Automobiles Petit Le Mans - 2024

[iamdlewis]

Petit Le Mans is the IMSA year end race at Road Atlanta and services as both the IMSA Series and IMSA Endurance Races Series finally. This is, as the name would entail, a smaller version of the 24hrs of Le Mans and is only a 10 hour race. The events take place across 4 days with racing on the last two day with the Friday holding 3 events plus 3 qualifying events and the Saturday the big main event race.

This year is was a messy race with way too many cautions but as my first time race it was a lot of fun. One of the things about a 10 hour race is it gives you plenty of time to make it around the track but also nighttime shots.

I've got a ton of images to go through as this was a learning experience for me and you really can't review stuff during the events. So here are just two of what will be more.

This is the Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian Acura ARX-06

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/60 sec
• ISO 100

Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 100.0 mm
• ƒ/4.5
• 1/100 sec
• ISO 6400

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

Great night shot

 

[iamdlewis]

Cadillac Racing
Day & Night

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 100.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/80 sec
• ISO 400

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 297.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 6400

Corvette Racing

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/60 sec
• ISO 100

 

[iamdlewis]

Over 10 hours sometimes you need make some changes.

Cetilar Racing Ferrari 296 GT3

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/100 sec
• ISO 100

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 297.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 6400

 

[iamdlewis]

In the FoxFactory 120 support race

The Motorsports in Action McLaren Artura GT4 needing just 3 wheels for turn 4

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/16
• 1/100 sec
• ISO 400

KWM Msport w/ TMR Eng Alfa Romeo Giuletta Veloce showing some damage

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 100.0 mm
• ƒ/16
• 1/80 sec
• ISO 500

RS1 Porsche 718 GT4 showing signs that it believes the NASCAR saying that "rubbing is racing"

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 100.0 mm
• ƒ/14
• 1/40 sec
• ISO 400

Always had respect for the racing panning shots but man that must have been one really expensive work in the film days. Also I think the 1/60 or 1/80 might be the sweet spot for the panning.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

I love these panning shots, but never tried it myself. What kind of focus mode do you use, Center, Zone, Wide or some other setting? I sometimes get let down by the camera choosing to focus on the wrong thing when I use wide, or changing its mind on what to focus on between shutter clicks (again usually in wide focus mode which it my default).

 

[iamdlewis]

So what worked for me was that I had the EVF in the view in which you can see if the frame is level and then used Spot Focus Medium. What this did for me was give me a visual to keep on the door and allowed me to put the focus point where the front wheel would be. Then it was just panning and trying to not always pick the same car as they went by.

I only tried the wide for a short period at probably a location that wasn't the best since at least for part of the pan a flag stand was in frame and it would lock onto the people. Center focus worked as well but it just didn't seem as comfortable to use.

 

[Brownie]

In order to get motion blur you need a slow enough shutter to show the background in motion. The shutter speed you use depends on a couple things: The speed at which the subject is moving, and the distance to the subject. I have used 1/60, 1/125, 1/160/and 1/200. I've found if I'm in the stands or shooting from a distance, 1/60 and 1/125 work decent on a car or prop airplane. If I'm close, like 35-40' away, or if the subject is a jet, I need to move much faster. There's a better chance of getting out of focus or out of frame at that speed, but it also means you can use a faster shutter like 1/160 or 1/200 and still get decent blur.

Tracking, I'm torn on. You really shouldn't need tracking since you're tracking the car yourself. But I have also been able to get a good shot when I've lagged behind and the camera picks up my slack. That seems to be a lot more important when things are happening really close andor fast.

 

[iamdlewis]

AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3.R may have finished in 8th in the race and 13th in the season but I don't doubt that they finished 1st in smiles as it went by.

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/800 sec
• ISO 1000

 

[iamdlewis]

Still going through the shots.

BGB Motorsports Porsche 718 GT4 RS CS with a tire that would rather be elsewhere

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 100.0 mm
• ƒ/14
• 1/40 sec
• ISO 400

Harrori Motorsports GR Supra GT4 EVO really like the livery on this one but just not sure what it says

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 100.0 mm
• ƒ/14
• 1/40 sec
• ISO 400

Lone Star Racing AMG GT4 another good one

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 294.0 mm
• ƒ/16
• 1/100 sec
• ISO 400

KohR Motorports Mustang GT4 the lone Mustang

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 294.0 mm
• ƒ/16
• 1/100 sec
• ISO 400

Rebel Rock Racing Camaro GT4.R the lone Camero and a non-panning shot

• ILCE-7RM4
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 1250

Vander Steur Racing Vantage GT4 another non-panning

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/10
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 800

 

[iamdlewis]

Another edit from what feels like an endless number of images from this race

• ILCE-7RM4
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/10
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 400

 

[iamdlewis]

Few more in the color subject B&W everything else
AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3

• ILCE-7RM4
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/10
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 800

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 150.0 mm
• ƒ/13
• 1/80 sec
• ISO 100

Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 150.0 mm
• ƒ/13
• 1/80 sec
• ISO 125

Whelen Engineering Cadillac Racing V-Series.R

• ILCE-7RM4
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/10
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 400

 

[Brownie]

Weird, but the color subject is only noticeable in the last one, the others just look like roadway.

 

[iamdlewis]

Weird, but the color subject is only noticeable in the last one, the others just look like roadway.

The Ferrari ones don't work as well especially the first since it is all road, the 2nd does have some green/brown grass. In the Acura you can see the reflections of the curbing. I would agree that it does appear better with the view of the Whelen Caddy. Having that gravel in the foreground with the upward angle of the car and the appearance of a lower shot are more pleasing. If I do go back in the future I will spend more time at that turn.

Overall a good learning experience for my first race.

 

[Brownie]

The last shot is outstanding!