Hello, all! I'll have the oppurtunity to attend a sports car race in Monterey, CA. The race will be at 2:30pm- 6:30pm. My previous experience was a motogp race at midday and was my first attempt at panning. Basically I'm looking for some tips:

1: Should I bring a monopod or tripod or both (will be shooting from afternoon to nighttime)?

2: At night time, is there a certain technique I need to know regarding focusing?

3: Is panning at night different than panning during the day?

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

i think you would have a hard time shooting at night, specially if there would be limited light source

1. I guess a tripod would be good if you want to do some photos like light-trails or other long exposure shots and a monopod to rest the heavy lens you'll be using. (I'm assuming a 70-200 2.8 telephoto here)

3. I'm not exactly sure but I saw in another forum that a guy used his 50mm 1.8 to pan motorcycles and it looked good. He mentioned that he used the same technique as daylight panning but I think he tinkered a bit with the shutter speed. I think it's a bit tougher though since you'll be using a slower shutter speed to capture more light?

Interesting thread Giovanni. Hope the experts can give more tips. :)

1.) Bring a monopod.

2.) Be prepared to shoot in High ISOs and preferably with a very good lens wide open... You should also know your camera's inherent focus abilities like speed etc.

3.) Your main problem with panning at night is your available light source; that's why you need to compensate for that if necessary.

HTH :)

1. I guess a tripod would be good if you want to do some photos like light-trails or other long exposure shots and a monopod to rest the heavy lens you'll be using. (I'm assuming a 70-200 2.8 telephoto here)


At night if you're located near the track and you can add some strobes :) that would be some nice shots with a long exposure and rear curtain flash.

Post some pics after :) btw, take some glowing brake disc shots if you can :Grin: those are always pretty to look at :)

For the venue, how strong are the track lights at night? If they're strong enough, you can go handheld at 2.8 with high ISO.

Hello, all! I'll have the oppurtunity to attend a sports car race in Monterey, CA. The race will be at 2:30pm- 6:30pm. My previous experience was a motogp race at midday and was my first attempt at panning. Basically I'm looking for some tips

It shouldn't be a problem. This time of year, the sun is out 'til 6pm. So, take your panning shots from 2:30 to 5:30. From then on, it's light trail photos. :)

yep... just as long as there is enough light source, panning wont be a problem :)

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll give them a try and hope for the best.

Fidel, if you're interested, the race will be in Laguna Seca Oct 20-22. Maybe 1-1.5 hours from SF depending on traffic (and how fast you drive :Grin: )

Hmm, looking at your first post, Monterey does sound familiar (Monterey Bay). Haha, we'll see, my transportation (Dad) left for Manila and will be back on the 22nd. Talk about timing. Haha. Darn it.... :D

Hmm, looking at your first post, Monterey does sound familiar (Monterey Bay). Haha, we'll see, my transportation (Dad) left for Manila and will be back on the 22nd. Talk about timing. Haha. Darn it.... :D

LOL! That's bad timing. Anyway, if you do decide to go and need a ride, let me know. I'm based in San Jose.

hello giovanni, musta na pards?

tama sila. all you have to do is to bring a fast lens. kung mejo mahaba ang dadalhin mo at mabigat, a monopod would give a very handy sa panning mo. but you can't really avoid of setting it sa higher ISO. for sure madalas o halos ng gusto mong kunan e mataas ang ISO. +EV is helpful too. a faster camera kung meron ka e mas ok, yung mga D2 series kung baga ng Nikon e ayus na ayus, sabay ganun e no? sa ganang akin advantage, makakapamili ka after you set your preferred exposure. kung may VR lens ka e try, ayus din. pagnakuha mo na ang exposure mo e shoot ka nang shoot.

hehehe, pasensya na at pangkanto lang ang mga tips ko.