Cameras & Camcorders

[ljohnston]

I am trying to find the best camera for use in a gym (think high ceilings, low light) for school sports and activities.  But, I also want it to be able to take good action shots and close ups on the football field as well.  Budget is $400-600 if possible.  Thoughts?

[bobberuchi]

It may very well be that your SmartPhone is the best choice for the money.

I run into similar issues with Basketball.  The Best camera for sports photography is generally going to be the DSLR . But not for the money.

A large factor in taking photos under these conditions will be the f/Stop.  This mean how wide the apature will open to allow light to come through. 

Ufortunaly with most camera lense's it will not support the larger apature when you loom in.  That is because the distance between the sensor and the front of the lens gets larger. So the beam of light gets smaller.

If you look at the camera specs there will be a specification for Maximum Aperture.  This is a little confusing.  The smaller the number the larger the opening.   example f/2.8 is larger than f/4

For what you want to do look for a camera that can at least do f/4.9

If you go to the cameras and use the Maximum Aperture filter you will see there are a number of choices.

If you can up your budge or see if it is available for Black Friday sales.

The one below can take excellent pictures in pretty low light.  However, it only has a zoom of 4.2.  The good thing about that is will still take low light pictures.

Canon G5

[ljohnston]

I have also received recomendation of Sony 6000 and Canon PowerShot G9x Mark ii.  Thoughts?

[bobberuchi]

OH  Yes the Sony Alpha a6000 by all means is a great camera.  My daugher has an older version of this camera. 

It is a high end mirrorless camera that has the advantage over point and shoots in being able to accept different lenese. 

The typical Kit lens that comes with it has a stop range of maximum f/3.5 to 5.6.

Meaning a wide angle, 16mm it will have f/3.5  or f/5.6 at 50mm.   Which should be a good amount of light for shooting. However, the real kicker is the lens only zooms to 50mm.  Your going to want to be sitting about 20 to 30 feet away.  

To  be honest I think you would want to invest in a second lens so you can zoom in further.  The bad part is the lenses for mirrorless cameras tend to be expensive. 

[bobberuchi]

Truthfully I think you really should consider a DSLR for shooting gymnastics.  You can choose from a better set of lenses and they are more versitile.  Granted the learning curve is a little higher but the results are better. Generally speaking most DSLR  cameras can take a photo quicker than a point and shoot like we have been discussing 

I was just looking at the DSLR Body and lens packages Best Buy is offering and there are some pretty good deals for around the same price as the Sony A6000

You may hear a lot of people say this brand is better than that etc.. I honestly believe Nikon, Sony, and Canon all make great camera''s.

For shooting basketball I have found around an 85mm focal length is pretty good.  But stressing you want one that will get closer to f/2.8.  

I really think a good route to go would be to by a Body with a smaller lens.  And then buy a good lens for the gymnastics.  But good lenses get expensive.  

This Lens would work very well for shooting gymnastics. But it is a fixed focal length.  But it is very fast and will work very welll in low light.

Nikon D5600  is a pretty powerfull package.  One lens has a range of 18mm to 140mm.  But more important it can support f/5.6 at 140mm.  Now your not going to be shooting gynastice pictures at 140mm but you should be able to get good shots at 85mm zoom.  This could be a good choice for watching out for on Black Friday.

[ljohnston]

What are your thoughts on teh Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR?

[bobberuchi]

First of all I must say you cannot go wrong with any of the Canon EOS Rebel body models. 

I personaly owna  Nikon and will not switch becuase I have too much money invested in lenses and other attachements.

But if I was to switch the T6 would be a good choice.

Canon Rebel has been a very good camera for many years.  However, the same holds true for Nikon and Sony

It really all comes down to the lens you attach to the camera.

I see four models offered by Best Buy.    

The best one for the money is the package with 2 lenses and a bag which with the current sale price is only $50 more than the one that is just a body.

The smaller lens may work better under low light but you would have to be closer.  The larger lens if you don't zoom in all the way will work well but depending how the lighting in your gym will determine how well your shots will come out.  The lenses will be able to gather enought light, but it would slow down the shutter speed of the camera so it may not be as crisp and sharp.  

I have taken photos with a lens similar to the the larger one with the T6.  They come out but not as crisp and sharp as I would like but if you play wiht the settings for light you can do well.  However, a camera you purchase will be 12 years newer technology than what I am shooting and the lenses are very good. 

[Allan-BBY Senior Social Media Specialist]

Hey SteveClooony,

Thanks for reaching out to us on this. When it comes to photography Sports and action is the most challenging, and hopefully I can point you in the right direction. First, I have some questions. What is your total budget for this camera and lens? What sport will you be shooting most? Will your shots be done inside or outside? Will they be taken at night or in full sunlight? Where are you going to be located? Are you going to be right on the sidelines, or are you going to be up in the stands?

Thanks,