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I understand that the 70-200mm f2.8 is basically the standard, but could something like a 135mm f1.8 be a better budget alternative?
Prime Lenses for Motocross Photography?
a good photographer can make most anything work.
but the versatility of a 70-200 is quite nice. Sigma 28-105 2.8 could be nice tho.
Personally, the only prime I’d use is a 400 because when I take that out I’m looking for a specific shot. For everything else I’m on 24-70 and 70-200.
The action happens so fast and a lot of the times we are limited to where we can go, so having the versatility is key in my opinion.
We actually tend to use the 100-500 most often. The 70-200 really only comes out of the bag when the light goes away…
Anyone in here taken photos at perris raceway recently? I want to get out there but i’ve never been there and I don’t know what i can and can’t do? Also any other tips would be appreciated.
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I will be taking notes of all the lenses suggested in here.
Depends on the situation but when I'm at the local track I use my Canon EF 135 f2 L quite a lot. I usually shoot it wide open because it has really nice bokeh.
I’ve been using a 135 1.8 on one body and a 300 2.8 on the other. Sometimes I’ll use my 70-200 2.8 instead of the 135 though. I like to pair the 300 with a 1.4 or 2x TC also.
If it’s not too inconvenient of a drive, just head out there one afternoon without your camera and scope things out. Talk to track staff and find out where you’re allowed to shoot from, and watch any photogs who might be out there to see where they go.
For sure. You can make a prime lens at that focal length work if you’re trying to save money and get started. Shoot with something you can afford and save up for a 70-200 2.8 which will become your workhorse of a lens.
It’s a buyers market for used DSLR equipment. I picked up my 70-200 2.8 in like-new condition over a year ago for $1100.
Which body are you running?
Currently using a Canon T7 with a 70-200 f4L USM, my next big upgrade will be a camera body. Just thinking that until then i might sell the 70-200 for a prime or keep it and get prime lenses later
You might need a safety vest there to shoot near the track. If you talk to the staff they should be able to help you out.
You have to sign a waiver and pay a yearly fee to shoot there. (It’s like 10 or 20 bucks)
Primes get amazing results but more work to run around. Sounds like you’re on a crop sensor, some of your lens choices will depend on if you stay crop for a bit or go full frame soon. At least on the prime side.
Best prime I had for shooting moto was a 300 2.8
As the canon market moves more into RF lenses (mirrorless), the old EF primes are becoming amazing bargains.
You can never go wrong with a 70-200 though.
Currently saving for a 100-300mm
100-400 or 100-500s are great budget options. Terrible for low light due to the high and changing aperature though.
Thank you everyone for the information/tips.
Just have to zoom with your feet.
50mm f1.8 . . .
If you're looking for one, do almost everything lens, I would go with a nice 70-200. You will use 100% of the focal length. Keep an eye on Facebook Marketplace and you can find a used one for a reasonable price. I would pick one and then save your pennies for a larger prime in the future.
I found the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 to be a less expensive option to the 100-300 & thoroughly enjoyed the images…![]()
Pit Row
He can 100% use the the EF lenses on his crop T7. The EFs will mount on a EF-S system. His focal range for an EF 70-200 will be multiplied by 1.4x however. So he can choose from all of the EF lineup.
70-200 is a workhorse. 👍
I have 2 cameras and 4 lenses, all of which were given to me by family who didn’t use them anymore, I am very greatful for that. The two cameras are Canon EOS Rebel XT, and a Canon EOS Rebel XS. The XS is my go to because it has an SD card and I don’t have to get a card reader for it, I can just put it in my laptop. The XT uses a CF card, and it stopped reading the card, and I have gone through 2 cf card readers which have bent pins. I don’t want to use a camera with a cf card in it anymore. The 4 lenses are: Sigma 55-200mm, Sigma 28-105mm, Canon 18-55mm(My least used one, even though it’s the only one with an image stabilizer), and my only telephoto lens which is a Tamron 70-300mm.
Which one of the 4 lenses would be the best for moto?
Kind of depends on the aperture and the size of the track, if its a small track, probably the 28-105mm. If its a big track, the 70-300mm. The 55-200mm would be a good all rounder if you only want to bring one lens.
I didn't say he couldn't use the EF lenses on his crop sensor. I meant the focal lengths you buy and are recommended can also depend on which sensor size you want to stick with.
Thank you.
The plan is to upgrade to full frame (Canon R8) next year
I would suggest getting an R6 or R6II by then as they are more professional bodies with joysticks and proper dials. The R8 will work, but smaller battery and it won't perform as well for moto with smaller buffer, etc. You could pickup a used R6 right now for about $1k which would be your best investment to get you into mirrorless and use it with your 70-200 f/4. You asked about a 135 f/1.8, but I would suggest the 135 f/2 for Canon as it's a great lens for moto and portraits. The R6 can do it all for moto, and the R6II improves on that if you can stretch your budget for another $600 or so.
Depending on your budget for glass, the 70-200 2.8 will always be a great tool for Moto. The 300 2.8 has been staple for moto photography since the 90's. I've owned all the generations of lenses of both zooms and primes and I currently have the RF 100-300 which is a lens that is out of reach for most photographers and not necessary. I still have my 300II which is an amazing lens paired with a 70-200 2.8. The old EF 100-400II also works very well depending on how much reach you need, but it has smaller apertures throughout the range.
There are a lot of ways to get the proper setup for moto depending on budget as long as you choose the right tools. I see a lot of people using the wrong tools (both bodies and lenses) all the time. They can work, and they'll get you some images here and there, but if you want to be nailing professional shots and just want to focus on composition it's best to use the right tools.
If you don't have a lot of dough you could buy a 1DX right now for around $500 and pair it with your 70-200 and you will see a dramatic improvement with your images compared to your cropper. I could take a 1DX/70-200 2.8 non IS ($1200 setup) and shoot it next to my R3/100-300 ($12.5k setup) and you wouldn't see much of a difference in the end result after posting to the web. The R3 would bring home a lot more keepers obviously, but an old 1DX is still a very capable camera and it can still hold it's own when comparing final images. People ask me all the time, can I use a Rebel/7D etc cropper and the answer is yes you can, but I would never suggest them for an aspiring moto photographer. Spend $500 and get a 1DX, or 1K on an R6, etc.
There's some photos in this thread I shot from the stands with a 70-200:
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/moto-related/a2-observations-and-few-photos-2024?page=0
I currently have an R8. I bought it to use for landscapes and wildlife, and I was gonna continue to use my old Canon 40D for action. But, after being blown away by the incredible dynamic range and high ISO performance, the 40D is retired. The R8 works well for action, but there are better choices. Such as the R6 which has higher FPS and both front and rear shutters are mechanical.
What would examples of the wrong tools be?
I read through this thread and sorry if I missed what camera you are using. I have a lot of photography knowledge and work with a lot of photographers. For sure mirrorless is way overrated. The canon 1d series all the way through are great. 70-200 2.8 Canon is great. That combo is hard to beat and more user friendly than the new mirrorless. Another lens that is fun is the 16-35 ii 2.8. you need to be pretty close to the subject for this lens. Then...for some real fun...Canon 8-15 but that requires a helmet and a chest protector lol.
I'll post some stuff I did with with a fisheye (8-15 type) when I get a moment. Unfortunately I used a Canon 7dii and that camera is a crop and has focus issues for the most part.
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