My take on a studio/action photography faq

[aaron_]

Obviously inspired by jimmy's work :D and with quite some positive feedback on the reviews & photos, I decided to do a little writeup about digital photography.
Whereas jimmy rather went the DSLR-route (DOF...) i tried to focus on the cheaper fixed lens cameras - what you can do and when you better go and buy a DSLR ;)

Photoshooting 1: digital camera basics (http://www.offroad-cult.org/Special/Fotoshooting/fotoshooting_1_english.htm)
Photoshooting 2: diy-studio and studio techniques (http://www.offroad-cult.org/Special/Fotoshooting/fotoshooting_1_english.htm)
Photoshooting 3: outdoor and action photography (http://www.offroad-cult.org/Special/Fotoshooting/fotoshooting_1_english.htm)

I hope you like it!

... and maybe somebody could help me with a DSLR. I have been around in some photography forums, but photos of tiny rc-cars are quite a "special" task and nobody had experience with it.
The new Pentax K10D looks good (splash proof, very rugged) with about the same spec as Canon's and Nikon's amateur lineup (400D, D70, D80)
But I wonder if its autofocus is fast and precise enough...

[BenG]

cool.

I use the Nikon D50, which is very good. I will no doubt be buying a D200 or a D80 soon, but out of the two I'll prolly get the D80 as it is cheaper, and simmalar specc'd.

When you say you want help, is it regarding which camera to buy next?:confused:

[jimmy]

Good article Aaron!
Any digital SLR would be a good choice - they are all pretty good. Focus speed is only really an issue with the top level pro-sports cameras, since anything else simply isn't fast enough for an R/C car coming toward you.

[aaron_]

When you say you want help, is it regarding which camera to buy next?:confused:

Yep
I've looked into the Nikon lineup - the D80 looks promising. But the Nikon lenses are quite expensive.

I'd need a reach up to 200mm. Canon has the 70-200 4L USM, 2nd hand around 500 euros, 600-700(?) euros new.
Nikon only has a 2,8 lens in this range which is too expensive for me. (even used)

edit to jimmy;
Well i had this crazy idea of buying a used Canon 1D (the first model)
they are in entry level price range now, but 4,2Mpixel and 1,3x crop = more expensive optics... well, that scared me away a bit.

[jimmy]

I sold my 80-200 AFD F2.8 nikkor lens in near-mint condition for 400ukp, that is about 600eur... I think it wouldn't be too hard to find this lens again for similar or slightly less in good condition.. brand new on ebay they are about 480ukp


This is the lens without a motor - so it is not as fast focusing as the AFS version or 70-200VR... But is barely noticable the difference in focus speed, since it is a fast lens already - it also produces some very nice shots and it is the lens I used all 2005.



Stu Evans has the 70-200 F4 canon on his 350, looks a very nice lens indeed.

[aaron_]

Thanks for your tip on the "old" 80-200! At f/2.8 this is really a good price and definitely a point for the Nikon.

I'll look what I can find on ebay.

[BenG]

I bought this Nikon lense

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nikon-70-300mm-f-4-5-6G-Lens-UV-filter-UK-Warranty_W0QQitemZ320087550296QQihZ011QQcategoryZ3 0070QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item320087550296

Its a genuine lense, real Nikon, and very good IMO.

Let me dig out some pics I took with it.
http://www.tyrc.co.uk/photos/batley2006/

http://www.tyrc.co.uk/photos/batley2006/images/DSC_0166.jpg

http://www.tyrc.co.uk/photos/batley2006/images/DSC_0167.jpg

http://www.tyrc.co.uk/photos/batley2006/images/DSC_0172.jpg

http://www.tyrc.co.uk/photos/batley2006/images/DSC_0186.jpg

http://www.tyrc.co.uk/photos/batley2006/images/DSC_0190.jpg

http://www.tyrc.co.uk/photos/batley2006/images/DSC_0194.jpg

http://www.tyrc.co.uk/photos/batley2006/images/DSC_0208.jpg