D5 low light performance

Hi!

I’m considering getting the D5 for sports photography. I’m currently using the D500 and I’m looking for better low light performance and improved image quality.

I’d like to know how people find it in low light shooting with telephoto f4-5.6 lenses. I have a f2.8 70-200mm but looking for something longer to go with the D5, but longer f2.8s are really expensive.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

I have the whole Nikon sports camera family from D1H, D2HS, D3S, D4S and D5 (and then some). There hasn't been huge improvements in low light image quality since D3S. In my opinion the D4 is the same, the D4S is only maybe 1/4th stop better than D3S, and D5 is maybe 1/3rd stop better than D4S. And these mean that all images are resized to the same final output size and compared side by side.

So, if low light shooting is your goal, any of the pro FX cameras from D3S onwards can deliver the goodies.

But image quality is only half of the story. Both D4S and D5 have autofocus that is miles ahead of the D3 series (or the D4). If you'll be shooting indoor sports or other fast action, D4S and D5 are your best bets, IMHO. The differences between the two are almost academical. I prefer the grip and handling of the D5 though, feels almost like D2HS which has the ultimately best grip of any sports camera, ever. At least for my large hand size.

I really cannot comment much on slow lenses, my slowest lens is f/2.8. I do occasionally use teleconverters though, which bring the aperture down. The AFS 200/2VR2 is almost as fast and accurate to focus with any teleconverter as it is without. The 300/2.8VR and 400/2.8VR both take a small AF speed hit with TC17E-II and a noticeable hit with TC20E-III, but the image quality stays on a very high level. AF tracking is good with teleconverters attached.

Post specific questions and I try to give some answers from my own experience.

shields101 said:

Hi!

I have a f2.8 70-200mm but looking for something longer to go with the D5, but longer f2.8s are really expensive.

Click to expand...

You may want to take a look at the Sigma 120-300 2.8 Sports lens. I found a used one for about half the cost of new, and have been pleased with it after correcting a front focus issue by calibrating it to my D810 with the USB dock. The only problem is the weight, 7.47 lbs. I have found the focal length ideal for the few lacrosse and baseball games I've shot with it.