What settings for rc shots

[B4 Sloth]

In 2010 i will be getting more into the photography scene. I have taken a number of reasonable action shots but would like to improve. Many have been taken on sports mode which in the main has been ok.
Just wondering what settings u guys use?
The biggest problem i encountered was with focus points. I always used the dynamic area mode but lost a fair few pics as the focus would snatch a photo of something else as the buggy had left the focal point briefly. Is this something i just have to accept, given the small size and high speeds of these cars.

Camera is a Nikon D60, most pics using tamron 70-300 lense

[Cooper]

http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/artic...to1/index.html


start from here

[B4 Sloth]

Many thanks

Petit here i come!

[ClydeBuilt]

I did better by reading some photography books properly and actually taking things in this time.

Autofocus and the like are a no-no in moving action, better to have an area pre-focussed on before hand and use f-stops to set up a reasonable depth of field that safely captures the action, slightly before & after the hotspot.

Obviously using motor drive will give you some shots either side of good and hopefully something 'special' once in a while. Thats why you bought a didgital in the first place....bin the dross right away!

Sometimes its worth using movie mode if your camera supports it, as you can digitally break down the movie file into separate pics and have another chance of a good shot. Its what I use for some weather shots, especially waves/storms and lightening, strikes are blindingly fast, but done that way you pick out the best every time.

[mole2k]

For lighting strikes I just use bulb mode!

For action shots in general camera's autofocus cant keep up with the RC cars reliably so you will usually get more keepers by prefocusing and waiting for the car to reach the focal plane then hit the shutter button (well slightly before the car reaches the focal plane so that when the shutter opens it's actually in there).

If the distance to the camera isnt changing too much the AF should work quite well, I would use the AF at times although you have to be good at tracking or you get the issues you describe.

Here's a few rc shots of mine in varying conditions.

[Ross]

I normally shoot with "Shutter Priority" and AI focus, and adjust aperture and speed to the light condition.

Shutter priority allows you to to adjust all of the above,AI focus automatically focus's as you track the object,this is all on a Canon mind you,but your Nikon should be roughly the same.

[B4 Sloth]

A couple from september back in 2009.
The ramp shot was a waiting game, the D4 was surprisingly focussed.

A long way off the dirt throwing baja. That picture is brilliant

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by B4 Sloth

Many thanks

Petit here i come!

Find me, I'll help you out. BUT try to find a lens that can cope with low lights! indoor RC is a disaster and very difficult !

[mole2k]

Indoor RC is a pain, nearly all my rc photography is in dark dim halls!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by mole2k

Indoor RC is a pain, nearly all my rc photography is in dark dim halls!

If you have a camera that will except an external flash that will help with indoor pictures. I find the built in ones are Poo.

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by Ross

If you have a camera that will except an external flash that will help with indoor pictures. I find the built in ones are Poo.

but the racers don't like flash !!!

I only use flash for small races or in a very small amount in qualifs.

if 1 driver asks me to stop the flashing, I immediately quit for the rest of the day and try to help myself with f1.8 50mm

[mole2k]

I dont like people using the flash when im racing so I dont generally use the flash on others.

I have used it before and it's ok if you have the time to set them up right as opposed to just setting them on the hotshoe and getting shots which use the flash as the primary light source. I'd rather have a grainy shot!

I have always meant to go and drag a load of flashguns out and light a few corners properly but im usually too busy with racing. I've always thought setting a nice hard flash across the track from where i'm taking pictures would give a great rim light on the cars help make the cars stand out from the track surface.