So I'm looking to get into photography. I'm looking for starter cameras or even some kits.My price range is $500-1000. That price range needs to get me a camera and some type of lens.I'm looking for an all-around solid camera. I'm going to use it to take pictures of a lot of different things, most of them will be outside, but I will also be taking pictures in low-light situations.

So I need:

- Some type of burst feature: I'm going to be taking pictures of sports suck as soccer and Track and Field. - What is a good burst/second for those kinds of sports? (I want to capture someone kicking a ball for example, or jumping over a hurdle)

- I'm also looking to get a telephoto lens, because a lot of my pictures will be of nature. Thoughts on any good ones?

- I won't be printing much. Things that I do print will be no larger than your standard pic. (no posters or anything)

- A macro lense/feature would be nice, but is not a necessity.

- Flexible. - I need to be able to buy other lenses to add on


Can't think of anything else right now, so if you have any suggestions please post! thanks!

explore
www.dpreview.com

it has endless amounts of very helpful information which can narrow down your search

thanks! There is so much to read up on

read this
http://forums.d2jsp.org/index.php?showtopic=27757968&f=265

3fps will be fine for football/athletics

10mp can print A3 so you wont need more than that.

look for a camera like a canon 450D which is compatable with a range of fantastic lens'

you will need a prime lens low low f-number if you want to shoot in dark. I would recommend a canon 400d with kit lens and depending on how much you want to spend and if you like wider lens or bit more tighter, 50mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4, 28mm 1.8 or sigma 30mm 1.4, 50mm is great focal lenght for portraits, but its bit too tight for "normal" shooting. 28/30mm is great for overall shooting, but they cost way more than the 50mm 1.8(that is the cheapest canon lens, but a great performancer). The reason i suggest using prime lenses when u need light is that the zooms doesent have so low f-numbers(2.8 is smallest on zoom and 2.8 zooms cost way more than some basic kit lenses). With the kit lens you will even have trouble shooting in normal room light, unless using a flash.

If you want to buy used camera(that i strongly suggest), you could have way better camera cheaper than you would get if u buy it new. Good choises for used cameras are canon 30d or 40d.

First thing that came to mind for me was a used 30D as well. 5 FPS and 8 very good, clean megapixels. Not sure how much that is but I'd guess around $500 or so.

The EF 70-300 IS is a telephoto lens for sports, depending on your proximity to the event. You mentioned mainly outdoor sports, so the f/4-5 max shouldn't be too big of an issue. $4-500 depending on condition and where you get it from.

-Canon 30D
-Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM IS
-Kit Lens [preferably the IS version]

That should be close to the $1000 limit and will serve you very well. If you don't need the 200-300mm range, you can also go for the 30D with the 18-200 IS so you don't have to swap lenses in the middle of a game/race.

[QUOTE=doyleo,Sat, Jan 31 2009, 09:24pm]read this
http://forums.d2jsp.org/index.php?showtopic=27757968&f=265

This.

You also might want to learn how to actually spell the hobby before you try it lol!

[QUOTE=TheBlackRose66,Sat, Jan 31 2009, 07:28pm][QUOTE=doyleo,Sat, Jan 31 2009, 09:24pm]read this
http://forums.d2jsp.org/index.php?showtopic=27757968&f=265

This.

You also might want to learn how to actually spell the hobby before you try it lol![/QUOTE]

haha typed this up in a hurry!

Ok so right now I'm no expert on the Terms you guys are using. I'm going to read up on them so I can understand what does what

the terms that I don't understand yet:


FPS (guessing 5FPS is 5 per second)

Just to narrow down the search on lenses a bit more, I'll tell you what I'm taking pictures of:

Sports (soccer/Track & Feild) - These will be taken from the sidelines. I will probably ONLY be using the photo burst option to take as many pictures as I can within a small time frame.
Nature - Up close (macro style sometimes) And other times I may be taking pictures of say, a mountain range.
Family Pictures - At picnics and such
Pictures of People - Probably NOT many portraits, just pictures of two friends standing together for example
Dogs - I have two dogs, so taking picture of them playing and being dogs
Random objects! I'd like to just go take a really close up photo of something that looks cool, like a bug or something small.

Can't think of anything else right now!

I've found a camera called Canon EOS 450D "Digital Rebel" and it's looking very nice. But expense I can't seem to find that FPS in the specs anywhere though)


You've all been a great help so far! Keep it up

This post was edited by xsordx on Jan 31 2009 10:47pm

[QUOTE=xsordx,Sun, Feb 1 2009, 04:35am][QUOTE=TheBlackRose66,Sat, Jan 31 2009, 07:28pm][QUOTE=doyleo,Sat, Jan 31 2009, 09:24pm]read this
http://forums.d2jsp.org/index.php?showtopic=27757968&f=265

This.

You also might want to learn how to actually spell the hobby before you try it lol![/QUOTE]

haha typed this up in a hurry!

Ok so right now I'm no expert on the Terms you guys are using. I'm going to read up on them so I can understand what does what

the terms that I don't understand yet:

The EF 70-300 IS (is that ISO?)
FPS (guessing 5FPS is 5 per second)

Just to narrow down the search on lenses a bit more, I'll tell you what I'm taking pictures of:

Sports (soccer/Track & Feild) - These will be taken from the sidelines. I will probably ONLY be using the photo burst option to take as many pictures as I can within a small time frame.
Nature - Up close (macro style sometimes) And other times I may be taking pictures of say, a mountain range.
Family Pictures - At picnics and such
Pictures of People - Probably NOT many portraits, just pictures of two friends standing together for example
Dogs - I have two dogs, so taking picture of them playing and being dogs
Random objects! I'd like to just go take a really close up photo of something that looks cool, like a bug or something small.

Can't think of anything else right now!

I've found a camera called Canon EOS 450D "Digital Rebel" and it's looking very nice. But expense

You've all been a great help so far! Keep it up [/QUOTE]


I don't think you will find a very good camera cheaper than a Rebel 450D

Yes, FPS means Frames Per Second.

IS means Image Stabilizer. You can get a 3-4 Stop improvement in handholdability. Unless you're planning on using a monopod when you shoot, IS will be a big help.

Keep in mind that with a $1000 budget, you won't be able to get specialized lenses for each category. If you had the cash, 17-55 f/2.8 IS, 70-200 f/4L IS, and a 60mm f/2.8 Macro would be a perfect kit for you. However, that's about $2500 in glass alone without getting a body.

Like I said, 18-55 IS, and a 70-300 IS paired with a used Canon 30D is your best bet. New is not necessarily better after you consider the increased cost. Higher FPS, a larger viewfinder, and much improved construction will mean more to you than more Megapixels and Live View.