So I just photographed my 2nd AutoX event mainly it's the same guys that come out so this time I wanted to focus a little more on stop motion photos. The problem is I don't exactly have the money for a good lens and I'm noob at photography still.

Setup:

Nikon D5000
Nikkor 18-200 MM VR II f/3.5-5.6 (my general purpose traveling lens) <- got a steal on it is the only reason I have it

Looking for a good lens for this kind of stuff that won't break the bank either I'd say 500-1k would be max.



^^ Stop motion crossing finish line hitting cone


^^Dark, lost sun and was on higher shutter speed

2 things: dont' tilt your horizon, and if the car is moving, it's always nice to keep some motion blur on the tires to show that.

How do you achieve motion blur, without editing, while still maintaining a sharp look to the overall photo. Just have to find the sweet spot for shutter speed or?

Google panning.

Mmhmm

KK thanks guys. The horizon issues were from brand new monopod I had just gotten before this event and trying to keep up with them didn't work so well when I was out on the track.

Should have just gone hand held. That lens isn't nearly heavy enough to need a monopod.

and thats also what vr is for as well

I wouldn't use VR in that shooting scenario. VR would semi negate the whole shooting at slower shutter speeds to achieve motion blur. VR is more for shooting something that is stationary.

vr is only for stationary. It makes me laugh at those who argued for a 24-105 F4 > 24-70 2.8 because it has IS rofl.