Comments on: Ask the Sports Photo Guy http://sportsphotoguy.com Reviews, Technique, Portfolio, Prints Thu, 10 May 2012 14:39:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Chris W http://sportsphotoguy.com/ask-the-sports-photo-guy/comment-page-2/#comment-18687 Chris W Wed, 09 May 2012 21:05:56 +0000 http://sportsphotoguy.com/?page_id=532#comment-18687 Thanks for your thoughts and the link on the D7000! I appreciate your time! If you have time, and are interested, I'd love for you to take a look at some of my current pictures from my website, and let me know what you think (good and bad) privately to my e-mail address. I need all the help and feedback I can get to be a better photographer! Thank you so much!!! Chris Wissell Thanks for your thoughts and the link on the D7000! I appreciate your time! If you have time, and are interested, I’d love for you to take a look at some of my current pictures from my website, and let me know what you think (good and bad) privately to my e-mail address. I need all the help and feedback I can get to be a better photographer! Thank you so much!!!

Chris Wissell

]]> By: The Sports Photo Guy http://sportsphotoguy.com/ask-the-sports-photo-guy/comment-page-2/#comment-18626 The Sports Photo Guy Wed, 09 May 2012 04:47:45 +0000 http://sportsphotoguy.com/?page_id=532#comment-18626 Hi Chris, The settings can be pretty complicated, though they're designed to offer maximum control. For just about all sports, I've settled on 9-point Dynamic AF, AF-C. This requires pretty accurate tracking on your part; when I first started using the 51/39-point AF system, I mostly used 21-point until I got used to it. 51/39-point 3D tracking technology is cool, but has pretty limited application in sports - it just can't keep up. But with some refinement, Nikon's autofocus will become pretty brainless, I think. Last bit of advice: check out Nikon's Digitutor on the AF system; it does a good job of explaining the different modes: http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d7000/index.html Hi Chris,

The settings can be pretty complicated, though they’re designed to offer maximum control.

For just about all sports, I’ve settled on 9-point Dynamic AF, AF-C. This requires pretty accurate tracking on your part; when I first started using the 51/39-point AF system, I mostly used 21-point until I got used to it.

51/39-point 3D tracking technology is cool, but has pretty limited application in sports – it just can’t keep up. But with some refinement, Nikon’s autofocus will become pretty brainless, I think.

Last bit of advice: check out Nikon’s Digitutor on the AF system; it does a good job of explaining the different modes:

http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d7000/index.html

]]> By: Chris W http://sportsphotoguy.com/ask-the-sports-photo-guy/comment-page-2/#comment-18621 Chris W Wed, 09 May 2012 04:03:23 +0000 http://sportsphotoguy.com/?page_id=532#comment-18621 Hello Sports Photo Guy! I also stumbled across your site tonight in search of some help in setting my focus points for the best and most consistent results with my new D7000. I have been playing with all the modes and points, and just can't seem to get the right combination for consistency. I have been getting frustrated with many pictures being out of focus. I mostly shoot basketball and soccer at this time, but want to do more. Any thoughts? Thanks so much for your time! Hello Sports Photo Guy!

I also stumbled across your site tonight in search of some help in setting my focus points for the best and most consistent results with my new D7000. I have been playing with all the modes and points, and just can’t seem to get the right combination for consistency. I have been getting frustrated with many pictures being out of focus. I mostly shoot basketball and soccer at this time, but want to do more. Any thoughts? Thanks so much for your time!

]]> By: The Sports Photo Guy http://sportsphotoguy.com/ask-the-sports-photo-guy/comment-page-2/#comment-14688 The Sports Photo Guy Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:55:49 +0000 http://sportsphotoguy.com/?page_id=532#comment-14688 I can't imagine using the 18-200 for any sort of sports action, although I used one for years as my primary "walkabout" and travel photography lens. The 80-200/f2.8D is, I am certain, likely to be a step up from the Sigma, though I don't know about how it would compare with a teleconverter added (though you in correct in thinking you won't lose much optical quality if you stick to 1.4x). One thing to be aware of: Nikon does not make an "AF" teleconverter, only AF-S. So the TC-14E (any version) will be manual focus only with the 80-200/f2.8D. The <a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-2652741-10785534?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adorama.com%2FKN14XPNKAFGX.html&cjsku=KN14XPNKAFGX" rel="nofollow"> Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 DGX AF 1.4x Teleconverter</a> does work with both AF-S and traditional AF lenses, and is optically very nice. I can’t imagine using the 18-200 for any sort of sports action, although I used one for years as my primary “walkabout” and travel photography lens. The 80-200/f2.8D is, I am certain, likely to be a step up from the Sigma, though I don’t know about how it would compare with a teleconverter added (though you in correct in thinking you won’t lose much optical quality if you stick to 1.4x). One thing to be aware of: Nikon does not make an “AF” teleconverter, only AF-S. So the TC-14E (any version) will be manual focus only with the 80-200/f2.8D. The
Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 DGX AF 1.4x Teleconverter does work with both AF-S and traditional AF lenses, and is optically very nice.

]]> By: Mike Staudenmayer http://sportsphotoguy.com/ask-the-sports-photo-guy/comment-page-2/#comment-14685 Mike Staudenmayer Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:50:28 +0000 http://sportsphotoguy.com/?page_id=532#comment-14685 Hi there, I've got a D7000 with a Nikon 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR and a Sigma 100-300 f4. I shoot alpine ski racing and was considering the Nikon 80-200 2.8 AF D for sharper larger aperature - shallower dof. I figured I could go w a tc to get back that extra reach (200-300) and still be ahead of the game w the sharpness. I find the 18-200 dof and sharpness are somewhat limiting in the longer focal lengths. I'm curious as to your thoughts. Thanks a ton, Mike Hi there, I’ve got a D7000 with a Nikon 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR and a Sigma 100-300 f4. I shoot alpine ski racing and was considering the Nikon 80-200 2.8 AF D for sharper larger aperature – shallower dof. I figured I could go w a tc to get back that extra reach (200-300) and still be ahead of the game w the sharpness. I find the 18-200 dof and sharpness are somewhat limiting in the longer focal lengths. I’m curious as to your thoughts.

Thanks a ton, Mike

]]> By: The Sports Photo Guy http://sportsphotoguy.com/ask-the-sports-photo-guy/comment-page-2/#comment-13958 The Sports Photo Guy Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:19:40 +0000 http://sportsphotoguy.com/?page_id=532#comment-13958 Tough call at this moment. Personally, I am holding out for the D300s replacement from Nikon - likely to be the rumored, 16MP D400 sometime this spring. Unfortunately, that might be a bit late for basketball. Another possibility would be to pick up a used D300 or D300s - these are tough bodies that are great for basketball. Also in the used department, a Nikon 70-200/f2.8G VR (1st edition) is a great all-around sports lens, though a bit on the long side for basketball with a crop-factor camera (I use it mostly for mid-court shots but it's nonetheless an essential tool). A reasonable alternative is the Sigma 70-200/f2.8. I also highly recommend Sigma's 50/f1.4G. The Nikon 24-70/f2.8G is an awesome lens, but pricey. I use the (discontinued) Sigma 18-50/f2.8 HSM, an incredibly sharp zoom. Hope this helps! Tough call at this moment. Personally, I am holding out for the D300s replacement from Nikon – likely to be the rumored, 16MP D400 sometime this spring. Unfortunately, that might be a bit late for basketball. Another possibility would be to pick up a used D300 or D300s – these are tough bodies that are great for basketball. Also in the used department, a Nikon 70-200/f2.8G VR (1st edition) is a great all-around sports lens, though a bit on the long side for basketball with a crop-factor camera (I use it mostly for mid-court shots but it’s nonetheless an essential tool). A reasonable alternative is the Sigma 70-200/f2.8. I also highly recommend Sigma’s 50/f1.4G. The Nikon 24-70/f2.8G is an awesome lens, but pricey. I use the (discontinued) Sigma 18-50/f2.8 HSM, an incredibly sharp zoom. Hope this helps!

]]> By: Jamie Corpus http://sportsphotoguy.com/ask-the-sports-photo-guy/comment-page-2/#comment-13957 Jamie Corpus Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:51:40 +0000 http://sportsphotoguy.com/?page_id=532#comment-13957 I shoot primarily HS Basketball and now some college. Im about to change/upgrade. Been using Sony and while I am still a Sony fan..the availability of Sony accessories etc is not great( ie; renting lenses) and focus has been a nagging issue, and with Basketball it has to be FAST :) In the quest of researching to buy new gear..I find it overwhelming at best..lol! So if you had 3k to buy new camera and hopefully at least one decent lens. (Id like to have 70-200, 24-70, 50 and 85) What would you buy? Id like to start doing more portraits..but Basketball photography (and Custom Sports posters) is my passion. PLEASE help me with recommendations! Just when your leaning one way..info pops up and I lean the other way.. lol! Its a never ending cycle..lol! Hope you can give me some direction! Gratefully Jamie I shoot primarily HS Basketball and now some college. Im about to change/upgrade. Been using Sony and while I am still a Sony fan..the availability of Sony accessories etc is not great( ie; renting lenses) and focus has been a nagging issue, and with Basketball it has to be FAST :)
In the quest of researching to buy new gear..I find it overwhelming at best..lol!
So if you had 3k to buy new camera and hopefully at least one decent lens. (Id like to have 70-200, 24-70, 50 and 85) What would you buy? Id like to start doing more portraits..but Basketball photography (and Custom Sports posters) is my passion. PLEASE help me with recommendations! Just when your leaning one way..info pops up and I lean the other way.. lol! Its a never ending cycle..lol!
Hope you can give me some direction!
Gratefully
Jamie

]]> By: The Sports Photo Guy http://sportsphotoguy.com/ask-the-sports-photo-guy/comment-page-2/#comment-13391 The Sports Photo Guy Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:56:54 +0000 http://sportsphotoguy.com/?page_id=532#comment-13391 That baby was made to be shot wide open - f2.8 (which will really be f5.6 with the TC) all the way. If lighting is dim, ditch the teleconverter - indeed, unless I'm concentrating on the goalkeeper from the <em>opposite</em> end of the field, I seldom use more than a TC-14E (1.4x) in conjunction with a 300. That baby was made to be shot wide open – f2.8 (which will really be f5.6 with the TC) all the way. If lighting is dim, ditch the teleconverter – indeed, unless I’m concentrating on the goalkeeper from the opposite end of the field, I seldom use more than a TC-14E (1.4x) in conjunction with a 300.

]]> By: The Sports Photo Guy http://sportsphotoguy.com/ask-the-sports-photo-guy/comment-page-2/#comment-13390 The Sports Photo Guy Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:53:07 +0000 http://sportsphotoguy.com/?page_id=532#comment-13390 The 50/f1.4 is definitely the lens to use. The <a href="http://sportsphotoguy.com/secret-d300-high-speed-auto-iso-trick/" rel="nofollow">Secret D300 High-Speed Auto ISO Trick</a> will work with the D90, so my advice would be to use it and set a manual exposure of 1/400 and f2 for starters and a max ISO of 3200. Depending on the exact lighting situation, you can adjust those values (the 50/f1.4G produces great shots wide open at f1.4). Courtside flash is probably a no-no as players tend to be distracted. And with those little guys, you definitely want to get low! The 50/f1.4 is definitely the lens to use. The Secret D300 High-Speed Auto ISO Trick will work with the D90, so my advice would be to use it and set a manual exposure of 1/400 and f2 for starters and a max ISO of 3200. Depending on the exact lighting situation, you can adjust those values (the 50/f1.4G produces great shots wide open at f1.4).

Courtside flash is probably a no-no as players tend to be distracted. And with those little guys, you definitely want to get low!

]]> By: George http://sportsphotoguy.com/ask-the-sports-photo-guy/comment-page-2/#comment-13349 George Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:26:38 +0000 http://sportsphotoguy.com/?page_id=532#comment-13349 I purchased a Nikon 300m 2.8 VR2 and a 2x converter type 3 yesterday for my D300s which cost me an arm and a leg. I have yet to use it in anger on lacrosse however have fallen in love with it with the test shots in the garden. Do you have any recommendations on the apperture to use ? Best Regards I purchased a Nikon 300m 2.8 VR2 and a 2x converter type 3 yesterday for my D300s which cost me an arm and a leg. I have yet to use it in anger on lacrosse however have fallen in love with it with the test shots in the garden. Do you have any recommendations on the apperture to use ?
Best Regards

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