Are any bridge cameras suitable for sports shooting?

[ControlD]

I am squarely in the "semi-serious" amateur department when it comes to photography. I have been shooting with a Canon 30D for several years now, mainly just vacation and family photos.

Now my daughter (10 years old) is really getting into swimming as a sport and I would like to get some action shots during the meets. I realize that indoor swimming shots are not going to happen with my equipment, but summer season is almost here and that is an outdoor sport with decent sunlight.

I have been considering getting a better camera body for the ISO performance. My 30D is good up to about ISO 400 but anything higher is just asking for grainy photos. I figure a 70D would at least double that, probably more. Of course a faster zoom lens would help too ($$$$) but there is no way I can justify a 70-200 f/2.8 lens given my talent level. I could probably swing a f/4.0 lens which given better ISO performance from a new body I think will still give me better performance than my 30D with a faster lens?

Anyhow, this got me wondering how a superzoom type camera might work for this application. For sure the zoom part is covered but I'm not sure about lens speed. If anyone has any experience shooting similar subjects with a bridge camera I would be curious to hear how you fared.

** Edit for additional thoughts **

I am not thinking about something like a 65x zoom camera. I am thinking more along the lines of the following:

(1) Olympus Stylus 1 : 300mm zoom range with constant f/2.8. Perhaps limited by a smaller sensor 1/1.7 but compelling at the same time.
(2) Sony RX10. Large 8.3x zoom with constant f/2.8. Full 1" sensor and good burst, but pretty pricey.

Either of those options is decently expensive, but both can be had for the price of a 70D body alone.

 

[ControlD]

After a little research I think I have a better grasp on things. I never really knew about effective aperture versus listed aperture. Even the Sony RX10 with its' 1" sensor has an effective aperture of F7.6. The Olympus is worse at F13. Assuming all other things are equal, shooting anything moving decently fast at F7.6 isn't going to work out well.

 

[ControlD]

Bought a 70D, lol. Time for some new glass I suppose.

 

[radhak]

Seeing that you want to go the direction of more serious photography than before, you cannot go the opposite direction in terms of camera capability. A super-zoom is just a point and shoot with extra zoom, and would fare worse than the 30D, even if that's an old DSLR.

The 70D is a step in the right direction; even with a kit lens, it will outperform any super-zoom. And my experience using a camera besides at pools tells me that you don't really need a large zoom, but rather more speed. Even primes at f/1.8 might be great. But you have the right idea of compromising and getting a f/4; a friend of mine uses his 70-200mm f/4 excellently, selling pictures to the city magazine and his church brochures. He tells me he bought it used!

 

[radhak]

Bought a 70D, lol. Time for some new glass I suppose.

That was quick! Congrats! :thumbsup:

I have bought all my gear used, from Craigslist, so that's where I'd direct you for lens; or you could buy used (or refurbished) off Amazon - pretty reliable.

But even if you are not so inclined, lenses for DSLRs are long term investment, even longer than the camera itself, so you should not go wrong.

Word of advice: don't scrimp too much on the cost of the lens. Better spend higher now, than buy cheap, sell it cheaper and buy better later.

 

[ControlD]

radhak, thanks for the input. It seems like I go through this whole "screw it, I'm getting rid of this bulky camera" phase every couple of years. In the end, the physics involved pretty much dictate what will work and won't and you are right, there are no shortcuts.

I think I am going to start with a 85mm F1.8 and see how things work before dropping the big money on a serious zoom lens. I am moving from a 8MP camera to a 20MP camera so I should be able to shoot a little short and crop if need be. Should be a fun learning experience.

 

[ControlD]

That was quick! Congrats! :thumbsup:

I have bought all my gear used, from Craigslist, so that's where I'd direct you for lens; or you could buy used (or refurbished) off Amazon - pretty reliable.

But even if you are not so inclined, lenses for DSLRs are long term investment, even longer than the camera itself, so you should not go wrong.

Word of advice: don't scrimp too much on the cost of the lens. Better spend higher now, than buy cheap, sell it cheaper and buy better later.

I actually got the 70D used (at POTN) for $675 which isn't too bad at all. Can't wait to start using it.

 

[NAC]

For telephoto, I would recommend a 55-250 STM lens. It has great image quality and focuses quite well for sports. In my case, I considered (and rented) a 70-200 f/4 – but the one extra stop at the tele end isn't worth the added expense, weight, and loss of zoom on both ends. I would try that lens for a while with swimming and see what you think, you can find it refurb for only $200. To me, the only real upgrade is 5* the cost: a 70-200 2.8.

 

[ControlD]

For telephoto, I would recommend a 55-250 STM lens. It has great image quality and focuses quite well for sports. In my case, I considered (and rented) a 70-200 f/4 – but the one extra stop at the tele end isn't worth the added expense, weight, and loss of zoom on both ends. I would try that lens for a while with swimming and see what you think, you can find it refurb for only $200. To me, the only real upgrade is 5* the cost: a 70-200 2.8.

I have the older Canon 55-250IS lens which I will be trying although I have a feeling the focus might not work too well for tracking. I plan on racking it out and focusing on a spot to start with.

 

[CuriousMike]

I bet you put that 70D on spot focus + predictive tracking, continuous auto focus in burst mode and that 55-250 will hammer you out some fine (good light) images.

 

[ControlD]

I bet you put that 70D on spot focus + predictive tracking, continuous auto focus in burst mode and that 55-250 will hammer you out some fine (good light) images.

Well, there is one thing for sure: I have a LOT to learn! I have a feeling there are a ton of new features on this 70D that I didn't have on my 30D. I know I can use the two the same way, but I am excited to see how far things have progressed.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

The 85mm f/1.8 will get you a TON of good shots. At 85mm, the 55-250 is at f/4.5. Let's see...
f/1.8 to f/2.0 is 1/3 stop
f/2.0 to f/2.8 is 1 stop
f/2.8 to f/4 is 1 stop
f/4 to f/4.5 is 1/3 stop

So we are looking at 2 and 2/3rds stop difference. So something like a 7x difference in light intake. So we're talking about the difference between a 1/20 shutter speed and a 1/140 shutter speed, at a given ISO. HUGE difference.

If outdoors, the 55-250 will be ok. If indoors, you won't be able to get a usable sports shot with it. The 85/1.8 (or similar; e.g. 100/2, 135/2) will be required.

 

[ControlD]

Just a quick update. I received the 70D on Saturday but didn't really have much of a chance to use it until last night. Holy cow, what a difference this camera is compared to my 30D. The controls still feel familiar, but the low light performance is in another league entirely. I put on my Sigma 30mm F1.4 and took several shots inside just using natural light. Being able to bump the ISO well past 800 makes a world of difference. I took a few shots at ISO 3200 and they still look good. The live view focusing is pretty neat as well.

Anyhow, this doesn't really address my sports shooting question but now I see what I can do with a fast lens and this body I think my next step will be getting the 85mm F1.8.

 

[radhak]

Before you ring the 85mm in, do this: take your new camera with the old 55-250IS lens to the swimming pool, and try out pictures at the various zooms (85mm, 100mm, 135mm, etc).

The quality of pictures may not be great, but you will get to know the exact zoom that suits you the best - at times the reach of the 135 might be better than that of the 85mm. (I love close up pictures of swimmers when drops of water are all around them, clearly visible).

This in turn will allow you to judge which prime is most optimal for you currently - the 135/f2 would be just as good as the 85/f1.8 in speed, if that's your preferred distance.

As slashbin has eloquently described it, prime lens offer a lot of speed; you sacrifice flexibility of zoom, but if you choose carefully, you might sidestep that.

All this talk of new camera is stirring me up - I'm still saving up to buy a replacement for mine that I lost last year; soon, I hope.

 

[ControlD]

Before you ring the 85mm in, do this: take your new camera with the old 55-250IS lens to the swimming pool, and try out pictures at the various zooms (85mm, 100mm, 135mm, etc).

The quality of pictures may not be great, but you will get to know the exact zoom that suits you the best - at times the reach of the 135 might be better than that of the 85mm. (I love close up pictures of swimmers when drops of water are all around them, clearly visible).

This in turn will allow you to judge which prime is most optimal for you currently - the 135/f2 would be just as good as the 85/f1.8 in speed, if that's your preferred distance.

As slashbin has eloquently described it, prime lens offer a lot of speed; you sacrifice flexibility of zoom, but if you choose carefully, you might sidestep that.

All this talk of new camera is stirring me up - I'm still saving up to buy a replacement for mine that I lost last year; soon, I hope.

That's good advice. I can pretty much say right now that the Canon 135/f2 is going to be a hard sell to my better half compared to the 85! I am really hoping I can get away with some cropping if I have to, but knowing ahead of time how much cropping I am looking at would be a big help.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Keep in mind the 100mm f/2.0 is usually around the same price as the 85mm f/1.8. It's practically the same lens. Just a lot less popular for whatever reason. You lose 1/3rd stop and gain 15mm of length. Might be worth it if 85mm just seems too short for you.

Noting however that 85mm on a crop body of course equates to 135mm on a full-frame, and 135mm on a full-frame is a pretty classic indoor sports focal length.