Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

I shot this tournament here in Las Vegas. Shot 7 games on Wed.
Used Nikon D500 with 85mm 1.8.
Iso 6400 1/1000 @ 2.8 approx.
Auto white balance.
Group focus

Comments and suggestions always welcome
Jules

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david vt Loc: Vermont

I like these (what else is new with your shots!)

Was this the first time out with the 85? How did you find it in terms of being close enough to “fill the frame”, or did you have to crop somewhat when done? Where were you shooting from (I typically cannot get onto the baselines, so found that 85 was not quite enough reach for me - needed more in the 100-120 range)

Also, you were shooting the 85 1.8 at 2.8? Sharp enough for you (I know you are - rightly so - picky in this regard). Did this give you enough DOF for the scene? Per my DoF calculator, at 20 ft (assume you were this close), this lens @ 2.8 would have less than 1 ft in front or in back of focus? Is that enough for you?

Thanks

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Morning David:
This was the 3rd time using this lens. You have to get use to where it focus the sharpest. Sometimes when I fill the frame in the camera it wouldn't focus fast enough, to close to the subject. Other times a little further back focus was dead on and tack sharp. Some shots at 2.8 2.2, or 2. Still finding the range. I do like the lens. Being a member of Maxpreps allows me to go where I want on the court. I will sit under the basket for a lot of the shots, other times at the corners, sometimes mid court. I am able to walk around.
Thanks for looking.
Jules

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

Damn you are good with that 85MM. Of course I always expect that from you! Here are a few from my shoot the other night. I still don't get it. If I don't get better quick my indoor shoots are over. It seems like a waste of my time! Seven games WOW! You are the man. Keep it tight my friend.

Tom

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Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Hi Tom: Sorry it's taken me so long to respond.
I really think these are much better. What camera, lens, shutter, aperture? Your shots are tight. How much cropping and sharpening did you do? Each lens is different, same goes for the gyms, iso?
Straighten in post and don't over do the editing. What has Jim said. I don't know if you posted any galleries, I will look. Your getting there, it's hard to shoot basketball. Keep at it.
Jules

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

Hey Jules. Using my D810,85MM f/1.8 and 80-200 f/2.8. The girl's I was at 1/640 for most and aperture 1.8 for 85 and I think 2.8 for the 80-200. Did some crop, not much sharpening. I have done some straightening, working on it. I just sent in the game these photos were from. Will see what Jim has to say. I think probably he won't like. Thanks for the support I need it. I looked at some and I was shooting f/3.2 with the 85MM. I shot the first half with the 80-200 and the second with the 85.

Tom

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Number 1-3 are fine I think, even at 100%. Curious as to what Jim would say.

david vt Loc: Vermont

I am too.

I have been lucky enough to have about 4 pictures (3 sports shots) published in our local town paper this year. I have noticed that the size they print them at, and the quality of the printing, overwhelms any concern I had for noise from ISO as anything under 5000 on my D7200.

Find the “level” behind your main subject, either a nice strong horizontal pattern (bleachers!) or vertical (Wall seams). Makes a difference. While initially you might think the players already look straight, once you level, you will see them differently.


Keep shooting,

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

Ok Just as I expected. I went head and deleted that gallery. I will go back and cull some more. Here is what he said about the gallery. He said he was seeing soft images, not quite in focus. I had a couple with players eyes closed and one had both players eyes closed. (I liked it they were banging into each other going after the ball crashing the boards) but you now how Max is about things like that you don't get 1. He also said look at each photo with just face in the frame to make sure tack sharp. He said when photos not in focus that increases noise. He also said to set camera to one click under max sharpening, also to set ISO NR to strong. OH well Going back in and see what I can do with photos see if I can at least find the (25) minimum good photos that we have to have for a gallery. Thanks for listening .

Tom

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

David I am so bad about that. It is the way I hold camera, and also I do that when using my monopod. Thanks

david vt Loc: Vermont

Tom - even with a grip on my camera (I should BB vertical to better fill the frame), I am always about 3 degrees CCW. Just cannot seem to pull it straight while I am shooting. Hard when hand holding and tracking action. That said, as I am straightening, it does automatically mean I crop just a bit.

so, not to worry - Just something to watch in PP. Try to fix one or two and see what you think in a side by side. I was surprised at the difference in the “finished” shot. (And thank you Jules for this same conversation about 1 year ago!!!).

On your gallery, sorry to hear, but at least you got good constructive feedback.

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

Yep! That is why most of us are here to learn and get better, also the friendships we have made! Thanks

Tom