Larry Chen, one of the world's most renowned automotive photographers and Canon Explorer of Light, has revealed the comprehensive camera equipment setup that enables him to capture high-speed racing action and intimate car culture moments around the globe. In a recent Canon USA video, Chen provides an in-depth look at his professional gear bag, showcasing the tools that have made him a legend in motorsport photography.
At the heart of Chen's photography arsenal are three Canon EOS R1 camera bodies – a setup that might seem excessive to amateur photographers but proves essential for professional motorsport work. The three-body configuration allows Chen to keep different lenses mounted simultaneously, eliminating the need to swap lenses when split-second racing action unfolds. With a wide-angle, medium, and telephoto lens ready at all times, he can respond instantly to any photographic opportunity that presents itself on the track or in the garage.
The Canon EOS R1 itself represents the pinnacle of sports photography technology, featuring lightning-fast autofocus capabilities, industry-leading dynamic range, and a massive electronic viewfinder that enables precise composition during rapidly unfolding moments. While specifically designed for action and sports photography, Chen emphasizes that the R1 performs equally well for static automotive portraits, offering sufficient latitude in the image files to make exposure corrections during post-processing.
Chen's lens selection tells the story of a photographer who demands versatility and exceptional performance from his equipment. He relies heavily on fast prime lenses, each serving a specific purpose in his creative workflow. The RF 35mm f/1.4 serves as his primary storytelling lens, versatile enough to capture an entire vehicle within its environmental context or step in close for intimate shots of drivers in the pit area.
For low-light situations, Chen turns to the RF 50mm f/1.2, a lens that excels at gathering available light under floodlit race tracks or in dimly lit workshop environments. This lens also delivers the creamy bokeh effect that helps separate subjects from their backgrounds, creating visually striking images even in challenging lighting conditions. The RF 85mm f/1.2 is another favorite in Chen's collection, which he describes as an "absolute monster" capable of isolating vehicles or individuals with stunning background separation, maintaining excellent performance even in near-darkness conditions.
Perhaps the most prized lens in Chen's collection is the RF 135mm f/1.8, a piece of equipment he values so highly that he claims it would be one of only two lenses he would carry if forced to choose for life. After years of relying on the EF 135mm f/2, the newer RF version's wider aperture allows him to shoot effectively trackside, frame entire vehicles, or capture the smallest automotive details from badges to shift knobs with clinical precision and exceptional image quality.
On the zoom lens side of his equipment lineup, Chen carries the essential tools of automotive photography. The RF 15-35mm f/2.8 covers the super-wide focal length range, proving crucial for shooting in cramped garage spaces, crowded automotive collections, or creating dramatic perspective shots on the race track. The RF 24-70mm f/2.8 serves as his versatile workhorse lens, handling everything from car-to-car rolling shots to comprehensive pitlane coverage with ease.
The lens's image stabilization technology, when combined with the EOS R1's in-body stabilization system, enables surprisingly smooth handheld motion shots that would have been impossible with older camera systems. Completing his zoom lens collection is the RF 70-200mm f/2.8, a staple in any serious automotive photographer's toolkit that Chen uses extensively for trackside photography, where its reach and subject separation capabilities prove invaluable for both dynamic panning action shots and static compositional work.
An interesting practical detail in Chen's gear setup is the duct tape wrapped around his lenses – far from being merely cosmetic, this serves as an additional layer of protection against the harsh realities of motorsport photography. When shooting in environments where cars kick up dirt, dust, and debris at high speeds, the tape helps safeguard expensive lens equipment from environmental damage, representing a simple yet effective hack that speaks to the demanding conditions professional motorsport photographers face.
While most photography enthusiasts cannot realistically aspire to carry three EOS R1 bodies or maintain such an extensive collection of Canon RF lenses, Chen's equipment choices offer valuable insights into the level of preparation and adaptability required for professional automotive photography. Each piece of equipment in his bag serves a specific purpose, whether prioritizing speed, flexibility, or ultimate image quality, and together they enable him to respond effectively to whatever unfolds before his lens.
For photography enthusiasts and aspiring professionals, Chen's gear revelation provides both inspiration and instruction, offering a glimpse into how one of the industry's best photographers equips himself to capture the thrill, intricate details, and sheer beauty of automotive culture at the highest level of professional competition.
