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Lenses for Football and Baseball/Softball


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4 replies to this topic

#1
DevPreach

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Hi all!
I need some advice and recommendations. I’m already doing some high school sports photography on my own when I drive the various teams to their away games. I would like to break into doing it professionally and possibly on the college level as well. I’m shooting high school football, baseball, and softball mostly and am looking to up my game. I’m currently using a Nikon D3S and D500 as my bodies with Tamron 70-200 G2, 24-70G2, both at F2.8 and Nikon 300mm f4 lenses. I’m getting decent shots but would it be better for me to invest in say a 400mm f2.8 or 300mmf2.8 lenses? I’d obviously be picking them up used as I can’t afford to spend $18K on those lenses combined or are there some other alternatives or things I should invest in first as far as lenses and accessories? Thanks in advance!

DevPreach


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#2
Merco_61

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Which 300/4 do you have? The PF lens is good enough that the f/2.8 VR II is only about equal on a D500 as long as there is light enough. If you have an older f/4 version, upgrading will get you more keepers, though.

 

If the D3S gives you enough resolution for your needs, you can probably get away with cropping to 4000x3000 pixels on the D500 and do without the 400...



#3
Merco_61

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It has been pointed out to me in a PM that my last sentence  is open to misreading and misunderstanding…   What I meant to way was that if the 12 MP is enough, using a 300 on the D500 and cropping will give a narrower field of view than buying an expensive and heavy 400 and using the full sensor.



#4
TBonz

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I have a couple of pro sports friends.  One has the Tamron 24-70 and 70-200.  They also have the Tamron Sport zoom that goes to 600 (don't remember the range and no time to look it up right now).  They seem quite happy with the lenses.  My other friend has the 400 2.8 and the Nikon versions of the zooms.  I did not find the Tamron as quick focusing as the Nikon versions.  YMMV.

 

If you are shooting HS sports, you probably are going to have to worry about light since most high school fields don't have great lighting.  Are you able to get on the field?  I found the 400 2.8 to be great for field sports such as soccer, lacrosse, rugby and football but a bit limiting for baseball unless you are cropping close.  In my opinion the 300 is better for that but does not get you close enough for the outfield or some of the field shots.  I knew the fields I was shooting on and found that, for me, the 200-400 was the way to go.  The f4 is what you are using now with the 300 so that might be something to consider.  I was shooting D4 bodies at the time and usually used the 24-70 on one and the 200-400 on the other.  Softball I usually used the 70-200 due to the reduced field size and my location but occasionally used the 200-400 from the outfield for some different shots.

 

It is not an easy field to break into.  Good luck!!  I have been lucky enough to shoot HS, college and pro games including football and baseball.  I documented my baseball shooting here:

 

Weekend Of Photography with the Pros - NikonForums.com

 

My journey pretty much stopped due to job requirements, age and a knee that has become less than interested in photography.  I still get out and shoot some photos - including sports - once in awhile for fun but not nearly as much as I used to.  I would move between fields at the same location and shoot part of sometimes up to 4 games in an evening.



#5
fallout666

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well your on crop body. so your around 350 for 70-200mm your best options is sigma 150-600mm since best lens to have if go mirrorless. also do not have worry if tamron 150-600mm will work or not. do to gen 1 tamron 150-600mm does not work on mirrorless. also might want to look in to 120-300mm over 70-200mm since give better reach for soccer and football since can get over 75% across the field why i get t 120-300mm for night shooting. and use my sigma 150-600mm for day shoot soccer and baseball. best bet is 150-600mm 200-500mm day time and 70-200mm or 120-300mm for night time. what  said for night and day is best i can give you.