Tips for Sports Photography...

Wandering_Pugilist · Jun 6, 2008

...particularly boxing. Im currently purusing a photography project with boxing gyms and as most of you know, boxing gyms/fights are poorly lit with fairly rapid action, probably a photographer's nightmare.

I was shooting with a Nikon D40 but am looking to upgrade to a D50. The one problem I had was the lighting. I mean besides upping the ISO, slowing the shutter speed or using a larger aperature, what other techniques can you use to let in more light?

I'm not a big fan of flash photography (mostly because I have no clue how to do it correctly), so I'd prefer to go without it. I've read on the forum that people suggest changing lenses but I have really no idea where to start. Could photographers that have more experience in this field recommend me some lenses for a D50 (keeping in mind that I am traveling so I need to keep my luggage relatively light) or general tips?

Thanks!

keith204 · Jun 6, 2008

I'd say don't waste your money on a D50.

Also, don't bash flash photography

it can be your best bet in boxing fights. I've done several MMA cage fights, and have always used a flash. Often, the lighting in those places is all coming from the top... a real bright light, causing awful shadows eliminating details in the shadows. So, the flash will greatly help fill in those shadows.

I'd suggest getting a SB600 (not too familiar with Nikon... Nikon users please help!)
and also get a 50mm f/1.8. You'll have to manual focus it on your D40, but in a boxing ring, you're not going to have to adjust it as much as you think.

In the below picture, you can see the light coming from above. Without a flash, you could see absolutely no details where that light wasn't shining. So, a strobe helped unbelievably here.

Wandering_Pugilist · Jun 6, 2008

Well I suppose I should elaborate. More like I lost my D40 and have to get a new one. A used D50 is actually cheaper than a new D40 and after reading so many debates, it seems like the general consensus is that the D40 is limiting in the long run.

Oh and I wasn't bashing flash photography, I just have no idea how to really do it, plus I probably won't have enough room in my bag to carry an external flash. Although that is a great picture. What are the settings on that? Can you help with some tips on how to capture the action in combat sports with flash?

JimmyO · Jun 6, 2008

keith204 said:
I'd say don't waste your money on a D50.

Also, don't bash flash photography it can be your best bet in boxing fights. I've done several MMA cage fights, and have always used a flash. Often, the lighting in those places is all coming from the top... a real bright light, causing awful shadows eliminating details in the shadows. So, the flash will greatly help fill in those shadows.

I'd suggest getting a SB600 (not too familiar with Nikon... Nikon users please help!)
and also get a 50mm f/1.8. You'll have to manual focus it on your D40, but in a boxing ring, you're not going to have to adjust it as much as you think.

In the below picture, you can see the light coming from above. Without a flash, you could see absolutely no details where that light wasn't shining. So, a strobe helped unbelievably here.

Some great info here

The sb-600 is nice, but not completly neccessary. If your on a very tight budget i recomend the sb-400. The sb-600 is bigger, more powerful and has more settings. But they should still give the same results in this situation aslong as you are close the the ring

Wandering_Pugilist · Jun 6, 2008

The size of the sb400 looks to fit better with my needs. Would the sb400 work with a D50? I really have no clue on flash photography but I guess I'm posting in the right forum then.

JimmyO · Jun 6, 2008

Yes it would. And for the record the d50 is below the d40.

All the new nikon flashes (400,600,800) will work on your camera with out requiring any input from you at all, its really nice. Its just like poping up the built in flash, except its more powerful, adjustable, and can fire faster.

keith204 · Jun 6, 2008

Wandering_Pugilist said:
Well I suppose I should elaborate. More like I lost my D40 and have to get a new one. A used D50 is actually cheaper than a new D40 and after reading so many debates, it seems like the general consensus is that the D40 is limiting in the long run.

Oh and I wasn't bashing flash photography, I just have no idea how to really do it, plus I probably won't have enough room in my bag to carry an external flash. Although that is a great picture. What are the settings on that? Can you help with some tips on how to capture the action in combat sports with flash?

An ext flash isn't that big...it shouldn't be a concern when you count the benefits. Get cargo pants so you have pockets. That's where my gear ends up anyway for quick access.

All I did for most of my cage fight shots, was set the dial to Manual, set the aperture to max the lens could take, and then the shutter speed to something like 1/125. The flash mounted on top was set on auto so it would use just the right power to make the images come out like I wanted.

It's simpler than you think...

*Put on flash, and turn it on. It's easier than opening a can of soda.
*Set your dial to Tv or the nikon equiv. - set shutter speed to your desired speed (1/125 for instance).
*have fun.

Wandering_Pugilist · Jun 6, 2008

keith204 said:
An ext flash isn't that big...it shouldn't be a concern when you count the benefits. Get cargo pants so you have pockets. That's where my gear ends up anyway for quick access.

All I did for most of my cage fight shots, was set the dial to Manual, set the aperture to max the lens could take, and then the shutter speed to something like 1/125. The flash mounted on top was set on auto so it would use just the right power to make the images come out like I wanted.

It's simpler than you think...

*Put on flash, and turn it on. It's easier than opening a can of soda.
*Set your dial to Tv or the nikon equiv. - set shutter speed to your desired speed (1/125 for instance).
*have fun.

Thanks for the tips. The sb400 looks around more my size. Would it produce similar results?

keith204 · Jun 6, 2008

@SB400

It doesn't swivel or tilt, I don't believe.... may be fine for fights, but for general use indoors tilting and swiveling is nice.

Wandering_Pugilist · Jun 6, 2008

JimmyO said:
Yes it would. And for the record the d50 is below the d40.

All the new nikon flashes (400,600,800) will work on your camera with out requiring any input from you at all, its really nice. Its just like poping up the built in flash, except its more powerful, adjustable, and can fire faster.

When you say "below", what do you mean? Most photographers have told me to "upgrade" to a D50, D70 or D80 when I tell them I lost my D40. All I've been told is that you have a better selection of lenses with the former three but I guess in my case it would be kind of moot. So does the D40 therefore have more advantages than the D50 besides the lense limits?

keith204 · Jun 6, 2008

The D40 is a newer version of the D50. The only reason you'd want a D50 instead is for the AF motor, so it will work with all lenses. Other than that, stick with a D40 and buy AF-S lenses that can autofocus on their own.

Wandering_Pugilist · Jun 6, 2008

so...if you had to choose one more lens besides the stock 18-55, which one would it be for my type of situation (boxing)?

TamiyaGuy · Jun 6, 2008

OK, instead of getting a D50, I would VERY highly recommend you go the one step further and get a D70. If you're thinking of taking your photography "to the next level", then the D70 has many, MANY more features that you'll enjoy. I'm beginning to regret getting a D40 now. Hang on, I didn't pay for it :lmao:.

Right, sorry, on with the post. Lenses. It depends where you'll be in the ring. If you're right next to the ring, then the 18-55 and possibly a 55-200 lens (Nikon or Sigma HSM, VR or no VR) will do the trick. If you're further away, then certainly use a 55-200 or even a 70-300 or something. It is quite surprising how long a lens you need to shoot something from 25m away.

One last thing: I would recommend getting the SB-600 over the SB-400. The 400 is essentially a more powerful version of your on-camera flash. The SB-600, however, is so much more than that. With a D70, you can set it up so it functions wirelessly from up to 20m away (I hate you :mrgreen

, and the 600 also has a tilt/swivel head so you can "bounce" the light off a ceiling of wall. Now this will make virtually no difference in the ring (apart from maybe the extra power), but for general flash, the 600 is miles ahead of the 400. I have an SB-600 with a flash sync cable and I love it; I use it all the time.

royalWITHcheese2 · Jun 6, 2008

I would recommend the D50 over the D40...maybe the D70. But I would suggest the SB-400 if you're just looking for a little bit more power. It WILL tilt 90 degrees so if you decide to use it indoors, you will be able to bounce the flash, so it will give you more uses than just boxing matches. Using the flash will be easier than you think.

Wandering_Pugilist · Jun 6, 2008

TamiyaGuy said:
OK, instead of getting a D50, I would VERY highly recommend you go the one step further and get a D70. If you're thinking of taking your photography "to the next level", then the D70 has many, MANY more features that you'll enjoy. I'm beginning to regret getting a D40 now. Hang on, I didn't pay for it :lmao:.

Right, sorry, on with the post. Lenses. It depends where you'll be in the ring. If you're right next to the ring, then the 18-55 and possibly a 55-200 lens (Nikon or Sigma HSM, VR or no VR) will do the trick. If you're further away, then certainly use a 55-200 or even a 70-300 or something. It is quite surprising how long a lens you need to shoot something from 25m away.

One last thing: I would recommend getting the SB-600 over the SB-400. The 400 is essentially a more powerful version of your on-camera flash. The SB-600, however, is so much more than that. With a D70, you can set it up so it functions wirelessly from up to 20m away (I hate you :mrgreen, and the 600 also has a tilt/swivel head so you can "bounce" the light off a ceiling of wall. Now this will make virtually no difference in the ring (apart from maybe the extra power), but for general flash, the 600 is miles ahead of the 400. I have an SB-600 with a flash sync cable and I love it; I use it all the time.

The biggest problem is I have about 4SD cards from my old D40. My understanding is the D70 uses Compact flash.

So between a D50 and a D40, which one?