This year at Le Mans 24H, we had the chance to shoot with the Canon FE 400–800mm f/6.3–8 G lens — and wow, what a tool for motorsport storytelling.
Reach & Flexibility:
The extended zoom range was ideal for both tight pitlane portraits and long-distance car tracking through the Porsche Curves. That 800mm reach gave me the power to compress action from across the circuit, without ever having to move my feet — essential during those fast-paced moments when teams are swarming around the car.
Optical Quality:
Even wide open at f/8, the lens held up surprisingly well. Edge sharpness was solid, with a nice fall-off in the background that gave a cinematic feel to the car shots in golden hour. Bokeh is smooth for such a long zoom, making it useful not just for reportage but some genuinely creative compositions too.
Weight & Handling:
It’s a serious lens, but still manageable in the hand or on a monopod. Balance was good with my Sony body (via adapter), and the AF was fast enough to track LMP2s flying through the Dunlop chicane — no easy feat.
Huge thanks to McLarens Zak Brown for his impeccable comms and United Autosports for their hospitality.💪💪🏁
Verdict:
For trackside work where you need reach, flexibility, and pro-level sharpness, the 400–800mm f/6.3–8 G delivers — especially when paired with fast reflexes and good timing. It’s not a low-light monster, but in bright conditions like Le Mans, it’s a brilliant choice for capturing the speed, strategy, and emotion of endurance racing.
Extra special thanks to James Loader ( James.loader@sony.com ) and Guilluame Cuvilier ( Guilluame.Cuvilier@sony.com ) from Sony UK & Europe.... Digital Imaging Business Solutions
