Help in getting started, camera choices
Mar 28, 2017 16:38:23 #
Hi, my name is Don and I am very much the amateur photographer. I have used mostly a point and shoot type camera, Nikon Coolpix L120. However, I do not get the best results when using that camera for obvious reasons. My son plays football and I wanted to catch better photos of him playing the game. Action photos under the Friday night lights. So, for that reason and others I have decided to move a level or two up in the chain of cameras, in the $500-800 range. I am looking for a few words of wisdom in helping me get started. Thanks
Mar 28, 2017 16:44:47 #
Don, regardless of which camera you decide to purchase, consider used, factory rebuilt cameras. These, if factory rebuilt, will give you more camera for your dollar and have a warranty. The price range you mention is going to be a bit limiting, but I'm sure there will be something that will work for you.
You didn't mention if these are day or night games, stadium or park type of field, distance from which you need to be located from the field, all of which can also influence your selection of camera and lens.
--Bob
You didn't mention if these are day or night games, stadium or park type of field, distance from which you need to be located from the field, all of which can also influence your selection of camera and lens.
--Bob
rdcraig wrote:
Hi, my name is Don and I am very much the amateur ... (show quote)
Mar 28, 2017 16:45:37 #
You can hardly do better than the Sony a6000 for shooting your son's football games. The excellent follow-focus coupled with the fast burst shooting will allow you to get good images at the peak of action in a way none of the DSLRs can do so. The images will be on an aps-c sensor which means that when you get THE ONE SHOT that says it all, you can print it to 20x30 poster size if you wish, but you can also automatically upload photos directly to web sites like Facebook and/or to your cellphone if you wish.
You could pay more to get an a6300, but for your purposes the a6000 would do very well. Call Cameta Camera and ask if they have a deal on a kit with the long lens.
I am a long-time Nikon user, so I do like DSLRs, but the mirrorless Sony would be better.
You could pay more to get an a6300, but for your purposes the a6000 would do very well. Call Cameta Camera and ask if they have a deal on a kit with the long lens.
I am a long-time Nikon user, so I do like DSLRs, but the mirrorless Sony would be better.
Mar 28, 2017 16:51:10 #
Welcome -
The offered advice is excellent -
Top recommended sites for photo gear (all authorized dealers):
B&H Photo & Video
Adorama
Cameta Camera
KEH Camera
The offered advice is excellent -
Top recommended sites for photo gear (all authorized dealers):
B&H Photo & Video
Adorama
Cameta Camera
KEH Camera
Mar 28, 2017 17:13:40 #
Leitz
Loc: Solms
rmalarz wrote:
You didn't mention if these are day or night games,
"... photos under the Friday night lights."
Mar 28, 2017 17:25:48 #
Thanks, that'll help us a lot. Or at least those of us who sleep through reading some of the post.
--Bob
--Bob
Leitz wrote:
"... photos under the Friday night lights."
Mar 28, 2017 17:39:04 #
Adorama has refurbished Nikon D3400's with the kit lens for $360. That plus a nice used or refurbished tele zoom lens should give you what you need to shoot Friday night Football, for your $800 budget.
Mar 28, 2017 18:48:45 #
Leitz
Loc: Solms
Shellback wrote:
Welcome -
The offered advice is excellent -
Top recommended sites for photo gear (all authorized dealers):
B&H Photo & Video
Adorama
Cameta Camera
KEH Camera
The offered advice is excellent -
Top recommended sites for photo gear (all authorized dealers):
B&H Photo & Video
Adorama
Cameta Camera
KEH Camera
There was a post last week about B&H not filling orders correctly, shipping the wrong items. I wonder if they have corrected the problem?
Mar 28, 2017 19:48:03 #
robertscamera.com has a lot of used lenses for sale all with 6 months warranty. I have purchased lenses from them before with good results.
Mar 29, 2017 00:13:56 #
rmorrison1116 wrote:
Adorama has refurbished Nikon D3400's with the kit lens for $360. That plus a nice used or refurbished tele zoom lens should give you what you need to shoot Friday night Football, for your $800 budget.
Mar 29, 2017 07:23:03 #
leftj
Loc: Texas
Leitz wrote:
There was a post last week about B&H not filling orders correctly, shipping the wrong items. I wonder if they have corrected the problem?
They don't have a problem. There may be a mistake once in a great while but I have purchased from B&H for years and usually order something from them every month and have never had any problems with an order.
Mar 29, 2017 08:18:41 #
rdcraig wrote:
Hi, my name is Don and I am very much the amateur ... (show quote)
Don't aim too low, and don't rule out refurbished - always my first choice. When you narrow your choices, do some comparisons.
Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu
Mar 29, 2017 08:50:08 #
I always buy new. Just my little quirk. Never regretted it in the long run. And take a look at the Canon SX60 HS.
Mar 29, 2017 09:31:54 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
rdcraig wrote:
Hi, my name is Don and I am very much the amateur ... (show quote)
Whatever camera you upgrade to, be sure to upgrade your knowledge of how to shoot in "available dark". Some camera/lens combos do this better than others, but if you don't have a handle on the basics of getting the most out of the available light, you'll be frustrated in getting the right settings to use. Practice practice practice.
Mar 29, 2017 09:35:01 #
Here's a repost of my answer to a similar question in another thread:
Here's what I did:
-Budget: no more than $500
-Searched for $500 DSLR's on eBay & Amazin in order to understand what I might get.
-Found some favorite models that I compared with each other on cameradecision.com. I had no brand preferences.
-Read plenty of reviews on the cameras I found interesting.
My priorities were; very good professional reviews, the highest pixel count possible, RAW format option, wifi, built in GPS, fair prices & f/values on future lenses. Nikon D5300 turned out to be the final option. With my personal preferences, and budget, it was by far the best option. Price paid: $449, including an 18-55mm lens, plus some other stuff.
I've had the camera for a few weeks now and I have no regrets on my purchase. On the contrary, I'm very happy with what I got.
Best of luck on your persuit of your best camera. ...and don't rush it to get one quickly. Take your time, i.e. weeks, to learn about your options and what you favor.
Here's what I did:
-Budget: no more than $500
-Searched for $500 DSLR's on eBay & Amazin in order to understand what I might get.
-Found some favorite models that I compared with each other on cameradecision.com. I had no brand preferences.
-Read plenty of reviews on the cameras I found interesting.
My priorities were; very good professional reviews, the highest pixel count possible, RAW format option, wifi, built in GPS, fair prices & f/values on future lenses. Nikon D5300 turned out to be the final option. With my personal preferences, and budget, it was by far the best option. Price paid: $449, including an 18-55mm lens, plus some other stuff.
I've had the camera for a few weeks now and I have no regrets on my purchase. On the contrary, I'm very happy with what I got.
Best of luck on your persuit of your best camera. ...and don't rush it to get one quickly. Take your time, i.e. weeks, to learn about your options and what you favor.
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