I would like to know what is the best digital Nikon zoom lense to use when photographing night High School football games with a Nikon D200 camera? For reach, I'd recommend the 70-300mm ED or 70-300mm VR, but for the low light and action, an 80-200mm f/2.8 would be optimal.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80200.h...
In any case, you'll need to push your ISO up to keep your shutterspeeds high enough.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/sports.h...
I shoot NBA & WNBA games with my old Nikon 75-300mm, but I have the advantage of fairly even indoor arena lighting. I would use the longest telephoto you have. Most any Nikons are going to do a great job. I've been shooting high school sports for over 30 years. I've shot both Canon and Nikon film and digital cameras. Over the years the lens of choice has been a 70 - 200 f2.8 on either body. Your body will tolerate a low light better than my D70 did, but still I got good, printable results in local news papers with an old press corp ugly 70-200 EDIF lens I got off ebay. And, wthout a flash in most cases. The key is the fast 2.8 lens. The f4-5.6 lens are just to slow unless you are in an NFL or newer college stadium.Yes you and boost the ISO and then push the rating; but as you know you greatly increase the noise (or grain for us old film folks), or carry a flash and worry with batteries. And then you are limited to football.
This lens is very versitle and also works well for soccer, track/field, baseball and especially softball (where most officials of these sports will not allow a flash). For the later, I leave my 300 2.8 my home and only carry the 70-200.
All of the Nikon shooters I work around say the "VR" lens are well worth the extra money. I have the Canon "IS" (Image Stabilazation) version and am well pleased.
Good Luck - Sackett No question, the best lens here would be the 70-200mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikon lens. Hands down.
It has VR or vibration reduction. It's got a built-in lens motor. It's a bright f/2.8 aperture for viewing and for low light shooting.
The zoom range is perfect for shooting from the sidelines.
Now, after you get that lens, you need to practice your techniques and also get a decent monopod to help keep the camera and lens steady. And if you do use a monopod or tripod, make sure to mount the tripod/monopod to the lens tripod receptacle and not the camera tripod mount, due to the weight and balance of the lens/camera.
Don't be afraid to pump up the ISO! A grainy, but sharp photo is far more satisfying than a no-grain blurry photo.
And if you have to shoot an important game, practice beforehand in similar lighting to get a feel of how you want to adjust your camera to get good shots and how it will feel to flow with the action. Try practicing by going to other games or by photographing practices. |
