D5000 to D7000 for fast indoor action??

[ozscott]

There are some very serious shooters on here, and I am hoping for some feedback.

2 of my sons do tai kwon do - both black belts and the eldest is grading soon for his 3rd dan. Most of their stuff is indoors usually under fluro or sodium vapour lights - poor lighting. Likewise my daughter is becoming hard core as a ballerina and that is low light, high speed at times.

I have a Nikon D5000 that has been very good outside, and for its time had low noise at higher ISO's. In truth though to get in close to the action inside is a nightmare. I have to have fast shutters speeds to capture the action but light is a problem and so with the kit 200 max lens I cant get it fast enough and still have enough light. I dont want to pay extreme dollars for a fast telephoto lens. I do have a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX which must be Nikon's best value lens - outdoor and indoors its amazing, but the problem is that I cant get in close enough to the action when seated in the stands.

I am looking to see whether I go for a new body (I have a few lenses, external flash etc) - a D7000 with its incredible low light shooting ability and combine that with the little 35mm 1.8 stop to use indoors for high speed kicks etc and then, given the 24mp, just crop to give me the 'zoom'.

I could probably get a couple of dollars on the D5000 body in fleabay - its still an excellent little body.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[dullbird]

well I'm no expert

but looking at this comparison http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon_D5000-vs-Nikon_D7000 the D7000 is only marginally better with noise at high ISOs so I would say what would e the point of changing the body?

I would spend the money on some decent glass with good VR which will enable you to hand hold a bit better when you start getting down to the 1/50's.

if your sitting far enough away that you could really do with a telephoto, then I don't think the flash is all the relevant anyway.

its a lot of money but I can not speak highly enough of the 70-200mm with VR it would probably surprise you performance wise in the low light...why don't you hire a lens for one of the events and see how it goes if it works just put the dollars away to get some good glass

While this is not the best example this was taken with my 70-200 on my Nikon D80 it was hand held at 1/30sec (could of been 1/50 but pretty sure it was 1/30) and it was night time at a poorly lit speedway track at Alice springs. This picture has also been cropped so as you can imagine it has noise and its a bit soft. however my point is I captured this at quite some distance away, at night and on a D80 which your D5000 no doubt highly out performs and this car was travelling at lightning speed as opposed to your daughters cabriole :). so its also amazing what a good lens can do.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/564.jpg

[33chinacars]

Not sure of current prices But this from "Catch of the Day"

CatchOfTheDay.com.au (http://www.catchoftheday.com.au/event/25902/product/nikon-d7000-16mp-digital-slr-camera-181626)
D7000

No Battery or memory card

CatchOfTheDay.com.au (http://www.catchoftheday.com.au/event/25902/product/nikon-16-2mp-digital-d5100tlk-slr-camera-w-twin-lens-kit-205278)
D5100 Twin lens kit

Gary

[Mick_Marsh]

I have a D7000 and love it.
I've got to agree with Dullbird though, I'm amazed with the performance of the lenses I have, especially when you flick that VR switch to ON.

[Chucaro]

I agree good lens is the way to go and if you like add a good flash like the SB900 and a Harbor Digital Flash Extender (http://www.naturescapes.net/store/harbor-digital-flash-extender.html)

[Bushie]

well I'm no expert

but looking at this comparison Nikon D5000 vs D7000 - Our Analysis (http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon_D5000-vs-Nikon_D7000) the D7000 is only marginally better with noise at high ISOs so I would say what would e the point of changing the body?

I would spend the money on some decent glass with good VR which will enable you to hand hold a bit better when you start getting down to the 1/50's.

if your sitting far enough away that you could really do with a telephoto, then I don't think the flash is all the relevant anyway.

its a lot of money but I can not speak highly enough of the 70-200mm with VR it would probably surprise you performance wise in the low light...why don't you hire a lens for one of the events and see how it goes if it works just put the dollars away to get some good glass

While this is not the best example this was taken with my 70-200 on my Nikon D80 it was hand held at 1/30sec (could of been 1/50 but pretty sure it was 1/30) and it was night time at a poorly lit speedway track at Alice springs. This picture has also been cropped so as you can imagine it has noise and its a bit soft. however my point is I captured this at quite some distance away, at night and on a D80 which your D5000 no doubt highly out performs and this car was travelling at lightning speed as opposed to your daughters cabriole :). so its also amazing what a good lens can do.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/564.jpg

Actually better than you thought :) according to the exif data


Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/20 second ===> 0.05 second
Lens F-Number / F-Stop = 28/10 ===> ƒ/2.8
Exposure Program = aperture priority (3)
ISO Speed Ratings = 1000
Martyn

[dullbird]

well there you go!!. Thanks Martyn

[ozscott]

Many thanks

[ozscott]

Hi guys. I still have not done anything . I love the shots from the d5000 with my little nikkor 38mm f1.8 but the kit 70-300 is slow and a bit soft. Sometimes the d5000 is a little slow on focus too.

I am seriously considering a Nikon nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 Vr1 OR a d7100.

Would the d5000 with the f2.8 zoom or the d5000 with the kit zoom be better for indoor sports? What about the comparo for outdoor good light rowing?

Cheers

[dullbird]

are you sure you mean 80-200 or 70-200 as the 80-200 doesnt come with VR and according to ken rockwell doesnt work with the D5000

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D Review (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80200.htm)

however it does say in there that you would be better with the 70-200

As for the will the D5000 be better with the 2.8 or the kit zoom, a 2.8 FX lense will outperform any kit lense...generally kit lenses are (budget) lenses built to do the job but just not as well as a pro lense

[Damo89]

Don't listen to Ken Rockwell, he's a bit of an idiot.

I'd go with fast glass. If you haven't got the body yet, go for the D7000 or even a D7100. Grab a speedlight too. Practice lots as well. 70-200 would be great or even a 24-70 as with those bodies they are crop sensors so you're going to be getting a bit extra reach with your lenses.

[dullbird]

He does have the body already

and are you saying that the 80-200 does work with the D5000 then?
From what I have read it wont autofocus

[Damo89]

He does have the body already

and are you saying that the 80-200 does work with the D5000 then?
From what I have read it wont autofocus

I don't think that one does due to the age of it. The lens requires an AF motor in it which that one doesn't from memory.

[dullbird]

So he was OK to listen to Ken Rockwell in regards to that then :p ;):D

[ozscott]

Yes sorry the 70-200 2.8 vr...ie the one considerably dearer than a 7100 body...I am leaning towards this lense to slap on ny d5000. I have a chinese version of a speedlight with radio controller. I shot quite a lot of photos for a children's wear website with the light remote mounted and it gave nice depth to the shots. ..lots of fun. The little 35mm 1.8 prime is brilliant - the nikkor bargain of the century so I woulc like a zoom that approaches that clarity.
Cheers

Ps. Apart from Amazon and evil bay is there anywhere else to look for bargain new or second hand. I cant justfy a vr2 version btw.

[dullbird]

I have never bought from these guys but have considered it in the past...
they have condition ratings on the second hand gear

- KEH.com (http://www.keh.com/search'store=camera&brand=----Digital----&category=Class&k=Nikon%2070%20200&s=1&bcode=Brand&ccode=Class&grade=Grade&sprice=0&eprice=0&r=SE&e)

What I would highly recommend you do if you can though, is just see if you can Hire one for the day (I used a friends before I purchased)...when your going to shoot one of these scenarios. its a lot of money to spend (dont get me wrong they are well worth it)if its a case of you might just be lacking a bit of technique and no how..(not saying you are)

Brisbane Camera Hire - Price List (http://www.brisbanecamerahire.com.au/pricelist)

its just if you hire it and find you are still not getting what you expect the money spent on the lense might be better spent on a short camera course so you get the best out of your camera and any potential expensive lense there after

just a suggestion of course and only to be taken with the best intentions:)

[ozscott]

Thanks dullbirs. I know where you are coming from. I have digested several books on the d5000, done numerous paid online courses and compared notes with friends who do photography and taken many thousands of composed and snap shots with the camera. I will always have things to learn though. I think for indoor sports I have simply got the most out of my gear and am looking for more. I like the idea of lens hire and a photography buff mate told me the same thing that it was a good way to see if a certain combo would fit the bill.

Thanks again
Cheers

[kenleyfred]

I can't comment on any low light fast action, but very recently I finally splashed out and bought myself a new D7100, I only have one lens a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX and am just completely blown away by the cameras ability at night. Without flash the camera is picking up way more than I can see with naked eye.

[Damo89]

Have you considered the Sigma 70-200? Its a lot cheaper and I've only heard great things about it...

[ozscott]

Yes I did thanks mate. I think I might prefer the Tamron equivalent for value.

Thanks all

Cheers

[ozscott]

Fred that f1.8 35mm prime is just a sensational lens! It is amazing what photos it takes.

Cheers

[ozscott]

Ok bit the bullet after much research and bought tbe Tamron 70-200 f 2.8 USD VC...98% of the Nikkor in terms of focus and photo quality at half the price. Cant wait to.shoot with this fast bit of glass. A lot dearer than body ulgrade but I am happy to invest in better glass


Cheers

[dullbird]

Look forward to seeing your results...

[ozscott]

I dont have a Flickry account etc for photos. I did some at 7.00 am early light this morning. Full manual mode. The raw images for these are incredible in detail and colour etc on Capture NX2. This lense focuses VERY fast. From infinity to a difficult close in (not the photos below) is lightening fast. It looks great to peer through too. No processing at all, just some quick shots and save as highly compressed JPG.

Cheers

[ozscott]

GSD

This lens is very heavy. Just bought a Lowepro Flipside 400 to accomodate the gear including speelight and other lenses. I also bought a second Nikon battery so my grip will have 2 batteries. The grip makes it all easier.

Cheers

[ozscott]

leaf

[kenleyfred]

73402

Brisbane by night



73403

Taken at night with only the moonlight. I was amazed at the colour the camera picked up. Tricky trying to focus at night when you can't really see your target.

Nikon D7100

[dullbird]

nice shots I like the one of the leaf

[ozscott]

Cheers mate. Can't wait for mucking around with the lens properly. Looking to have fun with fast action shots including panning.

Cheers

[dullbird]

be interesting to see how it perfoms at the ballet in the low light