Zee 0 #26 October 3, 2007 Nice work, Dave! Those are some very nice shots. And you are correct, it's perfectly possible to take good shots with a kit lens but, once you try a really nice quality piece of glass you'll instantly know where that extra money went. One thing people should understand before dropping the big bucks on a IS or VR type lens is that Image Stabilization does absolutely nothing for you when shooting fast moving subjects at shorter focal lenghts. It certainly helps reduce camera shake in low light situations and at focal lengths beyond 200mm because that's what it was designed for but below that, it really isn't necessary. I took these shots hand held under heavy overcast with a Nikkor 2.8 80-200 and they're traveling at much higher speeds than any swooper I've ever seen. http://asphoto.smugmug.com/photos/180740129-L-3.jpg http://asphoto.smugmug.com/photos/180741757-L-3.jpg http://asphoto.smugmug.com/photos/180741163-L-3.jpg http://asphoto.smugmug.com/photos/180740721-L-3.jpg http://asphoto.smugmug.com/photos/180741335-L-3.jpg A good fast lens is great for shooting fast moving subjects and it will definitely make it easier to capture nice crisp shots of swoopers but you can still get good stuff with a good consumer type lens and a monopod. Action©Sports Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laszloimage 0 #27 October 3, 2007 Thank you Mike! Also thanks for the landig shots! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laszloimage 0 #28 October 3, 2007 Dave, These are very beautiful shots. No doubt even the 18-55mm lens can take some great pictures (I took some nice ones too with that). But there's too many things have to be just right to get the desired result. Without any experince of photography it will be even harder. With a better (and of course lot more expensive) lens) things just became easier, significantly less missed out shots, and on the long run it pays for itself multiple times (not only financially). It worth the investment. Also as long as an expensive lens functions properly it can be sold for a good price. -Laszlo- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #29 October 3, 2007 Oh I agree... but the original poster had a $700 budget. I'm just pointing out that she can get some great shots with equipment that costs a lot less than that (refurb rebel XT including kit lens was $500 months ago, don't know the current price). She could get even better shots if she doubled her budget, but a nice lens can be a later addition. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #30 October 3, 2007 Quote She could get even better shots if she doubled her budget, but a nice lens can be a later addition. Was just looking at a used 20D with lenses and other accessories. They were asking $1400. As a photography beginner and broke college student I really can't justify spending that much on a camera. A nice lens is in the plans for next semesters financial aid check. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zee 0 #31 October 3, 2007 Quote Quote She could get even better shots if she doubled her budget, but a nice lens can be a later addition. Was just looking at a used 20D with lenses and other accessories. They were asking $1400. As a photography beginner and broke college student I really can't justify spending that much on a camera. A nice lens is in the plans for next semesters financial aid check. Sounds like a good place to start. If you can find a used 20D with a decent stock lens for $700, grab it! To be perfectly honest, an XT would do perfectly well for what you're looking for and should fall well within your budget. Action©Sports Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #32 October 4, 2007 QuoteIt certainly helps reduce camera shake in low light situations Absolutely - however, for landing shots she's going to want a good high shutter speed, almost certainly over 1/800, so hand shake isn't going to be a problem - I'd still recommend the 50mm f/1.8 for $75, though...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zee 0 #33 October 4, 2007 QuoteQuoteIt certainly helps reduce camera shake in low light situations Absolutely - however, for landing shots she's going to want a good high shutter speed, almost certainly over 1/800, so hand shake isn't going to be a problem - I'd still recommend the 50mm f/1.8 for $75, though... That's a bit fast if you want some nice motion blur in the background though. A good trick for smooth motion blur is to shoot at 1/speed of whatever you're shooting. Say a shutter speed of 1/125 for 125mph etc....It takes a pretty steady hand (a monopod certainly helps too) to pull it off though. But that is nice sharp lens in any case. Action©Sports Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iamsam 0 #34 October 5, 2007 The best camera.. is the one you have with you but what do I know Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
