Comments on: Ask the Sports Photo Guy

By: The Sports Photo Guy

The Sports Photo Guy — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:19:40 +0000

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

Jamie Corpus — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:51:40 +0000

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

The Sports Photo Guy — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:56:54 +0000

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

The Sports Photo Guy — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:53:07 +0000

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

George — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:26:38 +0000

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

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:43:33 +0000

Hi – I’m wondering what settings and lens I should use to shoot indoor basetball – 7 yr olds so they are not quick like high school or college boys!! – no windows HUGE building that houses 15 courts all open – all my pictures are dark and a tad un focused.
I have a Nikon d90 – the kit lens that is 18-105mm f/3.5 I also have a 50mm 1.4G and a 50-300mm f4.5-5.6 and I have and sb-600 speedlight…. so can you tell me what lens – flash or no flash and what settings you would recommend! Thanks!!!

By: The Sports Photo Guy

The Sports Photo Guy — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 04:06:12 +0000

You didn’t mention which camera…but definitely go with the 17-50. Depending on which camera, you may be able to use the Secret D300 High-Speed Auto ISO Trick and shoot in manual mode at 1/250 or 1/320 @ f2.8. If your camera does not support Auto ISO, I’d recommend shooting in “A” (aperture priority mode) @f2.8. Adjust your ISO so that you have a shutter speed of at least 1/250 or faster.

Using on-camera flash (built-in or SB-600 on the hot shoe) shouldn’t be used as the players can find it distracting.

By: joy

joy — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:12:48 +0000

i dont have the best lens =es i know for indoor basketball- the kids are aged 10-12. i have a 55-200 and 70-300 both 4-5.6, I also have a Tamron 17-50 2.8 lens. What settings should I use for basketball. i also have a SB-600. Thank you so much for your help- much appreciated.

By: Bill

Bill — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:46:57 +0000

https://picasaweb.google.com/109255112625886886724/GirlsBoysJvHockey?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMShoefQu_zQogE&feat=directlink

Here is the link to 4 photo , the faces are red and I think a little fuzzy. I was using AP mode 1600 ISO Custom WB with a disk .
Thank you

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:14:54 +0000

Good point, I will upload some to picasa thanks again