bdub8

Hi all

I’m looking for recommendations. I’m getting back into photography and want to start photographing my son’s H.S. Baseball games. I’m considering buying the Nikon D500, not sure what lens I need (he pitches and plays outfield) or if I should be getting a full frame camera and not the D500.

Any help, recommendations and (of course) pictures are welcome.

Thanks

ELNikkor

The D500 with Nikon's 200-500 zoom. Full frame won't get you as apparently close.

Say Cheese Loc: Eastern PA

The first thing I did was ask where I could go to get good photos. They may let you go into the dugouts with the teams, In certain parts of the foul zone. Behind the backstop, In the press box, if there is one. Find where you would like to go and ask. You may be surprised where you may be able to go. Now buy your camera and use it.

chuckrem Loc: Katy, Tx

The D500 would be an excellent choice. In my area, most high school baseball fields are surrounded by so much fencing that the whole facility takes on the appearance of a prison. Lens selection would thus be determined on whether or not you will be facing this situation.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

At a local HS game you can get so close that a 200-500 would be overkill to shoot primarily a pitcher IMHO, plus it is plenty fast for wildlife but a bit slow for baseball as well as expensive and bulky.

A D7XXX and a used but not abused 80-200 f2.8 AFD will do the job quite well.

If used scares you a D7200/7500 and an 18-200 will do the job in day games, but again slow for night games. The 70-200 2.8 AFS replaced the AFD version, but its pricey.

If you use high speed continuous shutter at 1/1000 second or higher it will be able to stop a pitch pretty much dead in flight. At 1/4000 or 1/8000 ... probably need the 2.8, or a used NIKKOR 70-210 f4 lens which is much lighter ... you can see the stitches on a 90 MPH+ pitch.

NIKKOR pro/serious amateur lenses are pretty bulletproof if taken even reasonable care of ... but you need to be sure you buy a body with an internal focus motor for the lenses I have described, other than the 18-200 which is an AFS and will work well on a 3XXX series body.

If you have any questions about technique or additional lenses feel free to ask.

I have shot a ton of free lance sports from high school to the Dayton Dragon A league baseball pros to the Cincinnati Reds MLB team as well as vintage baseball leagues and would be glad to help.

Its not difficult but you do need to know the right techniques.

If you shoot day games and are inexperienced the 18-200 with VR might be the best choice. I have all the lenses mentioned and the 18-200 is my go to walking around jack of all trades lens.

The 70-210 is primarily my zoo lens where all day walking is going on and the animals don't move 90 MPH.

An 80-200 2.8 and 300 f4 are my go to sports lenses.

I hope this helps.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Before buying the D500, check the D7500 which has the same Expeed 5 processor as the D5 and can shoot 8 fps. It has the same lowlight capability as the D500. Two things it does not have....a slot for a second card and the capability to add a grip. It does have a flip top flash which the D500 does not. I just purchased a D7500 for my daughter today at Arlington Camera. While we were there the salesman took some shots at ISO 6000 and put them up on an Apple 27 inch monitor. I could not see any noise.

I used to shoot my son's little league games with a film camera and a Sigma 80-300 zoom. It was excellent for shooting the infield. A 70-200 on a dx camera would do the same thing. To reach into the outfield, however, you would need something longer. I also purchased the Tamron 100-400 f4.5-6.3. Nikon's 80-400mm is f4.5-5.6. An alternative would be something like the Sigma 50-500 or even 150-600 Contemporary or Sport. If you're really into it, a used Nikon 500mm f4 goes for about 5k.

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

Look on the UHH for Jules Carney, he shoots a lot of b-ball for Max preps

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

For baseball as well as football my absolute favorite lens on my D500 body is the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 SPORT. Its impossible to beat, and plays EXTREMELY well with a 1.4X Teleconverter when needed making it a 168-420mm F4 lens. All supported on a monopod for the games as it does get heavy after awhile and the monopod handles the load well and keeps me mobile.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I have for 4 years and will continue to shoot my Grandson's baseball. I shoot Canon - matters little. I mount my 70 - 200 mm f/2.8 II lens on my crop Canon 7D MII and my 24-70mm f/2.8 on my full frame Canon 5D MIII. Works well. I usually shoot continuous mode and use the extensive features of Canon's auto focus. I think many of my images are pretty good. I post them on one of my Shutterfly sites and share with kids, parents, ... It's fun!! The most difficult part is negotiating the surrounding chain link fencing that covers the entire viewing area. I shoot through the fence.
Enjoy,
Mark

CO

Lenses like the 150-600mm and 200-500mm are going to get mighty heavy after a while unless you can use a tripod or monopod. I did these shots with my Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 lens on my Nikon D90 while I was sitting in the stands. It's light enough that it can be hand held all day.

I have a D500 now. It's an excellent camera for sports.

I didn't take any photos of the players in the outfield. As someone already mentioned, for photographing players in the outfield, you might need to get a lens that zooms to at least 400mm.

For a lightweight solution, you might look at Tamron's new 18-400mm lens.

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Photocraig

An informative video by Jared Polin (Fro Knows....) as a review of the Tamron 7-200 2.8 G lens was done at a college baseball game. His results were good and taught me a lot about shooting baseball, and I've been doing my kids games for YEARS! But it will give you insight on the focal length's usefulness. Shooting the pitcher necessitates shooting through the fence. Maybe there's a shorter fence beyond the dugout and stands at your son's field--check it out. You tube has several tutorials about shooting through a fence, including a useful one about shooting zoo animals (HS kids, after all). Look there.

My personal preference is the 70-300 on an APS-C because in my case the apparent reach of 480 mm allows me to shoot around the fence down the line and still nearly fill the frame with the batter.

I suggest using a monopod for the long shots and to stabilize while shooting through the fence.

Have fun, capture some great memories and wish your son a great year, with lots of clutch outs and a good number at the plate.
C

Joe Blow

Chain link fencing has a problem; it obscures and creates shadows. The trick is to either shoot over the fence, with an unobstructed view, or shoot through the holes in the fence. The black nylon netting is usually acceptable as you can often focus through it even from a distance.

If you can get an unobstructed view, then brace yourself by leaning against a post, resting the camera on top of the fence, etc. Although most high school games are played during the day, they are late and the light is often falling. Crank up the ISO and shutter for the action shots.

If you shoot through the fence holes, a cropped camera with a 58mm filter size will work best. That will prevent the vignetting larger lenses will cause. I use cropped Canons with an EF-70-300 to shoot our daughter's softball. I use my fingers to find the hole and rest the camera on my hand.

Two things to keep in mind.

1) Stay out of the way. Don't stand in front of the fence blocking other spectators. If you are allowed in the dugout or foul territory, YOU move when a player comes near. Never block a doorway or the bats. Always ask permission whenever you are on the field side of the fence.

2) Whenever you have been allowed inside the fence, ALWAYS thank your coach and the umpire when permission is first given and at the end of the game. If a road game, thank the other team's coach and players.

Chain link vignetting


Through the chain link holes with a 58mm filter size lens


Chain link from a distance

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

You are then missing some of the best shots in baseball.

Everything need not be a super close up and this especially applies to outfield shots.

With proper framing showing some of the field can impart implied motion and a sense of distance traveled to make the play.

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

...the D500 is a wonderful sport/action camera and the 200-500 is a wonderful lens for this camera...however...for high school baseball I would probably use a 70-200 f/4 or f/2.8 vr lens (depending on your budget)...the 70-200 will allow you to move around in between the action...you’ll need to use a tripod for a 200-500 because you don’t want to be holding that beast for 7 or 9 innings (how many they now play in high school).

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I did my grand nephew at the little league world series and used a Nikon D500 with the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens. Had a great time.