Teenager Duke of Edinburgh photography - sports

p1tse

p1tse

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My son is thinking photography as part of Duke of Edinburgh

He’s thinking of going down to local field hockey games to take photos

I have an old Nikon D90 he could use and learn. Although I only have a 50mm f1.8 or the 18-200, the latter would be good for reach of the action, but quality and speed isn’t great.

Is there a good used cost effective lens which would be better suited?

Thanks
 
Thanks both
I’ve been really out of touch and like the suggestions

I like the idea of the 300 reach, but out of the 70-300 and 55-200; which would give better quality at 100 and 200mm?
 
p1tse said:
Just reading this. It’s an ED. I’m a bit out of touch but what is DX and how will it affect with no VR?
Click to expand...
Sorry, literally typed Nikon 70-300mm into MPB and that's the first thing that came up. I don't really know much about Nikon's, I was a Canon user and now have a Fuji. I think DX is Nikon-speak for an APS-C size sensor which it looks like the D90 has so it will fit. No VR would be a challenge but if you're shooting hockey I'd imagine you're going to want pretty high shutter speeds to freeze the action anyway
 
Thanks. I’m now looking at the 70-300 DX with VR but almost double the price used , unless anyone is generous enough to sell their old one for a good cause at a good rate :)
 
The D90 has a built in AF motor, so you can take advantage of the older AF-D lenses....

There's two that I'd consider, MPB has a ropey 80-200 2.8 in heavily used condition, it's my old one.... it looks like it's been through a war, but optically, it's spectacular, highly recommended. Or, there's the Nikon AF 180 2.8 - it's a fixed length lens, but one of Nikon's forgotten about gems, IQ wise, it's one of the best out there, and side by side with the 200 f2 aperture for aperture, you can't really tell them apart, price and weight aside haha

The older 80-200 'push-pull' is cheaper still, but AF is really slow, it's possible to shoot hockey with it ( I have several times) and is another good option, IQ wise, superb.


This was shot (ages ago) on a D7200 with the push pull 80-200 in the rain at Loughborough University:

DSC_8497 by RO Photography, on Flickr
 
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p1tse said:
Thanks. I’m now looking at the 70-300 DX with VR but almost double the price used , unless anyone is generous enough to sell their old one for a good cause at a good rate :)
Click to expand...
You might be getting confused. You can get the regular 70-300 VR (non DX) which will be a perfect lens on a reasonable budget. Optically it is very good I am told.

DX lens would work very well on the D90, but I'd suggest the FX equivalent..

An alternative suggestion would be the 1st incarnation of the 70-200/2.8, on the D90 it would be an equivalent of 105-300/4. Then a 1.4x teleconverter which would give it an angle of view equivalent to 420mm (5.6) on a full frame. The benefit of the 70-200VR is that it allows you to shoot hand held at lower light....ideal I think for hockey.
 
toohuge said:
The D90 has a built in AF motor, so you can take advantage of the older AF-D lenses....

There's two that I'd consider, MPB has a ropey 80-200 2.8 in heavily used condition, it's my old one.... it looks like it's been through a war, but optically, it's spectacular, highly recommended. Or, there's the Nikon AF 180 2.8 - it's a fixed length lens, but one of Nikon's forgotten about gems, IQ wise, it's one of the best out there, and side by side with the 200 f2 aperture for aperture, you can't really tell them apart, price and weight aside haha

The older 80-200 'push-pull' is cheaper still, but AF is really slow, it's possible to shoot hockey with it ( I have several times) and is another good option, IQ wise, superb.


This was shot (ages ago) on a D7200 with the push pull 80-200 in the rain at Loughborough University:

DSC_8497 by RO Photography, on Flickr
Click to expand...
Thanks do you have a link of the said item for sale?
 
welshwizard645 said:
You might be getting confused. You can get the regular 70-300 VR (non DX) which will be a perfect lens on a reasonable budget. Optically it is very good I am told.

DX lens would work very well on the D90, but I'd suggest the FX equivalent..

An alternative suggestion would be the 1st incarnation of the 70-200/2.8, on the D90 it would be an equivalent of 105-300/4. Then a 1.4x teleconverter which would give it an angle of view equivalent to 420mm (5.6) on a full frame. The benefit of the 70-200VR is that it allows you to shoot hand held at lower light....ideal I think for hockey.
Click to expand...
Thanks
Any examples of used and prices ?
 
toohuge said:
80-200: https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/product/nikon-af-nikkor-80-200mm-f-2-8d-if-ed-two-touch/sku-1614822

180: https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/product/nikon-af-nikkor-180mm-f-2-8-ed/sku-1551917

the 70-200 vri listed above is a great piece of kit too. Not sure how far your budget will go, but it's also a very good lens.
Click to expand...

Thanks
For a beginner I think non fixed and zoom will be better, so will look at your old 80-200; I assume better than the options listed but I like the idea of 70-300 reach; but if the speed and quality is poor for hockey, then 80-200 might be better.
Although what’s the push pull one you mention?
 
Is this the older push pull?
www.ebay.co.uk

Nikon AF Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8D ED | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Nikon AF Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8D ED at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.
www.ebay.co.uk
 
Sport isn't all about reach, and the difference between 2-300mm on a hockey pitch is surprisingly small.
The 2.8 zooms from Nikon have all been optically excellent and, although they are slow to focus, are excellent value for money.

Yes, the older 'push pull' refers to the zoom mechanism, the one you've linked to is the early first iteration, which is very slow to focus, the later push pull is supposedly faster, however, both a slow comparted to the 'two touch' or the afs lenses.
 
What does two touch mean
Is your old one slow on focus?
 
p1tse said:
What does two touch mean
Is your old one slow on focus?
Click to expand...
The two touch refers to the AF-D zoom lens that has two rings, one for focus and one for zooming. The push-pull as mentioned has a sliding barrel to zoom.
The two touch has the fastest of the mechanical AF, the two touch lenses are renowned for having a weak manual focus engagement mechanism. I wouldn't worry too much about this and I've not come across a lens that hasn't had an issue with manual focus engagement.
 
Thanks
I’ll like to try the 80-200 you mentioned, more so from ergonomics and weight for a small teenager
 
toohuge said:
80-200: https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/product/nikon-af-nikkor-80-200mm-f-2-8d-if-ed-two-touch/sku-1614822

180: https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/product/nikon-af-nikkor-180mm-f-2-8-ed/sku-1551917

the 70-200 vri listed above is a great piece of kit too. Not sure how far your budget will go, but it's also a very good lens.
Click to expand...
Is this the same item but on eBay
www.ebay.co.uk

Nikon AF Nikkor 80-200mm F2.8 D ED Telephoto Zoom Lens Front & Rear Caps & Hood | eBay

The lens coating is in excellent condition and reduces ghost and flare issues. Nikon HB-7 Lens Hood - Specifically designed for this lens to ensure optimal performance. Nikon Front & Rear Lens Cap. The exterior casing is in excellent condition and doesn't have any paint loss or scratches.
www.ebay.co.uk
 
p1tse said:
Is this the same item but on eBay
www.ebay.co.uk

Nikon AF Nikkor 80-200mm F2.8 D ED Telephoto Zoom Lens Front & Rear Caps & Hood | eBay

The lens coating is in excellent condition and reduces ghost and flare issues. Nikon HB-7 Lens Hood - Specifically designed for this lens to ensure optimal performance. Nikon Front & Rear Lens Cap. The exterior casing is in excellent condition and doesn't have any paint loss or scratches.
www.ebay.co.uk
Click to expand...
Yep that’s the same one - but in much better condition.
 
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