I need advice on lens selection

kgarrett11 · July 10, 2011

I have been shooting a Premier Development League soccer team here in Jacksonville. I recently acquired a Nikon D300 to go along with my D3. I have a 300mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8 and a 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. What lens should I use on what body? The games are usually at 4pm so unless it is real cloudy light is no problem for the 28-300mm and I am usually about 3ft from the sideline. I would appreciate any advice that anyone can give.

ziggy53 · July 10, 2011

Lenses of maximum aperture f2.8 or better will activate the "high precision" capabilities of your AF sensor (center sensor only, I believe.)

That said, I can find many examples of the Nikkor 28-300mm, f3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S used in sports.

In good light I think that any of these lenses can do the job, but I would tend to go for the f2.8 aperture lenses myself. I suggest using the 300mm, f2.8 on your D300 for the reach, when you need it, and the 70-200mm, f2.8 on the D3. Don't be afraid to mix and match lenses according to your shooting style however.

kgarrett11 · July 10, 2011

ziggy53 wrote: »

Lenses of maximum aperture f2.8 or better will activate the "high precision" capabilities of your AF sensor (center sensor only, I believe.)

That said, I can find many examples of the Nikkor 28-300mm, f3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S used in sports.

In good light I think that any of these lenses can do the job, but I would tend to go for the f2.8 aperture lenses myself. I suggest using the 300mm, f2.8 on your D300 for the reach, when you need it, and the 70-200mm, f2.8 on the D3. Don't be afraid to mix and match lenses according to your shooting style however.

Thanks, that is what I was leaning toward, but taking the 28-300mm with me just in case. If it were one of their night games then there would be no question about which to use.

kgarrett11 · July 10, 2011

ziggy53 wrote: »

Lenses of maximum aperture f2.8 or better will activate the "high precision" capabilities of your AF sensor (center sensor only, I believe.)

That said, I can find many examples of the Nikkor 28-300mm, f3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S used in sports.

In good light I think that any of these lenses can do the job, but I would tend to go for the f2.8 aperture lenses myself. I suggest using the 300mm, f2.8 on your D300 for the reach, when you need it, and the 70-200mm, f2.8 on the D3. Don't be afraid to mix and match lenses according to your shooting style however.

One other thing that I just thought of, I also have a 1.7TC. I have never used it for any sports photography. Would it hamper me in getting sharp pictures of the action if I were to put it on either the 300mm or the 70-200mm?

ziggy53 · July 11, 2011

kgarrett11 wrote: »

One other thing that I just thought of, I also have a 1.7TC. I have never used it for any sports photography. Would it hamper me in getting sharp pictures of the action if I were to put it on either the 300mm or the 70-200mm?

For simpler subject matter the 1.7x teleconverter can be OK on the 70-200mm, but I think you'll get better IQ on the 300mm prime. The loss in AF speed alone makes me not use teleconverters for action/sports as a regular routine.

zoomer · July 11, 2011

D3 with 70-200 at f4 during good light for most shots. Go to 2.8 and raise iso as evening comes.
300 2.8 at f4 on the d300 for those down the field close ups, again go to 2.8 as evening comes.

Don't use the teleconverter.

If photo quality and subject separation and focusing speed are not a concern then you can use the 28-300.

If it were me I would leave everything home but the D3 with the 70-200, I would move about the field to get closer shots at each end. The more you take with you and have to move and pack around and worry about people stealing the less mobile and versatile you will be with your shots.

kgarrett11 · July 11, 2011

Thanks all for your advice. I think that I know what I want to do now as long as the game doesn't interfer with the Womens World Cup final.

lifeinfocus · July 17, 2011

I would use 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 lens on the D300. You would not need the TC.

Focus on the batter, pitcher and pick a base usually 2nd base. I like to stand by 3rd base to get the batter, home plate, third base and 2nd base. The most difficult shot to get are plays in the infield. Good luck.

Phil

I need advice on lens selection

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