NCAA Basketball

[imagemaker46]

That's true about fps and I agree but it's nice to be able to select the exact frame you want. For instance in basketball you can anticipate a late pass to the 3 point line for that perfect vertical shot, but having multiple frames to choose from to post is ideal. I look at attention to detail on the faces, what's in the background, was a ref in the way, can I still crop with the proper aspect ratio etc.

Yes you can do a brake change with a ratchet but air tools make things much easier. Any sports shooter who doesn't use high fps is a moron. Sure the D4 and D1X are 12+ fps but I'd never shoot sports with less than 7fps. Once you look at other factors you'll realize that high fps is an advantage.

If a credentialed photographer was bursting 20-30 frames constantly, Id yank his credentials my self!

I wish it was that easy, I've had to endure hours of sitting next to accredited photographers that would be filling 10GB cards like it was rolls of film. I asked one guy why he did it, and his honest answer, and I have to respect it, was, "I just not very good" He worked for a figure skating magazine and was so concerned about missing a picture he just shot everything without even looking at what he was shooting. He's been around skating for 20 years, in real life he works as a nuclear chemist.

 

[imagemaker46]

Scott I have asked you several times to not comment on my threads and to stay away. Thanks again for ruining this thread.

All Im saying is that high fps is needed not to get the best shot but to choose the best shot; there is a huge difference. Ansel Adams said a good photograph is knowing where to stand. What Im saying is that no one today, or anyone I have worked with shoots on single frame, except a house photographer who is using a strobe, even then the keep rate is minimal because things happen. There are problems that get in the way and you need to take several fames of the same composition so you can pick the best shot. Athletes dont stop n pose for sports shooters. Things happen like refs in the way, players feet, hands in the way, shadows, white balance can be off, missed focus, a player blinks among other things. Shoot hockey in a high school area with a Nikon D80. Good luck at getting a clean image above 800 ISO. Now a D4 will be very clean to 3200 ISO in the same arena. If you are a professional you want the best to provide the best. It doesnt make you a better photographer it gives you more opportunities.

Brian, what I did say was using bursts of 8-12 fps isn't necessary, if the photographer knows what he's doing. It is worse now than ever. I've shot hockey, basketball and swimming with a Canon t2i, and a 300 2.8 and you're correct in saying anything over 800iso looks like crap, so I work around the capabilities of the camera and not allow the camera to decide what I can and can't shoot. It's simply a tool.

 

[brian_f2.8]

I agree the camera is a tool learn to use it's advantages. Your are going to tell me that when you shot hockey or basketball, you never had a random white balance issue(pink frames)? Unless you were the house guy using a strobe, Ill agree to that. For the non-strobing shooters, yes there are random frames that are thrown off. I rarely shoot over 5 fps because I dont feel like sorting through more images than I have to. The only time I max the buffer out is a start, finish, and trophy presentation.

 

[imagemaker46]

I've shot with strobes and have to say I'm not a big fan of it, simply because I hate the way the images look, and the shadows on the ice. I have shot indoors in every kind of light and of course the lights has tossed out all kinds of bad pulses. It doesn't really matter, you just have to work with the light you have. If I am shooting a player coming at me I will follow and shoot, it is not a burst and more selective. I colour correct any images that need it.

 

[Tailgunner]

It really depends on the sports but you need a zoom with a 2.8 Aperture for sure. As for which zoom, it depends on how far you're shooting. A 70-200mm 2.8 VR/VR II will work great on something like Basketball but you're probably going to want a 300mm 2.8 or 400mm 2.8 if you plan to shoot Soccer for example. A good camera that works great with High ISO is an almost must...that and one that is fast, lots of fps. These are generally cameras with Full Frame (FX) sensors like the D700, D800, D3, D3s, D4 etc.

I've got a D600 right now with a 24-70 f/ 2.8. Part of the problem with the D600 for sports is the slow focusing speed and the 6 fps burst is not great either. I think this'll be ok for some wide angle shots but it's not gonna have enough reach so I'll need to get the 70-200 soon. Definitely want to work my way up to the 400mm but it's a huge chunk of money. I have no idea how people save up that much as sports photographers haha.

Yes sir, I would look into a D700 or D300S…maybe even a D300.

 

[brian_f2.8]

A D700 is over a thousand $. You should be able to find a D300(s) for a lot less. The fx is nice, real nice and will do very well at higher ISO. You can't go wrong with either camera. Ask your wife if you can spend 1200$ or 3000$, it's the easiest way to decide how to buy 2 cameras.

 

[imagemaker46]

I know my opinion means nothing to you, but apart from suggesting a tighter crop on your basketball, they all look great.

 

[Tailgunner]

A D700 is over a thousand $. You should be able to find a D300(s) for a lot less. The fx is nice, real nice and will do very well at higher ISO. You can't go wrong with either camera. Ask your wife if you can spend 1200$ or 3000$, it's the easiest way to decide how to buy 2 cameras.

Ya, a refurbished D700 can run $1,999 while a refurbished D300 can run $900 and a Refurbished D300s around $1,200-1,500. I've got a D300 and it's really quick but if you got the extra cash, the D300s maybe be a better bet since it's got the twin memory card slots. Another option maybe a D7100, the sensor is really quick and works great on action shots.