What kind of camera are you guys using?

[kblakeney35]

to get such great pics of tour players bags

I am helping my dad try to find a high-quality camera that he can take pictures of the golf team when we play. I have no idea where to start looking. Help me out guys.


-Kyle

[drpino]

IMO, the best resource to research digital cameras is www.dpreview.com. close second is www.stevesdigicams.com. major points to think about are budget, size/portability and automatic vs. manual control over exposure.

[HipCheck]

Go to Steve's Digicams as well. Great reviews on cameras, etc.

 

I personally prefer Canons. Definitely look into something with 'Image Stabilization'.

[lohrm1]

Totally dependent on cost and need for flexibility (lenses, etc.) I love Nikon but Canon makes a nice camera also. Look at dpreview.com...

[Asleep]

Ditto on Steve's Digicams.

 

I went with Nikon S4 so I could easily take pictures over the crowd and get 10X zoom.

 

[sandy]

Stay away from the big expensive stuff unless you are a pro. I speak from knowledge, you don't want to be lugging many pounds around. I own a Canon 1Ds Mark II, 5D, 30D and a Nikon D2Xs, D200, D100 and all of those stay at home for golf tournaments---just too darn heavy with even the smallest zoom (which you really don't want anyhow) (Nikon and Canons big 300 mms weigh upwards of 6 pounds just for the lens). I've found a the new Sony H5 just fits the bill 12X zoom can go up to 728 mm with a small teleconverter, 7 meg, 3 inch LCD screen---weighs virtually nothing and is easily hauled up and down hills. Has Sony's image stabilization (formerly Minoltas) system. 7 meg is just fine for up to 8X10s. Also the possibility of dust getting on your sensor/mirror is much less since you don't have to change lens. The Canons, in particular the 5D, are very susceptible to dust (personal observation due to owning all of them). This Sony is around $449. The only caution is that with such a light camera even with image stabilization you must stand very very still---which is why the pictures vary wildly in terms of focus here and other sites. Light can also play a big part. Don't go much over 200-400 ISO as these smaller cameras start to break down noise wise above 200 ISO.

 

By the way Sony is about to join the DSLR ranks which will use Zeiss lens. Unlike all the others though they will have a ultrasonic dust removal system (like Olympus and Minolta had/have) something Nikon and Canon should look into.

[easyyy]

If you are serious about photography and can spend 4k on equipment I suggest Cannon EOS 30D and some good image stability lenses. If you just want to take some awsome shots of the family and some events Sandy hit it pretty good.

 

Either way BH Photo is my preferred place to buy on the net...

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...;Q=RootPage.jsp

[kblakeney35]

If you are serious about photography and can spend 4k on equipment I suggest Cannon EOS 30D and some good image stability lenses. If you just want to take some awsome shots of the family and some events Sandy hit it pretty good.

 

Either way BH Photo is my preferred place to buy on the net...

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...;Q=RootPage.jsp

 

 

I dont think im lookin to spend quite that much on equipment. Do you guys have any suggestion for $350 or less?

 

 

-Kyle

[JHR]

I bought a Nikon D50 earlier this year, i had the 35mm version and love the camera's.

 

I already had a 200mm and a 80mm lens, and the D50 came with a 55mm, so i now have a lens for every occasion and i am really happy with the camera.

 

I dont think you will find much in a professional grade camera for $350.00, i would imagine you will spend $1000.00 on the low end, i am no photographer by any means, but the biggest issue will be the lenses, if you want the extreme close ups, you need the high power lenses and the little pocket digitals dont offer them.

 

Good luck, again, i know nothing about cameras, just my opinion, i have to imagine others will be able to offer more info.

[HipCheck]

I don't know how good this is, but this Kodak seems right for your needs. Big zoom and image stabilization. Super compact size probably isn't a necessity for you.

 

Here's a review.

[sandy]

I bought a Nikon D50 earlier this year, i had the 35mm version and love the camera's.

 

I already had a 200mm and a 80mm lens, and the D50 came with a 55mm, so i now have a lens for every occasion and i am really happy with the camera.

 

I dont think you will find much in a professional grade camera for $350.00, i would imagine you will spend $1000.00 on the low end, i am no photographer by any means, but the biggest issue will be the lenses, if you want the extreme close ups, you need the high power lenses and the little pocket digitals dont offer them.

 

Good luck, again, i know nothing about cameras, just my opinion, i have to imagine others will be able to offer more info.

 

You are right probably less than $1000 isn't going to get much more than a high end consumer (pro look alike) camera with a kit lens (which tend to be pretty mediocre).....Instead of the Sony H5 he might look at the Sony H2 which is about $350. A review of that camera and others in that price range can be found at www.dpreview.com They do a nice job of evaluating pretty fairly everyone's equipment. There might be a very slight bias toward Nikon in the pro line but only very slightly---wouldn't do to be too bias since it might impact your ability to get the new stuff early to evaluate. :cheesy:

[sheppy335]

if you want a shoot and click kind! go to sams club and look for there Sony with 7.2 mega pixels, it is only 199 and works great!

[skyline90482]

My friend takes swing sequence pictures and he has a digital SLR from Canon, not exactly sure which one but it costs about $1000.

[sandy]

The thing that makes the two cameras I am talking about unique (along with a few others in this category) is it has a 12X optical (not digital) zoom. With a DSLR you would need a 400 mm lens to get the same telephoto. Those weigh anywhere from 5-10 pounds depending on the manufacturer.

 

Now if it is just team pictures and not for golf tournaments virtually any point and shoot is fine that is over 5 megapixels because you can walk up on the subject---not so at a golf tournament.

[DemolitionMan]

I concur with the Sony H5/H2 posts. Shop around and for the prices these can be had, they are excellent digital cameras for the zoom. I used one for the Pebble pics. 12x optical zoom at that size/price is pretty nice.

 

For a handheld/pocket camera I was thinking about the new Panasonic with 10x optical zoom but I have not really had a chance to try one out yet.

[joey3108]

I'm looking at the H5 also lately and find it to be what i'm looking for, however i couldn't find a review talking about battery life on this camera. Any one knows how good is the battery life on the H5?

[kblakeney35]

Now if it is just team pictures and not for golf tournaments virtually any point and shoot is fine that is over 5 megapixels because you can walk up on the subject---not so at a golf tournament.

 

Just something where he can stand far enough away from us and take a pic of us while were swinging or watching the ballflight, but doesnt distract us.

 

So if I am getting this right, some good cameras would be the Sony H2 or the Kodak Easyshare P850? It sounds like you guys are backing the H2 pretty well.

 

 

-Kyle

[easyyy]

The thing that makes the two cameras I am talking about unique (along with a few others in this category) is it has a 12X optical (not digital) zoom. With a DSLR you would need a 400 mm lens to get the same telephoto. Those weigh anywhere from 5-10 pounds depending on the manufacturer.

 

Now if it is just team pictures and not for golf tournaments virtually any point and shoot is fine that is over 5 megapixels because you can walk up on the subject---not so at a golf tournament.

 

 

Does the 12x optical zoom have any IS (image stability) functions? If not you might not get a clear pic if the camera isnt mounted on something at 12x. Not trying to dark cloud this, just trying to be upfront. Nothing worst than a fussy pic.

[lookthepart]

dpreview is a great resource,

 

you can go wrong with a canon but....

 

 

look into lumix from panasonic TZ1 under 350 10x zoom image stabili

 

 

enjoi

[Ken_In_CA]

I'm looking at the H5 also lately and find it to be what i'm looking for, however i couldn't find a review talking about battery life on this camera. Any one knows how good is the battery life on the H5?

 

It's rated at 340 shots.

 

Cheers,

ken

[taku]

The best camera to use is the one that you will have to take the picture

 

cause if you don't have a camera when that photo happens it doesn;t matter how good you camera is...

 

When I was shooting regularly I would always take my main cameras (pro 35, and range finder medium) but I would always carry a disposable, a compact point and shoot, a polaroid, etc. so that I would always have something around whenever.

 

 

Bringing me to my point. I would get a nice camera but one that he is likley to be willign to carry around... a big a** SLR is not that fun to run around with....

[freddiec]

I'd go with an Olympus or a Nikon. I have a 5 megapixel Olympus with a decent zoom, but i'm going to get a new camera next spring and will probably go with a Nikon Cool pix with a strong zoom. You can get a great camera these days for under 300 bucks.