Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

If budget is not an issue, Two bodies. One with a 70-200mm and one with a 24-70mm. That way you will be well armed no matter where you are and you won’t need to change lenses when the distance of the action changes. Make sure you are on the field and not in the stands. Keep your ISO high enough to keep your shutter speed fast enough to freeze action and eliminate blur. Use a Black Rapid Breathe Double Harness strap to carry both. You’ll be an instant pro and will be very happy with your pictures.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Mr. Campbell, it is true that FX lenses can be used on DX bodies but they are not optimal for such use. As I am sure you know the lens uses only the central portion of the sensor which means that the other pixels make no actual contribution to the image because they have been excluded. When using the full size of the sensor, which is the case with DX lenses now we have the full potential of the sensor in use. As I said, a FX lens on DX bodies is acceptable but not for what the lens was intended which is the FX format.
I know that I do not need to say that the wide angle side of the zoom of a FX lens will never perform very well as a wide angle due to the digital factor when used with DX bodies. The tele side is another story because now the digital factor makes it an even better and longer tele that we know is very useful for wildlife photography.
DX lenses on FX bodies create vignette unless the FX body is used as a DX and that is not optimal. Why not use a FX lens that uses ALL the pixels available to the sensor? Some DX lenses, like the Nikon 12-24 f4 AF-S can be used successfully between 18-24mm without vignette with FX bodies and I do that all the time with that lens and my D610. At those focal lengths the lens is capable of using the full FX sensor.
This is a brief explanation of what to expect when using FX lenses with DX bodies.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

If you use an FX lens on the DX camera, you are "PRIMARILY" using ONLY the sweet spot of the lens to expose the entire DX sensor. A DX lens can (as you mentioned) be used on an FX camera but it would ONLY expose the DX portion of the FX sensor (in other words the center 2/3rds of the sensor). I use ONLY FX lenses on my DX and FX cameras so I don't have to worry about the difference. PLUS, Nikon and most other lens manufacturers do NOT make a "Pro" or upper grade DX lens. ALL pro or high grade lenses are FX. Fortunately ALL FX lenses can be used on DX cameras assuming that the DX has an internal focusing motor. IF it does NOT have the internal motor then the lens will still "work" but would be manual focus. You might try the NIKON website for more info. I don't think it has changed since I retired from there.. but if it is an ENTRY level camera (D3xxx and D5xxx) it probably will want a silent wave lens (SWM).

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

400mm is the longest f/2.8 lens available. A Nikkor (any version) is as good as you’ll find in Nikon mount.

Largobob

Only agree to a point, camerapapi. You have neglected the fact that most lenses are sharpest at their center, and less so at their edges and corners. So by using an FX lens on a DX camera, the sensor is exposed to the sharpest part of the image. The pixels that are "thrown away," are substandard and might normally be cropped out during photofinishing anyway.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Hi Sparky:
I shoot a lot of high school soccer. I shoot maybe 12-15 games a month. All I can tell you is a 70-200 2.8 vr is not long enough. I use a Nikon 80-400 4.5-5.6 on a Nikon D500. The lens really brings the action up close. I use a 70-200 2.8 on night football games and basketball.
Just my opinion. I don't know how much a used 80-400 is, but worth looking into. Example pic enclosed, as far as quality, etc.

(Download)

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

70-200 2.8 VRII

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Hi Bill:
In low light situations how fast is the focus on this lens?
I have 70-200 vr . The low light focus like for basketball or volleyball is just okay. Looking for something faster.
Thanks,
Jules

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

On my D500 it was lightening fast. I cannot speak for other Nikon bodies. Acquisition focus and focus tracking are two different things, this lens did very well with acquisition but also very very good on tracking in focus. But on the D500 focusing is super quick just like on the D5 and D850. Nikon put a second processing engine for focusing on these new bodies. I also use continuous auto focus and GROUP AUTO FOCUS. No issues with getting a sharp image of a moving object.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

I am shooting with a D500 too.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Ideally, any 400mm and be ready to RUN ( and empty your bank account) - but if money matters and not so much running, Sigma 120-300 Sport with monopod and crop and use pixel enlargement software if necessary.

..

Cibafan Loc: Virginia

Check classifieds later today, I am going to sell a 80-200 f2.8

drsteven Loc: Austin, TX

I have 300 MM f2.8 Nikon lens in like new condition. Used on one trip, but not cheap. This is the ad that will appear on eBay next week


This lens is often considered to be one of, if not the sharpest lens in the Nikon lineup. Add to that its fast VR-ll stabilization, ED glass, and you have a superior prime telephoto lens: But then if you are looking at this lens you probably know that. Let me then describe this particular lens.

I purchased it for a one-week trip to Costa Rica and have now completed that trip. This was the totality of use this lens has ever had and, by the way, it performed perfectly. For a number of personal and physical reasons, I will not be making other similar trips and thus will not have reason to use this fast a lens again. My loss, your gain. It is literally true, that this lens never left my home, other than for this one trip, it has had no other use.

I am selling this USA Model lens in its original packaging (Nikon price $5499.95), and am including the Nikon Drop-in Circular Polarizer Filter (Nikon price $398.00), an after-market lens cap and an Arca Swiss style tripod mounting plate as well as a Camo cover exactly as shown in the photos. A note about the lens cap—As can be seen in the photos, the lens does come with a cover that fits over the entire lens shade. It is big, it is bulky, it is hard to put on and/or take off. For these reasons I found a much easier to use cap (see photos). The total value of this package is excess of $6000.00.

The lens is in MINT or Pristine condition. No scratches or marks on the body or on the glass. It is truly in like new condition. The camo cover has been on the lens from essentially when I got it until I removed it for these photos.

I ship (ground insured and signature required) only to the lower 48 states and accept only PayPal. Payment must be made within 24 hours of the sale to avoid having the sale voided. I am asking $4500.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I know neither your budget nor your camera. First of all, only the angle-of-view changes on a Crop Frame camera, NOT the magnifying power of the lens. As a sports action shooter, I would highly recommend Nikon's latest 70-200 as one fantastic lens and one I use on almost every outdoor sports shoot (along with a 400/2.8). I would also suggest the Nikon 300 F4 PF as one very fine lens and useful for sports. (Normally I would agree with buying a 2.8, but I'll make an exception here as the 300/4 is THAT good!). Best of luck.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

This one, Fantastic!!!!!!

https://kenrockwell.com/nikon/80200.htm

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/124669-USA/Nikon_1986_AF_Zoom_Nikkor_80_200mm_f_2_8D.html

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/af-zoom-nikkor-80-200mm-f%252f2.8d-ed.html

Steal it here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-NIKKOR-80-200mm-80-200mm-f-2-8-D-AF-ED-Lens-MINT/232933005984?epid=220004420&hash=item363be39aa0:g:EkYAAOSwXIhbnAdm