BajaNomad - Camera recommendations for Outdoor sports

Camera recommendations for Outdoor sports

rts551 - 7-6-2012 at 12:23 PM

I am looking for a new camera mainly to be used outdoors. I found that are last camera was very difficult to use at off-road races because it had no viewfinder and I could not get used to the lcd display which for me was almost invisible in the glare of the sun (especially with fast moving action).

Medium priced as the environment is not the best for top end cameras.

what do all you camera experts recommend?

Russ - 7-6-2012 at 12:51 PM

Obviously not an expert.As I've posted before I like my Nikon P510. I never thought I'd be using the screen to line up a shot but this one you can see in most lighting conditions. It helps that you can pull out the screen and adjust it up and down. Google it for more info. The experts will stay with their interchangeable lenses because the images are noticeably better.

woody with a view - 7-6-2012 at 01:04 PM

^^^^YEP!^^^^

i have the same camera.

tripledigitken - 7-6-2012 at 01:27 PM

What is your budget, and do you know how big of a telephoto you want?

Your comment about high end cameras relating to your windy, gritty environment actually is counter-intuitive. The more money you spend on DSLR's the better weather and environmental protection is built into them.

Ken

rts551 - 7-6-2012 at 01:54 PM

Ken so the higher end cameras are somewhat protected against the cloud of dust that tends to hang in an off-road race environment?

rts551 - 7-6-2012 at 02:00 PM

telephoto was not as important than to be able to see what I am taking a picture of. On our canon point and shoot I have a hard time seeing what I am taking pictures of where as in our ancient Kodak (with a viewfinder) no problem at all.

under $500

tripledigitken - 7-6-2012 at 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
Ken so the higher end cameras are somewhat protected against the cloud of dust that tends to hang in an off-road race environment?

Yes, in the Nikon line for instance, the pro models are magnesium bodies and are weather sealed against dirt and moisture. They even automatically shake the sensor to remove dust as well.

It just takes money.

Mind you, when you change lenses you are at the mercy of the environment. I usually do my best to cover it during the changes, usually get in the car or indoors. Since I have had the D7000, with the shaking function, I have had only one dust spec on the sensor in over 9 months.

Offroad racing would test even the best pro models, which should get cleaned after every event if it were mine.

Ken

tripledigitken - 7-6-2012 at 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
telephoto was not as important than to be able to see what I am taking a picture of. On our canon point and shoot I have a hard time seeing what I am taking pictures of where as in our ancient Kodak (with a viewfinder) no problem at all.

under $500

OK, I'll get back to you. I'm sure you will get more recommendations, like for Russ's Nikon which I think is a little out of your budget.

Ken

rts551 - 7-6-2012 at 02:18 PM

Not firm on a budget. But sensible enough not to want to purchase more than I will ever use since I am not a professional photographer. All my slides and film from my then expensive Minolta 35mm SLR are sitting on a shelf somewhere.

Wonder what it (and telephoto, macro etc lens) are worth now? ha ha I'll just leave it too my kids for a collectors item.

Thanks for your help so far.

[Edited on 7-6-2012 by rts551]

tripledigitken - 7-6-2012 at 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
Not firm on a budget. But sensible enough not to want to purchase more than I will ever use since I am not a professional photographer. All my slides and film from my then expensive Minolta 35mm SLR are sitting on a shelf somewhere.

Wonder what it (and telephoto, macro etc lens) are worth now? ha ha I'll just leave it too my kids for a collectors item.

Thanks for your help so far.

[Edited on 7-6-2012 by rts551]

I was wrong about Russ's camera, it is under $500, and for your use would be a good choice.

I would consider the Panasonic, Lumix DMC FZ150 as well. I have owned Lumix camera's and were very happy with them.

Here is a link with a review of the FZ150, and you can pull up the Nikon too. They are very similar.

http://www.dpreview.com/products/panasonic/compacts/panasoni...

DianaT - 7-6-2012 at 03:51 PM

Ken,
You mentioned before about the difficulty of seeing the live view during the bright light. Do any of them have a liveview screen that tilts or comes with some kind of shade? I have seen some after market shades, but never tried one?

tripledigitken - 7-6-2012 at 03:57 PM

If your asking about mirrorless I can't comment. Perhaps goat will reply.

I haven't researched mirrorless.

Ken

DianaT - 7-6-2012 at 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
If your asking about mirrorless I can't comment. Perhaps goat will reply.

I haven't researched mirrorless.

Ken

Not necessarily mirrorless, but on something like the Lumix you suggested.

tripledigitken - 7-6-2012 at 04:07 PM

The lumix has a viewfinder with 600mm zoom.

Ken

It has an articulating lcd as well

[Edited on 7-6-2012 by tripledigitken]

willyAirstream - 7-8-2012 at 02:04 PM

DIY lcd shade = Take a beer coozy (sp) cut out the bottom and apply small velcro pieces to camera and coozy. Carries easily in your pocket or on camera strap and blocks outall the sunlight when attached.
Another benefit - everyone will want to give you a beer for your empty coozy.

Desertbull - 7-8-2012 at 04:35 PM

Go with the latest technology!

Use your iPhone! LOL

[Edited on 7-8-2012 by Desertbull]

bonanza bucko - 7-9-2012 at 07:18 PM

The Canon EOS 7D is a 1.6 crop camera with every feature you could ever want for sports....most notable the 10 frames per second it will shoot and Servo AI to keep the subjects in focus.

Couple that with a EF 100-400 L f:4 IS, USM lens and you will get every shot you ever wanted. With the 1.6 crop the 100 to 400 turns into 160 to 640 MM.
I own both and love them both. I shoot birds in flight with the 7D and that big lens and I regularly get to look at the color of their eyes and the trim of their toe nails. Fun.

I also have the new EOS 5D MKIII which has slightly better image quality and more trick stuff like in camera HDR...but it wouldn't be as good as the 7D for sports because of the crop and the high speed shots...10 FPS vs 6 FPS in the 5D.

The 5D is, in essence, a 7D with a full frame sensor and some extra goodies like the HDR.

This is good stuff...you will not be disappointed.

BB

tripledigitken - 7-9-2012 at 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bonanza bucko
The Canon EOS 7D is a 1.6 crop camera with every feature you could ever want for sports....most notable the 10 frames per second it will shoot and Servo AI to keep the subjects in focus.

Couple that with a EF 100-400 L f:4 IS, USM lens and you will get every shot you ever wanted. With the 1.6 crop the 100 to 400 turns into 160 to 640 MM.
I own both and love them both. I shoot birds in flight with the 7D and that big lens and I regularly get to look at the color of their eyes and the trim of their toe nails. Fun.

I also have the new EOS 5D MKIII which has slightly better image quality and more trick stuff like in camera HDR...but it wouldn't be as good as the 7D for sports because of the crop and the high speed shots...10 FPS vs 6 FPS in the 5D.

The 5D is, in essence, a 7D with a full frame sensor and some extra goodies like the HDR.

This is good stuff...you will not be disappointed.

BB

BB,

Tell him where he can get your excellent 7D with a telephoto for his budget of $500!

Ken :lol:

mtgoat666 - 7-9-2012 at 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken

Quote:

BB,

Tell him where he can get your excellent 7D with a telephoto for his budget of $500!

Ken :lol:

yes, and where to get a used 100-400 lens for under $1,000 :lol:

btw, coupling the 5d with a 100-400 makes a camera that weighs northward of 15 pounds :lol:

i am not exagerating!!

tripledigitken - 7-9-2012 at 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken

Quote:

BB,

Tell him where he can get your excellent 7D with a telephoto for his budget of $500!

Ken :lol:

yes, and where to get a used 100-400 lens for under $1,000 :lol:

btw, coupling the 5d with a 100-400 makes a camera that weighs northward of 15 pounds :lol:

i am not exagerating!!

So, tell us about your Olympus?

Frank - 7-9-2012 at 08:49 PM

I have a 100-400 I dont use anymore that I would part with for $1000 if you want it.

If your shooting sports you really want fast glass, which is big money for the most part. A 70-200 2.8 non IS can be had for $900, and you can find a Canon 40D in the $500 range and a 50D for a little more.

So figure $1500 if you want a DSLR with the most versatile fast telephoto lens.

Here is a example of a shot from a 7D with a 70-200 2.8 in a sport like setting

We are looking to hook up with a race team to do some photo work if anyone knows someone in need.