Budget Motorsport Camera (under £200?)

[yesnomaybe]

Hi all

i'm looking to update my camera, i was using and getting some pretty good results with a Fujifilm s5600, but it didn't like the rain at lydden in April and stopped working, since then i've been getting by on borrowed cameras, for the most part an (ancient) Olympus SP500 UZ and my Dads Finepix S1730 which isn't as good as the s5600!, so now i'm put off buying a new Fuji despite them fitting the budget available

Is there a camera you could recommend which fits the budget available and gets good results? If you have some examples that would be perfect

Ideally the camera can focus quickly when some action occurs? e.g. a spin, off, or incident etc. With the borrowed cameras i've been using i get loads of out of focus photos and normally miss getting the action shots as well.

I've looked on flickr for the kind of quality shots i'd like to get but they're all what i'd called professional level cameras and therefore way out of my price range

I spend a lot of money each year to compete in racing, so cant afford to spend a lot on the spectating part as well, lol

thanks

[Richard B]

Hi,
I'd look at a 2nd hand Canon 30D, on ebay for instance you could pick up a 30D within your budget and hopefully a lens too.
It's a good camera I've used one for 5 years (and still use it as a back up) quick focusing and shoots at 5 frames per second when things get interesting.

[andrewc]

you might be able to find a secondhand Canon EOS 400D plus zoom lens covering 300mm in your budget. 350D an alternative or a 20D or 30D.

An 18-55 lens is fine for paddock shots but track shots need something covering 250 to 300mm lens.

[BertMk2]

As above - you can pick up second hand SLRs now for reasonable money, then you can always add another lens as and when money allows. I paid £250 for an immaculate 450D last year so they should be less than that by now. It's always worth a look and if you are serious about getting half sensible pictures SLRs really are still the way to go (compacts are improving all the time but are still some way off matching SLRs).

[Tim the Grey]

Used DSLR is your market?
http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Olymp...0mm_64641.html fits what you want.
Not the fastest, not the best, but this should cover 80% of what you want, to get started, and leaves you £12 for beer, too!
Next year, save up for the 70-300,and you have plenty of length for just about any circuit.
Pentax are likewise ignored. Canon and Nikon hold their price very well, for no reason other than the 'herd' chasing them...

[andrewc]

Jessops are currently selling the Tamron 70-300 for £ 90.00

Good starter motorsport lens.

[Tim the Grey]

IIRC, that's the design most other 70/75-300s are based on. All very similar optically.

[yesnomaybe]

thanks for the replys, think i will get one of the 2nd hand DSLRs mentioned, cheers

[JHamilton]

Yes, you can pick up a used dSLR for not too much. On the 70-300mm lens however, I prefer the Sigma APO to the Tamron as the front rotates on the Tamron.

[andrewc]

Warehouse Express in Norwich have a secondhand 20D with 18-55 kit lens for £ 99.

Coupled with the new Tamron lens mentioned earlier you have a starter motorsport kit.

Cash Converters in Norwich also have a secondhand. 55-250IS lens for £ 79