High ISO Archives - Storyteller

Nikon D5 was worth the purchase.

by Stanley LearySeptember 5, 2016August 13, 2022High ISO / Sports

Georgia Bulldog’s Freshman Running Back #35 Brian Herrien Scored his first collegiate touchdown. In contrast, UNC’s Safety #15 Donnie Miles could not stop him during tonight’s Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game on September 3, 2016, at the Georgia Dome. [Nikon D5, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 45600, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000]

While I have to know where to point the camera, which does take years of expertise to develop, the Nikon D5 camera is coming through on keeping the camera in focus, with great exposure and excellent dynamic range.

One of the settings I used to help me get this photo is using the 72-point dynamic area of AF.

You want to pick Autofocus Continuous mode for sports.

In the menu, Pencil selections, pick AF Activation under the Autofocus settings.

Then choosing the AF-ON will mean when you push the shutter release, it will not focus but fire the shutter to take a photo.

By changing these settings, you will notice the camera will stay in focus and shoot faster frame rate. Great for following a baseball player sliding into a plate and another player trying to tag them, or maybe a football player is running towards you to score. You will find more photos tack sharp in a series.

I generally put my focus point dead center and lock it, so I don’t bump it. However, I am trying to get photos of moving subjects, and off-center is too tricky for me. I may crop later for a better composition, but I want the issue to focus first.

UNC’s wide receiver #3 Ryan Switzer is tackled by Georgia’s defensive back #2 Maurice Smith & defensive end #51 David Marshall. [Nikon D5, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 45600, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000]

The key to getting great photos, regardless of subject, is always preparation. First, it is setting the camera up to execute what you need it to do. Dialing the camera to sports mode on some cameras will come close, but dialing in all the fine-tuning makes a HUGE difference.

Georgia Bulldog’s #2 Defensive Back Maurice Smith breaks up the pass to North Carolina Tarheel’s #3 Ryan Switzer in their win over UNC 33 to 24 during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game at the Georgia Dome on September 3, 2016. [Nikon D5, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 36000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000]

Maintaining focus is very important. You often start following a receiver, as I did here, before the ball arrives. They are not standing still. They also are not running in a straight line. In football, the running tends to be very erratic, and this is where the technology of the Nikon D5 does a better job than every other Nikon that I have ever owned up to this current model.

Georgia Bulldog’s #27 Nick Chubb Tailback pushes for more yardage as North Carolina Tarheel’s defense tries to contain him. Georgia defeated UNC 33 to 24 during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game at the Georgia Dome on September 3, 2016. [Nikon D5, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 40000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000]

Now, this is a tip that has improved my photography more than anything when it comes to photographing sports. Get in a spot where you will see the athlete’s faces. Expressions make a big difference in communicating the effort in a play.

That is the spot I was in to get all the photos you see in this post other than the one I took in the press box of the halftime bands playing. We had another photographer at the same place on the opposite side of the field. So we had the plays covered.

Georgia’s #5 Terry Godwin Wide Reciever is tackled by North Carolina’s #90 Naxair Jones defensive tackle after a reception during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff at The Georgia Dome on September 3, 2016. [Nikon D5, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 40000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000]

In football, if I look into the offense’s faces, then I am where they are trying to go the entire game–The End Zone.

Georgia’s tail-back #22 Brendan Douglas fumbles at the North Carolina 12-yard line. [Nikon D5, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 36000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000]

The other thing is the closer they get to me in the end zone, the more that background goes out of focus. So the most significant plays are often the ones where they are in the Red Zone. The Red Zone is the 20-yard line to the goal.

Georgia Bulldog’s #27 Nick Chubb Tailback is tackled by North Carolina Tarheel’s safety #15 Donnie Miles. Georgia defeated UNC 33 to 24 during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game at the Georgia Dome on September 3, 2016. [Nikon D5, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 36000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000]

If you notice in all these photos, the players, for the most part, are running right at me. Being in the end zone is like being at the finish line of a track and field event. Now, if you are in the end zone, they run to your right and left, but you are not running up and down the field to get a good angle. So you need the lenses to get the photos.

The Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S lens I have fallen in love with, and it is on sale now for $3,399.

I use the Sigma 1.4x and 2x converters. The 2x makes the lens a 240-600mm ƒ/5.6 lens. The 1.4x makes the lens a 168-420mm ƒ/4 lens.

For football, I use the 2x converter almost all the time.

UNC’s tail-back #34 Elijah Hood is pursued by Georgia’s defensive back #35 Aaron Davis. Hood had less than 10 carries during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game at the Georgia Dome. [Nikon D5, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 32000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000]

Now to give those who have older Nikon models some of my insights, here are a few things I love with the Nikon D5.

Nikon D5

Compared to the Nikon D4 I moved up from, I went from 16 megapixels to 20. The frames per second of 2 more frames have made it where you don’t lose sight of the action. At 12 FPS, it looks like a movie in the viewfinder while shooting.

Nikon D4

I gained 3 more stops due to the higher ISO.

Georgia Bulldog’s #27 Nick Chubb Tailback pushes for more yardage as North Carolina Tarheel’s defense attempts to contain him. Georgia defeated UNC 33 to 24 during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game at the Georgia Dome on September 3, 2016. [Nikon D5, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 32000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000]

Buying a Nikon D5 will not make you a better sports photographer. However, if you understand the technical side of photography, the Nikon D5 will let you better capture what you want to do than earlier model Nikon cameras.

Now, if you are like me, with more than 30 years of experience, you know that you need to keep fresh. You need to practice with your gear like a professional musician does daily. Take the time and shoot kids playing sports in your community regularly and refine those skills, which let you anticipate what will happen rather than react. That is the other massive key to great sports photos. Those who can expect will always be a better sports shooter than someone who responds and shoots. They never get the moment.

One last photo for those interested in the highest ISO I shot at during the game. That was ISO 65535.

Nikon D5, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 65535, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000

Nikon D5 with Candlelight Examples

by Stanley LearyApril 4, 2016August 17, 2022High ISO

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 65535, ƒ/4, 1/125

So here is the setup I tried with my new Nikon D5 tonight. One candle and a small bobblehead soldier.

I also left the White Balance on Auto to see how well the camera handled the color.

You can click on the images to see them full size to compare yourself.

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 400, ƒ/4, 3 sec

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 1600, ƒ/4, 1/1.2

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 6400, ƒ/4, 1/5

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 12800, ƒ/4, 1/10

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 25600, ƒ/4, 1/20

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 51200, ƒ/4, 1/60

Nikon D4, 85mm ƒ/1.8G and High ISO are great combination for bands

by Stanley LearyNovember 12, 2014September 13, 2022High ISO / Nikon D4

Nikon D4, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G, ISO 12800, ƒ/1.8, 1/200

I returned to Swayze’s Venue in Marietta last night with my daughter and her friends to see Say We Can Fly.

I put one of his most famous songs here to hear his music. Braden Barrie is a singer who grew up in a small town and felt a sense of abandonment; he shows listeners that no matter our struggles, we always have the power to make it through.

Since I broke my foot less than a month ago, I wasn’t feeling like running around to set up lights. I decided to shoot the entire concert with available light.

A couple of things become a problem when there is very little light in the venue. The primary concern is that bands are moving so slow of shutter speed that they will be a blur.

I love my Nikon D4 camera and combining it with the super-fast lenses Nikon makes, like the Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G and the AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED.

Since Say We Can Fly was the headliner for the night, I took the opportunity to try a few things early on to see what I needed to capture all this with just the lights on the stage. By the way, only three household tungsten light bulbs were lighting the front, which seemed to be in the 60-watt range, with one as a backlight. I think the one in the back is for the drummer to see his drums.

I started shooting the Like Mike band at ISO 51200 and realized that would work, but I decided to continue to compare the different ISOs. But with the punk band Like Mike, I would have had to stay at ISO 51200 because they just bounced around the stage.

Later in the Say We Can Fly set, I would shoot some of the photos at ISO 25600 because I wanted to shoot faster than 1/200 shutter speed. Here you can see one of those photos.

I worked on moving around, trying to capture the slight venue feel, and showing my daughter and her friends down front enjoying the concert.

I also like that my daughter got to meet Braden and interview him for her YouTube Channel.

Besides getting some photos of her interviewing Braden, I also got some posed pictures of her and friends with Braden.

Now the most important photos to my daughter will be the ones with her friends and Braden. One of the front bands got my daughter and friends’ attention, and that was Sanchez.

Here they are with Sanchez.

While I was prepared to shoot low-light concert photos, I also had my flash for a moment just like this with my daughter and friends. There was no light on them, and the flash made this a moment to be held dear to her and her friends.

If I were covering this for a publication, the photos of my daughter with her friends most likely wouldn’t be included like this. Instead, I most likely would have shot a picture of someone taking an image like this to show how this is part of the event.

I love my Fuji X-E2 for my everyday camera with family

by Stanley LearyNovember 10, 2014September 13, 2022High ISO

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/3.6, 1/70

I love shooting with my Fuji X-E2 for family events. I feel I can shoot available light, and the images look fine at high ISO settings.

This Sunday, I was invited with my wife to a wedding shower for a young couple. So I took the Fuji X-E2 and the kit lens 18-55mm.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/3.2, 1/110

One thing that surprises me the most about the Fuji X-E2 is the Auto White Balance. I am a stickler for getting skin tones just right; most of the time, the Fuji system does a great job.

I just left it on Auto White Balance for this event, which I rarely do with my Nikon D4.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/4, 1/30

I used the OIS to ensure that the images were as sharp as possible in this environment in the low light and with slightly slower shutter speeds.

I was pleased with the results.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/3.6, 1/70–with pop-up fill flash set to -1 EV

Now in this group photo, I added the fill flash and did have to adjust the color. In Lightroom, I put the eyedropper on the lady’s shade on the far right to get a better skin tone.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/4, 1/35

Most of the time, I didn’t use the flash and just worked the room, so I wasn’t backlighting a subject. This concept of watching where light comes from is fundamental for the beginner. You will learn over time that having a large window behind a subject indoors will create poor light on people’s faces.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/3.2, 1/18

I don’t feel like I am giving up when I use the Fuji X-E2 in situations like this, so I always carry the Fuji camera wherever I go with my family.

My wife and daughter call it my compromise camera. It is small enough that I don’t have to worry about announcing that I am carrying a camera, and I look more like everyone else at events.

Love the Nikon D4 & Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM for Football

by Stanley LearyAugust 31, 2014September 2, 2022High ISO / Nikon D4

Nikon D4, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM w/ Sigma 2x, ISO 36204, ƒ/5.6, 1/2000

There are a few things that are fundamental technical aspects of a fantastic sports photo:

Well exposed
In focus
Sharp

The Nikon D4 and the Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM with the Sigma 2x converter helps me to get the moments and be just right.

The Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Lens is a telephoto zoom lens featuring a fast, constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. This lens is the first designed under Sigma’s new Sports line, making it well-suited for fast-moving subjects such as wildlife, nature, aviation, racing, and other similar situations.

The built-in OS (Optical Stabilizer) system reduces the appearance of camera shake up to four stops, resulting in a long lens that You can easily use handheld and under low-light conditions. The OS system has two modes; one for general shooting applications and one better suited for panning shots of moving subjects. You can further adjust the OS system to suit your needs through the USB Dock.

Nikon D4, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM w/ Sigma 2x, ISO 36204, ƒ/5.6, 1/2000 [While this is a little noisy for my tastes, the dynamic range is pretty good, and the critical thing is it is in focus, sharp and well exposed]

The Nikon D4 camera features a 16.2Mp 36 x 23.9mm CMOS sensor with Nikon’s FX format and the EXPEED3 image processor. As a result, the camera can now extend ISO sensitivity as low as ISO 50 or as high as 204,800 with a standard range of 100-12,800 ISO. Additionally, continuous shooting in FX format for up to 200 shots in ten frames per second ensures the camera will not miss the decisive moment.

D4’s AF sensor utilizes 51 strategically placed AF points designed to capture subjects as you choose: by working together like a net to capture moving subjects or for pinpoint accuracy. Use a single AF point to home in on the exact place on your chosen subject. The 51 AF points focus on an impressive low light level of -2 EV.

D4 aligns its 15 cross-type sensors in the center to detect contrast for both vertical and horizontal lines with lenses f/5.6 or faster. The five central points and three points to the left and right in the middle line are compatible with f/8. With the Sigma 2x converter, the lens is ƒ/5.6, and the D4 could still autofocus in a low light level of -2 EV at ISO 100. Of course, I had a lot more light than that in the Georgia Dome.

Low light can be sometimes the best mood light

by Stanley LearyJune 20, 2014September 15, 2022High ISO

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/2.8, 1/6

Last night some of the students from PhotogenX were sitting around outside working on the projects they are presenting this morning. It was well past sunset, and just the lights from the court were in the background, but we were sitting where if it were not for the light from their laptops, we would be pretty much in the dark.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/4, 1/13

It would help if you had a camera with an ISO of 3200 or better. I shot these on the Fuji X-E2 using AUTO ISO with the peak setting at ISO 6400.

I opened up the aperture to the widest setting, and since the lens has a variable aperture, as you go to more telephoto, the aperture gets smaller; I was shooting between ƒ/2.8 and ƒ/4.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/3.2, 1/20

As the subjects got closer to the laptops, the screen light would get brighter on their faces. So the exposure changes just slightly when they lean it to see something.

What you will notice is the shutter speed is slower than usually recommended. 1/6 of a second is pretty slow. The subjects were not moving that much, which helped. Had this been some sporting activity, I could not have done this.

I am not using a tripod.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/3.2, 1/20

The vibration reduction system designed for the Fuji X camera and lenses lets me hand-hold images almost 4-stops darker than without this system.

All this means is that as long as you remain as still as possible, the slight movement caused by your breathing and your heart beating will not blur your image.

If you have an older camera that the ISO goes no higher than ISO 1600, this is a great reason to go out and buy some of the newer technology. If you do, look for cameras that will shoot at ISO 6400 or higher. For example, my Fuji X-E2 will go up to 25600, which I have used a few times.

Fuji X E2 vs Nikon D4 Low Light Test

by Stanley LearyDecember 18, 2013September 29, 2022High ISO

[X-E2, XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 6400, 2.3, ƒ/8, (35mm = 73)]

This post compares the two cameras with just the light from a Christmas tree in the room. Custom white balance using the ExpoDisc with both cameras.

Downloadable high-resolution file links are below some photos so you can compare them at 100%.

Here is the setup

Comparison of ISO 6400 ƒ/4 and ƒ/5

[Figure 1] Fuji X E2, ISO 6400, ƒ/4, 1/7

Crop of Figure 1

[Figure 2] Nikon D4, ISO 6400, ƒ/4, 1/2.5 28-300mm

Crop of Figure 2

6400 @ ƒ/8

[Figure 3] Fuji X E2, ISO 6400, ƒ/8, 2.3 [high resolution file]

[Figure 4] Nikon D4, ISO 6400, ƒ/8, 1/1.2, 28-300mm [high resolution file]

ISO 12800 @ ƒ/8

[Figure 5] Fuji X E2, ISO 12800, ƒ/8, 1.0 [high resolution file]

[Figure 6] Nikon D4, ISO 12800, ƒ/8, 1/3, 28-300mm [high-resolution file]

ISO 25600 @ ƒ/8

[Figure 7] Fuji X E2, ISO 25600, ƒ/8, 1/2 [high resolution file]

[Figure 8] Nikon D4, ISO 25600, ƒ/8, 1/4, 28-300mm [high-resolution file]

Conclusion

They are different camera chips. The one on the left is traditional, and the one on the right is in the Fuji X E2.

You have a different look and do not like comparing similar chip designs.

I think the Fuji X E2 rocks, and the main reason I wanted it was to be able to take photos in low light when I didn’t want to carry the Nikon D4. I think it works just fine.

I do not think the Fuji will replace the Nikon D4, especially in shooting sports, but it can replace many situations I am working.

Sports Shooter Question: ƒ/4 Fast Enough for NFL?

by Stanley LearyOctober 14, 2013October 5, 2022High ISO

Nikon D4, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 with 1.4 converters, Shot at 630mm, ISO 51200, ƒ/5.6, 1/2000

I saw this post on Sports Shooter and responded to the question because I think sometimes photographers consider a lens or camera and don’t realize many settings can impact the Sharpness of a photo and acceptable noise for publication.

My Response

With today’s camera capabilities with high ISO, I think using a 300mm ƒ/4 lens for NFL football night or day games should not be a problem.

The question you should always be asking is will the photos of the subject connect with the audience.

I would then even take test shots at different ISO settings and compare the results to how the audience sees those photos.

Here is cropped version of the photo above. Notice one major thing between the two images, display size. Size impacts the noise. Again how will the audience view your work?

If they are primarily a website, you can get away with more than print.

Through the years, I have noticed a few things that impact this discussion on sports.

I have noticed a significant difference in the Sharpness of my photos when I drop below 1/1000.

There are a few factors that impact focus. But, unfortunately, so often, people blame a lens when it could be a few other things.

Factors Impacting Sharpness [which can make something look in or out of focus]

I found separating the shutter from focusing and using the back button to focus, and the shutter release to fire the camera improved focusing.
Adjust the fine tune focus on the camera to match the lens. Each camera is different. I use LensAlign
Many lenses I thought didn’t focus that fast magically were great once I upgraded my cameras to newer models.
My Nikon D4 suddenly got ten sharper images when I upgraded the firmware.
On the Nikon system, we have focus tracking. You can change how fast or slow the computer tells the camera to hunt for change in focus point. Focus tracking can make a difference if something comes between you and the subject ever so briefly [referee]
How many focus points do you use for a sport? Sometimes you need fewer and sometimes more. Controlling your focus points is why the camera manufacturers give you choices so that you can maximize your equipment for each situation.

Here is a quick video showing how calibrating your lens can improve the focus.

//player.vimeo.com/video/2504650
I think you can have a ƒ/1.4 lens that should be tact sharp, but because of all the things I mentioned above will perform poorly.

With today’s cameras’ ability to shoot high ISO, and the autofocus in lower light than before, I think you should be okay with a ƒ/4 lens shooting.

In an earlier post, here are some of my photos from an HS Football game shooting at 12,800.

I was curious about pushing the ISO even higher to improve the Sharpness of photos and get even more keepers, so I went to another HS Football game and pushed my ISO to 51200, and here are the results.

The bottom line is always to test something before shooting for the client.

High ISO is King for Night Events

by Stanley LearyJune 24, 2013November 23, 2018High ISO

Nikon D4, 14-24mm, ISO 12,800, ƒ/2.8 & 1/125

Available Light

I try my best to always look at the light that is present and go with it before I use a flash.

When Nikon introduced the Nikon D3 the ISO on that camera went to 6400 with no trouble. Then Nikon bumped it up again with the Nikon D3S to ISO 12,800.

My newest Nikon D4 ISO goes to 12,800 comfortably and if you really need it you can bump it all the way to Hi-4 (ISO 204,800). The Nikon D4 has other improvements as well with focusing and especially in video.

Nikon D4, 14-24mm, ISO 12,800, ƒ/2.8 & 1/125

In the photo here of singer Marc Brousard singing at the People’s Fest at Atlantic Station the lighting for the stage was very minimal as compared to other music events. For most other major music events at Chastain Park Amphitheater or Verizon Wireless Amphitheater you could easily shoot people on the stage with ISO 400 or 800.

This is important because for the bigger venues you can actually own a much cheaper camera than you need to capture the event when the light is low.

This is true in sports as well. When you are photographing an NFL game at night the light on the field is much better than when you are shooting in a small town at their high school Friday night football game.

Nikon D4, 70-200mm, ISO 12,800, ƒ/2.8 & 1/100

Do you need to go and buy a Nikon D4 for $6,000 without a lens to take photos? If you want the very best ISO 12,800, but Nikon even makes point and shoot cameras that will go to ISO 12,800.

If you want to shoot events like the People’s Fest at Atlantic Station as I did this past Saturday night then you need a high ISO camera. Minimum of ISO 6400 in my opinion will just barely work before you need to add a flash.

Nikon D4, 70-200mm, ISO 12,800, ƒ/2.8 & 1/125

For the photo of the couple I am hand holding a 70-200mm lens at 1/25 and vibration reduction technology is helping, but if they move they would not be in focus. The light from the stage and surrounding shops is helping light them, but barely. ISO 6400 would have me shooting at 1/10 of second. I doubt seriously that I would have gotten this shot without the ISO 12,800.

http://www.whattheduck.net

With the recent dismissal of the entire photo department at the Chicago Sun-Times we can see the times are changing. But there is no way an iPhone given to a reporter will capture the photos I was getting. Also, just to own the Nikon D4 will not get the same results.

You have to know how the camera works and how to make it work for you to get the best photos.

To remain competitive you need to have the best gear to capture the type of photos of the subjects you want to get paid to shoot. If you don’t have the best possible the guy that is able to show a better image because of their gear will get the job.

Remember, it is the photographer with the best images of the subjects that will get the job and not the most expensive gear.

All this is to say, your images decide if you get hired not the gear, but your gear can hold you back to get good images. If you have great gear and not good images then you still want get the jobs.

http://www.stanleylearystoryteller.com/Peoples-Fest

Shooting Volleyball with the Nikon D4 using available light

by Stanley LearyNovember 4, 2012November 23, 2018High ISO / Nikon D4

Nikon D4, 70-200 ƒ/2.8, ISO 12,800, 1/1250, ƒ/4

Today I shot a volleyball game with just available light. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the quality of the images were for shooting under sodium vapor lights.

The Nikon D4 is something I wish I had back in the 1980s. During those years I was shooting sports every week for the daily newspaper that I worked back then. Now I only occasionally shoot sports.

While the Nikon D4 has the high ISO capabilities the new technology of vibration reduction also contributes to the photos being sharper than I can remember.

Nikon D4, 70-200 ƒ/2.8, ISO 12,800, 1/800, ƒ/4

White Balance Setting

To insure I got the best skin tones possible, I used the ExpoDisc. I put the ExpoDisc over the lens and pointed it towards the lights in the gym. I also slowed the shutter speed to 1/100 to be sure I was not catching the lights during a cycle. After doing this for both of the Nikon D4 cameras, I cranked the shutter speed preference in the Auto ISO settings to 1/2000.

Nikon D4 Exposure Settings

Aperture Priority
Auto ISO
- Lowest ISO 100
- Highest ISO 12,800
- Shutter Preference 1/2000

I also was using the Vibration Reduction on the lens to help improve sharpness due to handholding the lens.

With the Nikon D4 you also have auto focus setting as well to choose from.

Auto Focus Setting for the Nikon D4

Continuous Auto Focus
21 Grouping
Kept it centered and locked it
Focus Tracking on Long
Shutter on C-H 10fps

Nikon D4, 120-300 ƒ/2.8, ISO 12,800, 1/1000, ƒ/5.6

My Favorite Angle

This is my favorite angle for shooting volleyball. However, the one thing I would have loved even more was to shoot from a slightly higher angle. The reason for this would help me keep the net from trying to refocus my lens.

Why I like this angle is I can show the team I am covering. You can see their face expressions and while I cannot see the other teams faces, I can see the competition in the body language.

The good thing in shooting up a the players is it gives them this Greek gods feel. I like athlete looking like they are bigger than life. Shooting up at them helps to create this feel.

There you have it, my settings and secret weapon, the Nikon D4.