Choosing a FX DSLR for Sports

MisfitGeek

New member
My first career was as a photographer (in the late 70s early 80s) I used Nikon Fs in the field for sports, Mamiya RB67s in the studio and Mamiya 330s for weddings.

I changed careers and a couple years ago started doing photography again. I'm currently shooting a D200 and a D2H and have a good selection of fast Nikon glass.

I'm shooting mostly regional sports (so daylight or marginal stadium lighting) and indoor.

As I plan to get more serious - I plan to upgrade bodies.

So. I'm hoping you all can help me choose. ( I know D5 someday but it's more than I want to spend now.)

New USA D500, D750 or D850 or a used D810 ($1500 - 22k clicks)

I will be adding a article grip to whatever I end up with.

While the D750 "seems" to have better low light focusing, the D500 appears to be a better sports camera choice (ISO/FPS/etc.) but I could spring for the D850 if it's worth the extra $$$ for my usage.

Then there is also the used D810 mentioned above.

Thanks in advance for your advice!
 

hark

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I have the D750 and D7200 and have used both at ISO 5000 and higher. Both perform well so I'm guessing the D500 would be slightly better than my D7200 at a high ISO. The D500 is that one I'd choose for your situation.
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.
We look forward to seeing more posts and samples of your work.

First off, because of your thread title, you are aware that the D500 is a DX, not an FX camera, right! That being said, the D500 is probably the best choice for sports, that's what it was built for.
 

editorial_use_only

Senior Member
Without knowing what glass you have and what kind of sports you want to shoot, it's difficult to advise.

You didn't mention the D4 or D4s. Is there some reason you're avoiding those? If you're considering used FX, I think the D4 is a pretty good value.

I use the D810 as a second body for motorsports. It's fine but 5 fps is a limitation. Also, AF speed is not as fast as with my D3s. I do not see many D810's on the shoulders of other motorsports photographers. All the other cameras you mentioned, yes. D500, D850 are popular.

For the D850: grip, EN-EL18 battery and body will be much more than $1500.
 

hark

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You didn't mention the D4 or D4s. Is there some reason you're avoiding those? If you're considering used FX, I think the D4 is a pretty good value.

MisfitGeek, this suggestion is spot on. Just so you understand the differences between a few of Nikon's series, the D4/D5 types bodies are mainly geared towards action/sports. You get fast buffering without the enormous files of the D8xx series. The D4/D5 type bodies are FX so the downside is either cropping or having to be closer to the action than if you were to use a DX body. Or use a teleconverter (which comes with losing a stop or so).

The D8xx series have enormous files. This series is great for enlargements or to crop. Owners of this series do require really good technique for hand holding because any slight movement will be captured in these huge files. That isn't a problem when a tripod is used.

The D500 is great for sports because it is a crop factor body plus it has really good buffering. This body can be helpful especially for wildlife and sports where the photographer may not always be close to the subject and if quick shots in succession are required.

The D750 is an all-around performer with exceptional low light performance.

Any of these bodies can be used for sports, wildlife, and general photography, but as editorial_use_only suggested, the D4/D5 bodies would really be the best FX option. The D500 is the best DX option. The D4/D5 and D500 are the true pro bodies that can handle quick action as well as heavy duty use. As I said earlier, any of your suggestions will work for what you want, but since you used to use an F5 for sports, these latter suggestions are more comparable to your F5. Good luck with whatever you choose.
 

hark

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One more thought I forgot to mention. The D750 would be more comparable to the N90s or maybe an F100. It will get the job done but is more of an all-around performer compared to the D4/D5 and D500. Just trying to put things in a perspective you might better understand. ;)
 

editorial_use_only

Senior Member
Oh I realized there may be something else: back-button focus. You'll have that on your D2H and D200, and if it's a feature that you like, the D750 does not have it. I think all the others, the D500, D4, D810, D850, they all have BBF. Also be aware that the D750 tops out at 1/4000. Also the D750 has a slower top flash sync, at 200, than the others.

I'll throw out one other thing. If you have a lot of old legacy glass, you might give some consideration to the Z6. Or Z7. That will have in-body image stabilization.
@hark: Thanks for your comment!
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
Oh I realized there may be something else: back-button focus. You'll have that on your D2H and D200, and if it's a feature that you like, the D750 does not have it. I think all the others, the D500, D4, D810, D850, they all have BBF. Also be aware that the D750 tops out at 1/4000. Also the D750 has a slower top flash sync, at 200, than the others.

I'll throw out one other thing. If you have a lot of old legacy glass, you might give some consideration to the Z6. Or Z7. That will have in-body image stabilization.
@hark: Thanks for your comment!

The D750 does have BBF capability. Here's a vid showing how to set it up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usSF41lo78I

Z6 and Z7 have small buffers and so far it looks like the AF for moving subjects is still better on the DSLRs.

I'd go with the D500. I use it for wildlife and sports, my main interests, and am very happy with it.

Remember that AF speed and accuracy will also be affected by the lens, and that you'll want to seriously consider glass as a part of the equation.
 
Oh I realized there may be something else: back-button focus. You'll have that on your D2H and D200, and if it's a feature that you like, the D750 does not have it.

The D750 does have BBF capability. Here's a vid showing how to set it up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usSF41lo78I

Z6 and Z7 have small buffers and so far it looks like the AF for moving subjects is still better on the DSLRs.

I'd go with the D500. I use it for wildlife and sports, my main interests, and am very happy with it.

Remember that AF speed and accuracy will also be affected by the lens, and that you'll want to seriously consider glass as a part of the equation.

I have the D750 and BBF is all I use. IT does have that feature.
 

spb_stan

Senior Member
Indoor sports, field sports, sideline passes, lens budget, action sports, , how are they published, who is the buyer and do they have a minimum requirement?
Too many unknowns to suggest but of all those, the best for long per outdoor use would be the D4, 5 or 500 due to weather sealing.
If you are doing field sports and can't afford $10,000 for a primary lens, stick with Dx
The Z7 or 6 are unknowns for sports but their buffer is not much of a problem due to the very fast clearing, 13 47mpx raw files in 1 second means essentially unlimited buffer. The Z6 will be even faster with a larger buffer.
Are you ever going to need video...most sports shooters are adding it and if you are, consider the Z6, its video will be much better than the DSLRs.
If you are doing strictly stills and need reach with faster lenses, the D500 saves you $5000 on your first lens. Stick with the pro models if you can afford only one, they will be able to handle the conditions better. Depending on the final output, for the price of a D500 you can get a D3s which is still one of the most rugged cameras ever made, and it is 12mpx so fast clearing the buffer. The D5 has the best auto-focus next is the D500 then D850. It would be better to get two D3s than 1 D850 or D4.
Are these paying gigs, if so, you have to have backups for key devices like the camera body.
Unless you are doing large posters or covers of glossy magazines, 12mpx to 25mpx will be the sweet spot for resolution

So tell us what sports, who is paying for it, what are their file requirements, what field permissions you have and how far you are away from the action?
 
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