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I want to start a horse photographing buisness at horse shows and I was wondering what camera would be the best for taking action shots of horses going over jumps and things like that. I also need a camera that will shoot good action shots in low light conditions. It can be a DSLR it just needs to be under $500, I know it is unfortunately not that much money to get a good quality camera but that is all I have.

2007-04-15 10:45:01 · 5 answers · asked by delaneythehorsegirl 2 in Consumer Electronics Cameras

5 answers

Been there, done that.

Best bottom dollar kit for action: Nikon D50 (used); Sigma 70-200 f2.8 HSM (used). In dim arenas you'll need every last ounce of ISO and aperture you can get. Monopod is recommended.

Remember -- NEVER DISTRACT A HORSE WHILE IT IS JUMPING OR YOU WILL BE TOSSED OUT (happened to me ;-)

Static and ribbon-award shots? Nikon's 18-70 kit lens and SB-800 (you wont need big apertures -- just a big honkin' flash). You'll also need to put the flash on at least a two-foot vertical extension to get rid of the hellacious blue-eye from those big horsey orbs. I used a piece of hockey stick.

Spend the money -- done right, the shots are spectacular and the horse owners have very deep pockets and are mainly bored trophy wives, if you get what I mean. Me, I switched to shooting car races because I couldn't stand the smell.

2007-04-16 16:29:21 · answer #1 · answered by V2K1 6 · 0 0

What you need is a camera with a really high ISO ( 3200 to be safe) and a lens with a really low aperture, like f/1.8 or lower. If you need a zoom lens then the lowest you will be able to get as far as the aperture is concerned is a 2.8.

Let me explain a bit about the aperture in case you don't know.
The aperture is how wide open the lens is when you shoot the shot, or in other words how much light the lens can allow onto the film or sensor. The wider it can open the lighter the pictures will be in low light.

Also, ISO is the sensitivity of the film or sensor. At 3200 the sensor or film is very sensitive to light, producing lighter pictures in low light conditions. Without this your pictures will be much too dark to be useful.

You might say, why don't I use a flash?

1. A flash produces ugly washed out photos in most cases.
2. In a large arena, you would need an expensive flash to even reach the horses you are photographing. This is not a problem for close ups.

In summary, the camera you get is not nearly as important as the lens you get. It must have a low f-stop (f/1.8 for fixed and f/2.8 for zoom/telephoto) and the ISO must be able to go up really high (3200 or even better 6400).

The end.

2007-04-15 14:33:14 · answer #2 · answered by El Gordo 3 · 0 0

If you didn't say that you had to limit yourself to $500, I'd be right in line with OMG, an excellent member here. But, don't despair. I am familiar with horse shows and, if you are around the edge of the arena at an equestrian event, the 18-55 kit lens would probably be adequate. You can get pretty close to most of the action, unless you are at some very high-line, restricted access event.

The cheapest DSLR that is worth owning is probably the Pentax K110D, and this is coming from a Nikon fan. This is a decent camera.

You can click on individual user comments on this page: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinions.asp?prodkey=pentax_k110d

You can also read this review of the K100D, which is the same camera as the K110D, except that it also has image stabilization in the camera: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/k100d.html

Check out this set-up. You can get the body, the "kit" lens for $395 after a rebate from B&H Photo in New York. (Rebate ends 4-30-07) You can find B&H by going to Yahoo! Shopping, as they are one of the retailers that Yahoo! links to.

"Pentax K110D, 6.1 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Kit with Pentax Zoom Super Wide Angle SMCP-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Autofocus Lens." You will still need a memory card, which you can buy for about $30-45, depending on the size you choose.

I think you'd be pretty successful with this set-up. If you want to, check out the K100D, which has the shake reduction and only costs about $100 more. Hurry before the rebate ends, though.

2007-04-15 14:10:09 · answer #3 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 0 0

You WILL need a (digital) SLR, and $500 won't even get you the lens you need - never mind the body.
The cheapest combo I can think of that will provide the zoom range you need with good low light performance and decent auto-focus speed is a Canon Rebel XTi (400D) with a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8. That, plus a memory card will set you back $1650. Add the 18-55mm kit lens (for general use) for just $80 more.
Consider it a business investment.

2007-04-15 11:54:36 · answer #4 · answered by OMG, I ♥ PONIES!!1 7 · 1 0

The new Nikon D7000 specifications seem lovely well for physical activities. If you wish tthe nice your watching on the best of the road Canon and Nikon items despite the fact that. Don't put out of your mind so as to add lenses in your price range, you'll be able to want rapid lenses for indoor physical activities taking pictures $$$$$.

2016-09-05 14:00:22 · answer #5 · answered by gaub 4 · 0 0

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