trying to pick my first SLR for family life and kiddie sports-Nikon Sony or Canon

[jamiesmom]

Hello.

I am new to the SLR world. I am a happy Lumix FZ8 owner, but I want a better, faster shot for the junior high gyms. I have just basic photo knowledge. I know how to run my camera & that is great for me.

I have been looking at NIkon D40 Canon Rebel Xti and Sony alpha 300. I was nearly set on the Sony due to the liveview as I come from a point and shoot world. The thing that concerns me is it seems hard to find lenses for Sony SLR in the under $400 range. I know this is an investment and the lens can make or break the deal, but I want to grow into this investment a couple $100 at a time.

I will be doing basketball and eventually volleyball at the junior high level - not huge gyms, but you know how the light is. Now I'll tell you my style and you can tell me if I am dreaming - lol. I don't want a huge lens. I was looking at a 50mm 1.7 prime or a zoom that goes to 70-75mm 2.8. I will probably not do a lot of walking around the baseline as I have smaller kids to attend to and I would feel self conscious. If I am close in the stands or standing along the edge of the stands will I get some decent focused shots with these lenses - then I would crop of course to get the zoom effect? Is a 2.8 lens quick enough in these gyms?

Thanks for reading - I look forward to your ideas

 

[Hank3152]

Is a 2.8 lens quick enough in these gyms?

The 2.8 would be the minimum and depending on your available light you may have to increase the ISO in order to keep the shutter speeds at an acceptable level for sports. Otherwise you may have to rely on a 1.8 prime like a 50 or 85.
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Regards,
Hank

 

[KALEL33]

Most of the shots that I've seen shooting indoor sports, that are good quality, use the 85 F1.8. Yes it's a fixed focal length, but most gyms don't have the lighting to use F2.8 very well. Also, if shooting sports is going to be a big thing for you then you should look beyond the XSI and D40 and look at a 40D/50D or D300. They're built more for sports and wildlife with the fast rate of fire.

 

[jamiesmom]

Also, if
shooting sports is going to be a big thing for you then you should
look beyond the XSI and D40 and look at a 40D/50D or D300. They're
built more for sports and wildlife with the fast rate of fire.

these are over my budget. I just want entry level. It will be better than what I have - thats good enough

I want help picking the model with the easiest set of lenses to pick through.

 

[KALEL33]

I would say the XTi out of that group. The D40 cannot auto focus with prime lens with the lack of an AF motor in body, and the A300 has had reports of more noise in higher ISOs, plus the lens can be expensive.

Couple the XTi with an 85 F1.8 and you have a good low light/ fast focusing camera for sports.

 

[jamiesmom]

I have to read again. With the Canons is the IS in the body or the lens? And what is the difference between xsi and xti models?

 

[Hank3152]

I have to read again. With the Canons is the IS in the body or the
lens? And what is the difference between xsi and xti models?

The IS is in the lens but not all lenses have this feature, only those designated with IS in their nomenclature.

Here's a link for the specs but in a nutshell the XSi is the successor to the XTi with these upgrades:
12Mp sensor
Live view
Larger viewfinder
Spot metering
3" LCD
Higher capacity battery

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos400d%2Ccanon_eos450d&show=all

Many of the XTi users didn't think it was worth upgrading to but for a new potential buyer it would be unless you can pick up a used XTi for under $375. Also the kit lens is much better in the XSi since it is the 18-55IS version.
http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/canon_18-55_3p5-5p6_is_c16/

--
Regards,
Hank

 

[Tom_N]

I have been looking at NIkon D40 Canon Rebel Xti and Sony alpha 300.
I was nearly set on the Sony due to the liveview as I come from a
point and shoot world.

In the Nikon world, the D80 and D90 might be better choices than the D40 due to the better optical viewfinders, auto-focusing compatibility with non-motorized lenses, and external control dials.

The D90 has Live View (fixed LCD, no tilt/swivel) as well as the optical viewfinder.

 

[Alex Leach]

I have to read again. With the Canons is the IS in the body or the
lens? And what is the difference between xsi and xti models?

I would agree with the other poster that the Canon is a better choice than the Nikon D40 for various reasons, mainly because it can autofocus with the prime lenses like the 85mm f/1.8 - and you will need that fast aperture to shoot sports in a gym. If you try it with an f/3.5 - 4.5 consumer zoom, your shots will be dark, blurred, or both.

The Nikon D90 would be fine but may be too expensive for you.

I shoot a Nikon D700 and D200 but am impressed with the base model Canons, a friend has one. Nice large LCD, and excellent high ISO (if not as good as the D700) - which is useful as to get a shutter speed of 1/500th or faster you may need to crank the ISO up to 1600.

As someone said, Allan of BestBuy's comment about in-body IS is fairly irrelevant as IS won't do anything for subject motion.

While it's true that Nikon and Canon have in-lens IS not in-body, don't really worry about that as they have quite a few IS lenses which are not too expensive which you can look at in the future.

--
Alex

 

[tgcook]

Don't forget that with Sony you can use Minolta lenses. I just bought a 50 1.7 and it works great for me. I will look for more faster Minolta lenses to add to my collection.

 

[Hank3152]

The XSi combo with the 18-55IS lens is a great entry level package unless you can pick up a used XTi body for under $400. For your indoor sports needs the 85f/1.8 is a great complement and will keep your investment around $1000.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12182-USA/Canon_2519A003_85mm_f_1_8_USM_Autofocus.html
--
Regards,
Hank

 

[instrumentality]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Canon XS. It's very similar to the XTi, slight upgrades including Live View (though of questionable usefulness depending on what you're shooting), and comes with a better kit lens. On amazon, it goes for about $485.