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I stink, so D200 for me?

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TartarFan

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I have the D70 and the 70-200 VR lens for shooting night football.
I use flash to get the shutter speed I need to stop action.

My pictures with this setup have been fair at best, and certainly not up to the ability of the 70-200 VR.

So, since I have no money, I think I should sell the D70, and 70-200 VR and use the money to buy the D200 and a used Sigma 70-200 or Nikon 80-200.

This will give me the same focal length, but allow me to use ISO 3200 and remove the need for flash all together.

I think I can get $1900 for the combo, so I only need a couple hundred to get the D200 and the Sigma.

As poor as my photography has been, I don't think I will be losing anything at the end results.

What is your opinion of this Idea?

Thanks
--
John (Messenger ID is TartarFan)
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I think you are crazy. The glass is 75% of the photo. The other is a mixture between the camera and the photographer. If you are not getting good shots with that lens and the D70, you will never be happy with the D200 and a lesser lens. That is just insane... Sorry...

My suggestion... Go practice more... buy a good book...

--
--glenn
http://www.gshutter.com

 
I'm not going to try and tell you you shouldn't get the '200, but that's not the answer to better photography. Refine your setup, get some more reach, faster reach and if you really want, the '200 as well. But the '200 in itself will not improve results.

John
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Visit my gallery below

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John,

As far as I can tell, you've been at it for 5 months more or less.

Go back and look at the photos you took 4 and 5 months ago and compare them with your more current ones. I'll guarantee that you are improving.

Don't expect a new camera to give you a step change in results. Keep pounding away and working at it and you will continue to improve.
Regards,
Brent

PS: Buy a D200 just 'cause you want one but don't sell your 70-200VR.
 
might give you more problems anyway. Going from a 2.8 to a 2.8 ?

is the Sigma VR, if not then it is not going to help any. If you are going to sell stuff to do this you had better wait for the verdict on the high ISO noise first.

Stink's pretty harsh John,

If you want to talk about stink I'll send you some Hockey pics I shot two weeks ago, and thats on a white surface with the 70-200VR, talk about stink. I still have not got any great shots with my 80-400 VR but I tried a few things today and I'm getting better so don't give up. If you are going to change your gear to do this, don't assume the D200 will be you best choice.

I like my Nikon gear but maybe the High ISO and low noise on the Canon is the way for you to go. Check out the capabilities in depth before you change gear . Check the Canon Forum and see how their making out in Low light like you have to deal with, if they are no better you will have to come up with a different solution.

Just MHO
Andrew
 
do you see other photographers there taking shots? if not, maybe the lighting just sucks too much for photography there. If you do, ask them what they are doing.
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D70 and photo discussion
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hi John

dont be so harsh on yourself! i agree with the majority here, learn on what you have first, perhaps you could sign up for a course or join a club? I have recently started an evening course and its so inspiring! i've been taking photos since i was 12 years old (long, long time ago!!) and am learning so much!! being around other people who are eager to learn is great too...... good luck in what you decide

BM
 
John, it sounds like some of the excuses I have laying around the house, like Easter eggs, to convince my self and others that maybe I should get one of the new and improved D200's He He

I don't know how close you get to the players but seems to me that the flash would be of little help, No?

When my Daughter graduated from high school years ago(Pre-digital) we received a letter from the school telling us that no one would be allowed into the presentation area to take pictures except for the Pro photographers that the school hired.

I stuck 2 Vivitar 285HV's and a 500mm lens to the camera resting on a Monopod and shot many good pictures from my seat. Some people thought I was crazy and the pro photographers kept giving me a dirty look but I got my pictures of my daughter receiving her diploma.

Good luck
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http://www.pbase.com/megap

Mike
 
Thanks for all the great replies. My photography has improved, but I cannot find a balance between ISO and flash levels to keep the colors real and the pictures sharp. I am hoping the higher ISO of the D200 will keep me from having to use flash.

As far as my location, I am on the sidelines and inter-mixed with the players and coaches for every game. I have press credentials that allow me access to any and everything.

I do the teams program pictures, as well as private pictures for players and parents to use in the programs for good luck messages and such.

All this get's me upclose and personal with all the school officials, coaches, players, and parents, so I couldn't get closer unless I put on a uniform.

I have talked to many other photograhers on the sidelines. They are all using cameras with high ISO like the D2X and the Canon 20D.

That is why I am thinking of the D200. I am sure it will handle noise as well as the D70 and the D2x.
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John (Messenger ID is TartarFan)
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Wow - hate to see you ditch the 70-200VR. I can't speak for the other lens that you are comparing too but know the 70-200VR to be awesome.

My sneak suspicion is that changing is not going to be the magic answer to all of your problems. To get the high quality sports photos that you want in low light situations is tough under any circumstances and I can't believe that getting higher ISO is alone going to solve all the problems.

Save up your money and buy the D200 as another body. That my$2/100.
--
Tim

'I keep my day job so I can buy all these fun toys'
 
John, post some of your picts and lets all take a look, there is a lot of good pp people out there, this may be a large amount of the problem. I also agree that dumping the flash should be your first move and that the D200 won't make you any better with the 70-200 vr or any other lesser lens--ron s.

p.s. a photojournalist friend of mind just sent soem pict he took with your very same setup and they were pretty good!!

seeing and being aware are not the same thing....
http://www.pbase.com/ron9ron
 
John,

Sounds like you've pretty well made up your mind but I was thinking about your post and want to add one point.

I've seen a lot of folks disappointed because they have gone out and bought new golf clubs or skis hoping that that they will reap some instant benefit. Conversely, I've seen a lot of people "over the moon" happy because they've invested money in lessons from the club pro or ski school.

My point is simple, don't ever underestimate the value of education for helping you move up the learning curve. I don't know what your photography "study plan" looks like but I encourage you to be very deliberate.
Regards,
Brent
 
ron_9 said:
John, post some of your picts and lets all take a look,
Click to expand...
All my pics are on http://www.tartarfootball.com

Click on 2005 Pictures.

Post processing is my weakest link.

The first 3 games of Varsity are without flash, at ISO 1600.
The rest of the Varsity games are ISO 400 with SB-800 flash set at -1ev.

Without flash, the ISO 1600 pictures are yellowed, muted, and ugly.

I was hoping th D200's ISO 3200 would be as good as the D2x for light capture and low noise...

--
John (Messenger ID is TartarFan)
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http://www.TARTARFOOTBALL.COM
 
John I'm not an expert but your picts didn't look all that bad. It did look a little clouded and dark and yes some pp would have helped to brighten it a bit. Some shots ,during the day, looked as if it was a very cloudy'hazy type day. I don't know what to say but I will say that you'll not solve your problem by buying a $1800 camera, selling a 70-200 F2.8Vr, and getting a straight F2.8 and think it actually will work better(it doesn't make sense). Me thinks you'll just pick up more noise. I don't own a Vr but if my understanding is correct it takes a bit for the VR to kick in and lock on. You are firing away and hip shooting away--Have you tried it without the VR??? How fast is your CF card. During the day shots do you have UV filter on or even a CP(knowing you lose a couple of stops(CP) but still should have lots of speed anyway)? Are your "in" camera settings punched up to give good contrast and vivid colors. Are you running an EV adjustment, if you are, and it's a plus setting you are losing some speed. Are you sure you just don't have D200 lust? "(;-) I know I do!!---------ron s.
TartarFan said:
ron_9 said:
John, post some of your picts and lets all take a look,
Click to expand...
All my pics are on http://www.tartarfootball.com

Click on 2005 Pictures.

Post processing is my weakest link.

The first 3 games of Varsity are without flash, at ISO 1600.
The rest of the Varsity games are ISO 400 with SB-800 flash set at
-1ev.

Without flash, the ISO 1600 pictures are yellowed, muted, and ugly.
I was hoping th D200's ISO 3200 would be as good as the D2x for
light capture and low noise...

--
John (Messenger ID is TartarFan)
Equipment in Profile (By Request)



http://www.TARTARFOOTBALL.COM
Click to expand...
--
seeing and being aware are not the same thing....
http://www.pbase.com/ron9ron
 
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