OK Camera People

[release the hounds]

All of you guys that take all these awesome action shots of your dogs, what are you shooting?

Finally we've decided to get a new camera and I don't want to spend 2 grand for a body and another 3 for a lens or more, but I don't want to spend 800 bucks for a set up I'll be disappointed with either?

SO what do you guys get all these great shots with? I know a few things, but not much I used to actually shot action shots just out of school years ago, but that was with someone else's setup and it was high end canon stuff. It was cool, but I know I don't need that, but don't really know what to look at. I feel salesmen are just trying to sell me stuff

I'm looking at the new canon T4i/650D but don't know if it's enough, or not enough??

I know there are threads all over here about cameras, but I did a search and it comes back with everything but camera threads

 

[Linds]

I have a Canon 40D used with a 50mm 1/8 lens which I like because it's pretty cheap but very versatile.

I got my camera from the big canon forum. They have a classifieds section and they are all crazy anal photographers and take super great care of their stuff. So I ended up getting it for around 400 dollars almost new. It's an older model but I've heard great things about it and I do really like it.

Hopefully Michiyo-Fir sees this since she's totally in the know working at a camera store. She's super helpful and I really know nothing about cameras.

 

[Shai]

I also have a Canon 40D. Like it a lot. Will be picking up a 50mm f1/8 for my Happy-Holidays-to-Me present this year I think but I usually use my 28-135mm stock lens or my 70-300mm long lens (well, longer of the two anyway) both of which came with the body all of which came from a photography student at the local uni who was switching majors. Good deal.

 

[stardogs]

I have a Canon Rebel XT that I bought used. The body and kit lens ended up costing $250 plus shipping. Body from Adorama, lens from KEH, both online. I bought a better distance zoom lens from KEH as well for an additional $100 or so.

 

[JacksonsMom]

My action shots aren't as great as some others here, but I blame that more on the photographer (me) than the camera! LOL... I don't do anything other than put it on sports mode and snap snap snap away, and I think they come out pretty good for that, very minimal effort on my part.

I use a Canon T1i with the lens it came with (18-55mm).

I hope to add a 50mm lens to my collection though, and hopefully take a class to better learn how to use the thing! Or at least put more effort into learning everything it does.

 

[release the hounds]

So you're telling me I don't have to buy a 1200 set up? I like that

 

[Lizmo]

Nikon D40X with a 35mm 1.8 lens. That was probably around 5 years ago that I bought the camera. For around $400. My advice, get a decent camera, then invest in a nice lens.

I have an 18-55 and 70-300 lens, but neither are nearly as nice as my 35 1.8 lens. I only use the 35 lens now.

 

[Shai]

So you're telling me I don't have to buy a 1200 set up? I like that

You definitely don't, especially if you are patient and really look hard for a good slightly used one.

 

[CatStina]

I have a Nikon D50 (it's 6 years old), a Nikon FM2 (Film camera), and a Cannon PowerShot. I really like the pictures the D50 takes, though the Cannon has more MegaPixels so the pictures can usually be enlarged more. My most used camera, though, is my iPhone's camera! The FM2 takes great pictures, too, but film is pretty pricey so I don't use it often.

ETA: My avatar picture was taken with iPhone, Saxon and the Cats in my signature were taken with FM2 and the Gerbils were taken with the D50.

 

[milos_mommy]

Haven't posted pics in a while, but I have a Nikon d50 which takes great action shots, especially with some attachment lenses.

 

[MyHorseMyRules]

Considering I don't have a clue what I'm doing and basically just point and click, my Nikon D80 takes really nice pictures. I'm going to make Linds use it for a bit when I visit for Christmas to see what it can do in more capable hands. Not sure how much it will run you since mine is ~5 years old, but I really do love it.
For something cheap and easy, the Nikon Coolpix worked pretty well for me. But now that I have my D80 back, I seldom use it.

 

[Toller_08]

I have a Nikon D7000 and prior to it I had a Nikon D40. I also had a D90 inbetween, but it doesn't count, because it was a lemon. It couldn't accurately focus for stills, let alone action.

But I love my D7000 and loved my D40. In many ways I wish I'd never sold the D40. For an inexpensive camera, I enjoyed it almost as much as I like my D7000. And in fact, I had better luck capturing action with my D40 most days than with my D7000 for some reason. But I really can't complain about my current camera at all.

My brother has a Canon T2i that he picked up used and while I find the camera confusing slightly because I'm not used to Canons, I was happy with the shots I was able to get with it. It actually seems to focus more accurately and quicker for action shots than any of my Nikons did. A lot of my action shots with my own camera are out of focus as I find it lags sometimes or focuses too intently on something I didn't want it to, while my brother's Canon just did what I told it no questions asked. But with that said, I love my current Nikon (and the D40 before it) and I still get plenty of nice action shots with it.

So I think you should be able to find an inexpensive DSLR that still does what you want it to do. My D7000 is probably out of your price range, but I know my brother's camera only cost about $600 (used) and my D40 cost about $400 (new). Both came with lenses, although I eventually bought nicer lenses for my camera/s. The ones they came with though I did just fine with for well over a year.

 

[SaraB]

I have a Nikon D80, purchased used for $500. Before that I had a Sony A200. I loved my Sony, still getting used to the D80. I'm struggling taking action shots and am not sure if it's the camera or me, but I intend to figure it out. LOL

 

[kady05]

The T4i paired with a decent lens would probably be perfect for you. It's a nice camera, from what I've heard. Not sure how much they're going for since they're still fairly new. A 7D would be a good option too, but I doubt you could find one in the $800 price range.

I had a T1i before, and was pretty satisfied with the shots I got, but now that I have my 1D Mark III, there is no comparison. All of the pictures in this thread were taken with the 1D: http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186404

It's not cheap though, but I got an insanely good deal on mine that I couldn't pass up.

For action shots, I highly, highly recommend a 70-200mm lens.. the f/4 (which is what I have) is cheaper, just not as good in low light as the f/2.8 version. I got my f/4 version for $550 used, FWIW.

Lens are at least 50% of the equation (if not more), especially when it comes to action shots, so don't skimp there.

 

[Equinox]

You definitely do not have to spent thousands of dollars for nice action pictures. My action shots are not great but my camera does a decent job, although I use Nikon. I have a Nikon D90 with a 50mm f/1.8 lens and an 18-55mm f/3.5 - 5.6 kit lens. The Nikon body was $500 and the 50mm f/1.8 D, which I have, was $50. The G series costs more, and lens compatibility will depend on the body you have. I bought both lens and body used, off of Craigslist, no less.

Canon sells the equivalent of those lenses for a similar price, although the 50mm f/1.8 is mostly for portraiture and you will probably want a zoom lens that goes higher than the 18 - 55mm for trials and performance events. I don't know much about Canons, because I'm unfamiliar with the way they're built and how they feel when I hold them, but Linds and Kady definitely know their cameras and do an incredible job shooting with them.

I see Nikon D40 kits selling used for around $300, which is what I paid for for my Point and Shoot, so I actually wish I started out with the D40.

Also hope Michiyo-Fir sees this, she shoots with a Nikon but really knows her stuff. She works in a camera shop and was (and still is) my go-to person whenever I have questions about equipment or technicalities.

Anyway, more importantly - YES!! You are getting a camera! And we might even see pictures of your dogs :rofl1:

 

[release the hounds]

Anyway, more importantly - YES!! You are getting a camera! And we might even see pictures of your dogs

I may not have pictures, but I did post some short videos That's gotta count for something.

The T4i paired with a decent lens would probably be perfect for you.

I was looking at the T4i, looks to have what I want, and a versatile camera. I was looking with the 18-135mm EF-S IS STM Lens that comes with it. But mostly because I don't know what I'm really looking at and it sounds nice

But I have seen some used T4i body for sale around 650 or so. That can't be that used, it's a rather new camera. Would you recommend just looking for a used body and then a different lens?

I'll have to check out both the canon 40D and the NikonD40 or whatever D and 40 is where I defintely think an older camera would be great for me, I just get nervous because I don't know what to look for in buying a used one so I'll probably end up putting up some more cash just for piece of mind in getting a mostly new or new one.

I think the D7000 is a bit out of my range. The body is about a grand it looks like and as long as i'm under 1200 total for lens and body I'm good. But I just think the camera has way more capability than I'll need for a while and after chatting with your guys it appears I don't need to get a body on that level for what I need.

Thanks for all the input, if you have more, keep it coming Thanks

 

[kady05]

I just found this T41 with the 18-135mm lens on the POTN forums for $1000 shipped: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1240172 (he dropped the price, see last post).

I haven't read much on the 18-135mm lens, so I can't comment too much on that. I just know that I wouldn't trade my 70-200mm for anything. I have a 50mm (aka the Nifty Fifty) too, and for the price (they're around $100 used, maybe cheaper, for the f/1.8 version) they can produce nice shots.

I personally have no issue buying used as long as it's from a reputable seller. All of my camera gear came to me used, that's how I was able to afford it! Definitely check on the POTN forum often, as well as http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/ they both have super active sale sections and most of the people there are avid photographers who take great care of their gear.

 

[release the hounds]

Thanks for the links, In my favorites for now to keep checking.

I was looking at adorama and KEH listed before too. The more I look the more comfortable I think i'll be going used.

If I do, I could get a nice body and 2 lenses for less than what I have set aside for this. nifty 50, I like that