New Camera?

[Sully]

Alright, so after a bunch of blurry shots from karting and Autocrosses alike, my dad decided he wants a decent digital camera to take pictures with. One that can take high speed shots. I know nothing about cameras and I know most of you are photographers so what should he get? Needs to be pretty entry level, and pretty simple to use and easy to transfer pictures, so pretty much use an SD card which I guess most of em use. He is willing to spend a fair amount so post prices of your suggestions and I am on ebya all the time if you guys think used would be the best route. Not sure, so I guess your opinion on new vs used would be helpful also. Thanks

[Steve85]

Just picked a Canon XS with 18-55mm and 55-250mm IS (image stabilization) lens'. It has several full auto settings and also allows you to set things manually if you want.

Some sample shots from our first time use. I took the track pics and my wife who has barely even used a regular SLR (100 distant soccer pics before realizing the lens was a zoom) took the soccer pics.









It's turning out to be a pretty solid camera for beginners and with room to grow. It's 10.2 MP which seems to be plenty for anything short of creating a billboard size reproduction.

Here is a poorly lit indoor shot that used the built-in flash (which pops up automatically).



We got the kit at Wal-Mart, camera body and two IS lens', for $649. Seems like a pretty solid deal. I went to Canon's website and couldn't put together this kit with refurb stuff any cheaper.

It does not have video capability that the T1 has, we have a pocket camcorder for that stuff so I couldn't justify the additional $200 for the T1 knowing it would be a long time before we were capable of using the advanced features.

Also, if you do search, there is another thread DJ started a few months back also asking for DSLR options/advice.

[fiveoh2go]

He is willing to spend a fair amount

How much are we talking?


I was recently in the same boat but did not want a digital SLR as I could see that becoming a money pit (I only need one of those :mrgreen: ) so I limited my search to the point-n-shoot models. I ended up with a Canon S90 and I'm very pleased with it so far. You can leave it in auto and it does all the thinking for you or it has a multitude of manual settings you can play with if you're so inclined.

[Sully]

Maybe $500 and then possibly more for lenses down the road

[Sully]

After looking at what the suggestions from dj's thread and what I'm seein here, maybe $500 isn't a fair amount, so my dad is tryin to spend as little as possible for the best camera he can get, so best camera on a budget

[Sully]

Oh yea, I kind of like the high speed background but when the car looks like its standing still. Maybe that sounds noobish but how do u do that, shutter speed?

[Jake]

Oh yea, I kind of like the high speed background but when the car looks like its standing still. Maybe that sounds noobish but how do u do that, shutter speed?

Yep, slower shutter speed (so it's open longer) and a slight pan of the camera from right to left (or vice versa depending on direction).

When I can think straight I'll pull together a few recommendations. Still tired from this weekend.

[Steve85]

Oh yea, I kind of like the high speed background but when the car looks like its standing still. Maybe that sounds noobish but how do u do that, shutter speed?

Yes, in the "action mode" the shutter speed is fast and just freezes the action. I also prefer the blurred background so I've been looking at how to do the manual settings. Looks pretty easy, switch the knob to M then adjust with a "roller" that is right next to the shutter release.

[Apoc]

Oh yea, I kind of like the high speed background but when the car looks like its standing still. Maybe that sounds noobish but how do u do that, shutter speed?

Yes, in the "action mode" the shutter speed is fast and just freezes the action. I also prefer the blurred background so I've been looking at how to do the manual settings. Looks pretty easy, switch the knob to M then adjust with a "roller" that is right next to the shutter release.

It's easier to just use the Shutter [S] mode. There you set the shutter speed and the camera figures everything else out. In full manual you're responsible for not only shutter speed but also things like aperture and white balance.

To the OP, if you're looking for simple you prolly want a point and shoot. I'd recommend Canon and they have quite a few with decent zoom if that's what you're most interested in. Pretty much all cameras these days have all those modes and manual settings that let you grow with the camera.

[DavidL]

I have my old Canon 30D if he is interested in that- good entry-level DSLR.

Basically for him it is the decision whether he wants to jump in the DSLR game or to get a high-level point and shoot. Both have their pros and cons- he needs to evaluate what he wants the camera to do for him. I have used the Canon G10 and G11 when traveling when I dont want to deal with the hassle of lugging around an SLR with multiple lenses etc- I would recommend that if he does not want to go the DSLR route.

[Sully]

I feel like a SLR will be more versatile for later on down the road and will be a good learning experience. Is the 30D pretty basic as far as does it have an option for everything to be Auto making it in essence a point and shoot? How much do you want for it David?

[Sully]

But i also feel like I would need one of you guys to set it up each time I want to use it, so maybe a point and shoot is the best option

[NTIman]

point and shoots blow for any sort of high speed action.

i have a canon rebel xs that i've used for a couple years, and it takes great pictures for the price.

[Mike]

get a used rebel. they last forever. i think i sold my original for $100? it still took great shots despite years of backpack/unprotected life.

[Evan]

Ive never been happy with P&S for sports photography.

get David's 30D (very nice camera), or get this.
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[HAULN-SS]

I dunno man, I think if I were you, I'd get this one:

You just can't hardly beat the deal on them

[Sully]

I dunno man, I think if I were you, I'd get this one: [img]http://image.hotrod.com/f/17124250/hrdp_0903w_02_z+2010_chevy_camaro+burnout.jpg[/img]

You just can't hardly beat the deal on them

?

[Steve85]

it's a Ka-MER-a

[Sully]

What is the benefit of a 55-250 lens, is it more zoom or wider or...?

[fiveoh2go]

I dunno man, I think if I were you, I'd get this one:

You just can't hardly beat the deal on them

it's a Ka-MER-a

:lol: