Lens Extender

Letter from a Loyal Reader about Camera Choices

Question

I bought my first D-SLR a year and a half ago. Got mysef a Nikon D7000. Just like you, I love sports photography. I had the chance to shoot soccer games, boxing matches, basketball and even few weddings. I consider myself a intermediate photographer still. But without advertising my services I've been getting few contracts here and there. I love learning about photography, but I need to get into the habit of shooting more. Instead of studying about it so much. And as I experienced more shooting opportunities, I've been feeling the limitations of my gear more and more. Shooting indoor basketball has been a nightmare without the proper lens. I already own a 70-300mm f4.5-5.6, and I'm planning on getting myself a 24-700m f2.8 soon. I have the opportunity to purchase a second body. I decided to go with a full-frame. I'm hesitating between the D700 and the D3s. The price difference between these two bodies is around 1000$. I would like to go with the D3s because of the 11 fps and the ISO of 12800. But I'm not sure if it's worth the price. What would you recommend? 

 

My Answer

I believe the answer to your question about D700 vs. the D3s centers around how you will use that camera body.  If it's mainly for sports, then the D3s is the better solution.  Although, the D700 (which I own) is a perfectly acceptable body for sports photography particularly with the vertical grip attachment and full-sized battery.  In that configuration it shoots 8 fps.  It also has good low light performance up to 6400 for those indoor and night sports assignments.   Don't forget about your lenses, however.  Even with the D3s, the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 won't be sufficient for low light sports photography.  You'll need to invest in at least a f/2.8 lens.  Maybe you can purchase the D700, and use the saved money to purchase a f/2.8 lens you can use for sports.

First Soccer Photos with Nikon D800

I ordered the D800 in February from B&H and it arrived in late July.  After a weekend shooting soccer, I must say it seems like it was worth the wait.  First, I must admit I have to grow accustomed to a 4 frames per second frame rate in FX mode (highest resolution mode).  With the vertical grip attached to my old D700, 8 frames per second is a nice added feature.  I ordered the vertical grip with the D800 for the added battery capacity.  However, unlike the D700, the D800 still only shoots 4 FPS in FX mode with the attached vertical grip.

Are there any other other reasons not to like the D800? Absolutely not! Autofocus speed is better than my D700 with the same Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 lens attached.  And picture quality is outstanding.  In fact it's much better than anything I've ever experienced.  One of the main reasons for purchasing the D800 for sports is the ability to crop and maintain significant photo clarity. For me, that means not worrying about the reach of my 300mm lens when shooting soccer.  Check out the first photo below.  This was shot with the D800 and 300mm lens.  The photo was cropped significantly and straightened as well.  I think the photo clarity is outstanding.  Compare this to the original 36.2MP (28.81 MB) RAW file at the bottom of this post.

Nikon D800, 300mm f/2.8 lens, Shutter 1/1600s, Aperture f/4, ISO 450, 10.4 MP after cropping (2733 x 3806)

 

Original pixel size 7360 x 4912 (36.2 MP)

My Favorite Sports Photos of 2011 - Unique Photos

The Interesting

If you take enough sports photos, you'll definitely capture a few that are very interesting.  Some of them will be on the field of play.  Others will be indirectly related to the action.  Theses are my favorites during 2011.

My Favorite Sports Photos of 2011 - The Team

The Team Photo

Never forget to capture the staged photo of the team when it's appropriate.  When the final game of a tournament is played make sure to get a photo of that winning team.  If you have time to set the team up on the field of play with a non-distracting background, all the better.  

I like this photo below because this team clearly won something significant (see the plague and the #1 pose).  The photo was shot on the soccer pitch.  And the only background that's visible is the partly cloudy sky along with the singular set of lights.

My Favorite Sports Photos of 2011 - Funny

The Silly Photos

There's a funny moment before, during or after just about every sporting event.  Silliness can come from players, coaches and fans.  Be prepared to capture "silly" when "silly" happens.

My Favorite Sports Photos of 2011 - Effort

Maximum Effort

There's nothing like capturing athletes exerting extreme effort at their sport.  Intensity is one of those sports qualities that's often observable in a photo.

My Favorite Sports Photos of 2011 - Fouls

The Fouls

The only way to capture fouls and spills is to shoot early and shoot often.  Soccer is a very good sport for getting the trip, the fall, the push, the tug, and the collision.

My Favorite Sports Photos of 2011 - Spectators

The spectators

At most sporting events there are opportunities to capture shots of some of the spectators.  Coaches, bench players, and fans are all fair game.

 

A coach

 

A parent

 

A photographer

My Favorite Sports Photos of 2011 - Goal Keepers

The Keepers

When photographing soccer, action shots of the goal keeper are particularly easy to capture.  When the ball is in or near the box, just focus on the keeper.  Keeper action will soon follow.

My Favorite Sports Photos of 2011 - Air Time

The Flyers

Capturing athletes catching some air time always produces engaging photos.  Most sports contain moments when athletes leave their feet.  Be prepared to fire away to capture this action.