I would also save up and by one of the 2.8 lens either 24-70 or 70-200 depending on the reach requirements and even consider getting a sigma lens and see how that goes cause getting a prime lens will require you to move constantly to get the shot you want while the zoom lens you can station yourself at points and zoom your lens to get the shot you want...

I suggest you consider the two 2.8 zoom lenses discussed near the end of this thread. They can be found used for about $500 to $600 and may work for you.

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=4820

Treckie said:

I usually pick a barrel where the light is best and shoot from there; shooting at the wide end of the lens and then zoom out to the telephoto end, capturing the action at the other barrel, then the race back to the finish point. I like to capture the horses as they dig into the turns, kicking up dirt amd dust.

Gosh, great...reminds me of the cars and motos... Very Nice!

Treckie said:

D200 70-200 2.8VR f8 1/320 iso 320
I usually pick a barrel where the light is best and shoot from there; shooting at the wide end of the lens and then zoom out to the telephoto end, capturing the action at the other barrel, then the race back to the finish point. I like to capture the horses as they dig into the turns, kicking up dirt amd dust.

Yes very nice picture..

Nice one, Treckie!

D200 70-200 2.8VR f8 1/320 iso 320
I usually pick a barrel where the light is best and shoot from there; shooting at the wide end of the lens and then zoom out to the telephoto end, capturing the action at the other barrel, then the race back to the finish point. I like to capture the horses as they dig into the turns, kicking up dirt amd dust.

When I shoot rodeos, I use a 70-200 2.8vr or the 80-400 VR. There is quite a range in distance when shooting the barrel races, having a long zoom is a necessity. If you are shooting in the evening indoors, then a large apeture is also needed. It seems the lens choice is pretty obvious, however figuring out how to get the lens at a workable price is the issue. Good luck in your search.

Nhopkins07 said:
Postman will my lenses fit a nikon d300?? I have a friend that has one?

I think you mean D3000, not D300?

For the D3000 you'll really need AF-S lenses. Basically the D3000 doesn't have a focus motor in the camera body, so you need to chose a lens from the AF-S line, which are lenses with inbuilt focus motors.

The D300 has a motor in the camera body however. The Nikkor 70-200mm 2.8 is an AF-S lens so you're covered either way.

Is that what you mean?

EDIT: misread your post sorry, the D300 is a pro DX body, so you've nothing to worry about either way.

All Nikon AF and AF-S lenses will function on the D300.

Postman said:
Thinking about this a little more, the 85 is fantastic but you've got that question mark over the focal length usage issue. The definitive answer to that being a fast zoom, isn't the answer because of budget.

What I might be tempted to do if I was you, given that you're already getting sell-able results with your existing kit and making money, is buy the 85 and another used D3000 body, they're going for absolute bobbins on a certain online auction site - sell a few photos and you'll get that money back in no time. Stick your existing lens on one body and the 85 on the other, that way you're less likely to miss any shots if the action is happening at a spot not best suitable for the 85.

Postman will my lenses fit a nikon d300?? I have a friend that has one?

rburgett said:
If you want to get some good advice from somebody who shoots rodeos, go over the Fred Miranda forums and search for Trenchmonkey aka Will Herschler.

He's very good and is extremely helpful to newbies. He also is a big proponent for showing how you can get good results with less expensive equipment. My guess is he'll tell you to use primes.

Try sending him a PM or email. I'm sure he'll be very helpful.

Rick

You can find trenchmonkey on Nikon Cafe also. I have seen some of his barrel racing pics that he took with the 17-35 f/2.8. He would be the person to talk too since you both shoot rodeo's. I would also consider buying used gear when possible if you're on a tight budget. There are good deals on Fred Miranda, Ebay, and elsewhere.

Geoff_K said:
Sigma makes one. I have the earlier version and thought it did quite well, though I use the Nikon 70-200 now.

I will eventually own the Nikon 70-200 ..

jonnyapple said:
It's really too bad Nikon still hasn't come out with a 50-150 f/2.8 for DX. It would probably still come in at $1500, though.

Sigma makes one. I have the earlier version and thought it did quite well, though I use the Nikon 70-200 now.

You can also find a pretty good deal on the D5100 and well the new D3200 isn't a bad price either. Both would be a step up or two in technology and picture quality. Better ISO capability might help as well as the lens.

Postman said:
What I might be tempted to do if I was you, given that you're already getting sell-able results with your existing kit and making money, is buy the 85 and another used D3000 body, they're going for absolute bobbins on a certain online auction site - sell a few photos and you'll get that money back in no time. Stick your existing lens on one body and the 85 on the other, that way you're less likely to miss any shots if the action is happening at a spot not best suitable for the 85.

Back in the day, when zoom lenses were crap, I never went anywhere without two camera bodies, usually one with high ASA (ISO) film and one with lower ASA film, and different prime lenses. That was the only way to shoot sports without going crazy. I think this - getting a second body and a prime lense - is a decent alternative (to buying a 70-200 VRII) for you.

rburgett said:
If you want to get some good advice from somebody who shoots rodeos, go over the Fred Miranda forums and search for Trenchmonkey aka Will Herschler.

He's very good and is extremely helpful to newbies. He also is a big proponent for showing how you can get good results with less expensive equipment. My guess is he'll tell you to use primes.

Try sending him a PM or email. I'm sure he'll be very helpful.

Rick

***I LOVE THIS FORUM ALOT THANK YOU!!

Postman said:
Thinking about this a little more, the 85 is fantastic but you've got that question mark over the focal length usage issue. The definitive answer to that being a fast zoom, isn't the answer because of budget.

What I might be tempted to do if I was you, given that you're already getting sell-able results with your existing kit and making money, is buy the 85 and another used D3000 body, they're going for absolute bobbins on a certain online auction site - sell a few photos and you'll get that money back in no time. Stick your existing lens on one body and the 85 on the other, that way you're less likely to miss any shots if the action is happening at a spot not best suitable for the 85.

Yes im glad you suggested this too, its cross my mind a few times... Thank you

rburgett said:
If you want to get some good advice from somebody who shoots rodeos, go over the Fred Miranda forums and search for Trenchmonkey aka Will Herschler.

He's very good and is extremely helpful to newbies. He also is a big proponent for showing how you can get good results with less expensive equipment. My guess is he'll tell you to use primes.

Try sending him a PM or email. I'm sure he'll be very helpful.

Rick

Thank you so much I will get on that to get more info!! Just what im looking for also, you all have been so helpful and not bashing a newbie!!!

Thinking about this a little more, the 85 is fantastic but you've got that question mark over the focal length usage issue. The definitive answer to that being a fast zoom, isn't the answer because of budget.

What I might be tempted to do if I was you, given that you're already getting sell-able results with your existing kit and making money, is buy the 85 and another used D3000 body, they're going for absolute bobbins on a certain online auction site - sell a few photos and you'll get that money back in no time. Stick your existing lens on one body and the 85 on the other, that way you're less likely to miss any shots if the action is happening at a spot not best suitable for the 85.

If you want to get some good advice from somebody who shoots rodeos, go over the Fred Miranda forums and search for Trenchmonkey aka Will Herschler.

He's very good and is extremely helpful to newbies. He also is a big proponent for showing how you can get good results with less expensive equipment. My guess is he'll tell you to use primes.

Try sending him a PM or email. I'm sure he'll be very helpful.

Rick

tcole1983 said:
Search Nikon 85 F1.8G and there was a website sportshooter.com Someone was looking at the lens and the second post or so has a link to someone shooting it during a basketball game. Check it out...looks good to me for action.

I would say the person doesn't know what they are talking about in the review. Action with any lens can be hard in low light. In good light you can shoot any lens and get great results. So anyway...if a fast prime can't be used for action then you are SOL because they are usually lightning fast focusing and the largest apertures :)

Thanks I will take a look at it!

jonnyapple said:
+1

Here is link to a few pictures from my first youth rodeo the bull riding was what alot of people were wanting and it was completly dark at this time beside arena lights, this is main arena i shoot in which is covered but light still exposed outside (day/night)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79619488@N06/

I see the problem with any of the primes being that yours is a three dimensional sport and so any fixed focal length lens is only going to give decent images on a small-ish area of the pitch or whatever its called (sorry, we don't have those sports over here in the UK but I can still see the problem). With a zoom, you are following the action with the zoom ring but with the prime you have got no choice.

tcole1983 said:
I would say the person doesn't know what they are talking about in the review. Action with any lens can be hard in low light. In good light you can shoot any lens and get great results. So anyway...if a fast prime can't be used for action then you are SOL because they are usually lightning fast focusing and the largest apertures :)

+1

Can you post a link to them, Nhopkins? Nikon has a patent for a 50-150 or 50-135 f/2.8 DX. There are non-nikon alternatives, but I haven't used them. Sigma and Tokina both make/made a nikon-mount lens at that focal length. Tokina has a better reputation and their 50-135 definitely had better reviews than the sigma. That might be just what you're looking for, but it's discontinued so you'd have to find it used.

About the 85: it would be great for action shots if it's the focal length you need (you'd be the one to ask whether it is). For stopping subject motion, the f/stop is more important than VR. At the shutter speeds you'll be using (prob 1/500ish), you won't miss VR on an 85mm.