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Archive 2018 · X-T2 as 3rd body for sports?

la puffin
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · X-T2 as 3rd body for sports?

I shoot pro sports (MLB, NFL) and looking for options for a small, lightweight 3rd body option. My primary rigs are a Nikon D5 with a 400/2.8 and a D5 with a 70-200/2.8. I'd like a 3rd body for wide angle end zone "jube" shots and post game on field close ups. I want small footprint, light weight and with a reasonably fast WA zoom.

I'm thinking about the X-T2 with the 18-55/2.8-4.0, which is less than 2 lbs, and small enough to hold in a small waist pack. I'll be shooting at up to ISO 6400 and have seen the ISO chart on DPR, and think it's pretty good for a crop sensor. I'd be using a center AF point or maybe Face Detection, but helmets with plexiglass shields can mess with it (in my experience with Nikon). Also, being able to shoot with only one hand and use my pinky to zoom would be nice.

Does anyone have any comments about this set up, given my usage? Depending on the feedback, I'll probably rent this combo to try it out, but if I'm in the wrong direction, it'd be good to know that and look at something else.

Thanks a lot.

Sep 17, 2018 at 02:27 AM

rbf_
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · X-T2 as 3rd body for sports?

I've never shot sports but I think that combo should be able to handle those tasks well. The 18-55 is a great little lens. Give it a try and see. Post with X-Trans files is a little different so you'll need to experiment there. There are some threads here on the differences. I would also check out the AF updates in the XT3 they might interest you.

Sep 17, 2018 at 08:42 AM

voltaire
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · X-T2 as 3rd body for sports?

I would recommend renting one at Borrowlenses which is in the bay area before pulling the trigger on it. When I saw that you're shooting through plexiglass it might focus hunt for you. I've shot sports (not professionally) but never got a chance to use Fuji. The last time I did tracking on the Indy race at Sears Point last year, I was very disappointed. It was probably my technique but I only had about 30% keeper rate but was pushing the limits of IS with cars zooming by at 1/60 on a straight pan. I wanted to capture streaks but got OOF shots instead.

Hope this helps.

Sep 17, 2018 at 09:03 AM

travis.c
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · X-T2 as 3rd body for sports?

voltaire wrote:
When I saw that you're shooting through plexiglass it might focus hunt for you.

Hope this helps.

I don't think she's shooting through plexiglass. I believe she's talking about football helmets that have shields or visors on them messing throwing off the autofocus.

Travis

Sep 17, 2018 at 09:41 AM

la puffin
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · X-T2 as 3rd body for sports?

travis.c wrote:
I don't think she's shooting through plexiglass. I believe she's talking about football helmets that have shields or visors on them messing throwing off the autofocus.

Travis

Yes, that's what I mean.

I've read that the X-T3 has improvements in the AF area, none are available for rent yet. I thought I'd try the X-T2 and see how that goes.

Sep 17, 2018 at 11:54 AM

dakel
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · X-T2 as 3rd body for sports?

I've shot my kids sports (Volleyball, Soccer, Rugby) with the X-T2 and found the AF passable. If I was a pro photographer, I would say that there are better choices. However for your use case, the X-T2 with a semi-wide zoom may work. Probably the best camera for your needs right now is the Sony A9 with a Tamron 28-75 - at least until the X-T3 comes out and gets some real world tests. Hopefully I'll be getting mine soon.

Sep 17, 2018 at 12:56 PM

voltaire
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · X-T2 as 3rd body for sports?

travis.c wrote:
I don't think she's shooting through plexiglass. I believe she's talking about football helmets that have shields or visors on them messing throwing off the autofocus.

Travis

My bad. Sorry about misreading it. Good luck.

la puffin,
Sorry, I meant renting the XT-2 at borrow lenses. Thanks!

Sep 17, 2018 at 03:11 PM

la puffin
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · X-T2 as 3rd body for sports?

dakel wrote:
I've shot my kids sports (Volleyball, Soccer, Rugby) with the X-T2 and found the AF passable. If I was a pro photographer, I would say that there are better choices. However for your use case, the X-T2 with a semi-wide zoom may work. Probably the best camera for your needs right now is the Sony A9 with a Tamron 28-75 - at least until the X-T3 comes out and gets some real world tests. Hopefully I'll be getting mine soon.

This is just for end zone "tube" shots - when the players jump over the stands and into the fans, on field after game close ups and shots in the dugout for baseball. It's not for action - my two D5 are amazing for that.

I've used an a9 and it's overkill for this usage, and I'm not interested in replacing the D5. I'm interested in a used X-T2 because as a 3rd body, it'll get banged around a lot and I rather save a few bucks on it than a X-T3 when it comes out, and I need it within the next two weeks.

Sep 17, 2018 at 06:24 PM

rbf_
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · X-T2 as 3rd body for sports?

la puffin wrote:
This is just for end zone "tube" shots - when the players jump over the stands and into the fans, on field after game close ups and shots in the dugout for baseball. It's not for action - my two D5 are amazing for that.

I've used an a9 and it's overkill for this usage, and I'm not interested in replacing the D5. I'm interested in a used X-T2 because as a 3rd body, it'll get banged around a lot and I rather save a few bucks on it than a X-T3 when it comes out, and I need it...Show more →

Good luck, let us know how it works

Sep 18, 2018 at 08:17 AM

gyoung143
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · X-T2 as 3rd body for sports?

One of the early 'hands on' reports on the XT3 (DPReview I think) compared its af performance favourably as a challenger to the D500, given that its said to be much improved over the XT2 you might see some dissatisfaction with the XT2.
I have an Xpro2 which has the same AF system as the XT2, and I also have a Nikon D7000, which is decidedly old school in AF terms compared to the D500. I dont use af-c much, but when I have done (at some tennis for instance) I found little difference in perceived success rate. You might therefore be better with the XT3 I think.
The lens is good, and so too is the 55-200 if you wanted something longer and still relatively light and small. The 2.8 zooms are as big and heavy as dslr lenses so you lose a lot of the advantage in size and weight that Fuji brings.

Gerry

Sep 18, 2018 at 12:21 PM

Steve Wylie
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · X-T2 as 3rd body for sports?

If it’s not for action you should be fine. For close-in action, I’d say no.

Sep 21, 2018 at 10:41 AM

Daniel Smith
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · X-T2 as 3rd body for sports?

Why not a used X-E2 with lens. Use zone focus set manually and it is a decent "point and shoot" for those grab shots from the end zone and sidelines when you have to move back fast..

Sep 24, 2018 at 05:14 PM

Alanu
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · X-T2 as 3rd body for sports?

If AF is not super critical the X-t2 will do what you like. I would test first to see if it meets your critical eyes as far as IQ and digital noise is concerned.

The XT3 will provide you a world of a difference in AF speed. So far it seems IQ wise it's about the same as the Xt2.

Sep 24, 2018 at 07:58 PM


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