Help me make a wise camera choice before I break the budget

[jennilynn510]

OK so our daughter made an AAU basketball team & we are so excited. My camera is so slow. I'm willing to pay a good amount for a camera that will get me great indoor basketball shots...maybe $500-$700 range. Everytime I try to read about them online I get confused. Can someone PLEASE dumb it down for me I've been looking at the Cannon cause I hear its the best.....HELP

 

[teCh0010]

For basketball you need :

An SLR with good autofocus and fast follow up shots
A zoom lens with large aperture to let more light in (lower number is better)
Low noise at higher ISO for darker gyms

I see a lot of people shooting basketball with a Canon 60D and a 70-200 2.8 lens, but that is $2300 setup with the big chunk being the lens.

One option would be to rent a good lens for really important tournaments, lensrentals.com rents canon glass.

 

[Trishtack]

I am a novice but here is what I know:

For reviews the best place to look is www.dpreview.com. You can click on cameras then click on side-by-side comparisons to compare. To shoot fast and continuous you want to know how many frames per second (fps) the camera is capable of and if it has a burst mode.

Everyone is going to have their preferred cameras. In our family we only buy Canon. We tried Nikon and were very disappointed twice. We have never had a bad experience with Canon and we are on our 5th.

First, do you want a point and shoot digital or do you want an SLR? Simply do you want the camera to do all the work or do you want to be able to control every aspect? There is a learning curve with a SLR. In your price range I am guessing you are referring to an SLR.

If you are looking for a point & shoot I would recommend the Canon SX40 IS but it is only around $400-$440.

 

[sam_gordon]

First, DSLR is the way to go. Canon & Nikon are the two "big dogs". You should be able to get the camera and 1-2 "kit" (basic) lenses for ~<$1000. However, that won't necessarily help you with taking shots in a gym (unless it is EXTREMELY well lit).

Here are some examples... this picture was taken with a kit lens that came with my Nikon D5000...

A year later, I learned a little bit more... same camera & same lens...

This year I rented a "faster" lens. Timed it so I had the lens for about 3 days and used it for two games...

I got the camera to take pictures at my kids sporting events. I had dreams of getting the camera and taking "newspaper" quality shots. It's not just the camera though. You'll need a good lens, and learn how to use both. As you can see, I've improved, but I'm still not 100% happy with my results.

Another website you can check out: http://forums.steves-digicams.com/All kinds of forums with suggestions, tips, and samples.

 

[SplashMo]

Get a Canon or Nikon as folks have mentioned. www.dpreview.com as folks have mentioned. www.kenrockwell.com for a good cheap Nikon DSLR recomendation. For canon get a rebel T3i or (T2i if you need to save some money).

I always buy just the body and then get a lens to add to it.

I like the prime 50mm f1.8 and the prime 85mm f1.8. They are cheaper lenses. You have to move around a bit.

The kit lenses are not very good. But they might do for awhile. If you must have a zoom look for an f2.8 zoom over the entire spectrum. They are the most expensive of lenses and not as good as primes if you are willing to move around.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I have the Cannon t2i, I really enjoy it. I have alot to learn, Its the lens's that get really expensive. I need to save around 500.00 for my wide lens. But you cant go wrong.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
For sports photography, it's all about the lens because there is NEVER enough light if you are indoors. Lenses for indoor sports photography are big bucks. IMHO, you need at least a 50-135 f2.8 but even better would be a 70-200 f2.8 for decent indoor sports. To give you an idea of the price of lenses, for my Pentax that would run me around $1000+ for just the lens.

Do you have any friends with a DSLR? I would ask them to let you try their camera and see what model works best for you. Start studying as there is a ton to know once you move up.

 

[SplashMo]

from kenrockwell.com:

The Nikon D5100 ($849 with lens) is the best all-around camera for most people. It's an extraordinary camera, and easy to use.

If $200 matters, then I doubt that any normal person would not love the excellent Nikon D3100 ($649 with lens). If you don't want to pay more than $649, the D3100 does things about which photographers could only dream at any price just a few years ago.

Or the canon 3ti or 2ti

a 50 mm f 1.8 lens will get you started for cheap. However you will need to get close to the court. 85 mm f1.8 will get you lots of light and some reach. The f2.8 70-200mm is going to cost a lot of money but would be a nice option.

 

[MinnieGolf]

I understand your dilemma. I went through the same process to find a camera/lens for outdoor sporting events. I settled on the Canon t3i and the Tamron 18-270 lens. The 18-270 lens works well outdoors and did a nice job with the Osborne Lights at DHS. The beauty of the 18-270 is that it's an all-around lens, which means you don't have to swap lenses. It's particularly handy when traveling and for use in the Disney parks.

I decided to get the Canon t3i because the screen swivels. That means the screen is protected when not in use and can be shielded from the sun.

I looked closely at both Canon and Nikon and decided that the Canon is more user friendly. That's just my personal opinion; either brand is a good choice.

Both brands frequently offer specials (as does Tamron). Generally speaking, you'll be better off to buy the camera body and lens separately; that way you can choose a lens that suits your needs. The kit lens probably won't give you the results you're looking for.

But if the "special" is that the kit lens is free or almost free, you might as well take it!

If you can, try to see the camera bodies and lenses in person. That can help you distinguish between brands and quality. As far as quality, unfortunately price does matter, especially in lenses. Cheap lenses are cheap for a reason.
Bummer...

 

[MinnieGolf]

First, DSLR is the way to go. Canon & Nikon are the two "big dogs". You should be able to get the camera and 1-2 "kit" (basic) lenses for ~<$1000. However, that won't necessarily help you with taking shots in a gym (unless it is EXTREMELY well lit).

Here are some examples... this picture was taken with a kit lens that came with my Nikon D5000...

A year later, I learned a little bit more... same camera & same lens...

This year I rented a "faster" lens. Timed it so I had the lens for about 3 days and used it for two games...

I got the camera to take pictures at my kids sporting events. I had dreams of getting the camera and taking "newspaper" quality shots. It's not just the camera though. You'll need a good lens, and learn how to use both. As you can see, I've improved, but I'm still not 100% happy with my results.

Another website you can check out: http://forums.steves-digicams.com/All kinds of forums with suggestions, tips, and samples.

Nice pix! It's difficult to shoot basketball action; you've gotten good results!

 

[sam_gordon]

a 50 mm f 1.8 lens will get you started for cheap. However you will need to get close to the court. 85 mm f1.8 will get you lots of light and some reach. The f2.8 70-200mm is going to cost a lot of money but would be a nice option.

Just to give you an idea, the last picture I posted (of the girl in the air) was taken at 70mm. An 85mm will "move you in closer", a 50mm will be "further away".

The larger the mm number the "closer" you are to the action.
A single mm (ie: 50mm or 85mm) is a "prime" lens. You are fixed at that distance.
Two mm numbers with a dash (ie: 70-200mm) is a zoom. You can adjust the lens to anything in that range.

The f numbers are also important. The smaller the number, the more light hits the sensor. So a f1.8 lens lets in more light than an f2.8, which lets in more light than an f5.6. More light allows you to use a faster shutter speed. A faster shutter speed allows you to "stop action" better. Look at the players shoes in my second & third picture. The faster lens (in the third pic) allowed me to stop action better.

With a zoom lens, it can either hold a constant iris (f-stop) through the entire zoom (more expensive) or as you zoom in, it will automatically close the iris. A kit zoom will probably be like that. It will say 70-200mm, 4-5.6. Or something like that.

If you knew all this, I apologize, but you said you've gotten confused.

 

[sam_gordon]

Nice pix! It's difficult to shoot basketball action; you've gotten good results!

Thanks! This was a middle school gym (not great lighting). I'm hoping the HS gym has better lighting.

Also of note while talking about zooms...
The above pictures were all taken about 5 feet from the end line, about 10-15 feet from the basket.

That's just to let you know you won't get these kind of shots from sitting in the stands. I usually just went down there (never asked permission) and tried to stay out of the way. Again, this is MS, YMMV.

 

[SplashMo]

I have the 50 mm and the 85mm. I only use the 85mm... But it has some drawbacks but it works better than a lot of setups and is fairly cheap

 

[SplashMo]

I would look around however the lowest price I could find from respectable stores:

Canon EOS Rebel T3i $625

You would still need a lens. Perhaps SAMs or Costco would have a better price on the camera? (They usually bundle with poor lenses).


Lens Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Telephoto Lens $400 from several resellers

B & H higher by $20.00 but is very common camera store if you kind find a lower cost one.

So that option hits just over one thousand...


or the 50mm comes in at $104 and will work well if you can get close enough and want to move throughout the game...


Also the NIKON might be cheaper for the same setup...

Also if a deal is too good to be true (online) then it likely is.

 

[labdogs42]

I like www.beachcamera.com for good prices on camera equipment. I happen to be a Canon person myself, but if you can go to a store that carries Canon and Nikon products and actually hold the cameras in your hand first, that might tip the scales in one direction for you. You want a camera that feels good in your hands and has controls that make sense to YOU. So, hold the cameras somewhere, even if you ultimately buy elsewhere.

Glass (lens) is more important than camera body. Spend the bigger bucks on the lens. Although, I wouldn't trade my Canon 60D for anything! Oh yeah, whatever lens you end up with (kit or otherwise), get a standard UV filter to keep on your lens all the time to prevent scratches.

 

[jennilynn510]

thanks for all the advice...i'm seriously considering the CANON EOS REBEL T3 DSLR W/ 18-55 IS KIT & CANON EF-S 55-250 IS LENS. does anyone have any thoughts on these?? its a little more than i wanted to spend but i think in the long run it will be worth it

 

[sam_gordon]

Find out what the f-stops are on those lenses. They may not work well for indoor sports action, which is fine as long as you know it going in.

 

[CourtneyL]

I have the Canon t2i and love it. it came with the 18-55mm "kit" lens. the t2i has settings like you would find on a point and shoot, like "sports" "portrait" "macro", it also has a very good full auto mode. I believe the t3, t3i, and t2i, are pretty similar and would have the same shooting modes.

Honestly, if you are upgrading from a point and shoot, any dSLR will take pictures better. I have always liked Canon cameras for their ease of use and I think they take great pictures.

Make sure you invest in a fast memory card, like a Class 10, it will save the pictures quicker so you won't be waiting to take your next shot.

It takes time to understand dSLR's and all the lingo. I've had my t2i for a little over a year and the majority of the time I still use the full auto mode and I am extremely satisfied with the pictures.

 

[eliza61]

thanks for all the advice...i'm seriously considering the CANON EOS REBEL T3 DSLR W/ 18-55 IS KIT & CANON EF-S 55-250 IS LENS. does anyone have any thoughts on these?? its a little more than i wanted to spend but i think in the long run it will be worth it

Is this your first DSLR? If it is I would go with the basic kit and RENT a lens.
Basically it's going to take some time and practice. As Sam mentioned just getting the hang of F-stops, zooming and then whether to shoot Manual, shutter, aperature, etc etc.

Nothing worse than dropping big bucks on a new lense and not happy with your pictures.

Camera technology is pretty competitive especially for the non professional. so as some one else mentioned, you'll get pretty good quality with all the entry level cameras from reputable manufactures but the camera is not the magic bullet.

I've used borrow lens many times with excellent results.
www.borrowlenses.com

whatever choice you go with, play with it and get to know the functions. Have fun.

 

[NLD]

thanks for all the advice...i'm seriously considering the CANON EOS REBEL T3 DSLR W/ 18-55 IS KIT & CANON EF-S 55-250 IS LENS. does anyone have any thoughts on these?? its a little more than i wanted to spend but i think in the long run it will be worth it

Hi Jennilynn,

I would say you're on the right track.

However, neither of those lenses will get you good indoor basketball shots. They are not "fast" lenses. (Meaning the aperture does not open very wide.)

I would hold off on the telephoto (55-250) for now. Get the 18-55 and try shooting a couple games with it. It probably won't be fast enough to get great photos, but it WILL give you an idea of whether the focal length is good enough. If 55mm gets you close enough to the action, and you simply need a faster lens of that length, there is a very inexpensive 50mm f/1.8 lens you could get.

If you find out you need more reach (longer focal length), then you'll know... and you'll want to look at longer fast prime lenses.

Good luck!