mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Man, middle school is tougher than HS to shoot. But I now know why I need a grip to turn camera vertical.

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Mike I really like your shots. Basketball in general is a challenge to shoot.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Thank you Jules! Even with my D500, it was hard to lock a focus... I only had 5 or 6 keepers out of 300+ shots!

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Hi Mike: I just purchased the Nikon D500 about a month ago. A few savers out of 300 needs some work. First what were your settings? Lens, focus settings, continuous, etc.
Please give us the answers so we can understand more.
Basketball is a tough cookie, fast game hard to lock on.
I shoot with a 70-200 2.8 iso in one gym 2500-3500 500 at 2.8. Different gyms require different settings.

(Download)

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

I have as many as 20 "acceptables", but only 5 or 6 that I think are truly noteworthy. I was shooting manual, with Sigma 70-200 f 2.8. lens set between 3.2 - 4.0, auto ISO, SS sometimes 1/320 - 1/500. focus early was AFC release Single point, but improved when I switched to Group AF. this was an early shot, single point focus, and i have no idea where I hit. LOL

(Download)

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Mike I switched over to Group P also for basketball. A few days ago I shot a flag football game and used Group P also. I think for action the setting has a bit more reach than single for fast moving objects. We all keep practicing.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...nice shots Mike. You're shooting Continuous, correct? If you choose "release" as the mode the D500 will perform admirably...also use back button focus, alot of the time you'll simply keep it pushed-in 'cuz of the action, but not using the shutter release button saves the day when you're moving fast. When I shoot gyms I don't use a monopod (70-200 VII with a D5) so it *is* a hassle to go to portrait, but it's a touch acquired with time...on the football field, however, I do use one for my 200-400 f4 and it's very easy...you're using a battery pack, right? That makes it just a matter of flipping the whole dang thang and moving your hand to the new shutter button position...again, practice. Try out a full-frame...rent a D4 or, better, a D5, the controls are very much the same as your D500, you'll find the lack of crop factor is a blessing in a gym...I find cropping-in in post to be just fine...

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Thanks for the tips! I'm saving now for a used D4 to compliment my D500.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...I've kept my D4, but might be sweet-talked! It's a great camera and still rated highly as desirable...mine has 260,000 actuations but they're rated for 400.000 (so, when you get one of these beasts new, you are, in effect, buying two bodies, seeing as how everything below is rated 200,000...such a deal!!! LOL).