D50 help me choose kit

[Elizabeth]

I am new to Dslr's and want to choose the best setup that I can initially. Here are some auctions I am looking at, could you guys please take a look and see what you think of the price, lenses, etc. I am going to be using the camera for family portraits, candids, and sports photography. The sports I need to use it with are baseball, softball, and indoor basketball.

I need a fast lens with a lot of zoom, and the ability to take pictures in low light (gymnasiums and evenings). And I would also like to take senior photos, and just every day pics of the kids.

Thank you so very much.

Elizabeth

P.S. I am new remember :)

[coldrain]

Do you have a budget in mind? A light sensitive lens with some reach for indoor sports like the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 EX DG is around 700$.

[Elizabeth]

Shoot it would have helped to add the links sorry guys!


http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D50-Digital-SLR-Camera-2-Lenses-Kit-NEW-USA_W0QQitemZ7603899263QQcategoryZ43456QQtcZphotoQ QcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D50-Digital-SLR-Camera-2-Zoom-Lens-Kit-NEW-USA_W0QQitemZ7603922943QQcategoryZ43456QQtcZphotoQ QcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D50-Digital-SLR-Camera-2-Lens-Kit-NEW-USA_W0QQitemZ7604766914QQcategoryZ43456QQtcZphotoQ QcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D50-Digital-SLR-Camera-2-DX-Lenses-NEW-USA_W0QQitemZ7604286350QQcategoryZ43456QQtcZphotoQ QcmdZViewItem


This person also has a few with Sigma lenses. I don't want to list too many here. I think I already have. I want the camera, decent lenses but I do have a budget of about $900 for all right now. I can add other lenses later, but I am just excited I have this much :) It's a start :)

[George Riehm]

I agree with coldrain. The 70-200 f/2.8 is the way to go for your sporting needs. Match that up with the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 for the closer range stuff and you should be good to go for a tad under $1100.

Unfortunately, as per your stated request, there are no fast lenses (i.e. f/2.8) with a zoom ratio longer than about 3X. And the range of 70-200 is about the longest of these lenses. There are a couple of 18-50/55's (Sigma/Nikkor - $400/$1100), and the Tamron 28-70 f/2.8 (~$400).

If you buy the equivalent Nikkor pair (to the Sigmas) it would be the AF-S 28-70 f/2.8 (~$1400) and the AF-S 70-200 f/2.8 VR (~$1600). There is little argument that the Sigma pair does not achieve the overall performance and features (like HSM on the mid range lens and VR on the Tele) of the Nikkors, but the optical quality is very close. Both manufacturers f/2.8 lenses are fairly large and heavy compared to their slower f/3.5 to 6.3, and broader ranged, cousins.

There are other fast lenses out there as well, that may or may not perform as well or may be fixed focus options.

If I had the money, the Nikkors would be on my camera. Since I don't, the Sigmas are the next best thing. My utility lens is a sharp Sigma 18-125 DC paired with an SB800 to help in low light, and I have a Nikkor 35mm f/2 and a 50mm f/1.8 to help when real low light and no flash are called for.

Hope this info helps. Like I said if you have the financial resources then go with the best. If not, go with the next best.

Finally if you decide to compromise, a little, the options and costs broaden considerably.;)

[rdog]

Just got the D50 for my wife with the kitlens 18-55. Results are awsome! I will be upgrading the lens in the future but this is a good starting point for us as it is our first DSLR as well. Haven't really stressed the camera yet so I don't know the limitations.