Need help on Panning Techniques

[jnjphotography]

Hi everyone, i just got my first assignment and was wondering if anyone has any advice on panning and photo equipment to bring to a "drift" motorsport event. It is a nonpaid assignment. This is going to be my very first attempt at panning and 1st major event. I currently own a nikon d50 & d80 one with 55-200mm nikkor lens and another 18-200 Tamron. I know these lenses are really cheap (can't afford expensive ones). I have read up on many books and motorsport books. I have the basics down but not "1st hand experience." So please let me know what tips you got. I am planning to rent some lenses as well from a local camera shop. Any recommendations on equipment? I am bringing my tripod of course or would a monopod be more beneficial?

[Snarfy]

I recommend you sell your d50 and put the money towards buying a nice lens. For the event, rent a 70-200mm VR; and possibly an 80-400 (but the 70-200 focuses better). Since drift events are outside and you'll be panning, I recommend a monopod.

[imported_Marc Kurth]

My honest advice is to practice and practice more.

Sure, we would all like to have 8-10 fps camera bodies and lenses that can focus instantly on a target moving fast in two planes at once at f2, but.........

Think about it - what did pro's do just a few years ago with manual focus lenses? They still got the shots!

If you can position yourself where the cars are moving across your field of view, then your camera will be able to maintain focus lock – or you can anticipate the action and pre-focus on a location that you take the shot while panning.

How low can you go on shutter speed? I hate to sound repetitive, but that depends upon how long you practice your technique..

[jnjphotography]

Got some shots today at my very first panning experience. Boy, eheh it is hard. After 1 hr of nonstop shooting I only got a handful of decent pics. Most are out of focus, but practice makes perfect!

[Snarfy]

i like the evo shot. looks like it is under braking though? those car photograph much better under hard turns... they also maximize their fun factor in hard turns =)

[sandman]

I have a friend that likes shooting cars. He takes a monopod and then tilts the camera until it's pointing straight up. Once that's set, he places the monopod over his shoulder (with the foot facing backward). He swears it gives him a more stable platform for panning.

Just have to make sure you don't whack anyone with that foot while you're rapidly panning. :)

[Snarfy]

haha, you'd hope that people would notice and keep a rotor's distance away from you! otherwise, their fault!