Camera question

[newarkcatholicfan]

I take pictures at all of the football games I attend, as some of you know.

I am wanting to upgrade. What I am looking for is a camera and lens that can shoot the night time games and get clear pics. I usually set up top in the middle and this at times makes things hard on my click and shoot camera.

 

I am looking for something that won't run more that 1500-2000 dollars.

 

Thanks to anyone who can help.

[rjs4470]

$2k is probably the bare minimum budget you would be looking at. Night time, handheld, shooting action from a distance is not something that's very easy to do with budget equipment. I did sports photography as a side hustle for many years, so I do know a little about this. A DSLR with a long, fast (low constant aperture) is what you'll need. The two items below get you in the game. The camera body is refurbished but it's a solid mid level body that will get the job done. You could even purchase lower level bodies for as little a $300-$400 but you'll be making concessions that will make the job a little more difficult.

 

 

Nikon D75 DSLR Body, Black - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A. 1581B

 

The body I'd recommend adds weather sealing, which can be important when shooting outdoors, and it's just a better, more rugged and durable choice.

 

Nikon D5 DSLR Body 1559 - Adorama

 

The lens on the other hand doesn't leave you many options. I consider the one below to be the bare minimum, and even with this you'll be limited by reach. This is a lens I used, but I did most of my shooting from the sidelines, and even there, I couldn't get much when the action was on the opposite sideline, so you can imagine, shooting from the stands would be even more difficult.

 

Nikon 7-2mm f/4G ED AF-S VR Zoom NIKKOR Lens - USA w/Filters, Ext. Warranty 222 F

 

You could opt for similar third party lenses from Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, etc, and also look at the used/refurbed market to save a few bucks.

[Jim Schue]

$2k is probably the bare minimum budget you would be looking at. Night time, handheld, shooting action from a distance is not something that's very easy to do with budget equipment. I did sports photography as a side hustle for many years, so I do know a little about this. A DSLR with a long, fast (low constant aperture) is what you'll need. The two items below get you in the game. The camera body is refurbished but it's a solid mid level body that will get the job done. You could even purchase lower level bodies for as little a $300-$400 but you'll be making concessions that will make the job a little more difficult.

 

 

Nikon D75 DSLR Body, Black - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A. 1581B

 

The body I'd recommend adds weather sealing, which can be important when shooting outdoors, and it's just a better, more rugged and durable choice.

 

Nikon D5 DSLR Body 1559 - Adorama

 

The lens on the other hand doesn't leave you many options. I consider the one below to be the bare minimum, and even with this you'll be limited by reach. This is a lens I used, but I did most of my shooting from the sidelines, and even there, I couldn't get much when the action was on the opposite sideline, so you can imagine, shooting from the stands would be even more difficult.

 

Nikon 7-2mm f/4G ED AF-S VR Zoom NIKKOR Lens - USA w/Filters, Ext. Warranty 222 F

 

You could opt for similar third party lenses from Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, etc, and also look at the used/refurbed market to save a few bucks.

 

An f4 lens will be largely useless in low light situations. You will need a 70-200mm f2.8 to even have a chance to get reasonably well-lit photos, and that will need to be in conjunction with a camera body that delivers a very large file size so that it won't be too grainy when you shoot at ISO 2500 and higher.

 

If you want a camera rig that can give you quality low-light shots at football games, plan on spending about $3K.

[rjs4470]

An f4 lens will be largely useless in low light situations. You will need a 70-200mm f2.8 to even have a chance to get reasonably well-lit photos, and that will need to be in conjunction with a camera body that delivers a very large file size so that it won't be too grainy when you shoot at ISO 2500 and higher.

 

If you want a camera rig that can give you quality low-light shots at football games, plan on spending about $3K.

 

You are correct. I provided the wrong link. You would want the 70-200 F2.8.

[newarkcatholicfan]

Thank you guys.

[coldweatherfan]

Check both Cannon and Nikon.

 

Unless things have changed in recent years, Cannon camera bodies cost more than Nikon, but their lens are cheaper.

 

MrsC used a Nikon D-300 w/ a 70-200mm F2.8 lens and took great football pics. For basketball she used a 24-70mm F2.8 or a fixed 110mm f 2.8.

 

The camera body and 70-200mm I bought new. The other two I picked up used.

[Bluegrasscard]

A good Canon configuration would be a 90D and the L-series 70-200mm F2.8.

 

The 90D was around $1,000 when Canon had them on sale recently. The lens can be found for around $1,300. Note that some models with advance stabilization features can run over $1,700. For sports the stabilization features are less critical though since you have to shoot fast enough to avoid blur anyway.

 

The 90D is much advanced than the 40D I still shoot with. You will not go wrong with this mid-range Canon.

 

A 1.4 extender is $430 at B&H. Its nice to have for football, soccer, etc. in sunlight or well-lit night conditions.

[coldweatherfan]

The Nikon D-300 is a workhorse camera. And Adorama are good people to deal with. There are also some on ebay from camera shops that have batteries chargers and extras for $300-$400.

 

Nikon D3

[coldweatherfan]

This is a super lens for what you want to do.

 

Nikon 7-2mm f/2.8G AF-S VR II Nikkor ED-IF Lens 2185 - Adorama

 

You'll still need batteries, charger, SD card and a few other things, but these would get you in under $2000.

[catholicdude]

I agree with what everyone says but will add that buying used will save you some serious $$. KEH Camera has a great website that has tons of really nice used gear. They rate it and give you a 180 day warranty and hassle free returns. Have bought, sold and used them for repairs. Here is the link to their site: Used Cameras, Lenses & Gear For Sale | Buy & Sell at KEH Camera

 

Find the camera you want and then go to KEH and see how much you can save.

[rjs4470]

I agree with what everyone says but will add that buying used will save you some serious $$. KEH Camera has a great website that has tons of really nice used gear. They rate it and give you a 180 day warranty and hassle free returns. Have bought, sold and used them for repairs. Here is the link to their site: Used Cameras, Lenses & Gear For Sale | Buy & Sell at KEH Camera

 

Find the camera you want and then go to KEH and see how much you can save.

 

Used lenses are often a great value. I’m a little less inclined to buy a used body, especially an advanced intermediate/pro body. They aren’t often lightly used. Canon sells refurbished equipment on their website and often has really good deals in kits where you can sell the lenses off to help fund the purchase of a better lens.