Which is best for low light and fast shutter speed?
Oct 11, 2011 10:27:27 #
I need your expert advice about cameras. Anyway, I would like to know which one of the following three cameras (lens included) that I am listing below that you would recommend for my purposes. I mainly use a camera to take photos of wild life (birds in flight, bears rapidly crossing the road, deer running and jumping, etc.). Often these animals especially the bears are seen at dusk in very low light conditions.
So, please tell me which one of the three cameras below has the best lens, turns on quickly, has rapid shutter speed, and low light clarity to take the sharpest picture. Here are my three choices or add others that you know are better. I'm looking to spend around $1200 or less.
1. Canon Rebel T2i 18 mp (18-55mm/55-200mm)
2. Nikon D3100 14.2 mp (18-55mm/55-200)
3. Nikon D5100 16mp (18-55/55-300)
So, please tell me which one of the three cameras below has the best lens, turns on quickly, has rapid shutter speed, and low light clarity to take the sharpest picture. Here are my three choices or add others that you know are better. I'm looking to spend around $1200 or less.
1. Canon Rebel T2i 18 mp (18-55mm/55-200mm)
2. Nikon D3100 14.2 mp (18-55mm/55-200)
3. Nikon D5100 16mp (18-55/55-300)
Oct 11, 2011 11:35:32 #
I think the cameras you list are all fine. The D5100 has 6400 ISO capability as does the T2i while as I recall the D3100 is limited to 3200 ISO. More importantly the lenses you mention are not considered fast lenses. I would attempt to buy just the body of the camera you choose and purchase a faster lens. Maybe something at 2.8 through out the focal range. Just my opinion and I know you'll get a boat load more.
Oct 11, 2011 12:11:51 #
JW is correct, Nanc it's not so much the camera body but the LENS which makes the difference in your situation. Nearly every non-trivial DSLR these days will turn on quickly and have 3 FPS or more speed. But for low light conditions you need a lens that opens up to at least 2.8, or ever better 1.8 or 1.4 - none of the three lenses you cite have that capability. I'd flip a coin to pick a body and then see which lens in the 20-80mm range is the fastest (e.g. has the greatest aperture, double e.g. has the lowest aperture number) and go from there.
Oct 11, 2011 12:30:34 #
what ever you decide, be it canon or nikon, they both have a nifty 50 prime lens with an aperture of 1.8 you can buy for about 100 bucks. it's fast and great for low light but will not help you with out door photography since it has no zoom, but it will get you to start focusing on portrait photography, lol.
Oct 11, 2011 12:40:09 #
ryanmorales wrote:
what ever you decide, be it canon or nikon, they both have a nifty 50 prime lens with an aperture of 1.8 you can buy for about 100 bucks. it's fast and great for low light but will not help you with out door photography since it has no zoom, but it will get you to start focusing on portrait photography, lol.
The OP has stated that outdoor, low-light photography is her main subject.
Oct 11, 2011 12:43:39 #
JimH wrote:
The OP has stated that outdoor, low-light photography is her main subject.
ryanmorales wrote:
what ever you decide, be it canon or nikon, they both have a nifty 50 prime lens with an aperture of 1.8 you can buy for about 100 bucks. it's fast and great for low light but will not help you with out door photography since it has no zoom, but it will get you to start focusing on portrait photography, lol.
The OP has stated that outdoor, low-light photography is her main subject.
I know, that's why I said, regardless of what they end up buying, getting the cheap $100 nifty 50 can start them in a whole new world of portrait photography; no need to limit yourself with the new gear, and it won't break the bank.
Oct 12, 2011 05:59:10 #
Most out door photographers use much bigger and expensive lens to stay away from bears etc. at least 300mm if not larger. For just a walk in the woods I use an 85mm and a 200mm lens. Both 2.8 f-stop lens.
Oct 12, 2011 09:34:01 #
The D5100 is great in low light. ISO 6400 is pretty clean. You might consider just buying the body. One way to save big bucks on larger aperture lenses is to go with nice old manual focus lenses. For example, I have a beautiful Vivitar Series One 70-210MM F2.8-F4 that only cost me $100 on the big auction site.
Oct 12, 2011 11:58:17 #
I can not compare the camera on your list but for wildlife I like a Sony 580.. or the new 24 meg one that they have on the way.. what I like about it is the feature that allows me to double the focal length of the lens.. so my 28-300 mounted on an aps c can be come a 900 .. But my major consideration in long shoots outdoors might be the camera weight and as often as not I have been happy with something as small as a pint and shot SX200 from Canon. Get the camera you are comfortable with and can afford. You might also consider other camera from the same makers such as a T3i rather than the T2
Oct 12, 2011 12:12:48 #
Oct 12, 2011 15:32:44 #
Hi...I have a Canon 30D. Takes great images. As far as wildlife photography goes, most would agree that a zoom lens is needed. They are or can be very expensive. I cannot afford the one I would like so I just use my 75-300 l3ns. Not very fast, but affordable and has served me pretty well till my ship comes in and I can afford the one I want.
Hi Frank.....good to see you on here.
Hi Frank.....good to see you on here.
Oct 12, 2011 15:35:49 #
Oct 12, 2011 16:00:36 #
Nanc wrote:
I need your expert advice about cameras. Anyway, ... (show quote)
I have the Canon60D which you can get as a kit with a 18-135mm lens with stabalizer in it. You can get that on sale for about $1200.00 It also is a little bit faster of a camera.
If you go with one of the others you may want to buy the Tamron 18-270DZD lens. It a good muti-purpose lens with a motor that is made more for action shots. It cost about $650.00 though, but I think it would fit any of those camera. I realize that may put you out of budget. Which bring you back to the first sentence. A lot if it is in the len.
Oct 12, 2011 17:49:40 #
why not invest in a good camera body and rent lens when you need them. lensgiant.com rents out whatever lens you could ever need and it is cheaper then buying them.
Oct 12, 2011 19:00:24 #
sirlensalot
Loc: Arizona
5100 body only and maybe third party 70-200 2.8
If low-light and going for any type of action shot, 2.8 is a must.
If low-light and going for any type of action shot, 2.8 is a must.
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