Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

I was going to shoot in the main gym, a dungeon I must say. But then I see the second gym is also being used for some freshman and jv girls games. Much better light at 3:30 with the little windows bringing in that much beloved light so I shoot there.
Here are some.

Nikon D4
70-200 2.8
50mm 1.8
85mm 1.8
24-70 2.8
300 2.8

Topaz Denoise used and loving it.

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rickberns Loc: Conroe, Texas

Jules,
Nice set!
What was your typical SS/ISO? Did you use a custom white-balance off grey-card, expodisc or??

Questions regarding lens since I'm shuffling thru mine looking for the right combination on my 2 bodies, I'll won't mention the 70-200mm because that seems to be the go-to lens:

1. 50mm or 85mm, which one do you like the most? My canon 50mm & 85mm are f1.2, but slower than the f1.8 versions. Seems like your 50mm f1.8 will give you something other than what the 70-200mm f2.8 will cover but both the 50/85mm f1.8 will give you that 1 1/3 stop faster speed above your 70-200mm f2.8 which is nice for lower ISO if using the same SS.

2. How much did you use your 300 f2.8? and how far did you shoot down the court if you were on the baseline? I used my 300 f2.8 the other day for basketball, and I was after some defense action (only kept a few) so I'm at the end of the focal length reach of the 300 which MP doesn't like, just curious. Seems like the area between both 3-pnt arcs is the range for my 300mm where the distant to the far 3-pnt arc is my longest shot, action under the opposite basket maybe too far of reach.

Sorry for the questions, just absorbing some experience here!

Rick

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Hi Rick:
The 300 2.8 I use for some mommy shots before the game and just a few down court. Still a bit short for end to end stuff.
Your right the 70-200 is my main lens, however I use the 50mm and 24-70 2.8 and once in a while the 85mm for under the basket.
The 50 focus is faster than the 85mm.

White balance on this shoot was auto, however tomorrow's game I will try custom white balance. In live view I will twirl that little sucker and see which one is best from the presets, or just leave on auto.
Iso was around 5000 as high as 8000 and as low at 3200.
It's a battle man that's about it for bb. And I don't sell much so far. Maybe a few shots per gallery. That's it.
I hope this helps. These two shots are with the 300 2.8 during warmups for mommy. I used the monopod for these. 1/800 at 2.8 iso 2500 with the D4.
Jules

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joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Whatta beauty 🧡🧡⭐🧡🧡

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Awesome action shots 🧡🧡⭐🧡🧡

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Thanks Joe, I always appreciate your nice comments to me and everyone who posts. You must be a very nice man.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Rick: I just looked at your last 2 galleries, damn nice. What focus point are you using and where are you aiming it?

rickberns Loc: Conroe, Texas

Are you talking about the 2 basketball galleries which I thought were so-so, Jim liked them (except for one), he hammered me on my soccer galleries because I was shooting past the reach of 400mm (and I new it too, but just wanted to know the limit).

As for focus, I use a single focus point slightly placed above the center line (horizontal or vertical camera orientation). Once I press the back-button focus button on the player to get focus on the player, I immediately move my finger to my other back-button focus that set for eye tracking and press that one where now the focus is following the players eye's. Works good, not perfect every time especially when players are crossing in behind and in front. I don't use any other focus point configuration (for any sport) except for single point and eye-tracking.

Rick

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

That's funny I have done that too with how far the lens is reaching to ok by him. I guess the real test we can do is look at the shots at guess what lol 100%. I forgot you shoot Canon. For basketball I am one click down from the top. I always worry about going to low and still have the face sharp at 2.8. I think the galleries look good. I don't care what JR says. lol.

Jules

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Forgot to ask about white balance, what do you use? Custom or auto?

rickberns Loc: Conroe, Texas

My first 2 basketball games ever, I used an expodisc for my white balance for both of my Canon bodies. The last 2 basketball games I used white balance with white priority (AWBw). All my volleyball games I used a grey card (only because I don't have expodisc for my 300mm f2.8). I think tomorrow I'll go back to the grey card (300mm lens) and expodisc (all other lens or maybe the same profile can work with the 300mm) for a couple more basketball games. I like the colors better and white seems to be white.

I should clarify my gallery comment about JR, he only rejected 1 picture from 2 basketball galleries where on my soccer galleries he rejected all my loose pictures, which were many and followed with an email to me regarding shooting past my lens focal length. Good thing, I never cropped a single photo because that would be a different email to me about never cropping which both you and I always preach on this board not to do (unless you have the camera megapixels to do it).

Rick

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Fine set Jules.

Don

pnittoly Loc: Mountainside, New Jersey

Jules - I know I’ve said this before but after reviewing these I must again tell you THESE are among your best. Thanks for sharing and educating . Paul

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Well thank you so much sir, as always really appreciate the kind words.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Loving the lit' angelic cherub (Image #9) and the second capture with your AF 300mm at f/2.8
As always good stuff Jules...

Thank you for sharing...