Express Action Sports

I would like a complete package (camera, lenses, etc) under $1000. Is that possible? Are bundles better to save a few $$?

Any of the major brands – Sony, Pentax, Nikon, Canon, Olympus – with the kit lens are good starting points. Read reviews of all of these cameras and choose the one that you believe best fits your needs. Don’t wear blinders that limit you to Nikon or Canon.

I suggest avoiding "bundles" unless all they include are a second lens. The ones with a tripod and filters and all the other items usually included often are of low quality and are things you’ll likely discard.

You might want to consider buying a body, a 50mm f1.4 lens and a zoom of perhaps 70-200mm with an f2.8 constant aperture. The 50mm f1.4 will be good for portraits and any low-light, non-flash photography you might do and the 70-200mm f2.8 zoom will be suitable for most sports situations. Its important to have a constant aperture zoom so your shutter speed will remain the same as you zoom from 70mm to 200mm. Zooms with variable apertures such as f4/5.6 are very slow lenses and your shutter speed will decrease. If your shutter speed at f4 is 1/125 sec. at f5.6 it will drop to 1/60 sec. With an f2.8 zoom under the same conditions your shutter speed would be 1/250 sec. and stay at 1/250 sec. as you zoom from 70mm to 200mm. Another advantage of a fast f2.8 zoom is a brighter viewfinder which makes it easier to compose in lower light and helps the AF to work better.

Here are some reputable sites:

http://www.keh.com
http://www.adorama.com
http://www.bhphotovideo.com
http://www.uniquephoto.com
http://www.beachcamera.com

There are many other reputable sites and just as many – if not more – scam sites. If you see a deal that just seems too good to be true, check the seller at http://www.resellerratings.com

Good luck and happy shopping.

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