First try at Volleyball (and first time using D4)

Had my first Volleyball match today. Also got to use out brand new D4 and 300/2.8 VRII. The stuff on the floor was shot with a D3s and 70-200/2.8. I've read on here that many consider volleyball one of the hardest sports to shoot... they are right. Boy did I underestimate the speed of the game. Took me the first set or two to get used to it all. It was actually a really good game as well. The Lady Vols dropped the first two sets, but won the next sets to win the match. Here's a few of my favs below. I have no idea what constitutes good images in volleball, so here is the rest of the gallery: http://www.utsports.co​m/view.gal?id=126558

C&C appreciated as always. Thanks for looking.

#1

Nice action shots - you did well for your first try at this challenging sport.

Wow, these are really good and amazing for a first attempt at volleyball.

Thanks guys. It helped that I looked at the threads of the vball masters like Big K and Zivnuska this morning before the match.

As good as any set of volleyball pics I've seen on here. Very good first effort.

How did you like the D4? I found the 3D focus very helpful for volleyball.

thanks elrey. The D4 is an awesome machine. I noticed a slight overall speed improvement over the D3s. Ergos felt better too, though the AF button is in a weird place on the vertical grip. Thing is a machine gun.... I'm usually not one to burst shot, but it really came in handy a few times.

Never tried 3d focus... I guess I've just heard "sports=single point only" and "don't let the camera make focus decisions" hammered in time after time and never gave 3d much thought. Did you find it pretty accurate? The game is so fast, something like 3d tracking does make sense.

First time? Should I call bs?

Those are very good. Great timing, position, composition, and quality.

I'm afraid to see what you do when you get more practice!

abruckse wrote in post #15092416
thanks elrey. The D4 is an awesome machine. I noticed a slight overall speed improvement over the D3s. Ergos felt better too, though the AF button is in a weird place on the vertical grip. Thing is a machine gun.... I'm usually not one to burst shot, but it really came in handy a few times.

Never tried 3d focus... I guess I've just heard "sports=single point only" and "don't let the camera make focus decisions" hammered in time after time and never gave 3d much thought. Did you find it pretty accurate? The game is so fast, something like 3d tracking does make sense.

I found it to be extremely accurate and it really helped with things like not worrying about the net taking focus or another player running in front of you, etc. Once you depress the shutter halfway or AF-ON button if that's what you do, it locks and tracks the subject throughout the frame. I would lock on the person I predicted would get the dig or spike and it did the rest, regardless of what came between me and the subject. One thing, once you lock, the focus point will jump around on the subject, keeping whatever piece of them is visible to you, in focus. At first it freaked me out but you quickly get used to it. And you're right, it is a beast of a camera. SPEED

PhotoGeek wrote in post #15092444
First time? Should I call bs?

Those are very good. Great timing, position, composition, and quality.

I'm afraid to see what you do when you get more practice!

LOL, thanks! I started shooting sports at the beginning of the year, so I hadn't shot fall sports like vball and soccer before.

elrey2375 wrote in post #15092446
I found it to be extremely accurate and it really helped with things like not worrying about the net taking focus or another player running in front of you, etc. Once you depress the shutter halfway or AF-ON button if that's what you do, it locks and tracks the subject throughout the frame. I would lock on the person I predicted would get the dig or spike and it did the rest, regardless of what came between me and the subject. One thing, once you lock, the focus point will jump around on the subject, keeping whatever piece of them is visible to you, in focus. At first it freaked me out but you quickly get used to it. And you're right, it is a beast of a camera. SPEED

Whoa, I had no idea that it worked like that... does sound pretty freaky. I'll give it a shot.

Quick stupid question. What's the technique on getting through the net shots? I tried single point focus on the face with not so great results and through the net gave mixed results and caused a lot of hunting. Prefocusing a little behind the net and waiting got a few decent shots.

abruckse wrote in post #15092515
Quick stupid question. What's the technique on getting through the net shots? I tried single point focus on the face with not so great results and through the net gave mixed results and caused a lot of hunting. Prefocusing a little behind the net and waiting got a few decent shots.

People will tell you to focus on the legs, but I've never found that to be very helpful personally because it limits the positions/angles you can shoot from if that's how you are always going to do it. For spikes, before I used the focus tracking, I would simply wait until they jumped up and nail them with the focus point right in the chest area. Any pro-level camera coupled with a good lens is going to AF fast enough to do it that way. I use the shutter halfway to achieve focus also, so once I focus on a player, it's not hunting for something else to focus on until I repress the shutter again. I think you are good enough that you'll find a way that works for you. To be honest, if all else fails, I just shoot through the net. The viewfinder is good enough that you can tell whether it's player or net you're focus is grabbing.

Gotcha. I think part of it is getting a better (higher) angle. I might try the 400mm from the upper level next game.

Dang, business must be good if you're upgrading from a D700 to a D4 and 300 f/2.8!!

Great shots, by the way. The last one made me laugh, good moment captured. #4's my fav.

Oh no.... I couldn't even dream about affording this stuff. Broke college student here.

I intern as a photographer for the University's athletic department. The D7000 and lenses in my signature line are part of my personal kit. They own and provide the fancy stuff. They recently approved the purchase of a bunch of goodies, including the D4 and 300/2.8.

Thanks for the comment. I was really pleased with the way #4 turned out... very graceful.

abruckse wrote in post #15097092
Oh no.... I couldn't even dream about affording this stuff. Broke college student here.

I intern as a photographer for the University's athletic department. The D7000 and lenses in my signature line are part of my personal kit. They own and provide the fancy stuff. They recently approved the purchase of a bunch of goodies, including the D4 and 300/2.8.

Thanks for the comment. I was really pleased with the way #4 turned out... very graceful.

Don't worry, they can afford it. Tell them you need a 400 2.8 for football and soccer.