Express Action Sports

I’m wanting to buy a dslr camera mainly for shooting motorcross. I’ve been looking at the Nikon D90. Budget is under $2000. Keeping in mind i need the fast shutter release, does anyone have any other options in this price range?

I would say get the nikon d90 and an addition 70-300mm lens. The 70-300mm will be good for zooming into objects in the distance such as dirt bikes or the riders.

http://www.cameta.com/Nikon-D90-Digital-SLR-Camera-Body-18-105mm-DX-VR-AF-S-Zoom-Lens-35673.cfm
http://www.cameta.com/Nikon-70-300mm-f-4-5-6-G-AF-Zoom-Nikkor-Lens-10851.cfm

First of all I am a PHD user of cameras (Push Here Dummy) (I don’t want to deal with changing of lenses, focusing, backlighting, etc.) I have 2 kids in sports (soccer, gymnastics, basketball & football). They are often far away in the middle or on the other side of the field and of course in action! I want to be able to take quality CLOSE UP pictures with PHD function – good, fast, self-focusing zoom function an absolute must, and multiple fast repeating shots. So what are the best ones out there – I am not made of money so I would like to stay well under $1,000 while maintaining quality of picture and product performance. Anyone who has the experience to advise on what the aspects are to consider with regard to zoom capabilities/multi-frame shots and/or pinpoint a couple of selections would be greatly appreciated. (We have 7.0 mega pixel purse size camera, but its zoom while O.K. for nearby photos is O.K. just won’t cut it for the sports!)

Unfortunately, the only cameras that can truly catch any action shots are exactly what you said you do not want. A DSLR camera with interchangeable lenses is really the only cameras that don’t have perceptible shutter lag. I know of no point and shoot camera that does not have shutter lag from a half second or worse.

DSLR cameras are really modified film cameras so all the digital image related maters are dealt with after the sensor is exposed. Point and shoot cameras do a whole list of things after you press the shutter release and before the exposure is actually made.

I want to get a new mega zoom camera
such as the Pentax X70 or Lumix FZ28k

Both cameras have 20x mega zoom lenses and claim to have fast shutter release times and advanced action and sports features. However, I read one review that said the Pentax ($300) is too slow for shooting sports.

But the Lumix costs ($400) … more than the pentax.

Any suggestions on which camera would be a good choice? Please recommend other brands if you have a mega zoom camera that you use for action and sports photography.

Thanks!!
What is the BEST choice for a non-removeable lens camera. For Air shows and football. I want to replace my ancient Olympus c-2100. I shoot all types of photos
but the most, most, MOST important venue is sports.

1. I am an air show enthusiast and want a camera with a very fast shutter release time and special high speed still photo features.
Is this camera a good choice for shooting high speed objects traveling through the air (jets)? and is it good for shooting sports such as football?

2. I also like to shoot still life and want vibrant natural color. does it deliver?

3. What about low lighting conditions for still photos? Does it do well?

What about shooting outdoor landscapes? does it deliver?

Zooming and taking pictures of the moon? yes or no?
Does it charge on the USB connector?
I prefer AA batteries over ‘power pack’.
Correction to your terms:

"Shutter release" time or "lag" is the same thing. It is the time measured from when the button is pressed to when the shutter actually opens.

Whereas "Exposure time" is the length of time the shutter remains opens during the process of recording a photo. ie. 1/60th, 1/250th, 1/1000th etc.

To answer your first question:

The Nikon D3 or D300, no question.

Lenses?

Court games, the 24-70 mm f/2.8, 70-200 mm f/2.8 and 200-400 mm f/4
Field sports, the 70-200 mm f/2.8, 200-400 mm, 400 mm f/2.8 and 600 mm f/4

As far as your secondary question goes:

Point and shoot cameras will let you down … the reason? Shutter lag. With sports and action, it is important for the cameras shutter to release as soon as you press the release. Even the lowly Nikon D40 with a budget 55-200 mm lens will out perform any P&S camera and for less than $600 with two lenses. For sports and action, it may be that you want to up your budget and get the camera you really want and need.

There is no reason to spend your money twice, once on a compromise camera and second on the camera you need. Be patient and save your pennies

NOTE: "fast shutter release times" means how long the shutter stays open to expose the sensor. 1/4000th of a second is a fast shutter release time and most DLSR’s shoot at least that fast. Fast shutter lag times is different. From the time you press the shutter release until the shutter actuates, is the lag time. P&S cameras shutter lag can be from 0.8 seconds to over 3 seconds depending upon the circumstances. DSLR camera shutter lag time are measured in milliseconds, thus you get nearly instantaneous shutter response.

Of the two listed cameras, the Pentax has the strongest specs. Neither uses AA batteries, but the superior Li-ion batteries. To shoot the moon, the "624 mm" will fill the frame the most.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=pentax_x70,panasonic_dmcfz28&show=all

I see how you would interpret shutter release times to mean that. In the old days of mechanical leaf shutters, the times it took for them to fully open and close were sometimes called "release times" especially by those that calibrated them every year for those who used them.

There are so many reviews at all the different web sites that sell cameras. Some people love the camera’s they bought while the person reviewing right after them will absolutely hate it. I’m on a budget up to $500. This camera will be for sports shots of my kids participating in soccer, hockey, and baseball. PLEASE HELP Thanks!!

At that budget, you may be looking at purchasing a used DSLR with something like a 55-200mm or 70-300mm lens.

A DSLR because they are the only cameras that have a small enough shutter lag to "catch" the action when you press the shutter release.

A long lens to be able to get good tight shots of the players.

You can buy a new DSLR for under $500, but it will not have THE lens you really need.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11208748&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1

I want to get a new mega zoom camera
such as the Pentax X70 or Lumix FZ28k

Both cameras have 20x mega zoom lenses and claim to have fast shutter release times and advanced action and sports features. However, I read one review that said the pentax is too slow for shooting sports.

But the Lumix costs ($400) about $100 more than the pentax.

Any suggestions on which camera would be a good choice? Please recommend other brands if you have a mega zoom camera that you use for action and sports photography.

Thanks!!
More info!!

Please read the above. I do not want a camera body and a 20lb bag full of lenses. I’m looking for the best nonremovable lens mega zoom camera.

Also, I am not a brand whore. I don’t believe that Nikon is automatically the best brand for digital cameras.

Panasonic FZ28k is a better choice,it take excellent image quality normally price of FZ28 is lower than Pentax X70 but it will be discontinued and there will be new model Panasonic FZ35 out soon

I found not to good reviews about Pentax X70

another good model that I would suggest is Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom.It take good picture whether the action is fast or slow, close up or far away
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G5ZTZO?ie=UTF8&tag=computer0bd-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001G5ZTZO

My camera has a 10x optical zoom and a ‘sports’ mode which predicts movement. I want to use it outdoors (eg soccer) and indoors (eg ice hockey) but my pictures are not particularly crisp, even at 7x5in size despite the camera having 8.1mp and coming with a zeiss lens. I use autofocus and depress the button half way down before shooting.

What am I doing wrong, and is there an easy way to correct it? Thanks.

I’m not sure why this isn’t working for you, sounds like it should. The only thing I can suggest is turn on your "auto-bracketing" feature or auto-bracket on a manual setting. It might help. Also, do you use a tripod? This would help, especially on a timer setting or with a remote shutter release, which would steady your camera & give you crisper pictures. Sorry, I can’t think of anything else.