Lens help for Karate

[Kaye]

I used the following photograph as an Advertisement for our local Little League baseball. The Rec Center now wants me to make one for each sport. My only problem is basketball and karate are inside sports. Any advise on what type of lens I should purchase to help with the low light situations. I have a D90, Nikon 55-200 (kit lens), Sigma 24-70, Nikon 18-108mm (kit lens) and Nikon 70-300mm. Not sure if any of these will handle action shots inside. Please help me with this..



Thanks
Kaye

[zona5101]

Any reason why you can't stage a few shots of the indoor sports? Couple kids poised in their gear, tripod maybe flash. bam.

[Kaye]

Yes for the advertisement. But they also want some action shots during the games. Some of the parents that purchased photos (of baseball) similar to the one above really liked them. Now they want one of their kids playing other sports too.

[zona5101]

ok, got it. 70-200 f2.8 or 85 f1.4 and you'll probably still need to lean on your iso to get your shutter speed up...
I've shot basketball with a 50 as well and if it is in the nearcourt you'll be fine...down court the kids are too small in the frame.

[GadgetRick]

I'll 2nd what zona said.

You ARE getting paid for these, right? Don't do stuff for nothing! They'll keep asking you to do more...

[Kaye]

No I am not doing them for free. We only go out now and take photos if the parents ask us to photograph their child (not the whole team or tournament anymore).

My options are buying a new lens that will help with the low light or a new D700, but wasn't sure the D700 would help as much as a new lens.

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by Kaye

No I am not doing them for free. We only go out now and take photos if the parents ask us to photograph their child (not the whole team or tournament anymore).

My options are buying a new lens that will help with the low light or a new D700, but wasn't sure the D700 would help as much as a new lens.

Well, I wouldn't do it for free to be quite honest with you. Even if you charged a little bit, it would make your time worth it. Remember, your time is worth money. EVERYONE wants stuff for free.

Heck, I coach my son's baseball team. People have approached me about shots of their son I've done. I've told them they could buy the photo. Just not giving it away any longer.

Also, you mention you've got a D90. Honestly, that's one of the better low-light cameras (i.e. high ISO) out there other than serious pro cameras and full frame cameras. You'll be fine with the D90 at high ISOs. So I agree glass would be your best bet but the glass isn't going to help you (so much) with low light unless you're shooting with an f1.8 lens (of course f2.8 does help but not in LOW light--you still need to bump ISO in most cases).

[Kaye]

We took some photographs at a tournament this past weekend (request only) of some of the boys. Below is one of the examples. I took the photos home, uploaded to Zenfolio and then the parents email and either purchase a CD or request we do a Sports Specialty photo, which they also have to purchase. Two mother's have asked that we take beach photos of their families but I have no idea what to charge. I am in no way a professional, but agree that giving them away (have been doing that for years) is not going to happen anymore.

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by Kaye

We took some photographs at a tournament this past weekend (request only) of some of the boys. Below is one of the examples. I took the photos home, uploaded to Zenfolio and then the parents email and either purchase a CD or request we do a Sports Specialty photo, which they also have to purchase. Two mother's have asked that we take beach photos of their families but I have no idea what to charge. I am in no way a professional, but agree that giving them away (have been doing that for years) is not going to happen anymore.

Glad to hear it!

What are you using to compose the final product? I like it and may look to offer it in my area if you don't mind.

[Kaye]

Adobe Photoshop. I'm just learning layers and having a blast doing them. I have a few only examples on my Flickr if you would like to take a look at them. The parents love them.

I have no problem with you offering them.