Camera Buying Advice

[tbtstt]

Hi all; looking to make a step up with regards to camera ownership and buy something a bit above the "snap happy" camera I'm using now.

I quite fancy (and have the money) to pick up something in either the 3/4 DSLR or full DSLR range. Having done a bit of research the Nikon D90, Canon 50D, 500D and Olympus E520 are all looking to be up my street.

Does anyone have any preference/recommendations for any of the above models. Its primary use is going to be motorsport photography, so I want something thats up to the job!

[Tim the Grey]

Bear in mind the more expensive bodies tend to be better built, with tougher/faster shutters. So they can fire faster, for longer.
You also have better weather resistance in higher spec bodies.

Having said all that, our own John Turner runs a 450D quite happily, and djchocice has, I think, an Oly 510, again, very happy.

Not a lot wrong with any of them really. What suits you? Pick them up and try them?

[GORDON STREETER]

As Tim says most of the above SLRs are fine for the purpose you want.
Shop around and don't worry about buying an older model as they don't change a lot from year to year, and I doubt if you could tell the difference between the actual photos. Don't forget the bit that sticks out the front is probably more important than the box on the back ! PM me if you buy an older Canon and have problems.
PS I've got a brownie 127 if you want to make me an offer.

[Tim the Grey]

I have a Canon 10D. They're worth about the same!!!

[GORDON STREETER]

OK Tim the Brownie is in the post complete with an unused 120 that I found in the back of the fridge, I'll pay the return post !

[tbtstt]

Sorry for the slow reply! Thanks for the information everyone.

My primary concern was/is that these cameras were way-underspecced for motorsport photography. I've had a browse on some of the online camera stores and as soon as you start searching for "proper" motorsport cameras, the cost seems to skyrocket!

I appreciate you get what you pay for, but I don't want to spend £1000 on a camera and lenses, only to find I still need better equipment!

[MikeHoyer]

Anything in particular you've had your eye on?

[neilwilson]

I have a Nikon D90 with the kit 18-105 lens, it is fine for me. I have used it at Spa24H and LMS Silverstone amongst others.







Cheers.

Neil

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

My primary concern was/is that these cameras were way-underspecced for motorsport photography. I've had a browse on some of the online camera stores and as soon as you start searching for "proper" motorsport cameras, the cost seems to skyrocket!

I appreciate you get what you pay for, but I don't want to spend £1000 on a camera and lenses, only to find I still need better equipment!

You don't need to spend a grand to take decent motorsport pictures unless you are planning to do it as a job.
It always makes me smile when people say to my wife "doesn't your camera take good pictures" !

[Tim the Grey]

And the old response to THAT line is...

Doesn't your COOKER do great roasts?

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

And the old response to THAT line is...

Doesn't your COOKER do great roasts?

I said that once, and I had to scrape it off the wall !

[Al Weyman]

I am in the specialist printing game, large format posters etc. so get to see a lot of digital files and photos for printing and from all the pictures I see posted there is none with the colour and clarity as those posted by member jonbryant (Snapper Motorsport Photograhy) so if I was looking to invest in a bit of kit I would ask him what he is using. I know its also in the skill of the user but good equipment must be a pre-requisite.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

I am in the specialist printing game, large format posters etc. so get to see a lot of digital files and photos for printing and from all the pictures I see posted there is none with the colour and clarity as those posted by member jonbryant (Snapper Motorsport Photograhy) so if I was looking to invest in a bit of kit I would ask him what he is using. I know its also in the skill of the user but good equipment must be a pre-requisite.

Thats actually a great bit of advice - some of the shots I've seen of his from Lydden Hill (where I'm most likely to be taking pictures) are incredible.

At the moment the Olympus 520 is looking to be my choice (with a 70-300mm lens to get me started), though I keep going back to looks at the Nikons...

[Tim the Grey]

I run Olympus, my 2 sons use Nikon, while my wife is a Canon girl.
Nowt wrong with any of 'em. Most failures are operator error!

If going Nikon, make sure it has the screwdriver AF connection in the mount? It means you can use older Nikkor, not just AF-S.

[tullster]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Thats actually a great bit of advice - some of the shots I've seen of his from Lydden Hill (where I'm most likely to be taking pictures) are incredible.

At the moment the Olympus 520 is looking to be my choice (with a 70-300mm lens to get me started), though I keep going back to looks at the Nikons...

You'd better not ask ask JB what he uses as his wife to be REALLY doesn't know how much he's recently spent upgrading his equipement!!!! ;-)

[jonbryant]

No really... don't tell her

PM Sent Steve