You can get a much closer image with a smartphone or a tablet...
I believe the definition of Macro is at least a 1:1 reproduction ratio...which this is not.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Usually use a CFast card reader today but have connected a USB cable to a camera to transfer in the past. I think either method works OK, sometimes just a question of convenience at the time too. I would hope that the camera manufacturer would make it fairly idiot proof to use the camera connected to the USB cable and not do any damage to the card or camera...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

I usually put each flash into a ThinkTank Flash bag as I like that I can carry the flash and aux battery unit in one well fitting bag. I can hang this bag on a nightstand if needed or I can hang it on my belt. If I am transporting 2 or 3 flashes I throw these bags into an old Epson projector bag. I also have another bag that carries all my MagMod attachments so if I need those I just grab that bag too.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Sounds like a reasonable method for shooting stationary or slow moving items but not sure it would be good for shooting faster moving objects or a bunch of shots in a row. I have to say I might play around with it just to have a learning experience. I have never been a Live View shooter but as I intend to play with shooting some DSLR video in the next few months this could be a good experience. I other question I have is how does the brightness of the LCD screen and the level of ambient light impact the perception of a proper exposure. I guess the hood would help address these somewhat. Thanks for sharing.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Awesome Haydon!!!

Best,
Todd Ferguson

If underexposed and not using flash perhaps some exposure compensation should have been used to overcome the underexposure.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

In a RRS Tripod bag.
Best to have a Sherpa to carry it...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

And what is more shocking is that people actually hire these people to shoot their wedding!!!

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Aside from the various reasons stated already some people just like cameras and collecting them for different uses and reasons.
It is all just how much money you want to spend and what you want to spend it on. Personally I would rather have one or two great cameras and a half dozen great lenses than 10 bodies and 25 lenses. But that is just the way I aim to roll.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

I agree that FF will give better low light / high ISO performance but it comes at a price especially for a sports shooting oriented camera. Unless you are willing to go to 2-3 generation older to get the cost down. Then it becomes a Pro level camera that is 5-10 years old versus a good solid consumer camera that is maybe 2-4 years old. An interesting decision that I made myself a few years ago.

Flash is certainly one good way to improve low light shooting. However, many venues don't allow flash photography so that is a deal breaker for a lot of sports shooters. The other issue is shutter speed when using flash. Most camera sync speed for flash is 1/250 or less. Often to slow to stop sports motion. Now you could kill the majority of the ambient light with you exposure and use the flash to stop motion. That takes multiple flash units or really powerful flash at a relatively short distance in many cases. Such flashes don't come inexpensively either.

One could say well shoot with High Speed Sync on a powerful flash. That is possible but it puts a lot of strain on the flash and the power supply. The other issue becomes if you want to fire off a bunch of shots in a row the flash can either not recycle fast enough or runs the risk of overheating and shutting down. Luckily in drag racing I can use flash without restrictions pretty much at many races. Even so I tend to shoot higher ISO with one or two flashes to add some light. But I am trying to get higher shutter speeds of about 1/250 or 1/200 too.

So, flash is not an easy solution for sports shooting...for a variety of reasons...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

But are you following your own advice...just saying...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

And of course D5 and Canon 1Dx MkII are super cameras for sports if you want to spend the money... But for a Nikon shooter you can have 3-4 D500 for what 1 D5 costs...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

And if it is noisy it is always an option to convert it to black and white...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

D500 is an awesome sports camera if you can afford to own one...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Generally I would set ISO manually and not use Auto ISO. 100-400 outdoors, 400-1600 indoors and higher in really dark indoors.
Of course these are only rough guidelines as it depends on what you are shooting and how fast it is moving. Sometimes I will shoot drag racing at night at ISO 4000 to 6400 with Speedlites to add light. It comes down to learning your equipment, experimenting and learning. I am a Canon shooter, full disclosure...

You might be able to set the Shutter Speed and the Aperture manually and then use Auto ISO. I think my Canon can do that but the ISO choice can vary widely depending on the metering mode you are using and what you are seeing in the viewfinder.

Best,
Todd Ferguson