Are there any F1 Camera Restrictions at Indy US Grand Prix?

RichardBrackin · June 16, 2006

Are there any F1 Camera Restrictions at Indy US Grand Prix?
I can't seem to find any definite information -- been Googling for a while and all I found was this: http://indymotorspeedway.com/ that says cameras are accepted in general admittance.

Problem is that I don't know if there are any F1 rules that would trump the hosting venue's rules or regulations. I know some folks report being hounded and delayed entrance by security at other sporting events for having 'professional-level' lenses.

I'm simply going to the US Grand Prix in Indy for relaxation (no Press pass) and thought it would be nice to bring along my 20D and a 135mm lens, and perhaps my 17-85 kit lens.

Do you expect I would have any issues?
Thanks in advance.

gouldphoto · June 16, 2006

Indy F1

RichardBrackin wrote:

Are there any F1 Camera Restrictions at Indy US Grand Prix?
I can't seem to find any definite information -- been Googling for a while and all I found was this: http://indymotorspeedway.com/ that says cameras are accepted in general admittance.

Problem is that I don't know if there are any F1 rules that would trump the hosting venue's rules or regulations. I know some folks report being hounded and delayed entrance by security at other sporting events for having 'professional-level' lenses.

I'm simply going to the US Grand Prix in Indy for relaxation (no Press pass) and thought it would be nice to bring along my 20D and a 135mm lens, and perhaps my 17-85 kit lens.

Do you expect I would have any issues?
Thanks in advance.

Richard,
I've been there every year since they came back to the states and you can bring in whatevery you can carry. Us non-credentialed people have been spotted with some VERY large lenses along the fenses. I usually have my Lowepro AW Nature Trekker stuffed with lenses on my back and have not had any issues with security or anyone else there.

So bring your gear and have fun

Steve Gould
www.gouldphoto.com

wxwax · June 16, 2006

But I wouldn't try to sell them. F1 jealously guards its rights.

RichardBrackin · June 16, 2006

Thanks for the info, Steve.
I will not sell the photos. As th US Grand Prix will be my first auto race, I doubt there would be any demand for my pictures, anyway.

How does the 'average joe' get close to the track? We're near the start/finish line but I'd love to get close to the track.

Do you think I should even bring my 17-85 lens? Will my 135mm be strong enough to get a relatively close shot at anything?

ian408 · June 17, 2006

RichardBrackin wrote:

Do you think I should even bring my 17-85 lens? Will my 135mm be strong enough to get a relatively close shot at anything?

If you've got a tickets for the paddock, yes. Do bring the 17-85. The 135
might not be long enough. Study the course layout and see if there are
spots you might get closer to the track at. Do you have a TC? Might want
to take that too (or get one).

flyingpylon · June 19, 2006

As Steve said, you are free to bring in whatever you can carry... no restrictions. What's interesting about the USGP is that because Formula One controls the event and only a select few get credentials, you can find yourself standing next to some very good photographers on the "outside" of the fence who would normally be on the "inside" at the Indy 500 or Brickyard 400.

There are several good places to get photos... the easiest and closest to the track is on the outside of turn 9 on the viewing mounds. The cars are moving relatively slowly and there is no fence in the way.

There are also large holes in the fence (they're there on purpose) at various places around the track and if there is no credentialed photographer with his big head and usually VERY big lens in the way, you can shoot through them to get some very good shots. Two good ones are on the outside of turns 6 and 10.

Another decent place is up high in the E or B Stand penthouses in turn 13.

My advice is to walk around as much as possible, and check out all of the various angles, etc. from different areas of the track. If you will be there on practice/qualifying days that's a great time to do it.

I would bring the 17-85, but only because there will be lots of cool things to take photos of. You won't be close enough to take good photos of the cars with that range, unless you really try to be creative or something. And although the 135 will be better, it won't be "enough" really. I don't have "pro" lenses but I am able to get some nice photos with a 70-300 zoom.

By the way, I publish a web site called IndianaRacing.net. Unfortunately I have not gotten around to posting my F1 photos from the past few years but I do have other things that may be of interest, including high-quality sound recordings from last year's USGP. Check it out when you get a chance.

In any event, I'm sure you'll have a great time... the USGP is a lot of fun!

gouldphoto · June 20, 2006

To continue with what flyingpylon said, turns 6 and 10 have the big slot in the fence. Get there early as it's standing room only with lots of waiting around. Wear comfortable shoes and bring food and water if you want to hold your spot at the fence. Last year I had the credentialed pro (other side of fence) setup camp right in front of me

. I got a great shot of the back of his head.

Here is a shot of Scott Speed during practice from turn 6 slot
f13 @ 500mm

Steve

UncleJake · June 21, 2006

Timely post, thanks for the info. I'll be at both the Milwaukee Mile and Infineon this year (my first IRL races), sounds like we'll have pit passes too.

-UJ

maczippy · June 21, 2006

I also have on my site some shots from the first few F1's at Indy...

These shots actually garnered me a *lot* of work and visibility.

Andrew

wxwax · June 21, 2006

Great info on locations, good thread!

RichardBrackin · July 3, 2006

I'm back. I want to thank you all for your very good information.
I didn't realize the infield was soooo big until I saw it.
Inded we didn't get there in time for any good photo spots. There were masses of photographers with 600mm zoom lenses and the like just herding around the infield.

I was with a few other people and I didn't want to be separated from them so I mainly took pictures from the stands, which is a very bad place to take pictures. Next year (if there is a next year) I will be much more prepared.
I was pleasantly surprised with my 135mm.

It was 92+ degrees F and sunny Saturday and Sunday.
If there's one lesson I learned it is to not use autofocus, but focus a spot and follow the car into that area.

Here's a shot of Felipe Massa (Michael Schumacher team mate) moving along at 200MPH right in front of us. Now that i've got one race under my belt, I will be more comfortable moving around next time.

---
Shot Details:
1:17pm EDT, 20D, 135mm, f/9.0, ISO 400, 1/640 exposure ('aperture priority' was set), manual focus
---

wxwax · July 3, 2006

Nice and sharp, good blur.

So when would you get there, to get a good spot?

RichardBrackin · July 3, 2006

Nice and sharp, good blur.

Thank you.
It only took 300 attempts, 2 days, and a lot of trial and error.

I could easily get hooked on this.

So when would you get there, to get a good spot?

I'd suggest try to get there when the gates open or a little after that. I think gates open at 7.
If you don't have a weekend ticket, you can also pay 20 bucks for a day pass. There's hardly a line and it lasts you the entire day for 20 bucks -- great value!!!

There were several sessions during the day on Saturday so one would't be bored for long if they enjoy motorsports.

But since there were several events during the course of the weekend, photographers dedicated to those events had already set up at strategic spots. You can definitely tell where to stop by seeing masses of photographers at various places around the track.

There were at minimum 4 different sets of vehicles practicing, qualifying, then racing. You can spend all day and have plenty to do. Pack as light as possible since it is very very hot that time of year.

Saturday, we arrived at approx 9am EDT and there was already a respectable crowd. We went into the infield towards the museum, which took us where we could see turns 12, 11, 10, 9.
There are some stands there as well but they were packed. There's NO shade there at all but the photographers with their $4,000 - $7,000 arsenal of multiple lenses were already in position. That alone is a sight to see.

It is very difficult to comprehend the size of the speedway. You can walk for an hour and not make it around due to both distance and traffic.

If you time it right you can see some drivers on the infield. We watched Takuma Sato arrive in what appeared to be a honda accord.
I also got a shot of McLaren's (I think) head engine builder as he took pictures with fans and signed autographs, then was finally escorted into the back gate. (I kinda felt bad for them, after making a grand entrance, only to have their drivers take each other out 10 seconds into the race).

if you walk from the Paddock through the tunnel under the track and on south and west to the infield, be sure to time it well before a support race ends or you'll stand in line, packed like sardines, and bake in the sun while all the drivers clear the course and go into this gate.

i can't stress enough --- bring earplugs, or better yet, sound proof headset with FM tuner so you can hear the track announcer.

wxwax · July 3, 2006

Good stuff!

So even if you get there early, the pros have staked out the good spots?

RichardBrackin · July 3, 2006

wxwax wrote:

Good stuff!

So even if you get there early, the pros have staked out the good spots?

In this particular instance, yes. I can't speak for other events here at Indy.
Of course, they had a 2 hour head start. We stayed in Seymour, Indiana (62 miles south of Indy). We woke up at 6:30am, ate and drove up without incidence.

There are 3 races per year here - Brickyard 400, USGP, and the Indy 500.
The support races all happen on the same weekend as well. The USGP had BMW, Indy Pro, Porche, then F1.

You could probably squeeze in between the pro's.
I'll upload a couple of pictures I took near turn 10, 11, etc. of the Porche series just to show you what a 135mm gets you from near the stands there. I felt like I had a very short lens with my 135mm.

I've got a LOT of photos to go through. I'll get them up, though.

wxwax · July 3, 2006

RichardBrackin wrote:

I've got a LOT of photos to go through. I'll get them up, though.

Cool! I'd like to see them.

fire1035 · July 3, 2006

Good stuff. Hopefully they will return next year as this is the only race I have yet to attend. I had to goto the effing firehouse yesterday so all I got to do was watch on TV.

Are there any F1 Camera Restrictions at Indy US Grand Prix?

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