SLR for Motorsport

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iDemonix

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Just as a hobby, looking at getting a good SLR body for photographing motorsport (selling my Sony a200). I was pretty confident in getting the EOS 550D but I've been warned against it as it's AF won't be up to sports (this is echoed on dpreview).

I've also been recommended getting a 2nd hand EOS 1D but it's a little out of my price range.

Could someone let me know how both of these cameras would square up for motorsport photography, or do you know of a good SLR for this category for around the £500 mark.
 
What lens will you be putting on it?

A used nikon D300 is one of your best options, or a used canon 50D which isn't quite as fast but leaves you with more money for a lens.

Have you considered a used sony A700 instead of switching? that'll save you since you won't have to replace any lenses.
There should be a good number of A700's on the second hand market soon with the release of the A77.
 
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I'd rather leap to Canon or Nikon tbh as I'm not that fond of Sony's SLR range.

I'm after something that can autofocus very quickly (obviously for fast moving bikes/cars through bends on straights etc).

I'll have a look in to the D300.
 
It's down to the speed of the AF too. Try the later sonys like the A55, A35 and the A580. The A200 is fairly basic so won't have the faster AF of the higher models. I really notice the difference between the a350 (2008) and the a580 (2010). Latter seems twice as fast and is much better in low light.

If you switch you'll have to get decent stabilised glass so it will be an expensive switch. £500 isn't enough I don't think.
 
The D300 looks great after looking through it, especially with its 51 point focus. I think I'd prefer Canon though as their range of pro lenses look a better range (and everyone wants a white lens, amiright?)
 
iDemonix said:
(and everyone wants a white lens, amiright?)
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Nope :D

But you're right, they do have a better range of lenses.

Basically you need to get something from their semi-pro range so that's a 40D, 50D, 60D or 7D, whatever your budget stretches to.
 
I have the 50D and normally use the 100-400 lens on it for notorsport and have no trouble at all.

Either the 40D or the 50D will give you good results ant a minimal cost 2ndhand or for more money the 7D get excellnt reviews for motorsport.
FPS or great on all these camera's.

Spike
 
The D300 looks amazing, but I think I'd prefer to go with Canon due to glass choice.

The two cameras in my price range that I'm stuck on are; Canon 550D, Canon 50D.
 
srichards said:
If you switch you'll have to get decent stabilised glass
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Why? Stabilisation is very useful for a lot of things, but it's not essential especially for things like motor-sport where you're always shooting moving stuff so the shutter speed has to be kept up.
 
The OP may wish to use the same lens for other things so stabilisation is handy :)
 
iDemonix said:
I was pretty confident in getting the EOS 550D but I've been warned against it as it's AF won't be up to sports ... for around the £500 mark.
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iDemonix said:
The two cameras in my price range that I'm stuck on are; Canon 550D, Canon 50D.
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Hi

I've used a 300D and 450D for motorsport in the past and have had no issues with the AF system, the fps was the issue on occasions.

From the 2 bodies you list, the 50D is the much better bet :thumbs:
 
As posted above, it should be easy to find yourself a nice 40D or 50D in the £350-£450 range. For a budget zoom lens take a look at the EF-S 55-250mm (£100 used / £150 new), or else the EF 70-200MM F/4L is an excellent choice if you have more money to spend (£360 used / £460 new).

edited to say that the 550D is very a decent quality camera if you want to buy new. It just lacks the build quality and fps of the 40/50D.
 
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Worth getting your hands on one before making the switch.

People tend to get along with one or two brands' ergonomics much better than the others, it's purely personal and no one can tell you which you're going to like best.

There's a chance you'll find you just do not get along with the 50D, and better to find that out before spending a lot of money ;)
 
iDemonix said:
I've also been recommended getting a 2nd hand EOS 1D but it's a little out of my price range.
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I'v seen a few 1D mark 2's for under £500, granted its an older body with only 8 megapixels but I'v guess it uses them well as Mark said you get the advanatges of pro level autofocus, FPS(over double something like the 550D), viewfinder and build quality/sealing.

The other alternative in the same kind of price range would be the 50D, slightly few megapixels than something like the 600D but the build quality, FPS and focus is better although not on the level of the 1D
 
Get a 1d 2 you'll love it. From a guy who has shot on 1 for a year you can leave them in muddy puddles and they still work. The af is pretty good (not as good as the mk2n, or MK4 obv) forget about these silly xxD at the end of the day there weatherproofing is **** in comparison with any 1d be it mk1 or mk4
 
Hi

Find a good 1d mkii or n from a dealer. eBay prices seem pretty high compared to what you can buy from a dealer. I bought a very nice mk iin in London the other week for £650 with 6 months warranty.
I already had a 50d and the 1d just feels perfect, built like a tank, pictures are great and the FPS is unbeatable and sounds like a machine gun.

If you can wait, then when canon finally announce new 1d model these prices should dip a bit.

Thanks

John
 
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