D500 lenses recommendation

[atld500]

I recently purchased D500 specifically for the following usage…

· Record 4K video of football games from the coaches box

· On field team photographer

· Avoid using smartphone to capture family portraits

I am seeking your opinions with selecting the ideal lenses to purchase that cover my needs.

 

[Leonard Shepherd]

You have not mentioned a budget or if you have any Nikon lenses.

For 4k video from a box the just an announced 70-300 DX with motor specially intended for video fits the video requirement well though using it you will have to stand fairly well back for portraits.

It is relatively affordable compared to pro spec sports lenses.

I am not aware of any reviews yet http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/zoom/telephotozoom/af-p_dx_70-300mmf_45-63g_ed_vr/index.htm

 

[atld500]

I would be willing to spend $2K+ on a lens if it gives me the results. I’m not searching for all-in one lens because I figure I will need multiple types to cover my different needs. I would be willing to spend $2K+ on a lens if it give me the results.

For instance the box store sales rep sold me AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR which he was using for years to capture soccer. But for my needs I wanted more performance on the field and less zoom and more clarity in the coach’s box while recording and walking around the street.

At this time I can’t confirm if AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR is compatible with my D500.

I will open a support question with Nikon USA confirm.

But kept the suggestions flowing…

 

[ASR45]

Leonard made a good point, also there is the cheap 18-55 new lens with its stepping motor for 4K Video, its cheap as well if you are on a budget.

 

[Leonard Shepherd]

the box store sales rep sold me AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR which he was using for years to capture soccer. But for my needs I wanted more performance on the field and less zoom and more clarity in the coach’s box while recording and walking around the street.

At this time I can’t confirm if AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR is compatible with my D500.

Any DX lens is compatible with the D500.

As I am in UK I do not know USA price but the "video optimised" versions of the 18-55 and 70-300 (when available) should cost less than $800 based on UK prices.

The 28-300 the salesman sold you will cover many things quite well though it is not wide angle combined with a DX body.

 

[Rich Rosen]

You don't mention the lighting conditions of the fields and the times that the games are being played. If ou are talking daytime games, then a 70 -300 would be fine. But if you are shooting at night or in poor lighting conditions, you'll need a "2.8" lens, such as a 70-200., or a 300. If you buy used, you may find such a lens at the high end of your budget.

 

[Iain G Foulds]

... If you are photographing a football game, 300mm won't get you close to the action.

... I would wait a few weeks for the Tamron 150-600 Mk2 to come out. The Mk1s (new and used) will then be the bargain of the century, and you will get exciting action photography.

... And, the 150mm end of the zoom is a surprisingly good range for portraits or family photos. I had the lens, and didn't take it off my D7200 for a year. Fun starts at 600mm.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ia-n/

 

[Tigre del neve]

I recently purchased D500 specifically for the following usage…

· Record 4K video of football games from the coaches box

· On field team photographer

· Avoid using smartphone to capture family portraits

I am seeking your opinions with selecting the ideal lenses to purchase that cover my needs.

200/2 VR + 2-500/5.6

for portraits 50/1.4 G

 

[Leonard Shepherd]

200/2 VR + 2-500/5.6

for portraits 50/1.4 G

You are not going to get these for much less than 5 times the OPs budget area.

 

[Tigre del neve]

200/2 VR + 2-500/5.6

for portraits 50/1.4 G

You are not going to get these for much less than 5 times the OPs budget area.

--
Leonard Shepherd
You can buy kit. The rest is mainly down to you.
The more you practice, as with a musical instrument, the better you are likely to become.

He did not specify any budget in the original post...

Furthermore a 50/1.4G isn't expensive and it is an excellent portrait lens for its price on the D500 + it doubles for certain landscape shots which looks extremely pleasing with this lens.

The 200/2 is THE football lens on DX if lights are low. It takes TC's better than any other telelens from Nikon available so it also doubles as an excellent 400/4 or 300/2.8. That is equivalent to 600/4 and 450/2.8 when the DX crop is factored in. So effectively you get all ranges in one lens and added teleconverters. Last time I checked teleconverters were not that expensive.

The 2-500/5.6 is excellent for field shots in good light.

Think of the math this way. I went through all the cheap lenses and upgrades and ended up with the 200/2 and 600/4. If I had saved money for buying those as my first lenses I would have saved a truckload of cash on buying cheaper stuff when I started out. If you want to go excellent you may as well start with excellent. Ok but then you need to know that this will be an interest you are willing to invest in.

 

[Leonard Shepherd]

He did not specify any budget in the original post...

Agreed though a later post "I would be willing to spend $2K+ on a lens if it give me the results."

 

[Tigre del neve]

Ah, wasn't aware of that when I posted.

 

[atld500]

Let me add that I am shooting majority of my middle school football and cheer games during daylight hours and a few under the lights. I will be shooting track & field next year and the intent to shoot high school events which are under lights in the years to come.

 

[n057]

I recently purchased D500 specifically for the following usage…

· Record 4K video of football games from the coaches box

· On field team photographer

· Avoid using smartphone to capture family portraits

I am seeking your opinions with selecting the ideal lenses to purchase that cover my needs.

Remember that if you want to record 4K, any lens focal length will be multiplied by 2 with the expected result. If you want to record with the field of view of a 24mm lens, you will need a 12 mm.

The 16-80, for instance, will have the FOV of a 32-160.

Start practicing with any lens you have and see if you like the effect. And if shooting handheld, use the electronic VR feature.


JC
Some cameras, some lenses, some computers

 

[Rich Rosen]

Let me add that I am shooting majority of my middle school football and cheer games during daylight hours and a few under the lights. I will be shooting track & field next year and the intent to shoot high school events which are under lights in the years to come.

Then you have a choice. You can plan for the long game or for the short game. I would suggest planning for the long run. One of the lenses that could be a choice would be a Sigma 120-300 2.8. There are several editions of that lens. The two most recent are the ex OS and the sport. I have the sport, but the ex has the same lens formula as the sport, which is the current model. The sport runs $3600 new. I don't know what a used ex would cost.

A 300 f4 is a choice for the short game. The current Nikon unit is about 2000 and has VR . It is also extremely light compared to the older model which doesn't have VR. All the units I mention are able to focus well in action shots. As far as VR is concerned, at the shutter speeds you'll be shooting at (1/500 and above... Minimum recommended: 1/1000), you don't need it, so the older 300 will work well. I think they are available used for less than a 1000.

 

[greenmanphoto]

I recently purchased D500 specifically for the following usage…

· Record 4K video of football games from the coaches box

· On field team photographer

· Avoid using smartphone to capture family portraits

I am seeking your opinions with selecting the ideal lenses to purchase that cover my needs.

altd500,

If you're going to be in the press box shooting video, you're not going to be on the field, and you'd need a different lens. If you're on the field, you'll need a different lens than in the press box. For the field, I'd recommend the Sigma 120-300, possibly, depending on where you are on the field. I shoot with the Tamron 70-200 on my D700, but sometimes wish I had more reach. In daylight, I'll shoot with my D300, and that does a better job for the cross-the-field shots at the expense of the wide(ish) end. There are times when my 70-200 on my D700 is not wide enough, and it doesn't have the crop factor of a DX camera!

For the press box, I'd recommend the 200-400, 200-500, or even 80-400 from Nikon, or as Iain said, wait and check out the new Tamron 150-600 G2 when it comes out. In the meantime, consider renting a current-generation 150-600 to see how it will do for you. Also, unless you're going to shoot with two cameras with you, then I'd recommend not trying to switch out a teleconverter. Unless you get VERY good at doing it fast, you'll miss shots as you switch out.

The 70-300 works okay, with decent enough light, but the focus speed and accuracy aren't as good for action, as you'll need with football and the like. I used it until I got my 70-200, and have used it at times during the day with my D300, but not often.

Sam