indoor swim meets/best camera and lens for fast action and l

Answer Best answer as chosen by user swimminggrandma

re: indoor swim meets/best camera and lens for fast action

by MarkatNite - 1/30/13 3:30 PM

In Reply to: indoor swim meets/best camera and lens for fast action and l by swimminggrandma

You might want to give a Panasonic FZ200 a try. It's a superzoom with a relatively bright (constant f2.8) lens which you should be able to get for ~$600. Just make sure you can return it if it doesn't work out (because it might not because of the small sensor). And if it doesn't work out...

Unfortunately, I don't know of any bright (super)telephoto lenses for mirrorless cameras (Pany/Oly m4/3, Sony NEX, etc.) and I don't see that changing anytime soon since lenses that large will defeat the purpose of a small camera body.

So within your budget, that basically leaves us with an entry level DSLR (e.g. Nikon D3100 or D5100, Canon T3i or T4i, etc.) and third party (Sigma, Tamron, etc.) 70-200mm f2.8.

And I know you can't use a tripod, but how about a monopod? That would be immensely helpful since lenses like that can be quite heavy.

Mark

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Answer Best answer as chosen by user swimminggrandma

Sensor Size, High ISO, Wide Aperture Lens

by PistonCupChampion - 1/30/13 10:42 PM

In Reply to: indoor swim meets/best camera and lens for fast action and l by swimminggrandma

Ideally you would get a camera that has a large sensor with good high ISO ability, and a lens with a wide aperture to let in more light. The previously mentioned Panasonic FZ200 has the lens, but it still has a "point-and-shoot" sized sensor. It's the least expensive option at about $600. Next up in quality would be a mirrorless camera, such as the Panasonic and Olympus "Micro Four Thirds" cameras. Those could be coupled with Panasonic's 35-100mm f/2.8 lens. The lens is $1500, so you would have to shop around to get a decent body and the lens for $2000. There's more lens selection with a DSLR; a 70-200mm f/2.8 can be had for under $1000 (the top end ones are more than $2000).