Camera Bag: Basketball (2011 Edition)
December 19th, 2010 · 5 Comments
A lot has changed in the two years since I updated my camera bag contents for the basketball season! See what I’m carrying now and how it is used.
Here’s what I lug around these days:
- Nikon D300S
– 12MP, 8 fps with Nikon MB-D10
grip, 720p video.
- Nikon D7000
– 16MP, 6 fps, 1080p video; with Nikon MB-D11 grip.
- Nikon D40
– 6MP CCD, 3 fps, but syncs at up to 1/1000 sec in real-world use with White Lightning UltraZap 1600′s.
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor ED-IF – Usually mounted on the D40 with strobes or occasionally on the D7000. I typically use for shots at the opposite end of the court or the bench; can also be used for newspaper-like ultra-tight shots on the near court.
- Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM
– Mostly what sits on the D300s; great for under the basket or even out the mid-court with cropping. Fast enough to keep up with the D300s’ speed.
- Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR DI-II VC LD Aspherical (IF) – Nice all-purpose zoom for the D7000 or occasionally on the D40 with strobes. Great lens for time outs, jube shots, etc., as well as action in the near court.
- Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX – Don’t use this lens often unless f2.8 isn’t fast enough for the venue…which is increasingly rare now that I’m shooting with the D7000 as my second body. But it’s easy to bring along “just in case.” It’s a bargain lens for novice hoops shooters.
- Tokina 11mm – 16mm F/2.8 ATX Pro DX – Perfect lens for backboard or post remotes; ultra-wide with low distortion and fast aperture.
- Sigma 8 – 16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM – The new standard in ultra-wide, DX-format zooms; great for venue shots.
- Nikon SB-600 – Still my preferred choice for its small size and Creative Lighting System support.
- Wireless Radio Remote Release (Nikon 10 Pin) – For backboard/post remote camera.
- Pocket-Wizard Plus II Auto Sensing Smart Transceiver – For triggering strobes; with FlashZebra cables.
- Manfrotto 244 Variable Friction Magic Arm with Camera Platform (#2929), Manfrotto 035RL Super Clamp with Standard Stud (#2900), and Avenger 39″ Long Safety Cable for mounting remotes and strobes.
- Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise 50 – Fits all of the above gear, less the strobes and remote mounting equipment. (Order $50 or more from Think Tank Photo through the link, and get a free accessory valued at up to $25.)
Tags: Accessories · Bags · basketball · Cameras · flash · lenses · Speedlights
5 responses so far ↓
1 Jason Durst // Dec 20, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Wow, there is alot in your bag now days. Im a sports shooter and love the work. Keep up the good work
2 Slick // Dec 24, 2010 at 8:13 am
OK, how do you get the D40 to a 1/1000 flash sync? Its sync speed is already a useful 1/500. Is that with a PC cord or PocketWizard controlling the strobes? I keep my D50 around for that same high speed flash sync–it’s perfect for using daylight fill flash on football sidelines. 1/1000 sync would be useful for other situations as well.
3 The Sports Photo Guy // Dec 24, 2010 at 9:13 am
Yes, 1/1000 is with Pocket Wizards; no TTL sync at that speed. Nikon’s CCD cameras incorporate an electronic shutter, and can “dumb” sync at virtually unlimited speeds, although given flash duration 1/1000 is a practical limit and my White Lightnings have to be at half power (i.e., shorter flash duration) to boot.
4 Carrie Robinson // Jan 10, 2011 at 12:00 am
Hi: do you have the Nikon D700? Recently got this camera and also have the D80. Have nikon 70-200 vr 2.8 and nikon 50mm 1.4 lens . The D700 has a let of camera settings.What settings would be best for very poor lighting in Jr High gyms for basketball? So many settings not sure whats best. I will shoot in Raw to edit in NX2.
thank you
5 The Sports Photo Guy // Jan 10, 2011 at 6:59 am
I do not have a D700, but I’d follow the D300 settings as a general guide (their settings are very similar). You should have somewhat better results in low lighting conditions with the full-frame sensor.
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