Express Action Sports

I do a lot of sports and action photography, specifically snowboarding and skateboarding. What is a good quality wireless flash trigger that will work with my Nikon D3100? I would like something compact and light weight to avoid any clutter in my backpack. Any suggestions and/or stores/links would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Amazon has a non OEM remote that has been rated highly & cost less than Nikon’s unit. Keep in mind the wire less function works only in line of sight.

I’m getting into sports photography at the semi-professional level and was wondering if anyone has used the Sigma 300mm f/2.8 lens. The price difference is over $1000 and I’ve heard at times that the Sigma lenses are much better than they were in the past. Anyone’s thoughts or comments?

I actually use that Sigma lens and can tell you that it is great, I shoot with a Nikon but it’s the same lens as it would be for Canon. Obviously if money is no object always go with the same manufacturer of your camera for your lenses but personally I would say this lens is well worth it especially if you need to watch your expenses. I shoot a lot of sports action and have no complaints about the Sigma lens at all.

I’m a horseback rider and like taking pictures of horses jumping at shows. I have found that indoor pictures especially are almost always blurry on the sports setting as well as most outdoors. I’m not super familiar with photography or cameras yet so sorry if this is a stupid question but i just feel like capturing clear action shots with a $600 camera should be possible and a lot easier than it has been. Thanks for all the help 🙂

The first situation to consider is the lighting–
The second situation is the subjects distance..
If your having a blur appear..you need to get closer..
You may also need to use a Shutter-Speed..of 1/500
A ZooM Lens requires more light..than a shorter Lens..
Consider shooting less ZooM..and Cropping your original..to achieve Zoom/
Large Resolution will give poor results in low light–
You might trry–>>1600 x 1200 [M3}..NOT Wide Screen..
Use a TriPod..and a Shutter-cable switch..
My camera has a 2-second TIMER–you might try that–on a TriPod..
I’ll use my 10-second TIMER on a TriPod for very difficult image capture..
But I would imagine 10-seconds would be a MISS–on all photo’s.

I want a very nice camera money is not an issue, i want one good for sports, photography and video caming and taking lively photos that will last me forever what kind of camera do i need? 🙂 thank you.

There is NO such camera

The fact that a digital camera is always evolving, means that every 5 to 6 years, you will be upgrading the body.
Shooting sports has much more to do with your skills as a photographer and having the right lens

Sample:

http://s862.photobucket.com/albums/ab182/fotomanaz/Answers%20album/?action=view&current=i_AIA3008copy.jpg

And finally, here is what you need to know before you start thinking about shooting amazing video using a dSLR with a video feature.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/camcorders/cam-cam.shtml

Once you understand the limitations of ANY camera, you will not become frustrated with whatever camera you buy and you can start saving your pennies for the camera and lenses that will suit your needs.

At present the two most used entry level dSLR cameras are the Nikon D3200 and Canon T3i/600D, both cost under $1,000

I am learning sports photography and would like some opinions on best settings for outdoor, sunny sports such as soccer, football and maybe baseball. I am going to starting by using an ISO of 100, f5.6, let the camera select the speed. I have a Nikon VR 70-200 mm. Your ideas and opinions would be great. Thanks

To be honest, I would FLIP the fashion in which you are planning on shooting. Faster subjects require faster shutter speeds. I recommend getting faster film, ISO200 would be good. If you have the option of selecting your shutter speed, and letting the camera select the FStop(Aperture) I would do that for now. Set your speed to a minimum of 1/250sec (I repeat, minimum). The higher the speed the better the stop action in the image. Another cool thing to do is to set the speed a LITTLE slower, 1/125, MAYBE 1/60, and then following (panning) your subject. Say it’s a soccer player. Then AS you are following the subject, keeping him in the frame, take the shot while still panning. You’ll get some really cool shots.

I’ve tried setting to Action/Sport, but the pics still come out blurry.

You can’t. The Samsung Epic 4G is a phone with a $10 camera thrown in for fun.

The built-in camera is pretty decent for what it is (reviews: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/16/epic-4g-review/ , http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2367811,00.asp ) but it doesn’t compare to a $200 point & shoot camera, never mind a dSLR. That’s what you’d preferably use for action/ sports, or any other kind of photography where performance matters.

Not to be a wise-ass, but there’s a reason that pro sports photographers use $5000 cameras ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/655574-REG/Nikon_25466_D3S_Digital_SLR_Camera.html ) with $9000 lenses ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/520639-USA/Nikon_2171_AF_S_Nikkor_400mm_f_2_8G.html ).

To anyone who has owned a Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8, does the lack of VR image stabilization really hurt the performance when shooting sports/action/motor sports/etc.?

And overall, how does this lens perform? Seems like a no brainer compared to the 70-200mm which costs twice as much

For its cost, it is a fine lens. However, it is a Nikkor AF lens which means it will only auto-focus on better than entry level cameras.

When shooting sports/action/motor sports, you will be shooting at shutter speed of from 1/500th or faster, so VR is not necessary

Sample shots using lenses without VR

http://s862.photobucket.com/albums/ab182/fotomanaz/Answers%20album/?action=view&current=MX3_3803.jpg

http://s862.photobucket.com/albums/ab182/fotomanaz/Answers%20album/?action=view&current=iUSA_4735.jpg

More on the 80-200 mm f/2.8

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80200.htm

from a Fuji Finepix 5100 and it is great for general use. However the bulk of its is within hockey areas and it just dosn’t get the job done under those lighting conditions. The image becomes blurred as you follow the action of the game with the 5100 fastest F-stop. We need a camera that will "track action " well.

I don’t have the $1000.00 for the Nikon which will really do the job and after a shoulder injury weight is an issue. Will the smaller lighter Sony so the job or is there another make or model under $500.00 you would suggest?

I also like the feel of the old SLRs in my hand so does my husband. We are not looking for one of the tiny boxy cameras, they are nice, but we want the new baby to have more of the look and feel of the Sony or the Fjui.

To tell you the truth,..I’m quite partial to the Fuji’s and Olympus..(5200 and 9000, and the Olympus E-500)
Never shot anything in a Hockey venue(we just do football) but i have shot at night with the 9000 and the 5200 with good results(at outdoor concerts) As for
tracking the action" your not going to find anything in a "prosumer" Ultra zoom camera that will do that, except for the Fuji 9000 series or Maybe the Cannon S3. I have a bad back, and i manage with the E-500 and 4 lenses….

Can u make a top 10 or just tell me what action camera should i buy for extreme sports?plz

Thx

Extreme sports as in the X-Games?

One of my colleagues uses a Nikon D3s and 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens with two remote flash units for flash fill.

Actually any camera that has a top shutter speed of 1/4000th second or faster and uses interchangeable lenses will do just fine.

What you you have now and what is it about that camera that makes it difficult for you to use shooting extreme sports?

I’m fifteen years old, and i’d like to buy my first dslr. I’m a very fast learner, and eventually i’d like a career in photography. I’d love to be a concert photographer or an Action Sports photographer. Anywho, i have been looking at the Nikon D3000, and it seems really nice. I especially like the guide mode, because i really don’t know much about photography, and it looks like a very simple camera to use. I also like the Nikon D5000, especially because it has the swivel lcd screen, and since this is my first dslr, i only want to use it to take pictures of myself/friends/family, and occasionally when i go on vacation. I haven’t really looked at the Canon cameras, but if you know a good beginner one please recommend it. I have been reading that the 35mm lens for Nikon is a very good lens if you want fast/sharp images. Would this lens be appropriate for a beginner dslr, and the things i’d be shooting?

You might want to start with something a little easier to use, and a little less expensive, especially if you only want to take pictures of friend and special occasions!

To begin with, try a point and shoot because they are specifically designed for amateurs (I don’t mean that insultingly >.<) but if your heart is set on an SLR, Nikon, Fuji and Canon are the best makes, with Nikon and Canon being the leading brands.

The Nikon D-40, D-60, and D-90 series are superb, being the cheapest of this range and with a little bit of play, quite easy to use. I do not know much about Fuji, but the Canon D1000 also have very good reviews although slightly more expensive.

A good lens to start off with would be a general multipurpose lens ranging from 18mm-55mm, this gives a good range of macro zoom to a decent long-distance. Perfect for starting out and this usually will come with the camera. Lenses are really expensive, for a good lens you can expect to pay between £250 up to £5000, depending on the lens!

As for the career, it would be a good idea for you to look up some good college courses, and start taking lots and lots of pictures of things that interest you: flowers, people, events, buildings, to begin to build up a portfolio of work you could show to potential interviews. A career as a photographer is pretty difficult, you can’t just buy a camera and start taking pictures, you need to learn composition, lighting effects, what makes a good photograph, ect. Once you have a good understanding, then you could start branching out into different subjects that interest you.

Just remember that you can get perfectly good photographs on a simple point-and-shoot (I’ve done that plenty of times) it’s the photographer that makes the photograph, not the camera.

I hope this has helped you, and if you any advice look me up.

Good Luck
Alex