Meangasoline

Equipment

This is the basic lens and camera line-up I take to each and every Motorsport event that I visit.

Canon EOS 350d
Canon EOS 350d

From Canon.co.uk: Switch to the future with the EOS 350D Digital and take your creativity to a new dimension. Compact, lightweight and intuitive; delivering results to captivate the most discerning audience.

This is the first Digital SLR or in fact SLR I have ever owned and it has yet to let me down.

It is very compact for a Digital SLR however I do not feel this inhibits the use and function of the camera on the whole. During 2008 I will be replacing the 350d with a higher end Canon body to help with the focus and speed demands of taking Motorsport photography.

Canon 300mm F/4 L IS USM
Canon 300mm F/4 L IS USM

From Canon.co.uk: This EF300mm f/4L IS USM is characterized by outstanding mobility thanks to the outstanding image stabilizing system. The optics include 2 UD glass elements to thoroughly eliminate secondary spectrum.

I purchased the fixed focal length 300 during a recent trip to America. I am amazed at the quality of the lens, how fast it focusses and the results I have been able to achieve with it in a relatively short space of time (see later half of 2007 image galleries).

It is essential to have a good zoom for Motorsport photography as you are often a fair distance from the cars/bikes racing around the track. I am hoping to add the 1.4x teleconvertor to this lens during 2008 which will give an even greater focal range.

Canon 70-200mm F/4 L USM
Canon 70-200mm F/4 L USM

From Canon.co.uk This high performance telephoto zoom lens EF 70-200MM 1:4 L USM provides excellent performance for all general purposes. The compactness and light weight make it an excellent travel companion.

The 70-200 was purchased along with the 350d at the start of the 2006 Motorsport season. I went with this lens for its optical quality over the zoom range that it offers me. This lens focusses fast and provides me with a great solution through short ranges, particularly useful at circuits like Mallory Park where you can get very close to the action on track.

During 2008 I am hoping to combine the flexibility of this lens with the distance of the 300 lens to provide me with all the focal ranges I need for some really action packed and sharp Motorsport photos.