Panning Advice

Visited my brother in scarborough last weekend and we went to the barry sheene memorial race event at the olivers mount circuit. i was trying out my recently acquired dal 55-300 im really pleased with the lens but my panning shots were woeful, some were nearly there but not quite sharp enough , anybody any advice re shutter speeds, shake reduction on or off ? basic technique ?
regards, tim.

Hi,

I suggest shake reduction off and a monopod.

Several years of F1 at Silverstone (not been with my Pentax though) proved the slow bends up to Luffield best as you had right to left pan to start, slow nends towards you and then accelerating away all from same viewpoint.

Good light of course helps allow high speeds as does a capable high ISO camera such as all the post K7 DSLR's. Spot metering and focus could help as could Focus capture although I've yet to try this.

Hi Tim. I used to shoot bike races when I was younger using a Pentax MX manual focus,

https://www.pentaxuser.com/photo/the-late-bob-smith--british-champion--17409/lar...

..... It's easier these days with the modern stuff. The best advice I can give is to pick a landmark where you intend to take the shot (track marker WHY), start panning the shot early and keep the swing smooth and steady, trip the shutter just before your subject reaches the chosen landmark.........this is the important bit........keep the camera moving (follow through) with the panning. Plenty of practice helps!

NB Depending on the camera, use AF-C constant AF and it may help to let the camera pick the focus point on auto.

John

link

I got this recently with the same lens.
The only real tips I can give are to follow your target for a good while before shooting and continue to follow after you have released the shutter.
Aperture about f5.6 - f8, shutter no lower that 1/50th, good light but most of all don't rush to get the shot, relax, and take shed loads, you are bound to get a couple right if you take enough.