Calling all camera buffs, need advise on a camera.

[moparguy]

A bit of background, many years ago I was bitten by the camera bug, bought a little Nikon FE, took a photography course, read all the magazines, (Ansil Adams was my hero) and made a lot of good pictures.



Fast forward to today. I've been asked to take photos of the Southeast Arkansas Fair/Rodeo. The photographer that had been doing this can't this year and the fair president recalled that I take good pictures.



Pay is a few hundred dollars and requires 6 or 7 days of fair going. That's no problem, however the Nikon is broke, and I haven't kept up with the developments in the camera world for the last 20 years.



So, with a $1,000 budget, what would you guys recommend. I need one body, with prehaps a mid 20's to 300mm zoom and the ability to take photo's in less that adaquate light at night.



Digital (I have a HP printer thats suppose to make quality prints), or film.



Brands and model numbers would be helpful. And any advise would be great.



Who knows, this could be the start of a second career.



Thanks, Ronnie

 

[Timinator]

Consider used equipment that has a warranty. I find perfectly good cameras and flashes at some camera stores. I have my first Nikon FM2 that is 20 years old. Very rugged. I acquired a used 6006 a few years back as well as a used Nikon flash. Prices were right and with a warranty. I have seen piles of lenses and motor drives as well. I bought some of that stuff when I was asked to photograph a wedding and it's never failed. Talk to the guys at the shop regarding your intended applications and requirements.

 

[Newf Limo]

I prefer Canon equipment myself. The Canon EOS systems are great and offer alot of flexibility. For your purposes I would consider a good EOS Body and look to Tamron for the lenses. Photography is an interesting world. It is one of the few totally equipment driven professions. Only the highest quality images are acceptable so eveyr piece of equipment is tried and tested by the users and word spreads VERY fast, both good and bad. In photography, you WILL get what you pay for. As far as low light is concerned, there are alot of factors to consider. For the average person, hand holding a 300mm lens requires a shutter speed equal to or greater than the focal length of the lens, i. e 1/500th sec. (1/250th if you are pretty steady handed and shoot a few extra frames, auto winders help with this but add weight and expense). A 300mm lens in your budget will be a f 4. 5-5. 6 lens. With 400 iso film normal exposure in bright sunny light is 1/500th (1/400th) @f/16. In low light (the last thirty minutes before the sun goes down) The exposure is 1/500 (film speed, even though it is actually 1/400th but your camera most likely won't have that speed so you use the next highest) @ f/5. 6. Understand, your depth of field will be VERY shallow so focus and steadyness are key. Can you say Tripod!!!???! As it gets darker your shutter speeds wil have to drag and so will your images . Go to a short fast lens, 35mm f/2. 8 (1. 4 if you can budget it) I can help you with pushing film a little if you like. Fuji Press 400 is designed to be pushed.

If it is possible to rent your equipment then do so. I can't afford a $6,500 500mm f/2. 8 ultrasonic IS lens so I rent it. You have to have a great big credit card with room enough to cover replacement costs as a deposit though. I did a small photo shoot at home and I paid $250 rent for lighting, grip equipment, and a medium format camera but left an $11,000 deposit.



Good luck, hope this wasn't too confusing. If you want some more confusion just let me know. Dennis

 

[John Berger]

Canon

I would recommend Canon, specifically the AE5 or whatever it's equivalent is, now. It's a mid-range camera and I utilize one as my backup. For a lens, I would recommend the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5. 6 lens. There are three lenses and the prices will vary, but you should be able to get the setup you need for under a thousand bucks. Check out this website for good deals. I would go with the USM(Ultra Silent Motor) lens. You won't regret it.





http://www.bhphotovideo.com



Follow the links and enjoy the surfing. Lots of good deals and no taxes to pay. I get all of my equipment and supplies from these guys and I have never had a problem with service or quality.

 

[sonorakitch]

Nikon is the way to go

Hi Moparguy,



I am a Nikon man myself... there is a reason the folks at National Geographic use Nikon equipment!! Perhaps the finest SLR Manual camera sold today is the Nikon FM3-A. It runs about $500-600, but takes the finest 35mm pictures I have ever seen. 3 interchangeable focusing screens and best of all-- the body adapts to old as well as new Nikkor lenses (many other manufacturers, as well, including Vivitar). The camera also has continuous shutter operation. Here is the link...



http://www.nikon-image.com/eng/35mm/index_fm3a.htm



Great camera. If you have $1000 to spend, it would be important to get a lens covering 28mm-240mm. Make sure to get a filter or two, including possibly a Polarizer. With a bag, strap, and other goodies, you can expect to spend around that.



Another great camera that costs less is the FM2. Also fully manual.



Kind of the difference between a auto and manual... one gives you more control, one gives you more convenience.



~Chris



PS-- I would wait for a digital camera. In two or three years, quality will be near equal.

 

[Deezul1]

I use a Canon A1 which will go full auto or manual. Its 20 years old and still takes great pictures along with Tameron lenses. A great camera if you are looking at used, very rugged also.



Thanks for the great filter.

 

[RAMalama]

DIGITAL !!!!

Look into the Olympus 2100u. Here's a 2 megapixel camera (good 8x10 prints) with the equivilent 50 to 380mm lens. It's pretty fast for all that length too at 2. 8. They have a new one that's out with a 1. 8 lens but it's hard to find in stock.

 

[moparguy]

Thanks guys

Just wanna say thanks for all the replys. I've been in the hay fields for the last few days and haven't been keeping up with the board.



Although it's looking like I won't be taking the fair job, I am going to put the Nikon in the shop and start shopping for a new body and use the littel FE as a backup/second, likely loaded with different film than the new primary gun.



Again, thanks guys for all the good advise.



Ronnie

 

[dresslered]

I'm a fairly high-tech kind of guy, but I have found absolutely nothing that will out perform the old Nikon FE2. These things weigh quite a bit, but they will last forever! My advice is to find an old low-mileage body and get it completely cleaned and recalibrated for todays batteries. Nothing will beat the optics of the old Nikkor lenses either.



As far as digital imaging, purchase a photo scanner and get yourself a copy of Photoshop.



more info at:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/htmls/slrmain5979.htm

 

[Newf Limo]

I am going to get a flatbed scanner but only to use for odds and ends stuff that I don't care that much about. It is mostly going to be used to scan an IT8 color chart so I can close the loop between my Film scanner, monitor and printer. I want them all talking the same language, color wise, that is. I scan my photos with a Nikon LS2000 film scanner. It does color, B&W, Negs and Transparencies. It also has "Digital Ice" technology which will remove dust and scratches as it scans and does and amazing job of it. It was well worth the investment. I have Photoshop 6. 0 but have a lot to learn from it.

 

[Dkevdog]

Hey Ronnie- I second (Or third, as it may seem) the Canon EOS systems, as some of you know, I manage a good size school photography company, we also do a considerable amount of sports, action and freelance work. We have nearly 20 full time staff photographers, and while they provide and select their own gear, 14 of them exclusively swear by Canon. 4 more have the same feelings for the Nikon F-4/F-5 outfits, and then the lone Pentax boy.



The Canon's come in many flavors, the EOS line starts cheap, and heads on up. Two of my guys recently bought the 1V- but the body alone is about $2000.



You should be able to pick up a good deal on an EOS 3 for $1000 - $1300, if you need help in getting one I might be able to help and steer you to the right direction, email me and let me know if I can help.



Kev

<South Coast Photographic>

 

[Texas Diesel]

IMO the answer is the Sony F-505V. I'm sure there are others but I like Sony, quality, features, support, and price. It is a good point and shoot type of camera with a manual focus mode too.