Tips Photographing Formula 1

Howdy!

Just thought of going to F1 Canada Grand Prix.
From what I heard lenses over 200mm are not allowed.
So my co-worker and I are planning to rent some 2x tele converters.

I'm planning to bring 7D 2xtl 200 2.8L
maybe a 20D with or without tele converter with 70-200 2.8L
I also have a wide angle and few others...

I've never been to an F1 race so don't know how it goes.
If we get tickets to the grandstand, I assume we also can walk around and take photos, then return to the grandstand.

Please give any tips or suggestions. Thank you

 

Why not rent a 200 F2 with teleconverter while you're at it

 

I can't give any suggestion or help whatsoever regarding camera gear, but...
Places to be if you can just wander around to various bits of the track.

Turn 10(the hairpin) - Will probably give lots of overtaking action with the possibilities of collisions, lock ups and flying carbon fibre. If you are in a grandstand then for this place it's grandstands 15, 21,21A and 24 according to F1.coms track plan.

Turn 12(Final chicane) - Again, lots of chance of overtaking maneuvers, lock ups and the almost 100% guarantee that someone will hit the wall of champions, someone always does. Around this area could also give a nice view along the Casino Straight with the cars headed toward you.

Star/Finish straight - Obvious choice. Race start, possible view of pit lane antics from the relevant grandstands(1 and 2) some chance of overtaking.

Turn 2 - Traditionally it should be turn 1 with all the race start action but at Montreal its frequently been turn 2 with the fun since turn 1 is little more than a kink nowadays. Grandstands 11 and 12 give a view of this, tuirn one and you can see down the start/finish straight and over to turns 3 and 4.

Turns 6 and 7 - Also a good place for action here. Some overtaking can happen here and also has grandstand 33.

Like I said, no camera advice but i know the track lol. If it were me and i couldn't roam around at will the i would be choosing turns 6/7 or the hairpin to see as much action as possible.

Hope you enjoy it you lucky lucky git

 

You'd get better shots walking around the track than you will from the grandstand (unless you're very close to the front). You'll also have a better chance of getting clearer views if you go on one of the practice or quali days than if you go on race day - race day will be packed, and you'll get hordes of people camping at the best viewpoints around the track.

If you get a chance to get a ticket with a pit pass (even if it's just a timed pass), go for it. There's a good chance of some interesting shots, even though your chances of getting a pic of one of the drivers is slim.

Oh, and please, please, please don't be one of those people who walks around with ear defenders on. Half the fun of going to see F1 live is the noise

 

I agree. The noise is bringing the extra thrill. I expect a really amusing race where the DRS will give big advantages! Wondering if Hamilton can profit from his good race pace the last few races.

 

F1F recently did a couple of articles on how to take decent F1 pictures. Some of it is basic camera advice, but some should be useful for you.

 

Now that the weekend is here please don't forget to post up any good shots you get

 

Indeed!

 

It was sooOOOO Amazing my first Grand Prix!!! Woohoo We got sun on the weekend and a rain storm for he Race Here are few photos:


_MG_8168 by Neo - nimajus, on Flickr

_MG_8134 by Neo - nimajus, on Flickr

_MG_7841-Edit by Neo - nimajus, on Flickr

A damaged Mercedes by Neo - nimajus, on Flickr

_MG_8197 by Neo - nimajus, on Flickr

_MG_9188-Edit by Neo - nimajus, on Flickr

_MG_8497 by Neo - nimajus, on Flickr

Historic Racing by Neo - nimajus, on Flickr

Two Porches GT3 by Neo - nimajus, on Flickr

Massa flying passed the fans in Montreal by Neo - nimajus, on Flickr

Untitled by Neo - nimajus, on Flickr

 

Would love to hear feedback as this is my first time photographing/attending a motorsport event.

Added a little collection to flickr
if anyone is interested:

 

You've got rep from me for those shots. Beautiful!

 

Looks like you had a great time!! Great shots, I can't say I'm a fan of the white balance/processing on 2,3,4, seems unintentional next to the other shots.

 

I'm very confused. Uploaded directly from Lightroom 3 using the built in Flickr uploader.... using public ( to all ) setting. I go online and the photos do say public.
But if I'm logged out the link takes me to nothing... Please help!

UPDATE:
Fixed it, had to batch re-edit all the photos for them to show up.
I'ts weird now working

 

works fine for me.