Same old question on lenses

[ianfo]

I have decided that I am going to buy the Nikon D7000. I have been researching lenses. The main thing I shoot is sports softball, basketball, and water sports(wakeboard, skiing, knee boarding) from the boat. Do I need a lens with VR for these or will the shutter speed be enough. The minimum I want is a 200mm and the max is a 300mm. I dont think that I will need any more than that. So what are some suggestions on lenses. I am looking up to $2200.00 but wouldn't mind starting lower and working my way up. Thanks.

 

[jake337]

Is autofocus important to you?

I'll guess that it is. Maybe look into used 3rd party 300mm f2.8's and some teleconvertors. A nikkor 200-400mm f4 would be nice but that price! A 70-200 f2.8 plus teleconvertors perhaps. You could look into a 300mm f4 af-s with the newer teleconvertors but I'm not sure how that would work out with the indoor sports.

Are you going to be selling your images or is this a just a hobby?

 

[Hardrock]

VR, IS or whatever type of stabiliztion the lens has will not stop the motion. The shutter speed is the only thing that will stop the motion. With that budget I would get a Nikon 70-200 f2.8 lens to start with. Hope this helps...

 

[ianfo]

yes autofocus is important.

 

[jake337]

yes autofocus is important.

I added to my original response.

 

[mrpink]

70-200 2.8 VRI with a TC-17 teleconverter.

I would also add a good CPL filter for the water shots....








p!nK

 

[ianfo]

So do I really need a lens with stabilaztion and what filter for watersports? Also these are just pictures of my kids so hobby only.

 

[table1349]

So do I really need a lens with stabilaztion and what filter for watersports? Also these are just pictures of my kids so hobby only.

No you don't need stabilaztion for sports. It serves no purpose for the kind of sports you are talking about. CPL filter can cut glare off of water in bright sunlight. Not sure your choices of a 200mm or 300 mm will work well for basketball unless you are sitting up high in the stands. I shoot sports. I shoot court side, sideline, track side. Basket ball I generally have a 35mm, 85mm for near court and a 135mm for far court action shooting from the baseline on either side of the basket.

 

[Willl]

I think that VR/IS is very important for wakeboarding and waterskiing. It has nothing to do with stopping the motion effectively or shutter speed, but it is more about actually being able to take the picture in the place you want it. I have shot some wakeboarding and waterskiing pictures with my Canon 75-300, with no IS, and it is very hard, especially on choppy water, to even point the lens where you want it and hold it on the subject, with everything shaking around. It gets near impossible at the full 300mm. I have used my brother's 70-300 WITH IS, and it was much better.

 

[mrpink]

So do I really need a lens with stabilaztion and what filter for watersports? Also these are just pictures of my kids so hobby only.

Do you need VR for outdoor sports? Not at all. Grab a 80-200 2.8 two ring and save yourself a grand. I misread your original post, I thought you said you needed VR, not asking if it was necessary. Indoor sports you may want it, depends.

A good filter is a must for shooting anywhere around water.





p!nK

 

[KmH]

All you ever needed to know about VR is found here: Nikon VR explained

 

[djacobox372]

At the 1/1000 or faster shutter speeds youll be using for water sports i dont think vr would matter, unless your in a boat with a lot of vibration from the moter. You might consider an 80-200mm 2.8 afs

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

I dunno....@375mm, 1/500, f/5.6, ISO 100, IS off, taken from the boat...