Another what DSLR camera question...
Discussion
OK so I'm going to scratch my DSLR itch. The thing is, I know nothing about them. I've had a play with a few, but apart from that, as a Spanish waiter used to say, I know nothing!
So, what I need are your recommendations, key features I need are:
Good for sports (want to capture golf swings so 10fps would be good, also F1, and a bit of footy and cricket)
Landscapes (again, I want to be able to bring depth to golf courses, as well as tropical islands, the Lake District etc)
Low light pictures, especially city scapes.
HD video.
Not massive.
Am also after some lens recommendations based on the above - a decent zoom would be one of the requirements for sports.
TIA
So, what I need are your recommendations, key features I need are:
Good for sports (want to capture golf swings so 10fps would be good, also F1, and a bit of footy and cricket)
Landscapes (again, I want to be able to bring depth to golf courses, as well as tropical islands, the Lake District etc)
Low light pictures, especially city scapes.
HD video.
Not massive.
Am also after some lens recommendations based on the above - a decent zoom would be one of the requirements for sports.
TIA
Most (including me) recommend Canon or Nikon, because there are SO many more new and secondhand lenses available.
Low light is a problem unless you spend big.
18-55 is a good walk around lens. 70-300 good for sport, wildlife.
I take most of my landscapes at about 50mm (Many others prefer much wider - i.e. 20mm ish)
Low light is a problem unless you spend big.
18-55 is a good walk around lens. 70-300 good for sport, wildlife.
I take most of my landscapes at about 50mm (Many others prefer much wider - i.e. 20mm ish)
Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 13th March 15:18
Beware that the A55 has limited functionality in 10fps mode. I think you can only use it in automatic exposure. I wouldn't get too hung up on 10fps. Really only the top-of-the-range Canon and Nikon models do it properly and they cost about £3,500. For something like a golf swing, unless you absolutely must photograph a particular swing in a particular position, you can always just photograph the next one.
If you think you're only ever going want a camera and, say, two or three ordinary lenses then any make will do. From what I've read they're all much-of-a-muchness in terms of performance. If you think you'll get seriously into it, then I would agree that Canon or Nikon are best for their range of lenses and accessories. What exact model to get depends on how much you want to spend and whether you fancy the idea of buying second-hand.
If you think you're only ever going want a camera and, say, two or three ordinary lenses then any make will do. From what I've read they're all much-of-a-muchness in terms of performance. If you think you'll get seriously into it, then I would agree that Canon or Nikon are best for their range of lenses and accessories. What exact model to get depends on how much you want to spend and whether you fancy the idea of buying second-hand.
I'm a great fan of the Sony Alpha range, you get great features for a good price.
I would offer a word of caution over the A33 & A55 though. There is a compatibility issue with some Sigma lenses, so it can limit the choice of secondhand lenses.
If you're thinking of the A55, take a look at the A580.
I added an A580 to my collection before Christmas, and it's an impressive piece of kit.
I would offer a word of caution over the A33 & A55 though. There is a compatibility issue with some Sigma lenses, so it can limit the choice of secondhand lenses.
If you're thinking of the A55, take a look at the A580.
I added an A580 to my collection before Christmas, and it's an impressive piece of kit.
I'm might seem out of my depth here, but I've got a Sony Alpha 200 with 18-55 and 75-300mm lens' and that's served me mightily fine at DTM, Super trucks, Trackdays, BTCC, Local meets, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kenya, France.. Virtually everything
ETA: I'm a mong, didn't read HD Video.. But i use a separate HD HDD/SD camcorder
ETA: I'm a mong, didn't read HD Video.. But i use a separate HD HDD/SD camcorder
Edited by HedgehogFromHell on Sunday 13th March 19:16
Edited by HedgehogFromHell on Sunday 13th March 19:17
Theres only 2 SLR's that realy do 10fps, canons 1D3 and canons 1D4.
Nikons D300, D300s, D700, D3 all do 8fps, canons 7D does 8fps too.
A more realistic option would be a canon 50D at 6.5fps, but that doesnt do video.
Canons 7D does video at up to 60fps (720p) which may be a better option for golf swings, as you dont realy need 18mp to study them I suspect.
Not sure I would bother looking at the sony mirrorless bodies.
Nikons D300, D300s, D700, D3 all do 8fps, canons 7D does 8fps too.
A more realistic option would be a canon 50D at 6.5fps, but that doesnt do video.
Canons 7D does video at up to 60fps (720p) which may be a better option for golf swings, as you dont realy need 18mp to study them I suspect.
Not sure I would bother looking at the sony mirrorless bodies.
tinman0 said:
Never realised some of the Sony kit was mirror less. What's the point of a DSLR without a proper pentaprism and mirror?
Only the a33 and a55 are mirrorless, it has advantages (i.e. phase focusing in live view, easy 10fps etc) but has some big disadvantages too.Sonys real SLR's (ones with mirrors) arnt great for sports typicaly.
SamHH said:
For something like a golf swing, unless you absolutely must photograph a particular swing in a particular position, you can always just photograph the next one.
The bulk of a golf swing is so fast you're unlikely to get a particular position anyway; in fact you could probably do as well using single shot and good reflexes. If capturing golf swings is your prime aim you'd be better looking at video cameras - which start at 25fps 
Golf swing takes about what 2 seconds total. But the fast part is 100-140mph or so , it will require a very fast shutter speed, thus fast lens and lots of light or flash (and a decent one to fire multiple shots).
IMO better to set up for One shot during a swing with a couple of flashes and a fast lens and have multiple swings, or video it (which will still need plenty of light for fast shutter).
IMO better to set up for One shot during a swing with a couple of flashes and a fast lens and have multiple swings, or video it (which will still need plenty of light for fast shutter).
Do it in the dark and set the flash to strobe...
Or buy lots of cameras: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eadweard_Muybridge
Or buy lots of cameras: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eadweard_Muybridge
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