Comments on: D300 Does DIII Softball Championships

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 18 May 2010 15:48:02 +0000

Chuck:

Thanks for the tips. I bought a D300s last a coupple of weeks ago and spent yesterday morning setting up the camera with your baseball settings and D300 trick. Well, we had bad roll in last night and the clouds were so black that I was going to be shotting wide open at 1/3200. So, I bagged the camera and worked the dugout instead. I did take some shots last week and would love your comments. Is there a way to email you a couple of shots or post them. Unfortunately, I do not have a website.

By: The Sports Photo Guy

The Sports Photo Guy — Mon, 17 May 2010 19:16:57 +0000

The old “bat on ball” shot is simply a matter of timing – you’ll only get one “swing of the bat,” as it were. Don’t think in terms of bursts – it’s a one-shot deal (of course, bursts can still be OK for shots of the follow through or the pre-swing stance). I try to position myself so that, with one eye on the batter through the viewfinder, I can keep the other eye on the pitcher and watch his windup…then time the shutter release with the arrival of the ball, as opposed to the reaction of the batter. You’ll “waste” a lot of shots this way, of course, but in the digital era, no one really cares – and you’ll soon be able to accurately gauge when to release the shutter while the ball is over the plate. When the batter does make contact, you’ll have bat and ball very close, if not in actual contact.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Mon, 17 May 2010 18:55:53 +0000

I love your shots. I am a real photo nerd and learn so much more from photos when I can see what the settings are that created the shot. I shoot alot of Little League type baseball and am still trying to perfect when to start my burst to get the ball either on the bat or just coming off. Would love your input.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:56:38 +0000

I have been using the 18-200 VR with my son’s little league with great results. I am still learning the settings. I am far from optimal on picture control and sharpness. However, I find the AF/exposure to be very accurate with spot focussing/continuous servo/center metering/auto iso while shooting in S or M mode. Generally at 1/640 or greater shutter speed. I find any blur issues occur mainly a result of a) movement in my camera hold while moving to catch a scene or b) forgetting to hold the lens correctly (palm underneath).

I have similar good fortune on vacations snatching my son out of crowds. However, in general with Auto area focus I have some blur issues at times with moving objects. I am thinking of moving to Dynamic area focus at times I do not want to use only spot focus.

By: Lawrie Robertson

Lawrie Robertson — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:05:34 +0000

I have found that Nikkor 70-210 has been brighter and more accurate with my D300 in shooting cross country competitions. I did follow your advice with very good results. I set the picture control on Standard with a extra sharpening and found that the runners came alive. Thanks for your assistance.

I also agree with Ken Rockwell’s recommendation to reset before each day of shooting.

Lawrie

By: The Sports Photo Guy

The Sports Photo Guy — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:44:41 +0000

For XC, I’d stick with 9-point continuous AF; but more importantly, accurate framing is required. Be sure your selected AF sensor is directly on your subject prior to activating autofocus.

By: Lawrie Robertson

Lawrie Robertson — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:06:15 +0000

I purchased a D300 after using a D70 for several years. I shoot cross country and track & field and have struggled to find just right settings for shooting one runner in a deep pack of many. Based on the comment above about my 18-200 VR II, I am switching to my older Nikkor 70-210 after several blurred shots with the 18-200.

It would be great if you wrote an article on shooting a crowded outdoor spot (like XC) in mixed light circumstances. Thank you for your wonderful articles.

By: Allen

Allen — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:28:34 +0000

thanks for the recommendation, i have that expensive 70-200 lens on order, i’ll also try shutter speeds, i guess in the manual setting mode.

By: The Sports Photo Guy

The Sports Photo Guy — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:31:30 +0000

21 is what I’d recommend, but the problem may really be the 18-200: its AF system is not really designed for sports action and that may be what is holding you back. You may have better luck with a longer zoom in the 70-300 range. Also, be sure the blur is not due to your shutter speed: you’ll want speeds in the range of 1/500 or better.

By: Allen

Allen — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:06:55 +0000

Great pics, finally a web site with recommended settings. I need some advice on setting my d300 for girls club soccer, trying p mode with 51 3d, 21 and 9 AF but alot still blurry, any recommendations? using a 18-200 vr lens

thanks , great site