives entry to car parks and a couple of stages including the SuperSpecial in Cardiff itself. Worth going to, I'm booking my ticket soon. They have accreditation forms on their website to be a photographer. They can be pretty hot on people with long lenses, but if you don't look too much like a pro you should be fine! For more details, click here
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