NBA basketball advice...

leeroix · Nov 13, 2012

has anybody on here shot any pro NBA games? i have an opportunity to get on the floor to get some pictures. was wondering the typical setup for a game. lighting should be pretty good at the pro level. i have a D700 gripped with a 24-70-2.8, -this is what im thinking will be the go-to lens, 50 1.4, -maybe, 70-200 2.8 - probably too much reach unless they are on the other side of the court. also, anything else i should bring? to sit on? or whatever??? a wider lens?

Light Guru · Nov 13, 2012

leeroix said:
has anybody on here shot any pro NBA games? i have an opportunity to get on the floor to get some pictures. was wondering the typical setup for a game. lighting should be pretty good at the pro level. i have a D700 gripped with a 24-70-2.8, -this is what im thinking will be the go-to lens, 50 1.4, -maybe, 70-200 2.8 - probably too much reach unless they are on the other side of the court. also, anything else i should bring? to sit on? or whatever??? a wider lens?

I would go with 2 bodies. One with a wider lens for shooting the half of the court you are on and one with a good telephoto for shooting the far side of the court. You will not have time to change lenses.

MLeeK · Nov 13, 2012

Well, I've never come close to shooting pro basketball, but... I do shoot high school a few times a year. I generally use the 70-200 and I stick to one end/corner of the court. For most schools here I have a side that allows me to be on the same side as the crowd-you won't have that option.
By sticking to one corner I get the far away shots at the other end in full and then the close ups at this end. Seeing how the sides switch I get both kinds of shots for each team.
I know I'd be totally lost with the 24-70 with any action at the other end. I'd catch it, but then I'd have to do some major cropping. I'd get more full action at my end, but I am pretty great with getting the faces and ball only as they go for a dunk, etc. I've juggled two cameras for it, but found that I used the 70-200 anyway.

leeroix · Nov 13, 2012

forgot to mention, id be carrying my d90 as well... not the best with the ISO, but... im thinking, correct me if my logic seems flawed. put the 70-200 on the d90 - which will give me a little more reach for the far court action (because of the crop sensor)... and put the 24-70 on the d700 - that way, i can zoom in/out as needed with the full frame, AND get the 24mm if i needed to. are monopods permitted i wonder?

MLeeK · Nov 13, 2012

leeroix said:
forgot to mention, id be carrying my d90 as well... not the best with the ISO, but... im thinking, correct me if my logic seems flawed. put the 70-200 on the d90 - which will give me a little more reach for the far court action (because of the crop sensor)... and put the 24-70 on the d700 - that way, i can zoom in/out as needed with the full frame, AND get the 24mm if i needed to. are monopods permitted i wonder?

Sounds like a good plan. I'd imagine monopods are fine. I know I see them in pro football, don't think basketball would be any different.

Hooligan Dan · Nov 13, 2012

Leave the monopod at home. You're going to be sitting down at the end of the court. At some point a player is going to land on you. A monopod is only going to make it harder to get your camera out of the way when it inevitably happens. It's also an unnecessary tool. The longest lens you are using is the 70-200. You wont need support.

leeroix · Nov 13, 2012

i was thinking things could go bad if that happens... ouch.

imagemaker46 · Nov 13, 2012

Take what you have, it will all depend on where you get to sit to shoot from. Don't overthink, just shoot and enjoy, you should be working with good lihjy as well.