Best MILC for Shooting Figure Skating?

MicheleR wrote:

I would like to buy a mirrorless camera for my daughter's 16th birthday. She is a figure skater, and she hates the poor quality images the contracted photographers shoot at her events. I know mirrorless isn't in the same league as DSLRs, but I am concerned she won't use the camera if it's too heavy and cumbersome.

I have gone into camera shops to try a few, but I really can't duplicate the rink's challenging shooting environment in a store. The NEX6 with its standard kit lens did not do a good job shooting my quick hand gestures - my hand was a blocky smear of flesh color. The Sony Alpha SLT-A77VQ did an excellent job, but I think it's too big for her.

Lighting in the rinks is a challenge: Use of flash is prohibited, skaters move in and out of shadows if the sun is shining, shows use spotlights that change colors, the ice reflects light, it is dark at night...

Quick movement is the other major challenge: I am talking about shooting Olympic level skaters, not little kids - movement is very fast, especially during spins and jumps. Continuous autofocus and shooting is a must - there is no time to adjust anything during a skater's routine!

Range adds another dimension: Skaters will be close to the shooter at times, but they will also be far away at the opposite end of the rink for part of their routine.

My budget is $1700 for camera, lens and software (if software can easily correct common issues mirrorless cameras have in this environment).

My passion for figure skating brought me to this particular niche of photography. It takes a great deal of that, to persist through 15-hour days standing by the ice! My customers are grateful for that devotion, and although several have graciously complimented me for my artistry, I still consider myself more of a technician in my approach. I can control only composition and timing - far less than most artists would accept as an outlet for their creativity - but I sincerely put my heart into my work and do the very best that I can.

So it isn't about the equipment, but as an electronics engineer, I certainly have a good understanding of it, which I apply as needed - and to the benefit of others here, when opportunities arise.
Primary gear is:
D3 (two)
70-200 f/2.8 VR, TC-14
Sigma 120-300/2.8
200 f/2 VR
200-400 f/4 VR
24-70 f/2.8 (for synchro and teams)
Spring-loaded telescoping monopod (essential!)
Additional gear: Too much to list.

My primary work is indoor action photography, and the 1D Mk III was the camera I used from July-Nov 2007, taking about 275,000 photos. Since then, I've been using the D3 (400,000 frames accumulated).

For me, the primary difference is the D3's more flexible, capable and accurate AF. It has distinguished itself as significantly better than any other camera I've used; the AF success rate is astonishing.

Because of high volume, I must rely on the camera's JPEG processing rather than shooting RAW. The D3 has much more extensive image processing than the Mk III, and is able to return results comparable to the Mk III JPEG output at a full stop higher ISO setting. I have numerous examples of D3 ISO 6400 images that compare very closely to the Mk III at ISO 3200, both in terms of detail and noise level.

With the D700, you will need to add a battery grip to achieve 8 fps speed. Although that sounds much less than 10 fps, keep in mind that Nikon's speed rating is achieved in real field conditions, e.g. with AF in use. The Mk III can only achieve near 10 fps with AF off, and the average speed it attained for my field use was about 8.5 fps.

In my opinion, the only backup for a D3 is another D3. I do own a D300, but if I needed to use a backup, I might prefer my older D2Hs to the D300.

> just a great camera to use, never lets me down and still surprises
> with it's ability.........
>

I've now spent a full year with my D3, encompassing all of the various venues which I work at annually. After nearly 400,000 frames with this exceptional camera, I still shake my head in disbelief at the superlative results it returns in the most difficult shooting situations. There are many who try to argue that it's the photographer, not her tools, which matter most; but there is no question that for those of us who are pushing the limits of our equipment's operating envelope, the improvements brought by the D3 elevate our photography to a new level.

Competition after competition, photo set after photo set, I have never before seen the consistent high quality in imagery which the D3 has been producing this last year. From its fast, precise and absolutely dependable AF, to its powerful and extensive image processing coupled with its class-leading image sensor, the D3 absolutely sets the standard amongst today's camera offerings.

Prior to the D3, I was always wishing for just a little better performance from my equipment, resolution of just a few annoying issues, to bring my photography up to the standard I desired. With the D3, I can honestly say that I have finally and fully arrived.*

Thank you, Nikon, for one spectacular year of photography!