Thanks! I thought about that one, but really do need the f2.8 for the night soccer games... the high school lighting is really bad... :(

So, from your perspective, the VR on the older lens works well? Thanks!

I currently have a 80-200mm f2.8 and am looking to "upgrade" to a 70-200mm f2.8 with VR, and am looking for some advice regarding the VR and the VRII versions. I use my 80-200 now mostly for sports (a lot at night) so not having VR has not been an issue. However, I have also been using the lens indoors (not sports) and for shots of players not playing (fast SS not needed), where VR would be very helpful to be able to slow the SS down and reduce the ISO. Anyway, I'm wondering how much difference there is in the VR between the two lenses? How big a difference in the Nikon stated "3 stops vs. 4 stops"? Would the VRII be worth the extra $$$? I am using a D7200.

Thanks for any advice or information anyone may have.

Thanks for those ideas. I especially like the top of a hill thought! I'll try that this weekend, if the race has any hills!. Thanks!

I have the $9.99 1TB Dropbox account and use it a lot for non-photo files. It works great as a place to keep files that I need to access from different devices (several PCs, phone, tablet, etc.). It is extremely beneficial for my church committee files (can share with others as well), our Home Owners Association (I am the president), PTSA and the like. I don't think it is nearly as useful for pictures... for that I use Flickr (free and get 1TB) which is much more geared to storing and sharing pics. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the input. I especially like the idea of getting high for the start...

I recently upgraded from a D7000 to the D7200. I shoot a lot of high school soccer at night... the increased buffer, better AF and better high ISO performance were the drivers for me. I spent much time debating D750 or D7200 and it came down to $$$ for me (more so lenses than body, tho). But IMHO, D7000 to D7200 was definitely worth it!

I'm shooting pics at my son's cross country meets this fall (after night soccer in the summer, thank goodness for an afternoon sport!) and am looking for some ideas... I've shot runners at the starting line, at several spots along the course and at the finish line. But I'm looking for some ideas to get something different from what I've already been taking (the obvious). Have a bunch more meets this year and hate to keep taking the "same ol' pics" every week. Any ideas?

Here is a link to the pics from the last meet I did:

https://flic.kr/s/aHskk6fWt2

Thanks for any thoughts or ideas you may have!

I shoot a lot of high school soccer at night (poor lighting) and have been wrestling with this a long time. I tried to underexpose a bit to lower ISO or raise shutter speed with the thought that I could adjust in PP... but it does not work (at least for me!). I've received my best results by nailing the exposure in camera (with spot metering) and just live with whatever ISO it drives... of course as fast a lens as you can afford helps as well! hopefully, this helps some...

Very nice! So glad it worked out for them!

Ditto! :)

Was kinda curious myself... They found a guy in the area who is trying to build his wedding portfolio and he volunteered to do the shoot.

Not sure how your D5300 works, but on my D7200, I can program a different button to lock exposure. Check your manual and you may be able to do that with your D5300.

Thanks! I'll look into that.

Happy it worked for you!