Horse Race Track - camera & equipment

BlackHorseThunder

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Hello,

I used to do photography & have moved to an area with a race track so wanna start again. What would be your suggestions for a camera.

Conditions - sunny or low light/overcast

Additional - zoom & continuous shot if possible.

Thanks
 
What's your budget and what do you want to do with your hobby.

Because without some more from you we can't give you any advice at all. You can get a camera phone and take pictures; or a cheap £100 camera or we can give you a full DSLR kit with two cameras and two top end lenses that will blow away the best part of £20K. An idea of what country you're in helps too with regard to your budget, esp if its in $ as different countries might have quite a variation on the price of an item.
 
A tripod is NOT needed for most racetrack photo-taking. A monopod might be useful, or go hand-held. But for horses, or dogs, or cars ('racetrack' is not really specific I would NOT take a tripod with me.
 
"Horse" is mentioned in the thread title... ;) As far as equipment, as mentioned, we really can't make any suggestions without having at least a rough idea of what you're willing to spend. You could do the job with anything from a well used Nikon D40 & 70-300 (<$500) to a D5 & 400 2.8 (>$18,000).
 
Well given that your looking at photographing moving objects, the very first thing to consider (any camera) is write speed and age of camera.
This because older cameras (6+ years) in the digital type will use various write media from CF cards to SD, etc.
The amount of images you can save will be limited on older cameras. (FAT 16-32-64).

Burst rate should be considered as well.

Then there is the glass.
Fast lenses and solid zooms.

But remember, budget and what fits your hand.
 
Ni, a tripod is not a necessity. A monopod may be helpful with a HEAVY or big lens and a heavy camera, but it too is not a 100% necessary item. Figure out how much your budget is.
 
No a tripod is not a necessity. A monopod may be helpful with a HEAVY or big lens and a heavy camera. Let's hear your budget ideas.
 
WHERE are you going to be, vs. the horses?
Up in the bleachers and you are looking at 70-300, 80-400 or 100-400.
From the bleachers to the back stretch 150-600 or 200-500.
Down near the track 18-55 or 18-140 DX.

The bigger/heavier the lens, the more you will want a tripod or at least a monopod, to support the weight.
But will the venue let you bring a tripod in? A tripod is considered an tripping hazard. You may need special permission and only setup in specified no-traffic areas.

To get reach, the longer zooms cost $$$$.

So as others have asked, what is your budget?
 
Another note:

Lenses have speeds also.
the Nikon and Canon stuff typically is very fast in focus.
But watch the older Sigma stuff.
It has a tendency to creep a bit and is obnoxiously loud and slow.

AF point metering and speed of the AF area is key especially with larger moving objects.
Horses are a diff. beast (literally) from dogs or cars. The AF point will function differently with each.
 

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