Help: Best Camera For Shooting Baseball Photos?

[BaseballPhotographer]

Hello,

I take photographs at Minor League Baseball games professionally but I need a much better digital camera. I don't know much about them so any help you could give me, I'd really appreciate it.

Budget

Up to $950


Size

Nothing really huge but size isn't that important.

Features

The quality is pretty important so I'd say 6 mega pixels or more.

* I need a camera with really powerful zoom so I guess Ultrazoom. 12X

* Image quality importantance: 8

Do you care for manual controls? - Not that important either way.

General Usage

- I will be taking action photos at baseball games.

- I won't be making prints at all.

- No indoor photos will be taken but some night baseball games.

- Yes, I will be shooting sports.


Miscellaneous

- I don't think anything else is really necessary.

Thanks very much. I hope someone can steer me in the right direction.

[Warin]

For sports photography, you really want the shutter speed of a dSLR. I would recommend a D50, with the kit 18-55 and the 55-200 lens. this will give you an equivalent 35mm range of 27-300, and should work well to start with. it will run you al ittle more than 950, but can you put a value on the shot you miss?

the problem with the ultra-zoom cameras like the FZ20 or S2 is that they have shutter lag, and are much slower in burst mode.

[BaseballPhotographer]

Ok, thanks. Great point about the price.

I want to get as many ideas as possible so please keep the suggestions coming. I want to get a list of different options considering price and quality.

Thanks again.

[PhilR.]

As stated above, you need a dslr. There isn't a lot to choose from in your price range, and given that they're all pretty darn good, it really doesn't matter which one you buy. Just read the reviews for the Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Pentax dslr's in your price range, and make a choice from there.

Here is a link that you might find interesting...
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d70.htm

You can purchase a Pentax *istDS w/kit lens for under $700 if you are willing to mail-order. If you shop around for a good longer zoom, you might be able to come in under your budget, or at least pretty close. Since you won't be making prints, this camera would certainly have enough resolution for computer work.

PhilR.

[timmciglobal]

Does the IST have AI Servo? I remember reading something about it only being in sports mode, though don't quote me on that.

The rebel XT is a fantastic camera too, you'll come in over budget with a good lens but the quality of some of the longer canon glass is astounding.

Tim

[Warin]

Does the IST have AI Servo? I remember reading something about it only being in sports mode, though don't quote me on that.

The rebel XT is a fantastic camera too, you'll come in over budget with a good lens but the quality of some of the longer canon glass is astounding.

Tim

the price of some of the longer canon glass is astounding. As in, you can buy a decent new car for the same money (600mm f/4L IS USM) :D

I second taking a look at the XT in a shop, as well as the D50. I havent tried the Pentax, so I will not give any opinions on it :)

[timmciglobal]

The 70-200 F4L is very reasonable price for a nice lens. 320 with crop factor isn't bad.

Tim

[BaseballPhotographer]

Thanks for all the help so far. If you have any other suggestions, please post them.

[Warin]

The 70-200 F4L is very reasonable price for a nice lens. 320 with crop factor isn't bad.

Tim

you're right. that is an excellent lens at a fairly reasonable price.

Sadly, there is not a "tongue in cheek" smiley, so I am sorry if you took me too seriously :D