Which Camera and lens Combo?

[robeves]

Hey guys,

Hopefully, this week I should be buying my first camera kit! It will be mainly for football photography from the stands (Non-League so not too far from pitch).

I need advice on which camera & lens to buy however..

Please choose out of the following and if possible can you give me reasons why they would be decent? Thanks.

Cameras:

Nikon D3000 - http://www.simplyelectronics.net/mainproduct.php?pid=7346
Nikon D60 - Would be bought used from forum..

Any other camera suggestions welcome - but must be under £330..

Lenses:

Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6 AF-S VR DX Zoom - http://www.amazon.co.uk/55-200mm-4-5-6-AF-S-Zoom-Nikkor-Lens/dp/B000O13A9I/ref=pd_cp_ce_2

Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 Di with AF Motor - Nikon Fit - http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-tamron-70-300mm-f4-5-6-di-with-af-motor-nikon-fit/p1030157

Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 Macro DG Lens - Nikon Fit - http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sigma-70-300mm-f4-5-6-macro-dg-lens-nikon-fit/p1008570

Any help appreciated!

Thanks,

Rob

 

[stu_the_flat]

Personally those lenses will never give you the 10mp resolution your sensor has so I would suggest you got for the older 6mp that the D50/D40/D70 has and take the money you save and get the Nikon 70-300mm VR That way you will have better ISO performce and a good quality lens.

Thats what I would do.

 

[EOS_JD]

For football you really need a fast lens unless you're shooting in bright light (that's why you see the pro's with their expensive lenses)! When buying a lens there's lots of things to consider and if price is the overriding factor you are going to have to make some big compromises. Buy the best lens you can and you won't regret it.

 

[Markk]

Of your choices, I'd go D3000 and Sigma 70-300.

D60. I would look into the ISO capabilities of these bodies and judge by that alone. But then, you'll be saving a bit of money which you can invest in something better eventually.

Sigma has some very nice lenses and the extra reach is good to have.

But be warned, once you go down this path you'll soon realize that you need (or want, call it what you will) a D3s and a nikon 200-400, or 300f2.8 and then your problems start...

...you could also hit uncle Ken up and check out what he has to say about these camera. Everybody loves his advice

 

[Lardinio]

I would go with the D3000 (my dad has the D60 and it's got a 3-point AF system, the D3000 has the 11-point CAM1000 used in the D90). Read the spec's it just sounds like the better camera. Although the DxOMark Sensor ISO rating system reckons the D60 has incredibale ISO capabilities for what it is. I cannot agree or disagree. But then again it says the D5000 beats at D300s, which I cannot believe either!

As far as the lens goes, I don't reckon any of these will do you really. I've tried the Tamron (admittedly on a Canon450D) but by cricky was the AF slow. I believe the Sigma to be the same. Tamron and Sigma have recently bought out new 70-300's with quick silent motors and image stablisation, but I don't believe they are available yet. The Nikkor 70-300 VR is a great lens and coupled with the D3000 would be your best bet. If you cannot stomach the price the 55-200 VR is decent, but I don't believe would have the range you need.

The other way out idea is to buy an old used D50, which can be found with a warranty for about £150/175 and partner it with a used Sigma 70-200/2.8 HSM. That's a £600 investment. Other people will think I'm off my trolley suggesting such a thing.

Good luck.