what lens do i need?

franks · Dec 31, 2006

i have a question about what lens i need for my olympus evolt 500. i am a beginner that has had a break in the fact that i got a photographers job quickly without looking for one. but my problem is that it is shooing race cars at night. i think i need a low F- number but i dont know for sure. any imput would be nice

Mr Tripod · Dec 31, 2006

The F number isn't the only thing to be considered but also film speed here. Say prehaps 400 ASA to 800 ASA?. Sports shots are prefered with little less sharpnes by the sports industry maganizes as it's shows movement / action. A good 150 mm to 200mm lens with an appereuture say of 2.8 or one above will be ok.

my preference would be a 200mm lens set at 2.8 for maximum light, or a higher F number depending what you want to acheive?

My opinion only.

franks · Dec 31, 2006

Mr Tripod said:
The F number isn't the only thing to be considered but also film speed here. Say prehaps 400 ASA to 800 ASA?. Sports shots are prefered with little less sharpnes by the sports industry maganizes as it's shows movement / action. A good 150 mm to 200mm lens with an appereuture say of 2.8 or one above will be ok.

My opinion only.

i got the zuiko lens kit with it and it was so shaky with the speed of the cars moving that it made me dizzy. http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Olym...36561/catOid/-13062/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
this was the kit i bought, these cars are fast and its not picking up good, i have examples
these are during the day before it got dark

these are at night

Sw1tchFX · Jan 1, 2007

lol, the last 4 are awsome.

franks · Jan 1, 2007

Sw1tchFX said:
lol, the last 4 are awsome.

yeah, i need some imput to make them right

pulpmojo · Jan 1, 2007

yeah you definately need a fast lens for this type of work (along with a fast iso) and seeing that you're so close to the action, a relatively inexpensive 50mm ( f/1.4 or f/1.8 ) will probably do the trick (you should check to see what focal length you're using on your kit lens first to make sure). As for now, a little panning will help on some of those shots.

franks · Jan 1, 2007

pulpmojo said:
yeah you definately need a fast lens for this type of work (along with a fast iso) and seeing that you're so close to the action, a relatively inexpensive 50mm ( f/1.4 or f/1.8 ) will probably do the trick (you should check to see what focal length you're using on your kit lens first to make sure). As for now, a little panning will help on some of those shots.

thanks, what is panning? im new to this and may not catch all first round. and the bigger # on the iso faster or slower?

how do i check the focal lenght?