Entry level sports pics: Someone asked me to recommend an entry level camera for shooting sports. Mostly outdoor but some indoor this winter. Not too expensive. I am at a loss.... Any...

lensenvy Loc: Boston Mass

Someone asked me to recommend an entry level camera for shooting sports. Mostly outdoor but some indoor this winter. Not too expensive. I am at a loss.... Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Maybe a Nikon D3400? Not the fastest in frames per second, but decent for entry level. There are limitations with any entry level camera. Try a Google search for "entry level sports camera". Perhaps that will help.

lensenvy Loc: Boston Mass

Thanks. I did that for point and shoot but I am not sure if that is the way to go. The D3400 is a good suggestion with maybe a 50mm 1.8?

kpmac wrote:

Maybe a Nikon D3400? Not the fastest in frames per second, but decent for entry level. There are limitations with any entry level camera. Try a Google search for "entry level sports camera". Perhaps that will help.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

What sports and how close? 50mm on a D3400 might prove to be too short to capture action. What brands are being considered? Buying used equipment would also be an entry-level approach, such as a used D7200 and a used Nikon 70-300mm VR G. These would be more expensive than the D3400, but would be a better fit for the action aspect of 'sports pics' than the D3400 with a 50mm. The 70-300 zoom also would pair with any of Nikon's bodies including the D3400 entry-level model.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

lensenvy wrote:

Someone asked me to recommend an entry level camera for shooting sports. Mostly outdoor but some indoor this winter. Not too expensive. I am at a loss.... Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

The 50mm prime f1.8 on a DX camera is an inexpensive lens that is great for outdoor soccer from the sidelines. In my community, flash units are banned in gyms for basketball games. You need a fast low light lens for best results. The Tokina 24-70mm f2.8, is an lesser expensive version fast lens good for sports. Remember the FOV on a crop sensor is 1.5X. I'm not a big fan of the D3400, but it is a satisfactory, reliable DSLR.

IBM

lensenvy wrote:

Someone asked me to recommend an entry level camera for shooting sports. Mostly outdoor but some indoor this winter. Not too expensive. I am at a loss.... Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

There is to many to list any DX CAMERA from the Nikon D 90 to the D5000 series just get one with the focus motor for lens in camera rather then lens ,

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

For shooting sports you need control over shutter speeds and as faster lens as you can afford.
Any make of camera that can achieve this will do.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

lensenvy wrote:

Someone asked me to recommend an entry level camera for shooting sports. Mostly outdoor but some indoor this winter. Not too expensive. I am at a loss.... Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

The D3400 is entry level, but it's also a capable camera. A limitation would be fps, but five frames per second isn't bad. Depending on the sport and the distance from the action, a longer lens (used/refurbished) might be required. The 18-200mm is a good lens at a reasonable price. This is a situation where the skill of the person using the camera makes a big difference.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Canon 7D Mark II and the Canon 100-400 zoom Mark II lens. This is a great combo for all sports, no matter the sport. I wouldn't recommend anything less but there are a lot of cameras and lenses that cost much more.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

lensenvy wrote:

Thanks. I did that for point and shoot but I am not sure if that is the way to go. The D3400 is a good suggestion with maybe a 50mm 1.8?

I like Nikon and use tge D500 but my wife wanted a smaller camera and inexpensive camera I took her to Best Buy and placed a D5400 (I think) in her hand. She said she did not want a baby D500. I placed tge Sony a6500 in her hand. She loved it but said to expensive. We ended up buying the Sony a6000 at a good price with the two kit lenses. She likes it and frankly so do I. The a6000 takes 11 frames per second hand is pretty good with low iso

If you want to shoot video in 4k consider the Sony a6300.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1349169-REG

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

I just thought of another camera option but I have no experience with it. Have a friend who loves his Nikon P900. Lots of reach. Not sure how fast it is.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1127274-REG

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

We need more information as to what sports and their budget. Otherwise many cameras could in fact be used. I shot sports and motocross 15 years ago with a 2mp digital Rebel. I got some nice shots. You can get a Canon 1D Mk III in good condition for probably $500. Or tens of other options. For a DSLR you are going to want at least an 85 mm or longer lens even if you are right beside the action. Most any camera that can stop the action can be made to work. You need to be better at anticipating the action with slower fps. Setting white balance is important if you are shooting jpeg. Best to shoot raw and post process more in my experience. More information is needed though...especially budget...

Best,
Todd Ferguson

lensenvy Loc: Boston Mass

Thanks, I will look for a used 70-300!

CHG_CANON wrote:

What sports and how close? 50mm on a D3400 might prove to be too short to capture action. What brands are being considered? Buying used equipment would also be an entry-level approach, such as a used D7200 and a used Nikon 70-300mm VR G. These would be more expensive than the D3400, but would be a better fit for the action aspect of 'sports pics' than the D3400 with a 50mm. The 70-300 zoom also would pair with any of Nikon's bodies including the D3400 entry-level model.

lensenvy Loc: Boston Mass

Thanks, those are both great suggestions. I think the point and shoot may be the best way. I appreciate the info and the links!

jccash wrote:

I just thought of another camera option but I have no experience with it. Have a friend who loves his Nikon P900. Lots of reach. Not sure how fast it is.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1127274-REG

lensenvy Loc: Boston Mass

I agree, I do not know enough about how invested in photography they want to get. I think its just to get better than cell phone pics of the kids soccer games. I appreciate your suggestions, thanks so much!

Notorious T.O.D. wrote:

We need more information as to what sports and the... (show quote)