DSLR for outdoors ?

lacogada · Apr 6, 2014

Advice needed on purchasing a camera for mainly outdoor ... wildlife, sporting events, etc....

Looking to spend $1500 +/-.

CdTSnap · Apr 6, 2014

Nikon D7000 / D7100... Not sure what the prices are like over there? Im sure a D610 would be more than that, Id get the D7000 and a nice fast lens

ConradM · Apr 6, 2014

Sony a77 is weather sealed. $800 for the body.

ConradM · Apr 6, 2014

It also shoots at a max of 12fps with continuous AF which makes it better for sports.

glun · Apr 6, 2014

Canon 7D

JerryLove · Apr 6, 2014

ConradM said:
It also shoots at a max of 12fps with continuous AF which makes it better for sports.

Some comments from DPReview

"In Continuous Advance Priority mode the A77 can still focus continuously, but in order to be able to do this, aperture is either fixed wide open, or limited to f/3.5 if the maximum aperture allows it. "

"Another disadvantage of the SLT system when it comes to fast shooting is that it isn't possible for the A77 to maintain a live view feed in its fastest 8fps and 12fps continuous capture modes. The viewfinder does not black out when shooting at these high framerates, but shows a sequence of still frames in real time. What this means is that at any given moment, you don't see the view through the camera's lens right now, but how it was a fraction of a second ago. This makes little or no difference if you're shooting slow-moving or static subjects, but it makes panning with fast-moving subjects very hard indeed, since you never know where they are - only where they were."

"We've had mixed luck when shooting fast action with the A77. We had the opportunity to do a fair amount of action photography during the shooting for this review and whilst we captured a lot of sharp, accurately focussed frames, we didn't enjoy anything approaching a 100% hit-rate. To be fair though, we didn't expect to."

My other concern with the partially reflective mirror is that we are dividing the light. So (assuming evenly split) both the AF sensor and the capture sensor are getting 1-stop less light than a conventional DSLR (which generally slows AF speed).

The noise levels look at bit high to me as well.

ConradM · Apr 6, 2014

Yeah, everyone has seen the comments about the SLTs not showing a live view during continuous shooting. As someone that has been shooting action with Sony's for 3 years I can say it doesn't matter one bit. Especially when you're talking 10fps... I've never had trouble with sportbikes, skateboards, dogs etc...

Basically what you're hearing is the most nit picky things from reviewers that are clinging to ovfs.

JerryLove · Apr 6, 2014

ConradM said:
Basically what you're hearing is the most nit picky things from reviewers that are clinging to ovfs.

Commenting on a poster (or reviewer) rather than what they said is an ad homenim. They might say that you are attempting to justify your purchase by convincing yourself it's a non issue.

Maybe it's an issue, maybe it's not: but attempting to try to dismiss a statement because of some supposed motivation of the poster (do you know these people ? If not: where's your knowledge of their motivation coming from) is not only not helpful, it tends to make me dismissive of what *you* say.

ConradM · Apr 6, 2014

JerryLove said:
ConradM said:

Basically what you're hearing is the most nit picky things from reviewers that are clinging to ovfs.

Click to expand...

Commenting on a poster (or reviewer) rather than what they said is an ad homenim. They might say that you are attempting to justify your purchase by convincing yourself it's a non issue.

Maybe it's an issue, maybe it's not: but attempting to try to dismiss a statement because of some supposed motivation of the poster (do you know these people ? If not: where's your knowledge of their motivation coming from) is not only not helpful, it tends to make me dismissive of what *you* say.

Well, considering how many reviewers have tried to fault the Sony EVF with this same statement, it's pretty easy to just dismiss it now.

It could be an issue at maybe.. 3 or 4fps. But other than that you should have no problems panning or taking action shots.

table1349 · Apr 6, 2014

Been shooting sports for 40+ years. Funny thing, I only see Canon & Nikon in the hands of the other photographers when we are all shooting. Wonder why that is.

Oh I know, because their systems work for the job at hand.

lacogada · Apr 7, 2014

Thanks CdTsnap ... Nikon 7000 approx $600 here

Thanks ConradM ... I'll probably go with the more popular Canon or Nikon ... like your flickr site .

Thanks for the other replies also.

I searched the forum a little and found a post/pic by MLCIII. He's using a Canon 7D.
To my un-trained eye, it looks fantastic.
http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...ally-into-sport-photography-need-input-2.html

... but after searching lense prices, I'd probably be over budget.

Ebay seems to have pretty good bundle prices, but I'm not too comfortable buying there.

Do you guys think I should go for package deal or find good prices on body and lense separate ?

Thanks for the advice and reply's.

bribrius · Apr 7, 2014

how weather proof is a 7000 really? anyone know? Has it been tested? how about, going on boats,waves that sort of thing.. Having a rogue wave go over the camera...

i know the say it is weather proof but looking where the lenses go on and off i wouldn't exactly call it sealed..

CdTSnap · Apr 7, 2014

bribrius said:
how weather proof is a 7000 really? anyone know? Has it been tested? how about, going on boats,waves that sort of thing.. Having a rogue wave go over the camera...

i know the say it is weather proof but looking where the lenses go on and off i wouldn't exactly call it sealed..

I can't say I've had a wave go over mine but I've been in some really heavy rain for a short amount of time when I got stuck and it was fine. Not sure how well it would do in anything worse...

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

jaomul · Apr 7, 2014

Take a look at the Pentax k5 ii. Good deals now, it comes with a weather proof lens, Good focus and reasonable burst. Remember these are weather not waterproof and both camera and Lens need the seals to have it all sealed as a unit

Vince.1551 · Apr 7, 2014

bribrius said:
how weather proof is a 7000 really? anyone know? Has it been tested? how about, going on boats,waves that sort of thing..

weather sealing is probably just weather sealing from high humidity or mild drizzle etc. it does not include splashes & sprays from boating. It's not part of natural weather

However it probably offers better protection against corrosion from salt water entering the camera' inner components even though it's a good practice to clean your equipment thoroughly there after.