Invited to shoot friends son's football playoff game.
Need recommendation for camera and lens.
I shoot D3 and D7000.
h
Have 70-200vrll, 300 2.8 AFS, 80-400VR, 1.4 TC2, etc.
any suggestions
Last year when I was shooting the local HS football games I would use my D700 and the 70-200VRII for the pre-game shots i.e. cheerleaders, introductions of the plays etc., then switch to the 300mm 2.8VRII for the game with a monopod and Nikon MC30 remote switch combination. The monopod was a big plus as the D700/300mm f2.8 combination gets real heavy very quickly. Good luck.
Canon guy here but I shoot a 1D4 (1.3 crop) with a 300 /2.8 and a 5D3 (full frame) with a 70-200 2.8 and it works out great for Friday night HS football. Unless the school you will be shooting at is in the minority and has great lights, I would not use the TC. On average, I shoot 12,800 ISO f2.8 and 800-1,000 shutter speed. Also, put the 300 on a monopod and sling the 70-200 over your shoulder so you can switch between them quickly. Don't be a hero and try to hand hold the 300 - you will miss shots form the time you will take raising the lens up and down. Ideally, you would have a 400 2.8 (I'm saving up) for field sports like this. the 300 will be good out to the middle of the field. You can shoot dramatic plays on the far sideline, but be prepared to crop significantly and have a low keeper rate. This is still better than losing a stop with a TC iMO.
Another reason not to use the TC is you are apparently new to football, it will take some practice to follow the action so a wider field of view won't hurt. That's one of the reason I have waited to get a 400 - the 300 was forgiving with the wider field of view and now that I have a season under my belt, I think I am ready to move up. Hope this helps.
Hopefully you will have access to the sidelines . . .
Andy
I shoot H.S. Football every Friday night.
I shoot with the D3 and 400/2.8 VR on Mono pod and a D300 with 70-200/2.8 VR II and SB-800 for end zone stuff.
I normally set up the D3 on Manual 1/500 @ f2.8 and auto ISO with H3 max.
I would recommend the same settings with the 300/2.8. Then the 70-200/2.8 on the D7000 and probally go with the same settings since the D7000 is a little better ISO wise then my D300.
I always shoot from a kneeling position and keep my second camera at my side for when the play gets to close for the 400. I also move up and down the sidelines with the play depending on what type of shot I'm looking for.
I have a d4 and d7000. The d7000 with the 300 is great from the end zone when the ball is in between the 40's. With the d4 (d3) with the 70-200, I will either be even with the qb to catch backfield action or slightly behind to catch defense. You can also move about 15-20 yards ahead of the offense and catch the plays coming to your side. The best lighting is in between the 30 yard lines on most of the fields I have shot, so the d7000 would work great there, 20 yards and in would have to be full frame iso to have a chance. With this combo you have 70-200 and essentially a 450, other way around you have 105-300 and 300. Don't be too afraid to push the iso on the d3, but try to stay under 6400 on d7000. Monopod and knee pads are essential. Don't be afraid to switch the lenses on the bodies between quarters, find what works for you. Good luck.
