Photography question?

Question

I have allways been interested in photography. I fancied sports photography as a kid but never followed it up. I looked at the courses in my area and have missed this years enrollment. I have a full time job so plan to do night classes next year now. In the meantime I fancy getting some equipment and grasping the basics myself so I dont come across as a complete amature next year. I know there are many different cameras and that the basic equpment is quite epensive. I dont need a really expensive camera. Just one to get me going. Can anyone give me a few pointers on what stuff I should buy, any good books and any other info would be appreciated. Any tips and advice would be great!!

Thanks for your time

Answer 1

Start with a Canon EOS, they are reliable, not to expensive and very easy to use. A tripod is always handy, different lenses can be bought at a later date - unless you buy a package/bundle (camera body and 2 lenses). You can experiment as you go along with filters and different films, practice using different apertures etc as and when you feel comfortable. Get the basics right first, then you can imagine what effects you think the camera will produce and see if you can create them in different ways. Subtle lighting can change shots just as much as harsh lighting, use the aperture settings and you will soon realise that you can do just about anything you want.

A good book to start you off is "Photography: A practical guide" by Ailsa McWhinnie and Philip Andrews. The ISBN no. is 1-84442-665-3. It covers both film and digital photography.

Answer 2

Hello, i would advise you to buy some 70`s film camera, this has been the tougher era, with several electronics, and amazingly built. You have plenty of time for buying a digital camera, and this way you shoot a couple of rolls, if you dont like it you wont be feeling bad about spending a 1000 dollars. Autofocus isnt really necesary (i had autofocus cameras and end up choosing manual focus lenses and cameras). Personnally i use pentax because:
K bayonet is still in production and can even be used with latest DSLR,
It is used by lots of manufacturer such as Chinon, zenith, and many more. You will find a nice variety of EXCELENTE lenses for a great price. Let me reccomend as an outfit.

Pentax ME SUPER (it has manual, and diaphragm priority)
Motor winder (attached bellow, gives a greater handling for the camera and also a 3fps advancing)
Pentax M 50mm 1.7 (there is a 1.4 but is far more expensiva and it isnt worthy for one f stop)
Pentax M 135mm 3.5 It is not heavy at all. There is a version that is 2.8 but is heavier and i havent noticed any difference,
Pentax M 28mm or 35mm I dont use this because i dont like wide angles, but maybe you will. Arent necessary at all
This will not be expesive at all and you will be able to learn everyything you need....
Best lucks and enjoy a new hobbie

Answer 3

Don't go for one with the most megapixels.
Go for a company that was well known for film cameras. They know a thing or two about the lens and optics.
Head onto Ebay, search Canon Powershot. They do a complete range. The Powershot S3 is good value and feature packed. Others will give me a thumbs down and recommend something else, but at the end of the day, it's all about the photos it produces.

Additional to "Car and Photo Nut":
I guess you have trouble reading questions. I'll highlight the important part again:
"I dont need a really expensive camera. Just one to get me going."
Did he ask "What is the best camera for sports photography?" No. Go figure.

Answer 4

I'm into photography too now all of a sudden. I wanted to go to Wimbeldon Arts College but missed the boat. So I'm gonna do these intense courses on Saturdays up in Charing Cross. They are like £400 & last for about 2 months. Just make sure u get a camera with like 10/11 megapixels - I have seen some at Argos that aren't tooo expensive.

Answer 5

1) The best way to learn photography is with a manual 35mm film camera. Buy a Pentax K1000 or Minolta SRT-101 or 102 or 201 or 202 or a Canon FTb. A 50mm f1.7 or 1.8 lens will be fine to start with. (Note: All Pentax K-mount lenses will mount to the newest Pentax digital SLR, the K10D). Using a fully manual 35mm camera will help you learn about f-stops and shutter speed and ISO. Learning to focus yourself instead of depending on the camera won't hurt either. Buying a simple digital "Point & Shoot" camera will teach you very little, if anything. Buying a DSLR will likely lead to frustration since you will know nothing about using the various settings.

2) Buy a copy of "OBJECT & IMAGE: AN INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOGRAPHY, THIRD EDITION" by George M. Craven.

3) Search ebay and amazon for the old HPBooks series "How To Select and Use (Pentax) (Minolta) (Canon) SLR Cameras. An excellent complement to the Owner's Manual with your camera.

4) Visit your library and check out biographies of, and/or books about, Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston, Robert Capa, Margaret Bourke-White, Ansel Adams, Paul Strand, David Muench, Jerry Uelsmann, Monte Zucker, Diane Arbus.

5) While you're raiding the library, check out the photography magazines they subscribe to. Pick one or two and give yourself a gift subscription to them.

6) Learn to study a scene before you release the shutter. Stop looking and begin seeing. See the picture you want to make in your mind and then figure out how to make that picture with your camera.

See the powerlines that might "run through" your subject's head; see the tree or pole "growing" out of their head; see the litter at their feet; see the scene from different positions - moving just a couple of feet to the right or left or forward or backward can often change a scene and what you want to include or exclude; see the scene from different angles - shoot lying down or kneeling or standing on a rock or bench or make an exposure from all of those positions. Don't just stand there like a statue.

No doubt there will be many who critize what I've offered. Some may even give it a "Thumbs Down". So what.

Answer 6

Sports photography requires DSLR for quick reaction time. PERIOD. One of the poster above mentioned a Canon powershot series. NONSENSE! I used to own a powershot G series camera and it is NOWHERE near good enough for sports photography.

Another poster recommended 35-70 lens. Another non-sense.

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You will have to get a very good zoom lens like 80-200 F2.8 lens (you can probably get it new for about $1,000 to $1,500 - the LENS not the camera). So add that to the cost of DSLR. This is the starter lens only.

This kind of photography requires lots of expensive equipment. Just watch the sports photographer on the edges of playing fields. Look at the giant lens they use. In indoor sports (darker lighting) you will need different lens from outdoor sports (more magnification).

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Bottom line is to start with DSLR. I use Nikons but that's mostly for weddings and portraits. I see ALL the sports photographer using Canon (white barrels on the lens).

You say you don't need really expensive camera. WRONG. You need a camera with very fast frame rate (meaning Cha-Ching). And you you need those super zoom that can focus in split seconds (Cha, Cha, Cha-Ching).

You also need to know the sport you are photographing.

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One good thing about sports photography is that you can learn by photographing teen and amateur sports. Once you have good (great) shots, you can create a portfolio and then move your way up from local newspapers to regional and city and (if you are lucky) sports magazines.

Good Luck.

Answer 7

Plenty of advice on equipment. Another side to look at is what sport (s) are you interested in. There are a lot of them. Get to know the sport so you can anticipate what might happen. There's a big difference in knowing what to photograph at a rugby match compared to a football game or even a track motor race compared to a closed road rally. Learn the sport, learn to anticipate, and get quick reactions.

Answer 8

the nikon d40x isn't a bad camera. thats what im planning to buy. You dont want a basic camera first then upgrade as this will cost you more money in the long run. Jessops have some good offers on at the moment, it would be worth asking their advice on the best camera for your needs.

Answer 9

Firstly do you want to focus on digital or film photography.
Having been a semi pro photographer many years back you can get in film SLRs quite cheaply with interchangeable lenses I'd suggest 35-70mm to start.
However if you chose digital them maybe start off with a compact camera and see how you feel,because although I'd highly recommend digital SLRs they can still be expensive depending on your budget !!!

Good luck and happy hunting :)

Answer 10

I have a Pentax K110D, and a Tamron 70-300mm Macro lens. For sports photography, up to 600mm will be better.
Excellent camera and lens for the price. Take a trip to your nearest Jessops, they are very helpfull, or try there website.
http://www.jessops.com/?refer=SSP
Feel free to email me if you want to see some results.
Good luck.