Opening Day at the ball park

[rawpaw18]

Well not the major league, yet. This is his first time playing baseball.
Game face, very intimidating.
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Chris' first hit, a TRIPLE. 2 for 4 last night.
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Hope the scouts didn't see this bobble.
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[coldrain]

Nice photos, proud dad.

[D70FAN]

Those was the days... two sons 10 years apart and 2 four year cycles as T-Ball, and Minor league coach. Dragging around the equipment and practice. That, was fun...

... oh yeah I forgot about parents at the games (even T-Ball). But the kids (even my own) were fun.

Anyway, takes me back a couple of years. Great pics.

[rawpaw18]

Thanks for stopping by George and Cold.
George I have seen your photos at the games and they look great. Any pointers so that mine don't look so snapshotish. My inexperience shows
but I am always willing to learn. I had to take some of the shots through a chain link fence.
I have yet to order the Sigma 70-200 2.8, because I want to see the price of the new one with the macro. I e-mailed Sigma4less about its arrival but they don't have a clue when. I realize that the lens is not going to fix my inexperience, but I would like to get closer and sharper photos.
Shooting kids sports seems to mostly require timing, but if you have any advice I would greatly appreciate it.

[D70FAN]

Thanks for stopping by George and Cold.
George I have seen your photos at the games and they look great. Any pointers so that mine don't look so snapshotish. My inexperience shows
but I am always willing to learn. I had to take some of the shots through a chain link fence.
I have yet to order the Sigma 70-200 2.8, because I want to see the price of the new one with the macro. I e-mailed Sigma4less about its arrival but they don't have a clue when. I realize that the lens is not going to fix my inexperience, but I would like to get closer and sharper photos.
Shooting kids sports seems to mostly require timing, but if you have any advice I would greatly appreciate it.

Of all the types of photography that I "practice" sports is the toughest. The photos I have posted were to illustrate the cropability of the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 and cropping helps to isolate the action, so maybe that's one of the keys. With the 70-200 f/2.8 you could extend that capability.

We have a couple of sports shooters here, so you might want to post the question separately, and maybe on the general dSLR board to get responses from more than just Nikon shooters.

As a final note: your shots look fine to me. Again maybe minor cropping of the action would help. Sorry, didn't have the original to work with.;)

[jcon]

I can confrim what George said, atleast for me anyway, cropping is everything, if you dont have the super long tele. I am into sports shooting and currently am stuck with usin the Sigma 18-125 til my 80-200 is paid for:D The following was taken at Wrestlemania in Chicago. I cropped this Picture alot. Just an example of what croppin can do. Once I hit the ball field later in the year, Ill post some results(hopefully with the 80-200).

[D70FAN]

A good example of cropping for effect. You should also have used D-lighting for a little pop (I love this feature of NC4).

[rawpaw18]

I had cropped some, since everything was shot at 70mm end and I still wanted to get closer. Thanks for the info, I have quite a few more games to "practice" on. Thanks for the help.

[arctic_hawk2003]

I love sports shots. I bought my D50 because we needed a family camera since our last one died, a film camera at that. I thought about getting one of those little digital camera but they don't do such a good job on fast moving sports. If the folks borrow it, just set it on auto & they are good to go! When it is in my hands, I can have my fun too!

Just a pic of my bike... Just wish some one could take a few more pics of me on it while I moving!
http://www.arctichawk2003.mtbhost.com/X01/060416_6.jpg

[D70FAN]

I love sports shots. I bought my D50 because we needed a family camera since our last one died, a film camera at that. I thought about getting one of those little digital camera but they don't do such a good job on fast moving sports. If the folks borrow it, just set it on auto & they are good to go! When it is in my hands, I can have my fun too!

Just a pic of my bike... Just wish some one could take a few more pics of me on it while I moving!

Welcome to the Nikon dSLR board. Always nice to have a sports shooter in the group.

[rawpaw18]

Hawk
Congrats on the purchase, and welcome to the forum.

[arctic_hawk2003]

Thanks guys!
I was a lurker for the longest time until I pulled the trigger on the D50. I am now in the process of looking for a zoom lens..... More research & reading!!

[D70FAN]

Thanks guys!
I was a lurker for the longest time until I pulled the trigger on the D50. I am now in the process of looking for a zoom lens..... More research & reading!!

Since you already have a zoom lens, I assume you mean a long zoom, like 70-300. If so, take a look at the Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro. A good consumer grade lens at a reasonable price ($185 at sigmaforless).

[arctic_hawk2003]

Since you already have a zoom lens, I assume you mean a long zoom, like 70-300. If so, take a look at the Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro. A good consumer grade lens at a reasonable price ($185 at sigmaforless).
That sounds interesting & the price is just right! Is there a better quality model above this one with the same zoom capability? Should I be looking for a higher quality unit? I know I might be opening up a can of worms but....


Thanks again!

[rawpaw18]

That sounds interesting & the price is just right! Is there a better quality model above this one with the same zoom capability? Should I be looking for a higher quality unit? I know I might be opening up a can of worms but....


Thanks again!

In that price range it appears to be the best in class. You could jump in the same boat with George and I ,
longing for the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8. Shorter in the tele end, heavier, but very nice optics. Price $725 ish.

[lunchbox]

hey everyone. i keep reading about Sigma lenses. are they as good as everyone keeps saying? i just bought a D50 that came with a 28-80 and a 70-300. i want something a little wider for nature stuff. i grew up shooting standard Nikkor lenses on my Dad's 8008, but i am all for saving a couple of bucks and leaving the Nikkors behind.

[D70FAN]

hey everyone. i keep reading about Sigma lenses. are they as good as everyone keeps saying? i just bought a D50 that came with a 28-80 and a 70-300. i want something a little wider for nature stuff. i grew up shooting standard Nikkor lenses on my Dad's 8008, but i am all for saving a couple of bucks and leaving the Nikkors behind.

Wow, you have pretty much eliminated the wide angle part of your shooting options with the 28-80, and hopefully you are shooting the 70-300 D and not the G. But I digress.

I have had very good results with Sigma lenses on my D70, and I still think that the 18-125 DC is one of the best values on earth as an everyday walk around lens for $230. Do note that now, after about 18 months of heavy use, the lens has a tendancy to extend due to gravity, but this is the case with most long zooms. No big deal unless I'm shooting staight up or straight down.;)

Recently I bought the Sigam 24-70 f/2.8 (yes the extra 4mm at the wide angle end makes a difference). While it is not quite as nice as the Nikkor 28-70 f/2.8 in AF speed and noise, the optical quality is almost identical. the Sigma cost $350 and the Nikkor Costs $1400... a worthwhile compromise.

In the case of the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 there is no compromise in AF speed, noise, and optical quality compared to the Nikkor equivalent ($725 vs. $1600), but the Nikkor has VR (image stabilization). Again, a minor compromise for all but nature shooters... hint: buy a good tripod or monopod.

So here's the deal: If you have the expanded budget, Nikkor pro lenses are no compromise and unbeatable quality. I would never disuade anyone form making the investment. But if you want great optical quality on a budget then consider the Sigma f/2.8 pro grade lenses, and the 18-125DC as an everyday walk around lens.

Samples?:

http://d70fan.smugmug.com/

Most of these images were recorded through Sigma 18-125 and 24-70 lenses (a few with Nikkors as well) many are marked with the lens type.

[lunchbox]

wow. you must live right by me. i have a few simmilar shots of the superstitions. i can't wait for monsoon season now that i have the D50. i borrowed my Dad's 18-55DX and shot for a while at the Desert Botanical Garden. good times. now i really want a new lens.

[D70FAN]

wow. you must live right by me. i have a few simmilar shots of the superstitions. i can't wait for monsoon season now that i have the D50. i borrowed my Dad's 18-55DX and shot for a while at the Desert Botanical Garden. good times. now i really want a new lens.

The lightning shot was taken from my driveway during monsoon. The purple canyon shot was taken a year ago. The superstition shots were taken in March.

I'm in the southeast valley, and occasionally shoot over by Apache Junction. You should try over by the aboritum on 60 headed to Globe. Some nice rock formations and, of course, the aboretum (last time I didn't have my D70 with me).

Try the wild hourses over at the end of Alma School (dirt road) at the Pima reservation boundry fence (stay on the farm side of the fence as wild horses can get a little skittery and I think a permit is required to enter the reservation).

I'm a transplant from the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia, so this has opened up a whole new world of photography for me in the last 2 years. AZ is about as diverse scenery as one can find.;)