Best Action Shot Camera

Walters Racing

We are looking to take photos of sprint karts that reach speeds over 100mph. We are looking for a good action shot camera where the shot wont be blurry. What are your thoughts as far as a good camera we should buy for this job?

John Mueller

Walters Racing wrote:

We are looking to take photos of sprint karts that reach speeds over 100mph. We are looking for a good action shot camera where the shot wont be blurry. What are your thoughts as far as a good camera we should buy for this job?

Canon 1D MK2 or the 1D MK2N They are fast and get the shot

DanielB

Walters Racing wrote:

We are looking to take photos of sprint karts that reach speeds over 100mph. We are looking for a good action shot camera where the shot wont be blurry. What are your thoughts as far as a good camera we should buy for this job?

look into the Canon 1 Series. very good for action.

also might wanna include what your budget is.

that makes all the difference when shopping for cameras. if i had a choice i would get the Canon 1D mark II capable of 8.5 frames per second. as for not having a blury shot you could always go with IS but its all about the photographer. maybe a Canon 100-400 IS USM would suit your fancy with the 1D mk II??

just a general answer to a general question.

if you want better reactions try to add a little more detail.


good luck!

-Daniel-

BBones

Blur is in the hands of the cam holder. Its all technique. I shoot motocycles traveling at and over 160mph and they are sharp as a tack with a 20D.

JamesJWeg

Nikon D2H is a lot cheaper and plenty fast, I use it for road course karts and love it, res is not as high though. Check out my race shots for referance.

James.

ysr612

BBones wrote:

Blur is in the hands of the cam holder. Its all technique. I shoot motocycles traveling at and over 160mph and they are sharp as a tack with a 20D.

I to shoot bikes going at upwards of 150mph. Radar has some at over 170. I use the 20D as well. I like how hard it is to fill the buffer I think I have taken over 20 shots (biggest Jpg not raw) in about 6 seconds had still not had the buffer near full.

flyingpylon

I'll go out on a limb here and suggest that you try to learn a little about photography before asking what camera you should buy. While the cameras recommended so far can certainly create photos that are not blurry, so can a lot of far less expensive cameras.

High shutter speeds will create photos that are not blurred. Almost any camera can shoot at shutter speeds high enough given the right conditions.

Panning will create photos where the background is blurred but the subject (the kart) is not. Any camera can be used for this, but the skill of the photographer is the key.

You really need to be a lot more specific about the conditions you'll be shooting in and the exact results you want to achieve before anyone can really make a valid recommendation. Will it be during the day or night? How close will you be to the track? What part of the track will you be on (turns, straights, etc.)? There are lots and lots of variables, not to mention that if you are new at this, it will take lots of practice to get it "right".

Walters Racing

Well, here is some more information. The budget is anywhere from $700-1,000. I will be shooting most of these shots in the day but, later they may be at night or in an indoor arena. I will be anywhere from 5-15 feet from the karts (or cars). I will be shooting from all angles of the track, people dont like the same type of photo in the same place over and over again. You guys are really helping me learn a lot about cameras.

Thank You

gsgary

In the UK you would have to double your budget, i bought a Canon 10d off a d-grin member $690 so that won't leave much for glass, i have been shooting karts
no problem
http://gsgary.smugmug.com/gallery/869803/1/39606568
http://gsgary.smugmug.com/gallery/861189/1/38807517

Mike Lane

The 20D will fit into that range as will the 350D. The real issue you're going to have is with the lenses. You'll need a fast one if you're going to be shooting at night. But if you're 5 to 15 feet from the carts you won't need a particularly long lens. The Canon 50 f/1.8 may work for you but it's not a zoom lens so you lose a little freedom there. The faster zoom lenses get pretty expensive.

mercphoto

Walters Racing wrote:

Well, here is some more information. The budget is anywhere from $700-1,000. I will be shooting most of these shots in the day but, later they may be at night or in an indoor arena. I will be anywhere from 5-15 feet from the karts (or cars). I will be shooting from all angles of the track, people dont like the same type of photo in the same place over and over again. You guys are really helping me learn a lot about cameras.

Thank You

You'll be hard-pressed to buy a lens for that money, let alone a camera and a lens, to get the quality you appear to be looking for. I'm also highly skeptical that you'll actually be that close to the karts. In the very least being that close makes your job much more difficult (let alone flat out dangerous). Auto-focus tracking objects that close moving that fast requires some serious gear. I shoot a lot of karts and I'm never that close to them. Don't really want to be either.

Bear minimum a Canon 350XT, 200/2.8L or 70-200/4L lens and a 580EX flash. My recommended equipment has just put you at over $2000. And I'm not really sure a 350XT is up to the task either, but a 20D body alone is over your entire budget as well.

FWIW I use a 20D, a 580EX flash (even in daylight) and a 70-200/2.8L lens. I recently added a 300/2.8 and like it so much it might become my primary lens.

Walters Racing

Here is a picture of the track before it had barrers put in:
http://waltersmotorsports.com/slkatrack.htm

The blue is the karts going by and the red dots are possible places I will stand. Many workers stand in this area and I will be right there with them. Those are all from less than 10 feet away.

mercphoto

Walters Racing wrote:

The blue is the karts going by and the red dots are possible places I will stand. Many workers stand in this area and I will be right there with them. Those are all from less than 10 feet away.

I hope you have some form of barrier to protect you. You get tunnel vision fast behind a camera. Be careful...

Next, yes you will be 10 feet away, but you will probably find yourself photographing the karts when they are a bit further from you, like 30 to 90 feet away.

Red Bull

Eeek! That close to karts that go over 100 mph? It looks like there are no barriers from that photo. Be careful.

As for a camera, I would say save up a bit and get the 20D. I would also recommend a lens with type 2 IS (panning mode). You don't absolutely need it, but it would probably be very helpful.

Since your budget is so tight I would say save up and get the 70-200 f/4L. It's only about $600. If you got a 20D and a 70-200 f/4L that would put you about $2000.

Walters Racing

Red Bull wrote:

Eeek! That close to karts that go over 100 mph? It looks like there are no barriers from that photo. Be careful.

That photo was taken before the track was finished, so there are no barriers in that photo but now they are almost all around the track. Thank You guys for all your help I am really learning a lot.

Thank You

mercphoto

Walters Racing wrote:

That photo was taken before the track was finished, so there are no barriers in that photo but now they are almost all around the track. Thank You guys for all your help I am really learning a lot.

Thank You

Good to know there are barriers. Keep in mind if they are the movable type they WILL move when a kart hits them. And will move further than you probably expect them to. And even so, it is possible for a kart to jump a barrier. Rare but possible. Pick your photo spots carefully and be mindful.