Panning at Goodwood

[Guest]

Tried to get sharp cars, blurred background at the festival of speed last weekend. I didn't get the consistency I would like so if anybody has any tips on good technique and camera settings I'd be pleased to get those comments.

I seem to have stripped the exif from these files, but I was using my E-3 and 12-60 at 1/60th, f11, C-AF, dynamic focussing, auto wb, 100 ISO, 5fps, IS mode 2. The technique I was trying was hand-held, keeping arms still and elbows in, trying to be smooth, swivelling upper body, aiming at the middle of the cars it as it goes past.

1960s racer


chrome veyron


mad zonda


smart mazzer


Yankee charger

[snaarman]

Re: Panning at Goodwood

They look rather good to me. Clearly there are times when you might get one end of the car out of the frame, but if you are looking for a tight shot then that is a risk.

Maybe you could have gone for a slightly shorter exposure to make to process easier, maybe 1/100th but no shorter I would imagine. All in all, judging by the rate they must have been moving I think its an excellent effort.

The only other technique I have heard is to use manual focus. Preset it on the centre of the track, because you knbow the car will be there. Using f11 should give you enough dof to cover the subject. This gives the camera one less job to do.

Having said all of this - I have never tried panning in anger, at least not on cars this fast!

Pete

BTW - Chrome Veyron!! Now let me see, where did we park it???

[ndl0071]

Re: Panning at Goodwood

From my own experience I think you need to be shooting at a faster shutter speed 1/160-1/250ish and a smaller f number, the key is to experiment with all of the settings until you are happy, the following examples were taken at Goodwood last year with an E510 50-200swd, CW metering, IS2, ISO 100

F3.2-1/160


F6.3-1/200


Hope this helps.

[Guest]

Re: Panning at Goodwood

Thanks Pete and Neil, makes total sense. I'm often not confident enough to think on my feet and change tactics at the coal face. Logic told me what settings to go with and I stuck with them, your suggestions around shutter speed, focussing method, dof will be very helpful next time

[EH1]

Re: Panning at Goodwood

I think it`s a really good effort Michael. Well Done!

[Ian]

Re: Panning at Goodwood

My panning effort from the British GP last year, when Jenson didn't have such great car to drive:



This was at 1/320th, but the cars were traveling fast at this point on the track.

Ian