help-looking for my first slr setup

I bought an advanced point-and-shoota while agoto see if photography was something I would be interested in. Turns out I like it a lot (especially sports), and even though I have a LOT to learn, I am looking to get my first SLR setup by mid-October. My dad coaches a hockey team and he said I could be the "team photographer" and go on the bench to shoot. Depending on how I do, I may sell prints to the kids' parents or something.


So I'm trying to get a decent setup (mainly for sports, but other things too) for around a thousandish. Under a thousand would be awesome though. Anyone have any advice on what to get for the price range/function I'm looking for?


So far I've looked at:


Canon Rebel XTi body, EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, Speedlite 430EX II, EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II lens, EF 70-200mm f/4 L lens (I'd have to get that down the road).


Any suggestions on what else to look at or what would be good?


Thanks

You'll want something with decent performance in lower light (ie: have a lower f number). For your budget, there aren't many good low-light options. Instead of the 18-55, perhaps look at the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. The Canon 50mm f/1.8 would also be a nice choice, as it's sharp, extremely cheap, and fast. If you haven't yet, check out the review section and read up on these lenses.

If you're looking to do sports, I'd recommend that you move an 85 f/1.8 high on your list. A friend picked up a 40D with 17-85 IS and the 85/1.8, and he really likes that as a starter.

+1 on the 85 1.8


i don't know of any other lens to suggest other than the 70-200 2.8L ISU but that is really an expensive glass. There are also other tele-primes that might help but I'm not sure on the price.

Hmmm, Well, If I had it to do all over again, This is the direction I would go, especially for sports:


Canon 50D and 70-200 f2.8 L IS---That is alarge chunk of change, but not as much as a Harley.


Rationale: As I found out, a lesser body and glass will yield lesser results and ultimately (within a year) you will be looking to upgrade. If you started out with a high end point and shoot and feel you really have the bug for photography, then start your "investing now".


Let's talk about the body: My recommendation is the 50D. For sports it's great. 4.9 FPS--which is fairly fast, Can use UDMA memory cards ( which are much faster) and is a dynamite all around body for the price ($1,200) if you shop around. One other thing that I have found to be a huge benefit with the 50D is the Micro-Focus adjustment---This really helped with my 100-400L.


The Lens: Though I haven't bought this lens yet, It will be my next. There are400+ 5 Star reviews onB&H and it is probably the most coveted of the Canon lenses. Though it's pricey, when you look at what this lens has to offer, it's not that bad. It would be ideal for what you are looking to do and is also a great all around lens.


If your working with cash only---then save for the good stuff and continue to practice with your point and shoot.


If your considering buying on credit: Well, it's like this, I would rather pay$100a month on something I liked, than $50 dollars a month on something I was unhappy with.


If you are still looking for an XTI, I have one I will sell you--with the kit lens--:)


That's my 2 Cents worth,


Good Luck,


Bob

I have a Rebel XTi kit for sale (see buy & sell page). Check it out, could be what your looking for. It'l free up some cash so you can pick up those extra lenses you need.


Thank you,


Bruce

50d + 70-200 f2.8 (IS or no IS will depend on your budget)


You will like the speed, flexibility of the zoom in the game, and the reach on a crop body (200x1.6=320mm)


Ideally you need something wide for group pictures, like EFS 17-55 f2.8


With this set-up you will not need the flash using high ISO for all action pictures.

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Originally Posted by shutr

I have a Rebel XTi kit for sale (see buy & sell page). Check it out, could be what your looking for. It'l free up some cash so you can pick up those extra lenses you need.


Thank you,


Bruce
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This may be a good option for you. Here is one I shot with an XTi and a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 at ISO 1600.


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Nice shot, your timing was perfect!

Sports shooting on a budget is tough.


Before you decide on lenses, you need to see what focal lengths you need, and how much light you're shooting in. If you can get close to a small field and can get your shot at like 100mm, your options are a lot greater than if you need a bigger zoom (like the 70-200 f/4, which is an excellent sports lens if you can get enough light to shoot at f/4).


Also, I'd suggest looking at a 40D...it's a good bit cheaper than the 50D and it has a higher frame rate that will be useful for sports...

if it has to be under $1000, I'll get the 200mm/f2,8L and any rebel body, new, refurbished, used, whatever. as long as it fits in your budget and I'll shoot indoor hockey game with f2.8 and ISO800-1600, I think you will get good enough result to sell.


refurbished rebel XS with kit lens sells for $429(http://www.adorama.com/ICADRXSKBR.html?searchinfo=refurbish)


200mm/f2.8L sells for about $750(http://www.adorama.com/CA20028AFU.html)


the prime 200mm/2.8L lens is the cheapest 200mm/2.8L, and rebels are slower than 40/50D, but still can do the job.


if you can really get close to the player, 40D/85mm1.8 combo will do the job well.


refurbished 40D sells for 699(http://www.adorama.com/CA20028AFU.html)

First of all don't buy new. Use Adorama.com "used equipment" or KEH.com and buy a used canon 40d and if your shooting hockey you will need a zoom. I'm betting most of your games are at night or indoors and so a fast lens is necessary. Buy a used 17-55mm canon. This combo will take you to about $1200 dollars used. Open a zenfolio Account and use it to sell your images to pay for all your new equipment. Good Luck, The penalty box is my favorite location.

Thanks a lot for the help guys! I will definitely look at all of those options.


Just out of curiosity...shutr and bob williams, how much are you looking for for the xti?


And RonG, I will be either on the bench or in the penalty box. Or at worst in an area where the glass isn't as tall so I don't have to shoot through it. That being said, how much of a zoom do you think I would need to cover most of the rink? I will hoprefully be selling the images to the kids' parents and stuff.


Thanks again.

The body and lens are in like new condition. No signs of wear, no scratches, no nicks etc. If the continous counter is correct the camera has less than a thousand actuations. This deal includes: body, lens, battery, battery charger, Canon strap, USB cable, video cable, EOS digital software disk, software instruction disk, instruction manual and original box. The whole kit for $300.


Thank you,


Bruce

Good advice from lots of folks above.


When my daughter started shooting sports for the paper I started her with a Rebel XT and my EF70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM. She shot a ton of cover pages and contest winners with that rig. Of course that lens will bust your budget, but the EF70-200mm f/4.0 USM will fit your goal of under $1,000.


I'd find a used XT and the EF70-200mm f/4.0.

Once you've settled on an SLR body and first lens, you should probably rent any other lenses you're considering before expanding your collection. It's amazing how much more you learn shooting with a lens rather than just trying to reading about it.

Brendanmcd22,


I just got into a DSLR last year, also for shooting sports primarily. I currently have a 30D, 18-55 kit lens, 50 1.8 and a 70-200 f4. I mostly shoot outdoors (soccer) so the 70-200 is perfect for us budget minded folks. However, for shooting indoors, you are going to need the fastest lens in the right focal point range, and a camera body with the best high ISO performance you can afford.


Given your budget of around $1000 I would suggest getting an 85 1.8 and any rebel body you can then afford.


I have tried to shoot indoor sports with the 50 1.8 and it works but it is still a little short so I end up doing a lot of cropping. My indoor shoots have been in areas smaller than a hockey rink so you might even consider a 100 or 200 prime. Also I wouldn't worry about frame rate. What I have been finding is that timing the shot results in far more keepers than relying on a fast frame rate.





Good luck,


David

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Originally Posted by dmckinny

I have tried to shoot indoor sports with the 50 1.8 and it works but it is still a little short so I end up doing a lot of cropping. My indoor shoots have been in areas smaller than a hockey rink so you might even consider a 100 or 200 prime.

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Indoor sports with a 50 1.8? You, sir, are a braver man than I. I only get out the nifty fifty if I'm dead sure it's going to be a situation that doesn't require a reasonably fast autofocus speed.

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Also I wouldn't worry about frame rate. What I have been finding is that timing the shot results in far more keepers than relying on a fast frame rate.

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Adding to that, a high frame rate only helps if your lens' focus motor can keep up. I can hit 80% keepers in AI servo and high frame rate with my 1D II and 70-200 2.8, but I wouldn't dream of hitting the same keeper rate using, say, the 28-200 or 75-300.





That being said, my .02 is to pick up a 30 or 40D and either the 135 2.0, 100 2.0 (for the budget-minded) or the 70-200 2.8 non IS... any of which should work for hockey.

i play hockey as well as shoot it. i know its tough for lighting.if you are on the bench i suggest the 85 1.8 becasue it is not zoom but you will be able to get away with a lower iso on a mediocre body. Also from what i know the bench is close to the action so the range will be plenty.

I still like the 17-55mm if sitting in the penalty box or covering either goal. My problem with a 70-200 has always been intervening players between the action you're shooting and the lens. Additionally if you have only one camera and a 70-200 Murphy's law guarantees the action will happen 4 feet away from you. I'd rather crop a little or pay 79 bucks for genuine fractals than have a bunch of pictures of knees, skates and elbows.

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Originally Posted by RonG

...or pay 79 bucks for genuine fractals...

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???

Genuine Fractals 6.0 is software to allow extreme enlargements even of low megapixel images.


http://www.ononesoftware.com/detail.php?prodLine_id=2&amp;gclid=CKfcx-3A-JsCFQk_agodwiag9Q

Hmmm....Okay.

Thanks again for all of the input guys. I've been doing a lot of research and exploring my options, and it seems that there are a few different ways I could go once I get the money.


The 40D refurbished is selling for $899 at Adorama (the 28-135 3.5-5.6 is included). That seems like a great deal given the capabilities of the 40D, but the 28-135 probably isn't the best lens for low light. I would have a flash too, but the 5.6 at the telephoto end is a pretty big drawback. $900 for both of those is a great deal though. Would a 40D+28-135 IS+430EX II be useable in low light?


The other option seems to be picking up a rebel body for cheap (probably the xti) and getting a couple lenses or one big lens that is good in low light. The Tamron 17-50 2.8, 50 1.8, 85 1.8, 100 2.0, and the 70-200 f/4 L (f/4 may not be the best bet and I couldn't get anything else if I went with that). Basically I'd just mix and match until I get the best bet for around a thousand. I'm not sure how I feel about not having zoom capabilities. The light would not be a problem though. Hmm.


So basically it seems like Ieither have to go with 1 or 2 fast lenses on a lesser body or a slower lens on a more capable body. Which is the better bet?

I still think you should consider looking into a slightly used 30D (try the buy/sell pages on FredMiranda). You can usually pick one up with a grip for around $500 or less and they are quite useable at ISO 1600. That would leave you $500 or more to spend on glass.

I'd get the refurbished 50mm f1.8 II. Then takemy time getting any further lenses.Ihave threerefurbished 430EXsthat Itrigger withaST-E2. So,while I recommend the 430EX, I'd probably get a 580EXor 580EX IIif I was planning to use it on camera, alone.

O.K. Guys this is my final suggestion and it is pure Gold.


First the lens: I love my canon and you will hear all about Sigmas and focusing issues however a sports photographer for a local paper uses this lens and her stuff is awsome.


1) Sigma 27-70mm f2.8: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&amp;A=getItemDetail&amp;Q=&amp;sku=3 50973&amp;is=REG&amp;si=rev#anchorToReadReviews $569.00


2) Canon 1D (that's right a 1D): I found mine use for $384 dollars at Adorama and it is a tank. Battery Life Sucks but I get consistent 350 shots per battery pack which are $25 from Batteries.com http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20333382.html$499.00


3) Noise Ninja Software for noise reduction at 1600 and 3200 ISO $80.00


4) Genuine Fractals for huge enlargement $80.00 Student Discount


I don't care what others may say I actually prefer my 1D over my 40D for all sports, focusing is awsome and you will love it. All manuals are available online and the small LCD on the back will keep you from chimping and missing shots. Good Luck

Ron, I like the way you think.

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Originally Posted by IAMB

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dmckinny

I have tried to shoot indoor sports with the 50 1.8 and it works but it is still a little short so I end up doing a lot of cropping. My indoor shoots have been in areas smaller than a hockey rink so you might even consider a 100 or 200 prime.

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Indoor sports with a 50 1.8? You, sir, are a braver man than I. I only get out the nifty fifty if I'm dead sure it's going to be a situation that doesn't require a reasonably fast autofocus speed.

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Not brave, just desperate [;)]


David

Canon EOS-40D Digital SLR Camera - Refurbished $699.95


Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 $379.95


Breaks your budget by $79.90 but is a pretty solid indoor-sports shooting setup. Like Dallasphotog will tell you, great images can be obtained with a Rebel body when there's good glass on the front of it. If you're a budding photographer (especially if sports photography is your passion) then you are eventually going to want to upgrade to an XXD body. They are better built than Rebels, feel better in hand and among many other things, have a better auto-focusing systems and frame rates. Personally I'd pay the extra bucks and get the 50D but the 40D is an outstanding body.


Sure zooms are way more versatile but in low-light situations primes are hard to beat. You'll be surprised on how quickly you start pushing ISO even with a fast prime in order to obtain action-stopping shutter speeds. Now in no way is what I suggested the perfect setup but given your budget I'd say that it's a pretty good starting point. You'll need to add some wide angle in there and maybe even some more telephoto. You won't really know until you shoot a few games though.


You metioned the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS which comes with the Refurbished 40D as a kit for $899.95. Although there are many happy owners of this lens I doubt that many (if any) of them use it for low-light indoor sports. f/5.6 is just way to S-L-O-W.

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Originally Posted by RonG

O.K. Guys this is my final suggestion and it is pure Gold.


First the lens: I love my canon and you will hear all about Sigmas and focusing issues however a sports photographer for a local paper uses this lens and her stuff is awsome.


1) Sigma 27-70mm f2.8: [url="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&amp;A=getItemDetail&amp;Q=&amp;sku=3 50973&amp;is=REG&amp;si=rev#anchorToReadReviews]http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&amp;A=getItemDetail&amp;Q=&amp;sku=3 50973&amp;is=REG&amp;si=rev#anchorToReadReviews[/url] $569.00


2) Canon 1D (that's right a 1D): I found mine use for $384 dollars at Adorama and it is a tank. Battery Life Sucks but I get consistent 350 shots per battery pack which are $25 from Batteries.com [url="http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20333382.html]http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20333382.html[/url]$499.00


3) Noise Ninja Software for noise reduction at 1600 and 3200 ISO $80.00


4) Genuine Fractals for huge enlargement $80.00 Student Discount


I don't care what others may say I actually prefer my 1D over my 40D for all sports, focusing is awsome and you will love it. All manuals are available online and the small LCD on the back will keep you from chimping and missing shots. Good Luck
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You, sir, are a genius [:P]