D300 vs. D700 vs. Getting A new 70-200mm f/2.8 VR

[photoguy2008]

I am looking for improving my shots with my D80. I shoot sports photography. I am missing shots with my D80 so should I get the D300 or the D700 or should I just get a better lens. The 70-200 f/2.8 VR Nikkor?

Please Repond ASAP Thanks

 

[PhysEd]

Hey Photoguy,

there not so much going on in this forum as I can see, no response so far...

Alright, I'll try my best.
First questions: what kind of sports do you shoot? What lens(es) do you use?

If you think about FX (D700), then you mustn't forget the missing crop factor, might be important espacially when shooting sports like soccer, rugby... where tele is needed.

You need to think about what is the hindering factor about your combo (body+lens). If you have a very fast AF-S lens for example, the only way to fasten your AF is to use another body, in your case a D300.

Without mor einformation it's difficult to give good advice.

Regards
Mike

 

[PhysEd]

...ok just read your other thread.

So you have an 55-200 lens. This is not a fast lens (do you call it that way? I'm Swiss... I mean a lens with a high aperture), for sports especially indoors you need at least a 2.8 aperture in order to get a shot enough shutter speed.

If money is not an issue, buy a D300 + 70-200/2.8 a perfect sports combo.

If money is an issue stay with you D80 + Sigma 50-150/2.8 and/ or Nikon 85/1.8.
Te Sigma is a very compact lens with a good quality and a quite fast HSM AF (although no OS/VR). The 85er is the perfect portraitlens, but also very useful for indoor sports fotography a cheap (compared to the 70-200).

If you buy the Sigma, you might buy twice, because in the long run you do want the 70-200... on the other hand, if you don't have the money, rather take the Sigma now, then not taking any pictures ;-)

Regards
Mike

 

[photoguy2008]

Answers

I shoot high school outdoor softbal, baseball, and indoor basketball. I use a Nikon AF-S DX Zoom - NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED. I use a monopod and for softball to get the batters I am facing the sun and most of the time right into because I have to use where the players gate is that is open becuase I don't have field access. But when I am shooting the players on the field I move to the other side of the field and shoot from there which the sun is either beside or behind me.

 

[PhysEd]

Hi,

as I mentioned earlier, the Sigma 50-150/2.8 can be a cheaper solution to have a 2.8 aperture and I guess to take pictures of the batter 150mm should be enough.

What I would do if I were you: buy another lense first, the 55-200 just doesn't leave enough light through. If you can afford the Nikon 70-200/2.8 VR, if not maybe the Sigma.
Outdoor 2.8 will be more then enough, also in bad weather, indoor it depends on the gym, if its rather professional, the light will probably be enough for 2.8.

After use the new lenses and realizing that 2.8 is just not enough you can still buy a D300 and use it with higher ISO values.

Good luck and keep us informed.

Regards
Mike

 

[photoguy2008]

Another Question

Ok hey. I have a question. If I am not really having problems with lets say frezzing a baseball or bat and I am missing shots with me D80 do you think I should wait on the lens and get the D300. When I say I am missing shots I mean that I will take a picture starting at the beginning of the swing and get one shot then the next shot will be when the batter is following through. What do you think...........

 

[PhysEd]

If I see that correctly, you mean by missing shots, that you would like to make more shots per second right?

Then I think you need a camera with that feature, speaking: a D300.
A better lens gives you more AF speed, meaning your lens will focus faster (wich will probably happen with a new body as well, even more with e good lens).

Could it be, that you have - on you D80 - the time exposure on? I don't know what the English name in the menu, but it optimizes the noise performance of the camera when doing time exposures. If that feature is off, you will have more pics per sec.

My advice: good to a good retailer, take your D80 + new lens and try it out, then a D300 + 55-200, and then D300 + new lens... whatever suits you more.

Sorry, can't help you more, I'm far from a specialist. You might want to ask other people, unfortunately there is not much going on in this forum, nothing really, pitty.

Cheers
Mike