Quote Originally Posted by freygr
I guess before the next Horse show at the indoor arena if I'm going to take photos I'm also going to have to get the 80-200 with a D300 or D3. Even with the 50mm F1.4 at ISO800 there was too much noise with my D70. I hope I can get something other than a plain ground glass view screen in the D300 or D3.

Fast lenses are great, and the faster the better in my book. I actually shot one of the team dances with my 50mm f1.4. The majority of the shots were taken with the 80-200mm f2.8.

Grain is noticeable at ISO 800 with the D200, but it's what I had to do. The D3 or D300 is so far ahead of everything else out there in that regard (ISO performance) right now, and I would dearly love to have one!

In the meantime, try using spot metering, the fastest lens you can use, and use the lowest ISO you can get away with.