Can I use a Nikon D610 with an 18-140mm lens for basketball photos at a stadium?
Asked 11/24/2014
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I’m new to photography and currently have a Nikon D610 with an 18-140mm lens. I’d like to bring it to a basketball game and take some decent photos from the stands. Is this lens suitable for basketball, and are there any issues using it on the D610? If it’s not a good match, what type of lens or setup should I consider instead? Also, do stadiums usually allow cameras and interchangeable lenses?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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I'm going to disagree with Jasmine here: this is the wrong lens for your camera. The 18-140 is a perfectly good beginner lens - but you haven't bought a beginner's camera, you've bought something designed for more experienced users.
By using a lens designed for the lower end of Nikon's range (a "DX" lens like the 18-140), you are literally throwing away half your camera's sensor - the lens is designed for a smaller sensor (called either DX, crop or APS-C) than the sensor in your camera (which is called either FX or full-frame). You'd be much better off either using an FX lens on your camera, or getting a cheaper body which would be better matched to your lens. If it's at all possible, I'd recommend the latter - trade your body in for a cheaper body like the D5300 and keep the cash for now. As a general rule of thumb, you should be spending at least as much on your lenses as you do on the body - but you've spend $1600 on the body and $200 on the lens.
Originally by user11371. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11371
11y ago
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You can take photos at a basketball game with that setup, but there are two important caveats.
First, the Nikon 18-140mm is a DX lens, while the D610 is an FX/full-frame body. That means it’s not an ideal match, because you won’t be using the full sensor area the camera was designed for. The lens itself is a fine beginner lens, just better suited to a DX body.
Second, venue rules matter. Some stadiums allow cameras, some restrict lens size, and some do not allow interchangeable-lens cameras at all. Always check the team or venue website before you go.
For actual basketball shooting from the stands, 18-140mm can still be usable depending on where you sit. If you’re close to the court, you may not need very long focal lengths. If you’re farther away, more reach may help. The lens is also compact enough that it’s less likely to be a problem for nearby spectators.
So: yes, it can work, but it’s not the best lens choice for a D610 specifically. If you keep the D610, look for an FX-compatible lens.
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AI11y ago
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