Beginner looking for advice

[mbenoy119]

Hello, I'm sure there are hundreds of threads along the same subject line, but I thought I would ask for advice specifically pertaining to what I would like to do and use the vast knowledge here to help me make good decisions along the way!

I'm looking to purchase a DLSR setup (Camera body, a couple of lenses, bag, accessories, etc.) to get started in taking quality photos. The difficulty comes with the nature of what I primarily want to photograph, which is athletic and motorsports events. I realize these are difficult venues to break into when you are trying to get high quality shots, but I'm willing to put the time in to learn.

I don't necessarily want to purchase an "entry level" setup though. I'm looking for something that will have the flexibility to allow me to grow as my skill level increases. Just by the research I have done, I've been leaning towards something like the Nikon D7000. I would really appreciate some advice about the camera itself or suggestions for something that might be a better fit for me. More importantly, I'm looking for advice on which lenses I should purchase along with the camera body itself.

I am also interested in opinions on what software programs I should look into for managing and editing photos that I take. Thank you in advance for any knowledge that can be shared!

 

[PlanetStarbucks]

A couple things that will help: What kind of money are you willing to part with and what sort of experience with cameras do you have? The "standard" setup for what you described is a pretty heavy investment, but can be done with cheaper setups.

For management/editing software...I love Lightroom. Wicked powerful, well laid out, tons of support, and it isn't even that expensive.

 

[fjrabon]

If you want something you won't feel the need to upgrade feature wise, the D90 and the D7000 are both stellar crop frame cameras that do basically everything you want/need a camera to do, the D7000 has better resolution and low light performance, if you need/care about that, get the D7000, otherwise get the D90. The biggest feature they have that is really valuable being simply dual command wheels. Further, having an in camera focus motor opens up more options lens wise, as you can use all the AF lenses instead of being forced to buy AF-S.

Glass wise, I think the best all around basic setup you can do with a crop frame is:

Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 (get the cheaper non AF-S version, as a D90 or D7000 don't need it, and optically they're the same exact lens as the more expensive in lens focus motor version)
Tamron 28-70mm f/2.8
Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF 2 ring
Nikon 35mm f/1.8 G
Tamron 60mm f/2 portait/macro hybrid

Now, you can compromise some of those choices depending on what your favored genres/shooting styles are. But that's a top of class crop frame setup, with some flexibility if you want to go full frame down the line (the 80-200 and 28-70 will give you a nice base to work from if you decide to go full frame down the line). You get the best crop wide angle available, one of the best standard zooms available, get an optically equal to the top of the line telephoto (for around $1200 less than the 70-200 VRII that is the current top of the Nikon line), a great regular view prime, and the best portrait prime on a crop frame that will also do macro.

 

[Tuffythepug]

I'm sure you will get lots of good advice with regard to gear and software. I'll leave that to others. My concern is simply this: Getting good photos of sporting events and motorsports generally requires good access to the track, field, court, etc. depending upon the event. Photos of Indy cars taken from the stands are not really going to be very interesting. You must get near the track or in the pits. Basketball shots need to be taken at floor level near the court. Football shots need to be near the sidelines or the endzone.. You get my drift here. The choice of equip. is important but you have to have a good vantage point. Will you be able to secure one ?

 

[mbenoy119]

Thank you for the input so far. As far as budget is concerned, I have about $3000 set aside to begin with. For the events that I want to shoot, I will have access to the best possible positioning near the track or field of play. To start out, it was my thought to buy the camera body itself, then most likely 2 lenses, one in the 28-70 range, and one 70-200,300 range. Thanks again, please keep the advice coming!

 

[fjrabon]

Thank you for the input so far. As far as budget is concerned, I have about $3000 set aside to begin with. For the events that I want to shoot, I will have access to the best possible positioning near the track or field of play. To start out, it was my thought to buy the camera body itself, then most likely 2 lenses, one in the 28-70 range, and one 70-200,300 range. Thanks again, please keep the advice coming!

$3000

Used D7000 ~ $700 (borrowlenses.com used section)
Used Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 2 ring AF ~ $700 (ebay)
Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 (used if you can find it, but it's hard to find used, so probably have to buy new) ~$500 new
Tokina f/2.8 AF (used if you can find it, but probably will have to buy new) ~$580 new
Metz 58 AF-2 speedlight ~ $350 new

use the leftover on other necessities, like batteries, strap, bag. Build other lenses up as you go down the line and find certain things you need/want.