First DSLR woo!

[waggy]

I have been looking for a basic DSLR for taking pics of my kids at sporting events and such. My old P&S camera is great for around the house shooting but lacked in range and speed.

I been hitting Ebay a lot trying to get one.

A few recommended teh Canon Rebel T3 as it's cheap and decent.

Well today i was talking to a buddy who owes me like $500 (bailed him out of jail like 6-9 years ago). He got it through newegg (guess he has an account)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA29P0X96545

$429 for the T3 and a bunch of junk.

woot First DSLR.

question though. is the lens 18-55mm good enough to take pictures 20-35 yards away? should i look at a better lens?

and is 16 gig big enough?

 

[Berliner]

Take pictures of what?

And 16 GB should be plenty, unless you cannot download images for a couple of days or want to do longer videos.

 

[waggy]

Take pictures of what?

And 16 GB should be plenty, unless you cannot download images for a couple of days or want to do longer videos.

Mainly for my kids in sports (gymnastics and TWD). Of course also for shots around the house and such.

i should be able to download daily. so good 16bg is enough

 

[Berliner]

You probably want a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens for taking sports pictures.

If that is not in your budget think about a 55-200mm. 55mm is just slightly closer than your eyes see.

 

[iGas]

You probably want a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens for taking sports pictures.

If that is not in your budget think about a 55-200mm. 55mm is just slightly closer than your eyes see.

70-200mm f2.8 is a great suggestion, but it could be a bit steep for the OP. IMHO, the 135L f2 would be a great compromise lens or sell your blood for the 200L f2. Or, rent the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 OS Sport lens for a try.

The 55-200mm may not do for most gym, because the OP may have to shoot at ISO-3200 or greater to stop motion.

 

[CuriousMike]

Mainly for my kids in sports (gymnastics and TWD). Of course also for shots around the house and such.

i should be able to download daily. so good 16bg is enough

55mm may be a bit short for those sports - at least you didn't say baseball.

Learn how to adjust your ISO since both of those sports are indoors.

 

[CuriousMike]

While the 70-200 f2.8 is a great lens on Canikon, I think most "I just got my first $500 DSLR!" owners will shit a brick when they see how much a pro lens costs.


Learn how to use your ISO.

 

[iGas]

question though. is the lens 18-55mm good enough to take pictures 20-35 yards away? should i look at a better lens?

You can always crop the image if you don't have a long telephoto. But, IMHO you will want to go early for a good seat that as close to the action as possible, so to use a shorter telephoto lens. It will cheaper on your pocket book, and you do not have to work out to use the massive long fast telephoto lenses.

1.6 APS-C sensor, and subject is 80' away = 300mm lens.
Subject at 55' away = 200mm.
Subject at 37' away = 135mm.
Subject at 27' away = 100mm.

 

[elitejp]

Also some of the 3rd party lenses are a great value for the money. If you really need the reach then the sigma 120-300 is a great choice and the new tamron 70-200 delivers quite well when comparing to the canon II version. But if 150mm is long enough then a used Canon 55-150 would be the best choice until you save up for a better lens. The thing about the 55-150 is that its a very common lens and one thats recommended for beginners./ Mainly because it allows you to get a good lens for cheap while giving yourself some time to learn what you need in a better lens. When your just starting out its hard to know what tool you need. But the good thing is that many people once they learn what they need in a lens will upgrade to a better tool leaving a market flooded with barely used 50-150. Then when you upgrade you wont lose much money if any at all.

 

[waggy]

I had a SLR back in the err..90's but hell that was years ago took a photography class in high school. ..and ISO was film based LOL.

trouble is i can't remember shit..besides the girl i was partners with was hot and had big tits. ahh high school...

Elitejp that sounds like a great idea. I think i might do that.

I tried to get a kit whith both the 18-55 lens and a 75-300. Then my buddy made this offer. So i still have the $400 i had budgeted. I wasn't looking for a pro level camera. I read one article (and got advice on) the idea of getting a decent camera and getting better lens then buying a top of the line camera and using the lens that come with it.