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Author Topic: Need camera for action photography  (Read 8912 times)

tweek

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Need camera for action photography
« on: June 19, 2007, 10:23:28 am »

I attend a lot of motorcycle racing events and would really like to be able to capture some of it on 'film'.  My dinky little Sony camera just doesnt cut it.  I either get blury shots or shots of the back wheel.  

I want a good quality Digital SLR that will snap the picture as soon as I press the button.  I've been doing some researhc and have narrowed the field down to the Cannon Rebel XT and the Nikon D40.  MY question is: which one is going to handle fast moving objects the best?  

Also - can you turn a 6 or 8 megapixel image into a wall sized poster?  

TIA
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Nill Toulme

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Need camera for action photography
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2007, 11:45:19 am »

The current model is the XTi, not XT, and it is excellent for moving subjects.  Here is a soccer match that I shot with it, for example.  I can't help you on the choice between Canon and Nikon though; probably hard to go wrong either way.

And yes a well focused, well exposed 6-, 8- or 10-MP shot can make a nice wall-sized poster.  (The XTi is 10MP.)

Nill
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Sherri Meyer

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Need camera for action photography
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2007, 10:20:11 am »

I currently use the Nikon D70, which works great for action. However, they no longer make it. I will be upgrading soon to the Nikon D200, which is a 10MP and my D70 will become my backup camera. I would highly recommend going with the 10MP if marketing your images is your goal. If not, or if that is not affordable to you, then I would go with the D40. For camera reviews, go to http://www.dpreview.com.

Good luck,
Sherri

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http://www.sherrimeyer.com/Blog (photo tips and more)
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DiaAzul

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Need camera for action photography
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2007, 12:01:51 pm »

Quote
Also - can you turn a 6 or 8 megapixel image into a wall sized poster? 

TIA
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Here is someone that has already done it

[a href=\"http://blogs.msdn.com/pix/archive/2007/06/13/create-wall-size-murals-from-your-images.aspx]Wall size mural[/url]
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David Plummer    http://photo.tanzo.org/

tweek

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Need camera for action photography
« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2007, 01:40:40 pm »

I'm back!

I went and got a Canon Rebel XTi.  Based on the reviews I've read it isn't a bad rig.  The thing that is killing me is that I'm just now realizing how far in over my head I am.

So I got a great camera but the lense is going to determine my results.  I've done a bit or reading and to capture an image like:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1152/630709917_7369b892b7.jpg
I need a lense with a small F stop# so I can run a fast shutter speed with an ISO setting of 100 (or something low).  which basically means the kit lense that came with the camera won't work.  It will work great for pictures of the kids doing kid things.  However,  sitting on a hill over looking a race track is completely different.

I'm starting to research the telephoto lenses now.  The Canon L series lenses look great and seem well liked.  But damn - talk about emptying your wallet in hurry.

Anyway - lots to study.
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dobson

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Need camera for action photography
« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2007, 05:24:25 am »

Quote
I need a lense with a small F stop# so I can run a fast shutter speed with an ISO setting of 100 (or something low).
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=125001\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Just to clarify, with that particular camera high ISOs are pretty good. Up to about 400 there is just very little noticeable noise in a print, and even higher ISOs print well. Of course don't just take my word for it, take some photos on various settings and compare the prints. With digital, the main advantage to a fast lens is the shallow depth of field that can help bring out the subject.

As you are have probably noticed, there is little substitute for good lenses. Just continue the research and buy the best you can "afford".
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larsrc

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Need camera for action photography
« Reply #6 on: July 09, 2007, 11:09:01 am »

Quote
I'm back!

I went and got a Canon Rebel XTi.  Based on the reviews I've read it isn't a bad rig.  The thing that is killing me is that I'm just now realizing how far in over my head I am.

So I got a great camera but the lense is going to determine my results.  I've done a bit or reading and to capture an image like:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1152/630709917_7369b892b7.jpg
I need a lense with a small F stop# so I can run a fast shutter speed with an ISO setting of 100 (or something low).  which basically means the kit lense that came with the camera won't work.  It will work great for pictures of the kids doing kid things.  However,  sitting on a hill over looking a race track is completely different.

I'm starting to research the telephoto lenses now.  The Canon L series lenses look great and seem well liked.  But damn - talk about emptying your wallet in hurry.

Anyway - lots to study.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=125001\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

While the L series are indeed great, there are plenty useful alternatives.  Do not discount the possibility of using primes, either.  Go to photozone.de to find systematic tests of many different lenses, both Canon and third-party.  But definitely work with your current lens for a while until you can say with some confidence what it is you lack with it and what you can live without.  Good luck!

-Lars predicts an 70-200 f/4 L (non-IS)
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tweek

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Need camera for action photography
« Reply #7 on: July 09, 2007, 03:10:57 pm »

For now I grabbed a 'cheap' 75 - 300 zoom lense from BestBuy.  I looked at the version with image stabilization - but I don't have an extra $700 at the moment.

So far I'm really liking this camera.  We took it to Padre with us and we got a lot of great shots.  I also used it at night on the 4th of July.  I'll get some of the pictures up on my Flickr page tonight.  I am blown away at how good the pictures came out.

I havent had a chance to do much with the zoom lense.  Got a picture of a fire hydrant at the other end of my neighborhood.  Even without IS the images are good.  I'll setup the tripod and do some more stuff later.

oh - just occured to me.  My daughter has a belt test tonight.  Chance to get some action shots. woo hoo.
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tweek

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Need camera for action photography
« Reply #8 on: July 09, 2007, 03:14:51 pm »

One final thing - 10mp does make good 20"x30" posters!

We took a picture of one of dogs and I ordered a poster through Flickr.  Flickr did a great job with the image and I'm really happy with the results.  



I should have lightened up the picture before sending it in, but I'm still learning my way around photoshop.
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larsrc

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Need camera for action photography
« Reply #9 on: July 09, 2007, 04:54:22 pm »

Quote
For now I grabbed a 'cheap' 75 - 300 zoom lense from BestBuy.  I looked at the version with image stabilization - but I don't have an extra $700 at the moment.

So far I'm really liking this camera.  We took it to Padre with us and we got a lot of great shots.  I also used it at night on the 4th of July.  I'll get some of the pictures up on my Flickr page tonight.  I am blown away at how good the pictures came out.

I havent had a chance to do much with the zoom lense.  Got a picture of a fire hydrant at the other end of my neighborhood.  Even without IS the images are good.  I'll setup the tripod and do some more stuff later.

oh - just occured to me.  My daughter has a belt test tonight.  Chance to get some action shots. woo hoo.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=127306\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

For sports, IS doesn't really buy you much, except maybe the ability to pan (which I why I predicted the 70-200 f/4 non-IS rather than the 70-300 IS USM).  But if you're considering indoors sports as a main thing, you'll need *way* more light, and primes will be the way to go.

-Lars
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tweek

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Need camera for action photography
« Reply #10 on: July 09, 2007, 11:53:59 pm »

larsrc - I'll be shooting pictures at race tracks so I'll mostly be outside with natural lighting (doubt I'll take this thing out in the rain).

The lense I grabbed at bestbuy was a bit more than 200.  I used it tonight to take pictures at my duaghter's belt test.  The results were decent.   The studio is well lit.  The biggest problem is the n00b holding the camera.  I used both lenses just to see what the results would be like.  Out of 89 pictures I will probably keep 20 or so.  I'm alight with that consider that the card holds 400 jpegs.

The fireworks stuff though came out much better than I expected:


On the way home I took a few pictures in the dark just to see what would happen.  Here is the result:

The image is a blurry because I was holding the camera and the shutter was being run really slow.  While the picture itself isn't anything great I am impressed by the amount of light the camera did pick up.  On a tripod you might be able to get away with something like this.

[BTW - there are two street lights but the street is no where near as well lit as this picture would lead you to believe.]
« Last Edit: July 10, 2007, 12:00:04 am by tweek »
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larsrc

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Need camera for action photography
« Reply #11 on: July 10, 2007, 07:58:33 am »

Quote
larsrc - I'll be shooting pictures at race tracks so I'll mostly be outside with natural lighting (doubt I'll take this thing out in the rain).

The lense I grabbed at bestbuy was a bit more than 200.  I used it tonight to take pictures at my duaghter's belt test.  The results were decent.   The studio is well lit.  The biggest problem is the n00b holding the camera.  I used both lenses just to see what the results would be like.  Out of 89 pictures I will probably keep 20 or so.  I'm alight with that consider that the card holds 400 jpegs.

The fireworks stuff though came out much better than I expected:


[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=127371\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Nice fireworks shot, those are not trivial to get right.  You got a couple lenses to train with now, have fun and learn stuff!  But expect to start wanting better lenses before too long, just don't give in to the temptation to buy more expensive things before you know *why* the new equipment will help you in the particular situations you find yourself in.

-Lars
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