Capturing the finish

[Drakkon]

Anyone have any tips/tricks on how to capture the end of a race? Specifically for "photo finishes"? Is it all about the right timing or is there some trick involved?

I race horses on the side and the track photographer is a new guy and has no clue how to capture the finish. 3/4 of the time he takes the picture AFTER the horse has already crossed and the jockey is up - not a good picture in my world - i wanna see the horse's profile not the jockey's ass. Trying to train my lil sis how to take better pictures so she can take his job

 

[Mloot]

If you go over to the forums at Steves-digicams, try PM'ing a guy called Greg Chappell. He takes some excellent track photos. He might have some pointers about taking the finish photo.

 

[ElFenix]

wikipedia says:
the 2008 olympics used a 3000 fps camera to take the photo finish. that was up from 1000 fps at atlanta.

they use specialized vertical slits rather than shutters with film constantly moving at a similar speed to the racers.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I would set my camera to the highest FPS possible, wait silently by the finish line, and right before the racers get there, run out onto the track with your pants dropped down around your ankles and swing your camera around and shoot off shots wildly whilst screaming "BALA BALA BALA BALA!!!!!!!!1111" and charge the racers in an attempt to tackle them. If the racers are horses or automobiles, good luck to you.

 

[OulOat]

Speed + Experience + Practice + Time + Luck = Profit?

Speed = Camera with high FPS
Experience = Knowing how to use your equipment correctly
Practice = Learning how to use your equipment better
Time = You are going to be out there for a while, day after day
Luck = Unless you are really experienced, this will be the biggest factor in your photos

 

[Drakkon]

examples of high FPS cameras?

I know my sis has a Canon 50D and she can capture shots like that Greg guy (says he uses burst to capture a lot of them) - very nice pictures but none of the actual finish :/

 

[xchangx]

Originally posted by: Drakkon
examples of high FPS cameras?

I know my sis has a Canon 50D and she can capture shots like that Greg guy (says he uses burst to capture a lot of them) - very nice pictures but none of the actual finish :/

1D MK3 can do 10FPS.
My D300 can do 8FPS
I think the 50D can do 5 or 6 FPS.

 

[OulOat]

Originally posted by: xchangx

Originally posted by: Drakkon
examples of high FPS cameras?

I know my sis has a Canon 50D and she can capture shots like that Greg guy (says he uses burst to capture a lot of them) - very nice pictures but none of the actual finish :/

1D MK3 can do 10FPS.
My D300 can do 8FPS
I think the 50D can do 5 or 6 FPS.

10 FPS is for grandmoms.

Real men uses 60 FPS or 40 FPS

Realistically, your sister's camera is fine. It's not really worth the cost of upgrading or changing if it's just for a hobby. Now your sister just needs practice and experience.