question re the Nikon 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6G

[mark225]

very much a newbie --- I have a Nikon D50 which I really like.

I am trying to take sports photos of my kids diving -- mostly indoors (they dive at the Georiga Tech natatorium) and cannot get the speed fast enough to stop the action

I purchased the Nikkor 70-300 -- seemed like a good starting place, but maybe not.

I really am NOT interested in NOW spending money for the Nikon 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF DX VR Lens, but .... it seems that is the only option

Question -- is the f stop of 3.5 (on the Nikon 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6G) going to make that much a difference (compared to the Nikkor 70-300 f/4.5-5.6)???? Or am I missing something???

other thoughts or suggesiotns??

mark

[RTaylor]

well the 18-200 is a VR lens meaning vibration reduction that will help in getting clearer shots hand held.

What you can also try with the 70-300 would be to put it on Shutter priority instead of aperture priority. That way you have your speed set and let the aperture adjust itself.

also since you are indoors and also needing a faster film so to speak, you should set your ISO higher, like ISO400, you might even be able to go up to ISO 500 but test a few first.
Try a couple test shots on kids that arent yours, so if you dont get it right at first, at least you wont miss your own kids

Maybe some others have more ideas that can help you as well.

[mark225]

I didn't o into everything I tried......buthere it is:

ISO 200, 400 800 -- I even tried 1600; all were tried with various modes "A" P, S A M and sports

when I tried to use the shutter speed fast enough to stop the action (1:500 or above), the pictures were too dark.

that is why I was thinking that I needed a lens with the capabaility ofr a faster f stop....but I am very much a beginner and really want someone with experieince to say so BEFORE I go and speind that much money.

To compaound the problem, some of the diving boards have windows with daylight BEHIND the boards -- but that problem is separate from my inability to "STOP" the action

mark
****************

well the 18-200 is a VR lens meaning vibration reduction that will help in getting clearer shots hand held.

What you can also try with the 70-300 would be to put it on Shutter priority instead of aperture priority. That way you have your speed set and let the aperture adjust itself.

also since you are indoors and also needing a faster film so to speak, you should set your ISO higher, like ISO400, you might even be able to go up to ISO 500 but test a few first.
Try a couple test shots on kids that arent yours, so if you dont get it right at first, at least you wont miss your own kids

Maybe some others have more ideas that can help you as well. [/i][/COLOR][/SIZE][/quote]

[eketelon]

Dude, sorry to hear about the dilemna, but as an idea, try the nikonians.org boards for advice too. They've helpe me with many many questions/problems. I too, want do some sports photography but I haven't got the settings quite right. I'm going to check out Nikonians this evening. Goodl luck and happy shooting.

[mark225]

thanks for the suggestion