Sports imagery can be one of the most daunting types of photography, even for an experienced individual. The slightest mistake can ruin a shot. Having said that, it’s important to note that in sports you get a lot of chances to get a shot that makes a great impact. Sports photography is a labor of love but in order to go professional, there are a few essentials that a sports photographer needs.
One of the biggest barriers to entry in sports photography is the equipment. It is extremely difficult to take good sports photos without an SLR and long lenses. It also helps if those lenses are fast. It’s not surprising that before long, you realize that you’re looking at a pretty large investment but one that is going to pay off exponentially. For those starting out in sports photography here are a few equipment suggestions:
NIKON D5
Nikon D5 is a serious camera for a reporter or a sports photographer. Everything in this camera, every little thing is set up to ensure a simple and guaranteed result when shooting in any conditions. A few distinguishing factors for this camera are as follows:
– The camera is not afraid of dust and moisture.
– It easily copes with the lack of light.
– D5’s autofocus works so stably and quickly that you simply forget about it.
– The speed of continuous shooting and the large volume of the frames in RAW can guarantee you catching the right moment in any photo-shooting scene.
– The battery makes it possible to shoot for a day without stopping, or limiting yourself with the number of frames.
In other words, the Nikon D5 serves as a primary working tool that is designed to facilitate the work of a professional photographer to such an extent that he doesn’t think about the technical side of shooting at all.
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II
The latest generation of the 70-200mm lens is an exception as Nikon completely redesigned the lens, adding more Extra-Low Dispersion optical elements. The lens is now sharper than the previous version. Nikon also added the new Nano Crystal Coat to this lens, which is supposed to minimize ghosting and lens flare.
Other new features include a brand new ‘VR II’ vibration reduction system, which provides a four-stop benefit over non-VR systems and a new ‘A/M’ focus mode for auto-focus priority.
So, this lens is supposed to deliver better sharpness and vibration reduction, better resistance to ghosting and flares and less vignetting on full-frame bodies. This is one of the best lenses one could get for sports photography.
Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 80-200mm f/2.8D ED Zoom Lens with AF
This medium telephoto lens is fast and accurate allowing the photographer to maintain its fast aperture speed through the entire focal length. The point of consideration is its focus delimiter switch which can help reduce the lens from searching for where to focus which can make capture those key moments in the game more successful. This lens is compatible with full-frame DSLR from Nikon that has a built-in autofocusing motor. Designed with an all-metal frame, this lens is also incredibly durable.
Sports photography is one of the finest professions to pursue. However, it’s not something that can be done through an amateur camera with fingertip count functions. The equipment used for sports photography is quite exclusive and exclusivity comes with a lot of money. Having said that, a brief overview of sports photography essentials is eloquently discussed above. Don’t forget to check this equipment list whenever you’re heading out to buy some new gear.
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