What to use?

Aaron Wilson

I have a 20D with a 200mm lens (older) and then the lense that came with the camera... I want to shoot a drag race... Light should be good as its 10am to 5 pm CA time. sHould I use a pol... Filter? what would be a good set up for dhooting a drag race?

USAIR

Well take both lens but the 200 will probably be the one you mostly use.
And yes use the polarizer
As far where to setup I would try the starting line first then move down the track.
I have never shot a drag race but will in sept.

Fred

Aaron Wilson

yeah...
were are you shooting in september? I was trying to think if I should rent a larger lense or one with a better f/stop... If i remember right the one i have is in the 4's

gluwater

Last time I shot a drag race I used a 70-200 and set up in the stands. I chose that location to get over the fence and also to get shots at the start line and also panning shots as they were passing me. The 70-200 was a perfect fit for my position. Renting one may be a good idea, I used the f/2.8 IS but the f/4 should do fine. The 200 Prime may be a bit long.

Fusion_UK

Aaron Wilson wrote:

I have a 20D with a 200mm lens (older) and then the lense that came with the camera... I want to shoot a drag race... Light should be good as its 10am to 5 pm CA time. sHould I use a pol... Filter? what would be a good set up for dhooting a drag race?

Remember if you use a PL you will loose 2 stops in speed, just something to be considered whilst shooting fast moving subjects. Ian

wxwax

My two cents.

I've seen two kinds of cool drag racing shots. One is when they're launching, wheels up. The 200 would work for that. Polarizer would only work if the sun was right behind you. Otherwise you get lighter and darker parts of the sky. Not sure you need it to make the colors pop, but you could always try it.

The other cool shot is a pan that captures the movement with background blur and wheel blur. Your choice of lens will depend upon your distance from your subject. If you get a good spot, the car might be too large for a 200. No polarizer, you're panning and changing the relative sun angle, so it won't help. Again, you might find it helps make certain colors pop.