Lens size?

[PenelopePitstop]

My significant other has decided she would like to take some photos of me racing with a Nikon D70 with a 28 -80 lens. I am guessing this is way to small to get a decent picture from a safe area. Am I correct if so what sort of sixe of lens is needed.

Thanks in advance.

[Snapperjack]

Depends. Where are you racing. Some tracks would be ok for the 80 end. Others could tell you the best place for her to shot from with that lens. Save your £s. Inside of Druids springs to mind.

[BertMk2]

Which circuit you're at would make a big difference, the inside of Druids at Brands and most of Lydden would be ok with that lens (when I first got my 350D is only had the 18-55 lens that came with the camera and got ok results from Druids and Lydden). Silverstone would probably be alright if you're hanging off the pitwall or down at the Becketts hairpin (on the national circuit). Might get away with it at Russells at Snetterton?

[dazbaz_99]

Would anyone agree with me in saying that a 200 or probably even a 300mm telephoto would suffice at most circuits. Easy to get hold of and fairly cheap too, especially if you look for a 2nd hand one.

[Iwantacaterham]

Don't forget teleconvertors as well.. they lose some quality & aperture, but a pretty low cost way to extend the range of a lens.

[redshoes]

You won't get a shot like the one in your avatar with a 28-80 but I can think of a number of places where such a lens would be my first choice.
Brands - inside of Druids or outside of Surtees
Mallory - Devil's Elbow
Snetterton - outside of Esses
Oulton - between Lodge and the start line

Silverstone Becketts probably needs something a bit bigger but you might get away with it. Bits of Croft are possible, as is Cadwell.

If you don't want to take things too seriously and end up spending a lot money then I'd go for something like a 100-300.

[six degrees]

yeah you can probably get away with 80mm in certain places at certain circuits but tbh I'd try to pick up a cheap telephoto if at all possible - the nikkor 70-300 f/4-5.6G AF is available for not a lot of cash these days, and there's nothing really wrong with it, it's obviously not the best lens in the world but it's a budget telephoto and that's what you'd seem to be looking at

just did a quick froogle and they are £139 on ABC cameras (would post a link but I'm not terribly sure of the rules about that..) - it'd certainly be a whole lot less frustrating than only having 80mm to play with!

[BuzzedHornet]

Don't forget the Nikon sensor 1.5x crop factor. So what is a 80mm on 35mm is = to a 120mm 35mm film camera.

I was considering the 70-300 that six degrees is talking about. For the $'s it seems like something to consider. My only question is how fast it will focus on the D70. I ended up biting the built and I got the 70-200 2.8 VR and I hope to grab a 1.4 tele before my first track day later this month with the 2.8 and VR I can afford the loss of a stop for the focal length.

[FIL]

something like a 70-200 or -300 would be fine most places... tho my favourite lens at the moment for daytime stuff (circuit and drags), is my 50-500 sigma...

mind you, when it starts to get dark, out comes the 70-200mm f/2.8L... the range is still fine for most places i end up, and it's amazing in lower light...

[PenelopePitstop]

Thanks for the advide everyone, you have saved my race budget paying for a new lens. I am currently only racing at Snetterton, Brands and Silverstone this year so will suggest she trys Russel or the Esses at Snett, Druids at Brands & the pit wall or Abbey at Silverstone.

Cheers

[jonbryant]

Following a nice bonus at work I'm about to get the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens...

[FIL]

that's the L series? pretty sure Canon only do that length in L series with IS...

I've had the opportunity to use one of those, and they rock... if you don't need 50mm at the short end... then they're great for motorsport work...