Hello all, I am currently in school studying Journalism and would love to get my masters in Photo Journalism (I don't think it is gonna happen). So my question is this: Would it be best to purchase a DSLR (was thinking the NIKON D40). My true love is sports and I would need a camera that can take pictures pretty fast and clearly when something is in motion.
Q1: Best Camera for shooting sports etc...
Q2: With a DSLR Camera what are some of the major elements that I will need to know? I am reading up on it, but what are the things you have used more then the others. I heard about HDR? it makes pictures look pretty sick...
Thanks in advance,
Erik "leécrivain" Dorn
I'll try to tell you as much as I know, and hopefully I can help.
First off. Good luck in your future with journalism. I wish you the very best.
Now for your questions.
1) Camera
doesn't matter. I'm serious. When it comes to sports photography, the camera isn't the main factor. It is your lens. Remember this saying: "Camera bodies come and go, but good glass (lens) will last forever."
Now with that... I'm not saying get a bad camera, or camera plays no part whatsoever. No, not at all. Your camera is important, but do not base your decision on the camera. Canon and Nikon (Sony too), they all have excellent cameras, and more importantly, amazing lens's.
Look for these in your camera decision:
-Frames Per Second (How fast you can take back-to-back images)
-ISO Speeds and quality (Higher ISO's will let you shoot faster, but will grain your image, unless your camera can handle high ISO's)
-Metering (How your camera measures the scene and gives you correct exposure time and aperature.
The megapixels don't matter too much. Don't get a camera just because it is 12 megapixels. Megapixels don't necessarily mean better quality. All it means is how big can you print something. Of course the higher megapixels equal a bit sharper images, but that also cost's a LOT more money, and isn't exactly worth it, unless you plan to pursue this as your future career, and know you will be able to pay off your investments.
Basically what I'm trying to say is that don't invest in the camera, as much as you do in your lens(s).
When you do sports photography, you need a FAST LENS. I'm talking Canon L line lenses, and Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 2.8 lenses, (naming a few).
You'll need a fast lens, at least 2.8. But they will cost you. Remember, this is what you will be investing in for your future career, right?
Canon's legendary "white" L lenses are the top choice for the majority of professional sports photographers. Watch any football game, and watch the sidelines. Tell me how many white lenses you spot, that aren't being covered
I'm not bashing Nikon, not at all. Nikon has great lenses.
Basically, research around photography forums, and research Nikon and Canon's lenses. Canon's L lenses and Nikons zoom-nikkor lenses.
I'll just say you'd probably want the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM from Canon as a start. Or the equivalent from Nikon ^. But you might also want the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS from Canon. Or the equivalent from Nikon.
The range and speed is important, which in the end, reflect the high price tag.
So invest in the lens, more than the camera. A camera like a Canon 20D, 30D, 40D, 400D.
Or Nikon D40, D40x, D80, D200.
D200s are pretty nice and you can find them cheaper now that the D300 is out.
As far as your second question is concerned, basically, read books on DSLRs and research on photography forums. HDR is High Dynamic Range, which is the process of combining multiple different exposures of the same shot to create a "perfect" exposure, and using Tone Mapping, you can achieve that "sick" look.
Let me know if I can answer anymore questions.
All the best,
-AC
