Barnaby Harding , Sep 06, 2010; 12:03 p.m.
Hi!
I am going to an event organised through work that is being held at a motorcycle race track in Somerset. As staff, I have access to the track during the event and have volunteered to take some photos for council use.
NOW THEN! I have a Canon 400D with the following lenses:
Canon 18-55 IS Kit lens
Canon 50mm f1.8 mk.1
Tamron 70-300
Now, I like my Tamron but am aware that it is 'slow'. Panning does allow slower shutter speeds, however, but the big question is - do you think this will stand up to faster action shots? Should I think about borrowing/hiring a faster lens?
I will also take slower and standing shots with my 50mm and kit lenses, but am desperate to try fast action. I have no tripod either at the moment, but will try and borrow one in time!
Any advice gratefully received!
Mark Sanderson , Sep 06, 2010; 12:51 p.m.
The Tamron should be fine assuming day time use (3.5-5.6?). Just crank the ISO to 800 and you should be able to get fast shutter speeds 1/250-500th or more. There was a recent post about getting blur using panning etc, search for it and there are some good tips there. You want to be on AI Servo tracking mode,(high speed shot selection if you want sequences) use your center focus point and and appropriate shutter speed (TV priority) to get the result you want. AV priority if you really want to blur the background more. I would recommend a mono-pod so you don't have to hand hold it all day, good luck!
Steve Hopkins 
, Sep 06, 2010; 06:36 p.m.
Yes, get a monopod, forget the tripod.
and yes again, the 70-300 should be fine for daylight shooting. Then practice panning.! You want some blur in the spinning wheels. looks odd when they are tack sharp, stop action. the slower the shutter speed, the blurrier the BG will be. Just gets hard to have the rider tack sharp! Go to magazine shop and look through some of the cycle mags.
Jan Jenggie , Sep 09, 2010; 03:57 a.m.
If you havent tried panning before, then go outside and practise. It takes a little practise to get used to - but be sure to try on something that's as fast - or nearly - as the racing ;-)
Richard Reeve , Sep 09, 2010; 07:40 a.m.
Personally I wouldn't even bother with the monopod. The Tamron 70-300 is not particularly heavy and when you have vehicle moving at racing speed you want to be able to move freely in whatever direction you need for panning not being restricted to some axis or other by the monopod. The only sport I use a monpod for is cricket where a lot of the action is in fixed locations.
The thing to remember with racing is that crashes aside it's predictable. When you get to the track look at the early practice sessions and you will see that most of the vehicles follow the same line through any corner lap after lap. There is only one fastest line on a corner and they all want to take it. When you figure out where the racing line is the rest becomes fairly easy.
Ian Ivey 
, Sep 15, 2010; 05:44 p.m.
I'm late to the thread, but I recommend a monopod -- not for the weight, but to help prevent up-down camera shake. You want a smooth pan across the mostly horizontal plane, and a monopod facilitates this. It's not necessary; it just makes it easier.
If you were using a 300mm f/2.8 lens, you'd definitely need the monopod to support the weight. With this lens, you'll be fine either way, but you might like the results better if you use a monopod.
A tripod would be a huge pain to use in shooting motorsport.
