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Category: Other Cameras

Photography Question 

BetterPhoto Member 		 

Looking for the right lens .


 
 
I have been looking for the right lens for weeks now. I have purchased the Nikon N80 and it came with 70-300 4.0 sigma lens. I have shot at least 10 rolls of fuji 1600 all indoor action shots (basketall). I need a faster lens I plan to do some fund raising with these photos. I can't believe the response I'm getting with the shots I have, the parents on our team were in complete awww over them. I can see all the grain and some blur in them so Im not satified. I know I need a faster lens. But I can't spend too much because like I said we want to try and do some fund raising with these photos.Im looking for a used Nikon 80-200 2.8. Will this solve my blur and grain problems and are there any filters you would recommend for flouresent lighting. BTW i'm using the the built in flash, or sometimes I mount my old vivatar flash from my old nikon N2000 and set it at its lowest setting so I can get more shots faster. Is it ok to use this flash with my new N80 ? Sorry for the poor grammer. Thanks Pam


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February 28, 2002

 

Jon Close 		  Besides the used Nikkor 80-200 consider the well reviewed Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX. At f/2.8 you should be able to use ISO 400 film.

Re: flourescent lighting (more likely mercury vapor in basketball court) Fuji Superia X-tra 400, and 800 have 4th color layer that helps.

If you don't use the flash, an FL-D filter will correct typical flourescent light to daylight film. Don't use this filter with the flash as your near subjects will be too pink.

Don't know about your Vivitar flash. Some old models have high voltage that can fry modern electronic cameras.


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February 28, 2002

 

John A. Lind 		  I agree with going to the faster lens and trying to use ISO 400 film if lighting level allows. If you do use an external flash, consider puting a small "soft box" on it. It does require greater flash power; most soft boxes reduces flash output by about the equivalent of a stop. It will soften shadows, remove some of its harshness though and produce lighting that appears more natural than bare flash.

Jon's made a good film recommendation, but I disagree with using an FL-D filter for color correction. For all that's gained with a faster lens, it all goes away with an FL-D, including making the viewfinder much dimmer. The FL-D is not a pale filter; it consumes one stop of exposure. These types of decisions are always a trade-off; I'd rather have the brighter viewfinder and faster shutter speed(s). Most gymnasia use mercury or sodium vapor lights, which are neither tungsten nor fluorescent. Filters for color correcting tungsten or fluorescent to daylight film will not correct mercury or sodium lighting to daylight.

-- John


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February 28, 2002

 
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