Looking to buy decent camera for sports photography?

  • Thread starter Thread starter John M
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John M

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I am keen to start this as a serious hobby and see where it goes.. Is it worth me buying a Canon EOS Mark II or III Camera ? I have a bit of money to spend so is it worth buying an expensive camera to learn on ? Its not something I will give up on after 3 months.. Wheres a decent place to buy 2nd hand.. (apart from ebay).
 
I suggest you get an entry level, such as the Canon Rebel XT or XTi, and spend the rest of your money on some good lenses. Learn how to use your camera, build up your system, then upgrade (by that time they'll have even more advanced cameras).

Look for camera shops in your area. Also try Craigslist and Pawn shops.
 
Learning to use either one (I'm assuming you are a novice at best) isn't easy so it will need a bit of practice.
For Sports Photography you will probably need a good zoom lens, I recommend the Canon EF 70-200 1:2.8 L. Not cheap, but worth the money.
 
Actually the Nikon D3 has surpassed the Canon cameras at this time (since the China Olympics actually). It is the extreme low noise at high ISO that makes it so popular with the sports photographers. You can by a new D3 for what a MkIII costs used ... and Nikon makes an excellent 200-400 mm f/4 (with the low noise, you no longer need a $7,000 f/2.8 lens).

Before you spend a dime, look closely at the two camera systems and see which will suit your needs over the next decade or so. In the mean time, buy the least expensive camera body you can find that matches the system you decide to "marry" and learn on it. In the three to five years it takes to become fully competent with that camera, the newest and much better technology will be available and you will have been able to spend the $5,000 or so saved by buying an entry level camera on fine lenses ...
 
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