I am looking to get a lens for shooting road racing. Most of the races I will be shooting will be criteriums. I will most likely be positioning myself on the edge of the road near a corner.

I have a D70 DSLR Nikon. I am looking at Nikon lenses.
I would love to buy 2.8 glass, but 300mm lens is very expensive.
I was thinking about a 300mm f4 AFS. for about $1000.
The other lens I was thinking about is a 70-200mm 2.8.
I have been told that both will work well.
I wish there was a way to try before I buy but it is not possible.

What do you guys think?

Thanks Tommy

Those are both great lens for cycling photography, but I'd get the 70-200 over the 300 anyday.
Simply because it is more versatile.
I would also recommend a wide lens too, for shots in the corners.
A strobe would be helpful too, depending on where the crits are held.
Welcome to PR.com BTW!
Good Luck!
Make sure you check out the other forums and post some stuff from you first race!
Brian
Ride On!

That is what I am leaning towards, also the 70-200mm is a 300mm on my D-70.

If you are shooting crits and you are going to be able to get close to the road I would go for the wide angle... I just bought a 70 - 200 and thought why would anyone want anything else... Well a couple weeks later and I want the wide angle, maybe it is just because I just got done shooting crits, finish lines and other things that I just wanted to get more than just the cyclist... I like to get up into the action, one of the reason I wanted the 70-200, but sometimes I find myself too close...

I guess, just determine what you are mainly be shooting... If it is mostly crits and you want to get cool in the turn shots, I would go with the wide angle.

You wished there was a way to try before you buy? Depending on where you live, there may be a place that you can rent from. If not, there are places that you can rent from on the web.

Enjoy
Shane

The first shot I used a 35-70 and wish that I had a wide angle for, the second I used my 70-200.

I took these with my 18-70mm 3.5-4.5.
Is yours a 70-200 2.8?
What size wide angle would you like?
I would think a 50 or 60mm?
I have a 70-200 but it is crappy.
Shots look blurry and camera has a hard time focusing.
www.pbase.com/florentinepogen/nc_state_games

Is yours a 70-200 2.8?
What size wide angle would you like?

Mine is the 70-200 2.8 USM IS from Canon and I love it. I haven't had any problems with focus speed.
As for a wide angle I would go with a 16-35 2.8. This will let you get really low and really close in the corners. Sometimes if feels a little too close, but it lets you get the angles that you can't get with the other lens. Plus if you are willing, it lets you get the shots that other photographers aren't willing to get.
Shane

Like the second lens much better, even though the shots are different style.

Do you know the aperture of the second shot?
Love the blur!
That is what I am looking for in my next lens.

I would recommend the Nikkon 70-200 f/2.8 AFS VR lens. The AF is excellent, the optics are as good as it gets, and the VR will help you get photos in light conditions where you couldn't before. You can add a 1.4x teleconverter later. I have the Canon 70-200 f/2.8L and a 1.4x converter and it's one of my favorite setups for bike racing. I also have a 300mm f/4. But the 70-200 is a lot more flexible and I use it a lot more than the 300. If you want to look at something else, I keep thinking about the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 HSM. I think that might be one of the ultimate sports lenses available. The AF isn't as good as the 70-200 or 300mm primes lenses, according to the reviews. But I think it may be a fair trade to give up a little on the AF for that range and aperture.

I don't know if you've checked the reviews here or not. But if you haven't, you should. There are plenty of reviews on all these lenses: http://www.photographyreview.com/cat/lenses/CAT_3787crx.aspx

Hope that adds something useful to the discussion. Another bike photographer is always welcome here :)

Do you know the aperture of the second shot?

I am pretty sure that I was shooting f/2.8 on that shot.