Shooting Motorsport with the X-T2 and XF100-400mm

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no2 Porsche Team Porsche 919 Hybrid (LMP1) - 1/60 @ f13 100ISO
It now 12 months since I first used a prototype of the XF100-400mm f4.5/5.6 and just over 6 months since I received a prototype Fujifilm X-T2 and I have been happily shooting motorsport with this combination.  The X-T2 has proven to be a great track camera and combined with the long reach of the XF100-400mm I have been able to take shots of moving cars with ease.
no95 Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Vantage V8 (LMGTE PRO) - 1/450 @ f5.6 200ISO
Last weekend I used the X-T2 and XF100-400mm to capture these images (and others) of the track action at the Shanghai International Circuit in China where I was working on the FIA World Endurance Championship.

 The autofocus on the X-T2 is more than capable of tracking a fast moving race car and the 11 frames per second drive means I rarely miss the decisive moment.  The 100-400mm is a great lens, brilliantly sharp and easy to use despite its size.  The Optical Image Stabilisation makes keeping things steady a doddle and it means I have stopped using the monopod, giving me greater freedom of movement.

 The only drawback with this lens is the maximum f5.6 on the long end of the zoom but it isn't as big a drawback as the specs would have you believe.  The 24MP X-Trans III sensor handles noise very well and it is easy to bump up the ISO a couple of notches to compensate for the slower maximum aperture.  In the beginning I did wish the lens was a constant F4 but I don't think about it much anymore.

no78 KCMG Porsche 911 RSR (LMGTE AM) - 1/250 @ f5.6 200ISO
The Fujifilm X-T2 and XF100-400mm is a great combination for anyone wishing to shoot sport or wildlife and I can heartily recommend it to anyone.  If you don't believe me,  just flick through the past six months of blog posts.
no13 Rebellion Racing R-One AER (LMP1) no5 Toyota Gazoo Racing Toyota TS050 Hybrid (LMP1) - 1/125 @ f8 200ISO
no30 Extreme Speed Motorsports Ligier JS P2 Nissan (LMP2) - 1/60 @ f14 100ISO
no31 Extreme Speed Motorsports Ligier JS P2 Nissan (LMP2) - 1/100 @ f7.1 100ISO
no7 Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R18 (LMP1) - 1/120 @ f13 100ISO
no1 Porsche Team Porsche 919 Hybrid (LMP1) - 1/60 @ f14 100ISO
no27 SMP Racing BR01-Nissan (LMP2) - 1/160 @ f13 200ISO

no4 Bykolles Team CLM-AER (LMP1)  - 1/125 @ f6.4 200ISO
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Jeff Carter is an Official Fujifilm X Photographer and was named as a Fujifilm brand ambassador in June 2015. In 2016 he worked with the company on the launches of the Fujifilm X-Pro2 in Tokyo and the Fujifilm X-T2 in Paris in July 2016.  You can view his profile and gallery on the Fujifilm website HERE


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