~$3K to spend - recommendations?

[Suburban Dad]

Hello,

I’m looking for some recommendations on which camera system is best for me. I’ve got some experience with photography having owned a Nikon D7200 a Fuji X-T2 (with an assortment of lenses) in the past. Loved both cameras but moved away from Nikon because I liked the size and feel of the Fuji camera, and the colors in the pics. But, I’ve struggled a bit with getting keepers with sports/action photography with the Fuji - and also in lowlight situations.

With $3K to spend, my primary needs include photographing:

-sports on large fields - outdoor and often sunny

-lowlight events/games (evening marching band and football - some basketball)

-occasional portraits - my family and kids - would like a good prime for this

-travel/vacation - need a good all-around zoom.

I’m open to going back to DSLR. Size is not a huge concern (we don’t travel much). Any recommendations?

 

[golfhov]

Hello,

I’m looking for some recommendations on which camera system is best for me. I’ve got some experience with photography having owned a Nikon D7200 a Fuji X-T2 (with an assortment of lenses) in the past. Loved both cameras but moved away from Nikon

I assume it is all sold off?

because I liked the size and feel of the Fuji camera, and the colors in the pics.

well that does matter

But, I’ve struggled a bit with getting keepers with sports/action photography with the Fuji - and also in lowlight situations.

what lenses owned and preffered?

With $3K to spend,

does this include keeping the xt20 or must it go?

my primary needs include photographing:

-sports on large fields - outdoor and often sunny

so a really long lens

-lowlight events/games (evening marching band and football - some basketball)

so a combo of long lens, large aperture, large sensor, and sensitive fast af. That isn't ideal for your budget as all that stuff is pricey

-occasional portraits - my family and kids - would like a good prime for this

that is easy and most any system. Preferred FL?

-travel/vacation - need a good all-around zoom.

Do you already have that with your xt2? Happy?

I’m open to going back to DSLR. Size is not a huge concern (we don’t travel much). Any recommendations?

Maybe a d500 and a third party 70-200 2.8 or 100-400 3.5-5.6? Only for your sports stuff. keep the xt2 for travel and portraits.

Sony would break your budget even if it worked for you. there are crop canon models that could work too. Maybe a d80? Not top of the line af system but may be good enough.

 

[GiM_6x]

How about Samsung NX1?
I have the exact one kit as the next link, and enjoy very much.

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www.ebayshopkorea.com

It is not in current production, but it is keeping up to date, I consider it the best in APS-C and not very expensive.

You can find a lot of info about this camera.
28Mpix, 14bit, 15fps with autofocus and 4k30/25/24p, with a "hack" to increase video quality and add new tools for photo (search for Vasile & Otto NX1/NX500 hacks).

You have the 16-50mm S OIS lens, which is a very good one, and for other 1.7k you can have the 50-150mm S OIS lens, and for "general" purposes as you specify, it is done.

Loading…

item2.gmarket.co.kr

 

[GiM_6x]

http://bokehmarket.com/blog/samsung-nx1-best-budget-4k-hybrid-camera-2018-video-stills

 

[Suburban Dad]

Thanks! Had not read much about this camera in the past. It looks like it might potentially be a great solutions. I'll check it out (if I don't end up keeping my existing gear).

 

[Suburban Dad]

Hello,

I’m looking for some recommendations on which camera system is best for me. I’ve got some experience with photography having owned a Nikon D7200 a Fuji X-T2 (with an assortment of lenses) in the past. Loved both cameras but moved away from Nikon

I assume it is all sold off?

Good question and sorry that my initial note was lacking in detail. I still have my X-T2 and I've got some good lenses - 16-55 f2.8 / 50-140 f2.8 / 2x teleconverter / 23mm f2.

But, I’ve struggled a bit with getting keepers with sports/action photography with the Fuji - and also in lowlight situations.

what lenses owned and preffered?

While I don't get as many keepers as I'd like in fast action and/or low/poor lighting situations, I do like the lenses I've got. When the action comes a little closer to me, the results w/ the 50-140 are often very good - and it's reasonably good in taking pics of my kids' dance performances. But I often want more reach. The 2x teleconverter is a recent purchase and I haven't really been able to determine if it'll be a good solution to this lack of reach problem. So - I need to try it before selling or purchasing anything.

With $3K to spend,

does this include keeping the xt20 or must it go?

This would be what I'd hopefully have available if I sold everything (I've got some other money I could use as well).

my primary needs include photographing:

-sports on large fields - outdoor and often sunny

so a really long lens

-lowlight events/games (evening marching band and football - some basketball)

so a combo of long lens, large aperture, large sensor, and sensitive fast af. That isn't ideal for your budget as all that stuff is pricey

Agree.

-occasional portraits - my family and kids - would like a good prime for this

that is easy and most any system. Preferred FL?

Nothing too long - I had the Fuji 35mm f1.4 in the past but sold it. That was a mistake - great lens. Might buy a used copy in the future.

-travel/vacation - need a good all-around zoom.

Do you already have that with your xt2? Happy?

Yeah - the 16-55. A bit heavy but it's a great lens.

I’m open to going back to DSLR. Size is not a huge concern (we don’t travel much). Any recommendations?

Maybe a d500 and a third party 70-200 2.8 or 100-400 3.5-5.6? Only for your sports stuff. keep the xt2 for travel and portraits.

Sony would break your budget even if it worked for you. there are crop canon models that could work too. Maybe a d80? Not top of the line af system but may be good enough.

Great suggestions - I've definitely considered the D500/D7500 option. The Canons are great as well. But, the more I think about all of this, the more I'm concluding that I should keep what I've got and maybe pick up the Fuji 100-400 when I've got some extra money - I think that would give me the reach I need for outdoor events. And if I increase my X-T2 IQ, I can increase my keeper rate.

Thanks for the help.

 

[golfhov]

Hello,

I’m looking for some recommendations on which camera system is best for me. I’ve got some experience with photography having owned a Nikon D7200 a Fuji X-T2 (with an assortment of lenses) in the past. Loved both cameras but moved away from Nikon

I assume it is all sold off?

Good question and sorry that my initial note was lacking in detail. I still have my X-T2 and I've got some good lenses - 16-55 f2.8 / 50-140 f2.8 / 2x teleconverter / 23mm f2.

So you already have some "fast" lenses. It is just expensive and you can pretty much only look at primes or ff to try and get more light collection

But, I’ve struggled a bit with getting keepers with sports/action photography with the Fuji - and also in lowlight situations.

what lenses owned and preffered?

While I don't get as many keepers as I'd like in fast action and/or low/poor lighting situations,

That is just a killer combination. One of my cameras has fast tracking. One has ok sensitivity. The combination of both needs really benefits from VERY expensive specialized equipment. There is a reason you see those big lenses and bodies at pro sports

I do like the lenses I've got. When the action comes a little closer to me, the results w/ the 50-140 are often very good - and it's reasonably good in taking pics of my kids' dance performances. But I often want more reach. The 2x teleconverter is a recent purchase and I haven't really been able to determine if it'll be a good solution to this lack of reach problem. So - I need to try it before selling or purchasing anything.

Gotcha

With $3K to spend,

does this include keeping the xt20 or must it go?

This would be what I'd hopefully have available if I sold everything (I've got some other money I could use as well).

my primary needs include photographing:

-sports on large fields - outdoor and often sunny

so a really long lens

-lowlight events/games (evening marching band and football - some basketball)

so a combo of long lens, large aperture, large sensor, and sensitive fast af. That isn't ideal for your budget as all that stuff is pricey

Agree.

-occasional portraits - my family and kids - would like a good prime for this

that is easy and most any system. Preferred FL?

Nothing too long - I had the Fuji 35mm f1.4 in the past but sold it. That was a mistake - great lens. Might buy a used copy in the future.

-travel/vacation - need a good all-around zoom.

Do you already have that with your xt2? Happy?

Yeah - the 16-55. A bit heavy but it's a great lens.

This seems to be your key. Sounds like you are mostly happy

I’m open to going back to DSLR. Size is not a huge concern (we don’t travel much). Any recommendations?

Maybe a d500 and a third party 70-200 2.8 or 100-400 3.5-5.6? Only for your sports stuff. keep the xt2 for travel and portraits.

Sony would break your budget even if it worked for you. there are crop canon models that could work too. Maybe a d80? Not top of the line af system but may be good enough.

Great suggestions - I've definitely considered the D500/D7500 option. The Canons are great as well. But, the more I think about all of this, the more I'm concluding that I should keep what I've got and maybe pick up the Fuji 100-400 when I've got some extra money - I think that would give me the reach I need for outdoor events. And if I increase my X-T2 IQ, I can increase my keeper rate.

Yeah. Just keep pushing what you have. It doesn't make sense to me to spend so much money for so few pics.

Try everything. Prefocus and bursting, catching slower moments at longer shutter speeds, better post processing, getting closer if you can, maybe focus on games where lighting is better and easier on your equipment. I really enjoy photography but I have learned there are just certain things that I am not willing to spend the money on or willing to carry. Have you seen those 400+ f4s? If there is a pro covering it I will just pay them if they get any decent shots.

Thanks for the help.

Good luck and enjoy