Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

I'm using a D7000 and have tried to get shots of my Grandson with a Nikon 18-200, Nikon 70-300. I have had better luck with a Nikon 50 1.8 but the lighting of these indoor matches still baffles me. I'd like to use a 70-200 F2.8 both for the zoom and the F2.8 capability but the cost of a Nikkon lens is steep to me at this time. Wondering if the Sigma and Tamron 2.8 versions would be almost as good or even go with a Nikon 70-200 F4 or the Tokina F4 version.

He going for State in 2 weeks so I'm in a bit of a rush.

Thanks, Bill

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 is an excellent option, great lens.

Also, if you can find one, the Sigma AF 50-150mm F2.8 D.C. IS HSM is a great option on a crop sensor camera like yours.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

If the lighting baffles you with an f/1.8 lens, you'll do worse with anything slower. A low-cost option might be something like a 50 or 85 f/1.4 Rokinon, $399 & $299 at B&H. I have not personally used either, but recently printed some 13 x 19s for a friend taken with the 85, and they looked excellent to me. Manual focusing should be a snap with a lens that fast.

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Bill, I own and highly recommend the Tamron. Before you buy, look for a Tamron rebate. When I bought mine, the rebate was $200. Good luck!

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

You say f/1.8 doesn't work? Have you tried a faster shutter speed? Or tried nudging the ISO up a bit? Why blame everything on only one corner of the exposure TRIangle?

trek6500mt

What are your settings? Is your camera in manual? I dont shoot a lot of wrestling, in my area I may shoot one tournament a season for the paper. Im ususally right at the mat with a strobe shooting to the roof with a nikon 24-70 2.8 on my D4 body. Since youre in such a rush and flash or strobe isnt feasible, Id suggest you just go to borrowlenses.com and rent the nikon lens you'd like. Heck maybe two, since its an important meet. You'll need to increase your ISO, like 1250 to as much as 6400 depending on the D7000's capabilities. Shutter speed 1/500-1/640, and 2.8 or on stop higher for better\easier focus. Now saying all this, you'll have to chimp until you get something that looks good to you. I hope this helps and Good Luck. Here is a link to my WEB page I have for the kids to download to thier phones.

baseball dad

Bill,

I found shooting in the various gyms quite challenging due to the poor lighting that was a constant. I did not have the option to use a strobe. I tried several lenses but settled on the AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G. It was reasonably priced (<$500) and worked well. Always had to crank the ISO up and settle for a bit less than ideal shutter speeds. All in all, I was happy with the results. Need to be pretty close to the action though.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I didn't want to spend $2,000 on a lens, so I looked for an 80-200mm f/2.8 from KEH. It was brand new never been sold, and the price was $668.

trek6500mt

Guess I didn't copy the URL right so here ya go.

https://noakesphoto.smugmug.com/Franklin-Broncos/20152016/FHS-Wrestling-Tournament-1-9-201

Also be sure to set your camera to single point and Spot focusing. Will you be shooting in continuous or single shot mode? I've seen some of the year book company's photographers use a mono pod and sit on the floor. I don't though because I tend to move around a lot. But it could be helpful, depending if they allow them into your GYM. If you decide to use a flash, be sure to set it to manual at like 1/4 power. Shutter speed 200 or 250 if your camera will allow. Depending how low the GYM ceiling is, and if its white like most are, bounce it. Most of this info I've read on the Strobist web site. He talks a lot about sports photography.

I also have used A nikon 85 F1.4, Looks good, but you do have to be able to get closer to the action. I rented several lenses until I settled on my Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX DG HSM OS FLD, a Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G, and a used Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED off of Ebay.
Also don't forget the crop factor. On a DX body the FX lens will be 105-300. So it will allow you to be further away and still fill your frame.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Perhaps just renting a couple lenses would be the best approach at this point. 70-200, 85, 135,185 primes would be what I would be thinking about for my Canon. I'm sure similar lenses are available for Nikon. Try some out and that may help you decide what to purchase.

I have shot a ton on volleyball with an 85mm 1.8. But I can sit in the first 4 rows so cross court is only 50-60 feet away. Not sure how far you are shooting from at wrestling. My Canon is a 1.3 crop factor, your Nikon is 1.5 pr 1.6 so you will have a bit narrower field of view. Of course you could also rent another better body too.

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia

Why don't you rent the 70-200MM f2.8

trek6500mt

Here

ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia

And maybe the 85MM f1.8 or f1.4 as well

trek6500mt

.

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

These shots were taken at the same arena a year apart. I think I would use different settings on the one with the d700 closer to the settings I used with the d800. I think they would be more similar if I had done so and then worked with the noise. You don't need the newest of equipment to shot good shots, but it helps. I still use the 80-200 on my today d810 and I equal what my wife does with here 70-200 vrii. Hope this adds to what others have said regarding this subject. Leon

d700, 80-200 2.8, ISO 800, 1/60, F4.5,

(Download)

D800, 70-200 VRII,ISO 6400, 1/500, F2.8 150MM

(Download)