Hardest Thing I've Ever Photographed; and I'm doing it again in 4 days. Help?

My camera has a maximum ISO of 1600... My lens only has an aperture range of f/4 - 22 at 55 mm; f/5.6 - 32 at 200 mm
That can't be good...

I can't imagine shooting with a 75-300mm, as I'm often a foot from the bull and the 55-200mm is frustrating enough.:confused:

...hah. And here's the first thing my lens review reads on Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED review test

"
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=+1]PERFORMANCE [/SIZE]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Focus[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It's slow.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It's only half an AF-S lens."[/FONT]

It's looking like I got suckered into this lens, though it's been by my side in every other circumstance and never let me down. I obviously only spent a measly $200 on it. Could my lens be my main problem? Should I look into renting a different one or do you all feel it's still imperative I try a better camera, too? I'm a starving photographer. lol

Thanks for the recent responses :)
[/FONT]
 
If you're frustrated by a 55mm focal length, rent a 17-35mm f2.8. There's also the 24-70.
 
The light seen by the human eye is quite different from what a camera sees.

But, OP, keep trying. You say this is the hardest thing you've ever photographed so look at it this way. Once you get this one right, you can photograph anything.
 
Yep. The human eye works in a non-linear way, digital cameras are limited to a linear representation of any scene they 'see'.

Rent a better camera body too while your at it. Take into account you will need to get acclimated to a rented lens before you use it for the real deal. A couple of days should do it.
 
My camera has a maximum ISO of 1600... My lens only has an aperture range of f/4 - 22 at 55 mm; f/5.6 - 32 at 200 mm
That can't be good...

I can't imagine shooting with a 75-300mm, as I'm often a foot from the bull and the 55-200mm is frustrating enough.:confused:

If your that close, then get 50mm f1.8! It's super cheaper (about $120 brand new) Get the f1.4 if you have a little more cash. Rent a D700 if you can. Regardless, D700 or D60, a 50mm prime is your best bet. You'll also get much better IQ than your current zoom lens too.
 
My camera has a maximum ISO of 1600... My lens only has an aperture range of f/4 - 22 at 55 mm; f/5.6 - 32 at 200 mm
That can't be good...

I can't imagine shooting with a 75-300mm, as I'm often a foot from the bull and the 55-200mm is frustrating enough.:confused:

If your that close, then get 50mm f1.8! It's super cheaper (about $120 brand new) Get the f1.4 if you have a little more cash. Rent a D700 if you can. Regardless, D700 or D60, a 50mm prime is your best bet. You'll also get much better IQ than your current zoom lens too.

But the problem the OP's camera cannot AF with the f/1.8 :( Although I do not have any experience with that type of event, but I am sure AF is needed. (At least for me :lol: )
 
If this is your dream, and this opportunity could make or break it, you need to be prepared to invest. I started with a D40, which is a fine camera, but it (like the D60) lacks certain features that makes life a lot easier. For instance:
- Wireless flash control.
- AF motor for non AF-S lenses (i.e. the recommended 50mm f1.8).
- More external buttons to quickly access needed functions.

However, even if you had loads of cash available, I don't think you have enough time to learn new gear and expect good results. So, with your current gear, here is what I would do (note I would use the time you have to test the heck out of these settings and optimize):
- Set up the D60 in auto iso mode and let it run all the way up to the max "native" setting (don't let it go hi). You can use test images to see if you need to limit it below the max native setting (or perhaps let it roam free).
- Set the in-camera noise reduction to ON.
- Shoot in manual and set a shutter speed to whatever you can get away with for your most likely focal length (1/60 on the 55mm end w/o VR, 1/200 on the 200mm end w/o VR). Set aperture a couple of stops above wide open to get sharper results with a larger DOF. Though it may be better to sacrifice DOF with a larger aperture (lower f-value) for lower ISO. The auto iso will now make manual work just like an "iso priority" semi-manual mode.
- Get a noise reduction software program (or PS plug-in if you have Elements). I like Noise Ninja.
- Turn on the VR on your 55-200 if equipped.
- Use the on-camera flash, but cover it with wax paper or something to soften it up some (you can also use -1ev flash comp for real close-up stuff).
 
I would give renting 50mm f/1.4 a shot. They rent here for the weekend for $25.
 
I agree, try to rent a 50 1.4
Edit. Forgot the D60 it would be manual.
Whiplash has some really good suggestions.
 
I shot at a PBR even here in Portland once, it was in the rose quarter, one of the big ones, it was on TV. One hell of an event.

The crowd goes NUTS at 8 seconds.

Pro Photo didn't have any 300 or 400 2.8's, the best I could get was a 300 f/4, but on the D700, it did alright, spent alot of time at ISO 3200 and 6400.

We met a great guy at the even who shot for Getty Images, he was using a 1DII and a 400 2.8. We all agreed that not just him, but all three of us got dicked by the PBR staff. We had the press passes and all but it took alot of effort to get us out of the 50-row spot and down on the ground level, and when we did get down, they put us at the OPPOSITE side. Joe Blo's who got tickets had better spots than the people with the press passes. figures.

It was still fun nonetheless :D

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^^^^^^^ Now Dat's Clean High-ISO...^^^^^^^^

High Shutter Speeds, motion frozen, images sharp...f/4 is one stop wider than the OP's 55-200 will past the middle of the zoom range...the above is why I suggested she rent a D3 or D700...clean High-ISO...pro-class autofocusing...
 
WOW, Sw!tchFX. Those shots are SHARP!!!! You are my aspiration (added you on Flickr). I've heard from a few photographers that the PBR are less than gracious to media photographing the events. Blegh.
Since I can't afford to Rent, let alone purchase, better equipment, I've decided to steer (no pun intended) clear of low-lit events, especially after seeing my end results. My Day-time motoX shots are clean, but these are a HOT MESS. Some of it my doing, admittingly. The darker it gets outside... the uglier they get. :puke: Hate to post them....

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Wow, Kat, with better equipment, these shots would have been totally awesome. Seriously, your timing and framing are all excellent...there are TEN incredibly SOLID images there, among those frames, that for the lack of a faster more-capable lens or a much more-capable HIGH-ISO camera body, would have been absolutely outstanding images. And I mean that...the movement, the moments, the positioning of the cowboys and the bulls and the rodeo clowns...very,very compelling in 10 of those shots...

As it is, there is still some visual excitement,and a sense of movement, or motion blur, and the shots do carry some visceral impact still, but the technical quality and the pictorial quality is just not up to par with state of the art 2010...

I had no idea you were such a capable shooter. I feel very saddened for you that circumstances and current equipment both limited your potential...you CLEARLY are at the limits of your equipment. If somebody handed you a top-shelf Nikon and a half-decent lens, I have no doubt that you would have come away from this rodeo event with 10 solid,solid,solid keepers. You might feel bad about posting the shots, but you know something? You,and this event are a perfect example of how better equipment would have EASILY, almost automatically, enabled you to get better pictures. I can SEE the pictures you tried to get....your timing and framing was excellent, but that slow kit lens at f/5.6 really,really held you back! You need a better camera. Straight up.
 
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Wow, Kat, with better equipment, these shots would have been totally awesome. Seriously, your timing and framing are all excellent...there are TEN incredibly SOLID images there, among those frames, that for the lack of a faster more-capable lens or a much more-capable HIGH-ISO camera body, would have been absolutely outstanding images. And I mean that...the movement, the moments, the positioning of the cowboys and the bulls and the rodeo clowns...very,very compelling in 10 of those shots...

As it is, there is still some visual excitement,and a sense of movement, or motion blur, and the shots do carry some visceral impact still, but the technical quality and the pictorial quality is just not up to par with state of the art 2010...

I had no idea you were such a capable shooter. I feel very saddened for you that circumstances and current equipment both limited your potential...you CLEARLY are at the limits of your equipment. If somebody handed you a top-shelf Nikon and a half-decent lens, I have no doubt that you would have come away from this rodeo event with 10 solid,solid,solid keepers. You might feel bad about posting the shots, but you know something? You,and this event are a perfect example of how better equipment would have EASILY, almost automatically, enabled you to get better pictures. I can SEE the pictures you tried to get....your timing and framing was excellent, but that slow kit lens at f/5.6 really,really held you back! You need a better camera. Straight up.


I have to agree here better gear would greatly help your situation. It has already been said but rental is a great option to get your feet wet without a massive investment. By the way great shots and you would REALLY get better results with faster glass to start with but ultimately a better body would help as well.
 

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