It doesn't have to be confusing.
Unlike point-and-shoot cameras, SLRs (digital or film) don't have set lenses -- you buy the camera body and then you buy lenses separately to fit your needs (although you can buy most DSLRs in a package with a "kit lens", which is not always the best quality). There are certain factors that are impacted by the camera body while other things that are impacted by the lens you use -- your choice will depend on what you need to shoot.
So, let's look at your needs...
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by cheapsk8
My main interest is taking action shots of my kids at dance, ballet, etc. Also will be shooting in auditoriums under lower light situations.
|
So you will be shooting fast action under low light (presumably without flash).
Camera body
For capturing fast action, you'll want a camera with a good burst mode (the ability to take rapid shots in succession). Anything above 5 fps (frames per second) will probably work okay.
For good shooting in low light, you want good high-ISO performance. Different camera bodies have different noise performance at high ISO, so you'll have to find out which one that is (I'm not a Nikon guy, so I don't know about them).
So for camera body you want something with a decent burst mode + good high-ISO performance.
Lenses
Presumably, you will be sitting somewhat far away from the stage when shooting. If so, you will need a long focal length (how long depends on how far you'll be shooting from). You can get a long focal length lens as either a zoom lens (e.g. 18-200mm) or a prime (e.g. fixed at 200mm). Of course, if you can get close to the stage, then shorter focal lengths (e.g. 16-35mm, 35mm, 50mm) will work also.
With the camera's burst mode, you should be able to capture fast action with any lens.
The key aspect here is the ability to shoot in low light. To do that, you will need a fast lens, i.e. something that has a very wide aperture. A wide aperture means that the lens can gather a lot of light in a short amount of time. Aperture is expressed in terms of the f-number - the lower the f-number, the wider it can open, and the "faster" it is (many zoom lenses will have a range of f-numbers, meaning the maximum aperture changes as you zoom in and out). In order to shoot in low light, you will need a lens with a wide aperture, i.e. low f-number. Hence the recommendation for an f/1.8 lens. A lens that has a small maximum aperture (say f/4) will take longer to gather the same amount of light -- so you'll get blurring (either due to your subject moving or from camera shake). With an f/1.8 lens, you can use a fast shutter speed and freeze the action without any blurring.
One thing you should also look into is image stabilization (also called vibration compensation/reduction). This helps eliminate camera shakes/vibrations while shooting. This is especially useful for lenses with long focal lengths (since shakes are magnified at longer lengths).
So for lenses, you'll need something with a focal length that gives you the required reach to cover the distance you'll be shooting from, and you will need something with a low f-number, and possibly image stabilization.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
