Okay, I'll bite...
In a message dated 11/28/2000 Simon Evans <sje@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
writes:
<< Part of the reason is they don't want people to think the camera does
all
the work. I know there are _some_ motorcycle racing photographers who
claim
to prefer manual focus, but they're talking b*ll*cks. There are
situations
when prefocusing can work, but with sports like motorcycle racing there
is
not the degree of positioning accuracy you normally get with e.g. cars.
The
dynamics of a bike means they can't guarantee to be in exactly the same
spot
or even leaned over to the same angle each lap (which, with a 400mm, can
make the difference between sharp and not sharp). >>
I admit to knowing nothing about motorcycles or motorcycle racing.
However, I like to think I know a little about shooting fast moving
objects known as race cars (which, BTW, last I checked the fastest race
cars turn road course laps vastly faster than bikes).
I do shoot from the credentialled photographer areas and see close up
and personal the gear being used and the way it is used. Most of the
time I see AF lenses switched to either the manual mode or the
Auto/Manual (override) mode.
Now, while I do understand what you're saying about riders being in
different positions and taking different lines, in auto racing hitting
your apex and running in the same spot consistantly is the mark of a
good driver. Inconsistent lines through a turn usually also means you
won't finish at the front. Dunno how that applies to bikes but I would
think the guys at the front of the field in National or World class
competition are pretty consistent. Yes, a few inches can be the
difference between sharp and not sharp. Just like the AF sensor picking
up the wrong widget a few inches off...like the fuel tank or the rider's
knee instead of his helmet and face...or whatever, you get the point.
Either way, there will be many tosses, not so many keeps, if you're
trying to pan a 400mm. (Which by the way I seldom feel the need to
do...I seldom even pan at 200mm with my 80-200/2.8.) I did try a few
pans with the Zuiko 350/2.8 using a monopod just to see if I could and
was very surprised and happy with the results (and all of the shots were
keepers too BTW...but I only did like 5 or so). Thing is at most pan
shot locations I find my focal length is typically 135mm or so for cars,
figure maybe 180 for a bike I am guessing from the same locations.
Again, I know next to nothing about bike racing. I may go check one out
next year and see for myself. FWIW, I e-mailed back and forth a few
times with a Tamron SP 80-200 LD seller who shot bike races for some
major bike mag and that was his primary user...not AF, nor was he
switching. (Tripod mount had broken and he was unable to get one from
Tamron so he bought another one like it and was selling his old one sans
tripod mount.)
I ain't gonna switch to AF until I go digital...and then only because I
am leaning in the direction of what Olympus develops someday since from
what I have seen so far...the E10 is getting there and closer to what I
would like in a digi-cam than anyone else's current offerings.
Mike Veglia
Motor Sport Visions Photography
http://www.motorsportvisions.com
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