Good camera for action shots?

Question

I'm trying to find a relatively in-expensive camera by kodak that takes really good action-type photos. i need it to take pictures at sporting events at school for journalism any suggestions?

Answer 1

I'm not sure if Kodak makes a camera that would be a good choice for sports photography. What you really need to look at with a digital camera is the lag time between when the sensor captures the image and writes it to your card. You don't want to miss a shot because your camera is tied up writing an image and won't accept a new one.

If you want to go digital, you're probably looking at either a Canon Rebel XTi or a Nikon D40x. Both are relative inexpensive and have an impressive arrary of lenses available that are well suited for action photography.

Answer 2

A DSLR is the only type of camera that fits your needs. Point & shoot cameras all suffer from shutterlag, which takes the photo a second or more after you've pressed the shutter button.

You can find inexpensive used SLR film cameras. I'd recommend more recent Nikons or the most recent Canons, as their lenses will fit the current DSLR models.

For sporting events, you need a longer zoom and the ability to choose higher ISO speeds.

The Nikon D40 can be found from this dependable Ebay vendor. Here's a two lens package for $569.99.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D40-Digital-SLR-Camera-2-Lens-Kit-1-yr-Warranty_W0QQitemZ160153195657QQihZ006QQcategoryZ150130QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

By the way, check out the link below. Those were taken from high in the stands, across the stadium, with an older 75-300mm lens on my discontinued D50, which was replaced by the D40. I was also shooting at ISOs from 400-1600 and had to reduce the picture size & quality before uploading.

Answer 3

To take good sports photos requires a fast shutter speed. A fast shutter speed requires either a lot of light or a fast (f1.4, f2) lens or a high ISO. If the available light is a football stadium then a fast lens and/or a high ISO will be needed.

Sigma makes a 50-150mm f2.8 constant aperture zoom lens. (A constant aperture is one that doesn't change as the focal length changes. Most zoom lenses are more like the Tamron 18-250mm f3.5/6.3 - and f6.3 is slow.)

Here are some examples from my FotoSharp (fotosharp.com) "Day & Night Exposure Guide" at various ISO settings for Scene # 7 "Sports With Stadium Lights" * :

ISO 400

At f1.4, 1/500 sec.
At f2, 1/250 sec.
At f2.8, 1/125 sec.
At f4, 1/60 sec.

ISO 800

At f1.4, 1/1000 sec.
At f2, 1/500 sec.
At f2.8, 1/250 sec.
At f4, 1/125 sec.

As you can readily see, a zoom with a constant aperature of f2.8 or f4 (f3.5 is close enough) is needed and even then you'll have to use ISO 800.

So, you see, good low light or night photography has more to do with the lens used, its "speed" and the ISO you choose than it does with the actual camera.

* I have no idea exactly how bright "stadium lights" might be. They could mean light sufficient for television or your average high school field lighting. You'll have to determine that yourself by taking meter readings before the game.

Answer 4

It sounds like this camera won't ever be in a professional environment so, you don't need anything too fancy. Mainly a camera that meets the following specifications

High ISO setting (up to 1600)
Low Aperature setting (down to 2.8 would be great - 5.6 otherwise)
And an instant shutter so there isn't a delay.
Good optical / digital zoom (6x digital / 12x optical)

For what you are looking into, all brands are pretty much the same. It isn't until you get to the higher priced DSLR's that the brands start to offer different features.

Answer 5

Your best bet is to get a film SLR camera. You'll need the speed and the versatility of different lenses to get good action/sports shots. Take a look at Nikon N80. You can get one for under $200 from eBay (brand new) and maybe even with some Sigma or Tamron zoom lenses, etc. You can get the Nikon (Nikkor) lenses as well, but it'll be a bit more expensive.

Answer 6

the hot Nikon D7000 specs seem quite stable for activities. in case you pick for tthe terrific your finding on the authentic of the line Canon and Nikon fashions although. do no longer forget approximately to characteristic lenses to your funds, you would be wanting quickly lenses for indoor activities taking photos $$$$$.

Answer 7

i would try to find somehting with a very fast shutter-speed

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