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View Full Version : I need a camera for low-light action shots!!!

Jeebus
12-07-2004, 03:04 PM
Hello everyone,

I am a fencer that wants to take pictures of all the fencing action at the tournaments I go to.

My primary subjects will be fencers moving quickly up and down a 14 meter strip, usually in very low-light conditions. Because of the usually over crowded (read small spaces) we fence in I will have to be fairly close to the fencers so i need to be able to go from focusing on people three-five feet away to focusing on people maybe 14 meters away very quickly. It would be nice to be able to zoom in more than ~28 meters, but really anything beyond that will be just me taking gravy shots every once in a while.

Much appreciation for any suggestions you might have.
Thanks. :D

EDIT: I'm also shooting for under $500, but that may be mutable.
leadeater
12-07-2004, 05:49 PM
Although a dslr would be your best choice, your budget precludes that. Since you want something with zoom, you might consider the Panasonic FZ3, which has one of the fastest (if not *the* fastest) high-zoom lens in your price range. You didn't state how many megapixels you need, so if the FZ3 doesn't do it for you, there is also it's larger cousins the FZ15 and 20.

Just remember that each camera has a limit as to how low the light can be and still get acceptable shots.

PhilR.
Jeebus
12-07-2004, 09:50 PM
All the reviewers of the FZ3 seem quite impressed with it. I think that is probably what I will get. The price is also quite nice since it's under my $500 mark giving me money left over to buy things like a spare battery, and more memory.

Thank you. I'm still listening for any other suggestions should anyone have any.
propwash
12-08-2004, 03:25 PM
All the reviewers of the FZ3 seem quite impressed with it. I think that is probably what I will get. The price is also quite nice since it's under my $500 mark giving me money left over to buy things like a spare battery, and more memory.


I have the FZ3 and I also am quite impressed with it. If you decide that's the way you want to go, I think that Circuit City is now repeating their free case/ free battery rebate offer on the FZ3. If you take advantage of this, you won't have to buy your extra battery, and you'll have more cash to spend on memory.
Good luck.

P. S. I was on the fencing team back in college, about a hundred years ago!