First Autocross
 

Went to my first autoX ever as a spectator today! It was NNJ-PCA event at the Meadowlands. Took some pictures, but I will be prepared next time. It was windy and cold, and I need to learn how to take better rolling pictures.

Here is the complete album. PCA 10-30 pictures by MINIzguy - Photobucket

And some interesting photos.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...oX10-30017.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...oX10-30019.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...oX10-30025.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...oX10-30037.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...oX10-30040.jpg

It is lots of fun playing around with moving vehicles. The shots can be much more interesting than static ones.

For shooting at the Goodwood Festival in the UK, I bought an 80-200 Nkikor ED lens, F2.8 over the full range, for my DSLR. It is heavy, but fast and very sharp. It allowed me to get fuller frames. What are you shooting with?

Canon T1i with a 18-55mm kit lens. I do need more zoom for these shots, but I don't think I've mastered this lens to justify moving on up.

I don't know that that lens has a particularly good reputation. When you are ready, looks like you need something like the Canon EF 70-200 F2.8L USM (or the more expensive version with image stabilization). This looks pretty much like my Nikkor equivalent, and similar $$. Canon shooters here (there are a few) would have more precise recommendations. I don't know about the focus speeds on the various Canon lenses, but I do know the L designation. There were several very similar (focal length and speed) Nikkor lenses for me to choose from, and the one I got was specific to my intended use.

You've got a good camera, now you just need to spend more on lenses than on the body!

Ya gotta start driving in one! Pics are great, but getting a chance to expand your driving experience and having fun..., priceless!

L lenses are brilliant but I will never shoot at that level which will justify the cost. I did think about getting a fast 50mm prime lens to learn how to move around and get better shots, but that would hold me back more with these action shots. Heck, I don't even know how to edit images to get my current ones to look better.

This Saturday, I will be doing a ACNA-NJ Car Control Clinic/Teen Driving School in the X5. Will be the first time I am taking the X5 out in adverse conditions, so I can't wait!

Finally found the link to the photos of my driving school. It doesn't behave like the 335d's I was using at the BMW Performance Driving School! They kept telling me to go faster, and the last picture is the consequence (too much steering angle!). First shot was the autocross section. I wish the photographer got me during the slaloms though.

http://brianja.smugmug.com/Cars/Car-...25_nuoSS-L.jpg

http://brianja.smugmug.com/Cars/Car-...11_V6UAU-L.jpg

http://brianja.smugmug.com/Cars/Car-...68_JDkT7-L.jpg

Yup, you've got to try an auto-x. :driver:

The Buick is, um, interesting/eccentric/funny/brave.

I'm not a camera guy so pardon my question, but how are the photos supposed to look if he used the lens you're recommending? Picture's a snapshot and they are supposed to be static, and all photos are going to look stationary, aren't they?

Well, it isn't just the lens, but also the technique.

The more powerful zoom will allow the photographer to get shots where the car fills the frame more. The high speed lens gives you some flexibility when playing around with depth of field. The fast focus helps with motion shots.

Take a look at my avatar, even though it is small. That is Stirling Moss driving a W196 Mercedes from the mid fifties, at Goodwood Festival of Speed, several years ago. I was panning on the car, so the background is blurred, making the car stand out more. Continuous shots, about three or four, as the car went by at speed. The camera was refocusing for each shot, so focus speed matters.

The end result was that the shots do not look static. Professional (or better amateur) photographers could do much better, both at shooting and explaining it, but I like playing around with it.

Edit: Here are a few threads showing what I was trying to do. There are 14 or so threads in that series if anyone is interested:

http://www.xoutpost.com/off-topic/lo...hotos-6-a.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/off-topic/lo...otos-11-a.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/off-topic/lo...otos-12-a.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/off-topic/lo...otos-13-a.html