Sports photography question...

Alaskan Rover

Hi.
I haven't really messed with the particularities of sports photography since much lately. I used to enjoy it with my film SLR...particularly changing shutter speed, etc as needed to get an interesting shot that still conveys the poetry of movement.

I am in the market for a new digital camera, and would like to get one that excels in high-action, hi-speed photography. While I am quite new to the digital photo world, I have been film-based for years...and thus am used to making my OWN camera adjustments as necessary. Enjoyed it, in fact.

It seems digital photography largely precludes such micro-adjustments...and To me, that is both good and bad.

So, based upon the above, I am wondering what decent digital SLR cameras are out there that still give one a fair bit of control for an action/sports shot? I've had 3 high-quality point-n-shoot cameras and they just don't cut it in hi-speed sports...plus by the time the dang thing is ready to shoot...the "moment" is often long gone.

I'm used to shooting sports with my old Canon F-1 with a motor drive. Any digital SLRs replicate that type of useage WITHOUT spending THOUSANDS of dollars?? I'd like to find a highly adjustable SLR that has very high-speed shooting capability and is rather bullet-proof. I don't mind the weight...toting an old F-1, I'm rather used to that!! Any suggestions???

Art Scott

I am guessing on the low end and that is not cheap.....a canon 5D (full frame like your film cams) or 7D might be a good starting point.....

but I think it best if some of the canon camp weigh in on this..........

Qarik

from the nikon side you will need at least a d300s. It has the same basic AF module that the highest end D3 has. The canon equivalent is the 7D I believe.

SoCalAl

Qarik is right with the addition of excellent glass for either 7D or D300s. Makes a huge difference.

IdahoMotomom

You should be able to pick up a nice used Canon 1D Mark II or a IIN for around $1,000-$1,200. You cannot beat this camera for the price. The new equivalent goes for about $5k. I've had mine for almost a year and it's an amazing sports camera. If you hate you can turn around and sell it for as much as you paid for it. Pick yourself up a 70-200 2.8 and you should have complete control over what you want to shoot.

This camera is bullet proof. If you don't have the $$$ for the Canon 70-200, look at the Sigma. I have it, picked it up for $500 and I thrilled with the quality of my mx and soccer shots. Sure, I want the Canon glass and will be upgrading soon, but my Sigma is a nice copy and many of my shots are cleaner than the guy with the big gooseneck trailer selling his shots for $$$ with that pretty white lens.

mjpeters

Not sure where the idea that digital somehow precludes the level of "micro-adjustment" that you find with film comes from. These bodies have more settings and adjustments than your film bodies. ANY of the DSLRs out there will give you full manual control, plus.


If you just want to dabble and will be primarily shooting daytime sports, high FPS plus "bullet proof" - a Canon 1D (the original), can be had for less than $400 with a couple of batteries. While only 4mp, the files are beautiful, the AF is very fast and accurate and coming from film, you won't notice the lack of features vs. more advanced bodies.

From there a 1D mkII - $850-$1000 or 1D mkIIN $900-$1,200.




You didn't mention an EOS film body, so if you are still shooting FD, you're going to have to pick up some glass as well, which is going to cost you more than the bodies will.

GadgetRick

You can also look at a Canon 50D or 7D. I shoot a 50D for my sports shots and it does quite well although I've never shot with a 1D (I hear they're awesome for sports shots). The 7D is also great with it's killer AF system and high resolution (for cropping).

back2it

Mid-Cost-Body - Nikon D90, 11 focus points ($830)
Hi-Cost-Body - Nikon D300s, 51 focus points ($1600)

Glass economy - Nikon 70-300 VR ($550)
Glass better - Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VRII (not cheap - about $2300)

Longer reach - Nikon 300 f2.8 (even more not cheap - $6000)
Longer reach on the cheap - Nikon TCE 1.4 teleconverter (about $350)

Great sports pics are about tight cropping, spot on focus, stopping action and backgrounds with great bokeh. So the money you spend will obviously vary the success towards those goals.

Good luck.

Alaskan Rover

Thanks for all the great suggestions!! I'm going to look for the original 1D, as I am a BIG Canon fan. My dad's always been a Leica and Rollieflex man (now I've got a big box of old Leicas, Rollieflexes, Hassleblads and other weird old cameras!), but I've always liked my F-1 better than those...even with their fancy planar Zeiss and Leitz optics.

I've seen the pics of the older 4 mp 1Ds...I like em!! The 10 mp looks good too.

Plus the 1D would have the added advantage of using my FD long lenses...I've got the 800mm f/5.6 and the 600mm...(the good white true Canons )...these all originally cost some major coin...so I want to continue to use them, both for my black & white film shooting and for use with an EF mount EOS. So now, I still need to find a good true Canon FD-EF mount adapter...not the knock-offs - I hear they don't beget good quality and lose way too many stops). The genuine Canon ones are apparently blasted rare. I know I will lose some of the EOS functionality when using a FD adapter, but there will be ENOUGH useability to make it worthwhile!!

I've priced a USED Canon EF equivalent of the FD 800mm f/5.6 and they are around $11,000 and UP!! So, me thinks I'll be stepping up efforts trying to find a genuine Canon FD-EF Converter!!

I've always wondered why Canon didn't name their top-of-the-kine digital SLR the D-1....as it would be a carry-over from the F-1. Seems a no-brainer!

I've waited and waited for a digital camera-back adapter for the F-1 from Canon, for us F-1 nuts, but besides some rumours long ago, there has been nothing.

Thanks Back2it, for your Nikon info...Nikon are GREAT cameras! I love the Nikon F-3!!