WHICH CANON for GYMNASTICS

[4fordisneyworld]

Okay, I will start by saying I am a beginner with DSLR cameras. I also know it will take me a TON of practice to be well versed and accomplish the shots I want...willing to do that. I have researched til I don't want to see more reviews!! Well other than what you guys can tell me of course

These are the four I am considering:
(all Canon)

T1
T2
T3
D60

The T1 I found for $769 with two lenses; EF-S 18-55mm lens, EF-S 55mm-250mm lens


So what are your thoughts? If there truly is something better than these for the gymnastics (obviously I will use for other stuff but this is my main reason for purchase) that would be better quality or easier to use feel free to share

Thank you guys!!

 

[zackiedawg]

Well the D60 and the T3 will be the better of those 4, due to the better sensor performance in low light and the ability to shoot faster burst modes. Though you might be limiting yourself a bit by only looking to Canon. Nothing wrong with Canon at all - they make excellent cameras - but they are basically the equal of Nikon, Sony, and Pentax too, which all also make excellent cameras. If you open yourself to considering all of those brands, you might find one is more comfortable, or one has a particular feature or ability which makes it better for you or for a particular situation, etc. None are better than any other brand-wise - but other brands have some cameras that can do as well or better in low light, can shoot faster in burst, or might have a feature or ability you find you'll love.

It's up to you - limit yourself to Canon, and you'll still get a fine camera - but open yourself to considering all four major brands, and you can be absolutely certain that you'll get the best camera FOR YOU - be it a Canon, Nikon, Sony, or Pentax.

 

[photo_chick]

The T2i and the T3i actually have the same sensor and the same 3.7 FPS. You get more bells and whistles with the T3i (like an articulated LCD screen). The 60D is a little faster at 5.3 FPS. If it were me shopping right now I'd go with the T2i so I could put more money towards fast glass. If you're serious about shooting gymnastics you may want to invest in the 70-200 f/2.8 L (or a similar lens for whatever brand you might decide to go with). It will make the job a lot easier.

 

[bob100]

Okay, I will start by saying I am a beginner with DSLR cameras. I also know it will take me a TON of practice to be well versed and accomplish the shots I want...willing to do that. I have researched til I don't want to see more reviews!! Well other than what you guys can tell me of course

These are the four I am considering:
(all Canon)

T1
T2
T3
D60
The T1 I found for $769 with two lenses; EF-S 18-55mm lens, EF-S 55mm-250mm lens

So what are your thoughts? If there truly is something better than these for the gymnastics (obviously I will use for other stuff but this is my main reason for purchase) that would be better quality or easier to use feel free to share
Thank you guys!!

if you a lot of sports/action then the 60D would be a good choice
http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2011/01/lab-test-canon-60d

otherwise the older but less expensive T2i /550D is a good value - - - and more of your budget can go towards lens!
http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2010/05/camera-test-canon-eos-rebel-t2i

 

[Anewman]

T2i-T3i-60D have pretty much same sensor, T1i is still great and at a great price. 60D does have better focus system, bigger buffer and faster shooting rate.

In my opinion, lens selection for indoor gymnastics is more important than choosing a camera.

You can buy a $1,500 camera but if you use the wrong lens indoor gymnastics photos will be dark blurry messes, but a $400 DSLR with a good fast prime will give great indoor sports photos.

 

[ukcatfan]

T2i-T3i-60D have pretty much same sensor, T1i is still great and at a great price. 60D does have better focus system, bigger buffer and faster shooting rate.

In my opinion, lens selection for indoor gymnastics is more important than choosing a camera.

You can buy a $1,500 camera but if you use the wrong lens indoor gymnastics photos will be dark blurry messes, but a $400 DSLR with a good fast prime will give great indoor sports photos.

Agree 100%

As for brand, you can typically get a faster FPS for your money with Sony and Pentax compared to Canon or Nikon. The entry level for Sony and Pentax give you around 5 FPS where you have to go to the intermediate level cameras with Canon and Nikon to get that. Having the fastest you can afford is important if sports is important to you. All the current DSLRs are nice cameras and you would have a really hard time looking at a pic and determining what camera took the shot. The feel in your hands and availability of the lenses and accessories you want is also important.

 

[kshark]

I can't agree more with the lens selection comment. I'm a Canon fan, so if you are going that route anything from a T1i up will work great. The 60D or 7D's higher frame rate could be an advantage, but depending on your budget I would opt for a lower cost body and invest in the lens if you can't do both.

I would seriously look at either the 70-200 f/2.8 (non IS would work fine for sports since you need a high shutter speed anyway) or maybe even better would the 85 f/1.8 if you are close enough to the action. The included 18-55 and 55-250 aren't going to cut for indoor sports and you would be frustrated with both. Look for a body only deal and look for a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and one of the lenses I mentioned above and you'll be in a much better position to shoot indoor sports!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Just another comment that the lenses you choose will matter more than the camera. A 1DM4 with a superzoom will not give you pictures as good as a T2i with a 135mm f/2.

For gymnastics, the lenses you want to consider most are:

70-200 f/2.8 - Because you are shooting motion, save money by not getting the IS version. Consider a non-Canon brand to save more money. It will give you a nice focal range. The downside is that, while f/2.8 is 2 stops faster (which means shutter speeds four times faster) than an f/5.6 consumer zoom, it is still slower than a prime.

85 f/1.8 - It's cheap and fast. It's also a bit wide for sports. Make sure you get in the front row. Don't even think about the much more expensive f/1.2 version. It focuses really, really, really slow. Actually, it's a bit slower than that.

135 f/2 - It's a great focal length for gymnastics and it's almost as fast as the 85mm f/1.8. At $1,000 it is cheaper than the 70-200mm. I think you'd be in tall cotton if you had this and the 85mm.

 

[4fordisneyworld]

And this is why I love the Disboards!! Ty everyone for your input. I would have made a big mistake and been frustrated if I had not asked Now time to shop around for the best deal!

 

[ColleenG]

Hi Mark! Glad to see you are back on the Dis! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!

 

[Frantasmic]

85 f/1.8 - It's cheap and fast. It's also a bit wide for sports. Make sure you get in the front row. Don't even think about the much more expensive f/1.2 version. It focuses really, really, really slow. Actually, it's a bit slower than that.

135 f/2 - It's a great focal length for gymnastics and it's almost as fast as the 85mm f/1.8. At $1,000 it is cheaper than the 70-200mm. I think you'd be in tall cotton if you had this and the 85mm.

jump on this bandwagon. These two lenses are great indoors (basketball, volleyball, swimming, choral concerts, dance recitals, etc) you name it indoors and these are some good primes to capture the action.

 

[4fordisneyworld]

One more question guys! You have given me great information and I am researching which way to go. A friend suggested this lens and I had not seen it on the list you guys gave. Would this one work or not so much?

EF 50mm f/1.4

Most of her gymnastics meets I will be shooting from an upstairs balcony. Very rarely do we get the chance to be on the floor if that makes a difference!

Thank you again

 

[mom2rtk]

One more question guys! You have given me great information and I am researching which way to go. A friend suggested this lens and I had not seen it on the list you guys gave. Would this one work or not so much?

EF 50mm f/1.4

Most of her gymnastics meets I will be shooting from an upstairs balcony. Very rarely do we get the chance to be on the floor if that makes a difference!

Thank you again

The 1.4 would be awesome. But if you're shooting from an upstairs balcony, 50mm won't even be remotely long enough. You'd have to be down right near the action for that to work.

I will say what I have said many times here before. The most expensive lens is the one you buy twice. If you settle for less than what you need to get the job done, you will likely be in the market for another again soon.

 

[photo_chick]

One more question guys! You have given me great information and I am researching which way to go. A friend suggested this lens and I had not seen it on the list you guys gave. Would this one work or not so much?

EF 50mm f/1.4

Most of her gymnastics meets I will be shooting from an upstairs balcony. Very rarely do we get the chance to be on the floor if that makes a difference!

Thank you again

50mm will get you a good shot of the floor in general but not of an individual unless you're right up on them. I sometimes use my 50mm for dance when I want the whole group in the shot. A lot of times I have it stuck on a second body so I don't have to switch between it and my telephoto zoom.

 

[Frantasmic]

You will definitely want more reach/zoom than the 50mm if you are shooting from a balcony. With that lens, she'd be very small in the pictures.

It is going to be difficult finding a great, fast lens AND one that is under $500.

Other somewhat less expensive options are the 100mm f2.8 and the 135mm f2.8 fixed primes.

 

[pgowder]

Agree 100%

As for brand, you can typically get a faster FPS for your money with Sony and Pentax compared to Canon or Nikon. The entry level for Sony and Pentax give you around 5 FPS where you have to go to the intermediate level cameras with Canon and Nikon to get that. Having the fastest you can afford is important if sports is important to you. All the current DSLRs are nice cameras and you would have a really hard time looking at a pic and determining what camera took the shot. The feel in your hands and availability of the lenses and accessories you want is also important.

Totally agree! Buy the best glass you can get. Bodies you'll replace multiple times before you replace a good lens!