Suggestions....

LF_WaKeR · Outlaw Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 191 City: Mil-town

Hey, guys i'm really in to photography but I can only use Cheap digital cameras with slow flash so I cant catch any pics in focus of skating or wakeboarding. Not to mention that my video camera cost $120 and I need PERFECT light for any shots. I have been complimented on my abilities by the owner of my local skatepark who has been takeing pictures since he is my age.

So, I guess I would like some suggestions for camera's (not video I really like the feeling of a still Picture) that are not over the top in price but a decent starter camera that can capture something fast in focus.

DRAGON88 · Posted: May 21, 2008 4:44 pm Post subject:

Pick up a little 35mm SLR and a few lenses. They can be had for pretty cheap and will teach you how to properly expose an image. Also take a photography class, preferably with a darkroom component if it is offered by your school. Just my two cents.

LF_WaKeR · Outlaw Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 191 City: Mil-town

Yah im gettin in a photo class that has a pretty tite setup. My counseler did not tell me about it so now i have to ague with him to get in to it but it should work out.

edrex · Posted: May 21, 2008 7:28 pm Post subject:

If you can, buy an SLR that shares lenses with that companies digital SLR's too. That will save you some money in the long run if you are going to eventually upgrade to a digital body.

Jensen · Posted: May 21, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject:

get an early canon elan II, A1, something like that. that way you can upgrade to a rebel or 40d and use the same lenses.

i picked up a used elan II on the fredmiranda forums for about 40 dollars.

dmb · Posted: May 21, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject:

TxShane · Criminal Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 79 City: Flower Mound

Get a Canon Rebel XT (~$450) . . . that is the older version of the Rebel, but it will work great for starting out.

Next, pick up a 75-300 f/4.5 - 5.6 Zoom lens (you can find one for ~ $150).

Lastly, but most importantly, pick up a copy of Photoshop CS (you can always upgrade to CS2 or CS3 later) . . . you may have to hit Ebay to find an old copy, but it is crucial to getting good action shots as the
post-processing on digital files is where the true "magic" is for most action photographers.

Tips:

#1 - Always shoot when the rider is FACING the sun . . . shots with the sun behind them can be cool at sunset, but besides that, you will just get dark features.

#2 - Focus on the rider right as they get up - and then switch your focus to manual . . . why . . . because most tricks are performed right behind the boat and the rope length does not change, so you will always get sharp shots (make sure your settings on f/stop are at least 4.5, so you get a good depth of field).

#3 - Make sure your shutter speed is set for at least 1/1000 as the action in wakeboarding takes place side-to-side so you need a faster shutter speed to stop the action, unlike sports where the action is coming at you where you can use as slow as 1/500 and still get crisp shots.

#4 - Always shoot in RAW, so you have control over the shot later to adjust the white balance, exposure & contrast . . .

If you don't know any of these terms - then pick up a book and start reading as shooting sports can be easy once you have the basics down!

Good luck!

Jensen · Posted: May 24, 2008 1:15 pm Post subject:

dmb, oops, thanks for the correction. stick to the elan II then Embarassed

Ejazzle · Soul Rider Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 345 City: Tequesta

a Nikon D40 or a D40x is a really good starter camera. good for any situation. very very crisp shots.
and a small light body that wont make your neck sore.
i think its about the same price as a rebel xt.

and you wont really need to shoot in raw unless for a big time magazine and you CANT mess up. also if you set the focus to manual you cant zoom in or out b/c this will mess up the focus.

i highly recommend the d40! ive used it for a few months and i loved it!

good luck and happy shooting!

TxShane · Criminal Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 79 City: Flower Mound

Actually, for sports shooting (which is what you asked about) Canon beats Nikon in every review. Look on the sidelines of any NFL, NBA or MLB game and you will see nothing but Canon shooters (with the big, white "L" lenses) . . . now, if you want to shoot landscapes or portraits, Nikon is a better choice, but not for action sports.

Also, if your f/stop is wide enough, you will NOT "mess up your focus" when you zoom in/out slightly (which you shouldn't need to do if you have composed the zoom when you started) . . .

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

TxShane · Criminal Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 79 City: Flower Mound

LOL . . . yes, blind squirrels do find acorns sometimes and Nikon catch a good action shot from time to time! Actually, I would make the argument that the right photographer behind ANY camera can get a good shot, but for beginners, you need all the help you can get . . . thus . . . the FACT that most professional action/sports photographers use Canon cannot be overlooked! The only Nikon that has even made in-roads with sports photographers is the new D3, but at $5,000, it is not comparable to the 40D or Rebel xSi.

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

shot w/ a d200

scott a · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 9810

Word on the street is that Big Spence is shooting on Nikon equipment because he enjoys the challenge that working with sh*tty equipment provides him. That guy is just too damn good at shooting photos using Canon's absurdly superior equipment.

but seriously...

Jensen · Posted: Jun 01, 2008 8:51 pm Post subject:

did you take that picture joe?

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

the wbm cover shot....no. spencer smith did.

the rest, yes.