Camera Suggestions?

[kepp]

So I'm on a business trip in San Francisco and there's a camera shop just up the street from my hotel. I stopped in and they're trying to sell me on this lens - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._4_5_6_IS.html

They said they can give it to me for $599. Is it a good lens and, if so, is that a good deal? BH Photo has it for $649, but there are some on Ebay for as low as $300 (I don't know that I trust ebay for buying lenses though). They told me the ultrasonic AF motor means super-fast focusing which would be good for what I want to do. Also, it appears to have a metal lens mount which you guys have mentioned is better.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by kepp

So I'm on a business trip in San Francisco and there's a camera shop just up the street from my hotel. I stopped in and they're trying to sell me on this lens - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._4_5_6_IS.html

They said they can give it to me for $599. Is it a good lens and, if so, is that a good deal? BH Photo has it for $649, but there are some on Ebay for as low as $300 (I don't know that I trust ebay for buying lenses though). They told me the ultrasonic AF motor means super-fast focusing which would be good for what I want to do. Also, it appears to have a metal lens mount which you guys have mentioned is better.

It's not a bad deal, and if you're shooting outside most of the time I think you'll be happy, but are you going to have to pay taxes or will he let you go back to the hotel and buy it online and you just have to wait until you get home to play with it?

[kepp]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

It's not a bad deal, and if you're shooting outside most of the time I think you'll be happy, but are you going to have to pay taxes or will he let you go back to the hotel and buy it online and you just have to wait until you get home to play with it?

My main use for it will be shooting inside - gymnastics events where lighting is usually decent, but not always. I was concerned with the f/4-5.6 value in regards to that. He claimed it would be fine because (his words) if you use a f value of 2.8, then usually only part of the person will be in focus and not the entire subject. But if I use 4 or over, the entire person would be in focus. I have no idea if that's true.

Also, its just a local shop and they don't have an online presence AFAIK.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by kepp

My main use for it will be shooting inside - gymnastics events where lighting is usually decent, but not always. I was concerned with the f/4-5.6 value in regards to that. He claimed it would be fine because (his words) if you use a f value of 2.8, then usually only part of the person will be in focus and not the entire subject. But if I use 4 or over, the entire person would be in focus. I have no idea if that's true.

Also, its just a local shop and they don't have an online presence AFAIK.

He's basically right on the depth of field, but he's not really educated. The further away from the subject you are the more depth you have. For instance: if you're shooting at f/2.8 with a 100mm lens and your 10 feet away, you've only got about 4 inches of pure focus. But if you're 50 feet away, you've got a little over 8 feet. The higher the f-stop, the more wiggle room you have. At f/4 at 50 feet you have almost 12 feet of focus.

Here's the basics on depth of field, if you care to read up more: http://www.exposureguide.com/focusing-basics.htm

And here's a handy-dandy DOF calculator, if you're interested: http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

The issue with light (and just because you think it's fairly well lit doesn't mean your camera agrees) is you'll need to crank up the shutter speed to at least 1/250th of a second to even come close to stopping the action, and you'll be a lot better off if you can get it to 1/500th. In order to get that kind of shutter speed indoors, you'll need two of the following: good lighting, low f-stop, or high ISO.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by kepp

My main use for it will be shooting inside - gymnastics events where lighting is usually decent, but not always. I was concerned with the f/4-5.6 value in regards to that. He claimed it would be fine because (his words) if you use a f value of 2.8, then usually only part of the person will be in focus and not the entire subject. But if I use 4 or over, the entire person would be in focus. I have no idea if that's true.

Also, its just a local shop and they don't have an online presence AFAIK.

He's an idiot and a salesman! After years of shooting sports, a short depth of field is usually desired anyway. Still a good deal and 4.5 will prolly be just fine...

[houstonwhodat]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

He's an idiot and a salesman! After years of shooting sports, a short depth of field is usually desired anyway. Still a good deal and 4.5 will prolly be just fine...

Every NFL game I shoot this year will be at 2.8 unless it's a close up group shot.

2.8 is where all sports photographers live.

[kepp]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

He's an idiot and a salesman! After years of shooting sports, a short depth of field is usually desired anyway. Still a good deal and 4.5 will prolly be just fine...

I didn't end up getting the lens. I did end up talking to a photographer that was working the conference I was attending. The advice she gave me: "Get a decent external flash...it'll be the best $100 you spend."

And I think I have my mind set on this lens (I think someone mentioned it earlier in this thread): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...2_8_EX_DG.html
It's $1K less than the comparable lenses from Canon.

[58-4ever]

Nokia 1020 Camera Phone. 41 Megapixels.

[TambaBerry]

What is a good digital camera for around 200, I'm having a baby soon and the only camera i have is my phone.

[ghak99]

Does anyone have experience with the lens mounted ring lights in an interview and/or close range macro type outdoor low light video work? Ebay is flooded with these things with many of them under 100 bucks, but I see very few reviews showing them actually out in the field being used for what I have in mind.

[TheUte]

At the very least try Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=new

[kepp]

Originally Posted by TheUte

At the very least try Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=new

Yeah, I looked. They're all basically the same price as B&H.

[GloryDayz]

No matter where you get that lens, I think you'll love it...

[kepp]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

No matter where you get that lens, I think you'll love it...

That's what I've been told. I'm a total amateur though, so I hope it isn't too difficult for me to use. It's auto focus with image stabilization though, so it shouldn't be too bad.

I'm trying to get Adorama to price match now. If they won't, I'll order it from one of those other sites.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by kepp

That's what I've been told. I'm a total amateur though, so I hope it isn't too difficult for me to use. It's auto focus with image stabilization though, so it shouldn't be too bad.

I'm trying to get Adorama to price match now. If they won't, I'll order it from one of those other sites.

Read-up a bit on few things:

1) lighting (it's a science, but nothing you can't learn a lot about in a few good reads),

2) depth-of-field - what it is and how to work with it (this will make you a rock-star in short order!!!)

3) Shutter Priority and Aperture Priority (and see how most folks realize they just bought a 2.8 lens, so Aperture Priority might be where they want to start most days!!)

There no end to what you can do, but I've done this with a lot of people and those concepts aren't rocket science, and they will be some of the biggest leaps you can take.

But photo-guys will argue THAT too I'm sure...