New Guy needing some assistance re:Boxing Shows

SteveTolcher

SteveTolcher

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Steve
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Firstly - this is my first post - so "Hello!" :)

I am very (very, very!) new to the world of DSLR's, and am after some assistance with regards to my first DSLR purchase - mainly going to be used for capturing shots at a number of boxing shows, gyms and possibly press shots for websites / post cards. I have used a normal compact camera for a while, and think that it is certianly time for me to move on.

I currently design and update websites for a number of UK professional boxers, and have decided that rather than waiting to get photo's back from various photographers at the shows, it would be best to get involved and take my own. The promoter I work with is more than happy with this. Cutting out the middleman so to speak.

99% of the shots I will take will be at the shows themselves (right on the ring apron) I will also be taking shots in the gym and occasionally maybe getting a few "poses" for press cards / post cards etc.

After looking at my budget (around £500) and a few current deals, I have found the Cannon 450D twin lens kit that Jessops have on offer. The 450D seems to get a good write up, and is ideal as a starting point at least.

Do you guys / gals agree?

Also, the twin lens kit comes with an additional 70-300 lens; is that going to be suitable for the works noted above, or am I just wasting my money getting the deal, and should concentrate on the base camera and maybe another lens instead?

Also, if possible, I'm after a bit of advice from anyone who has covered boxing shows before. I am a regular at the shows anyway, and am always ringside, but never had a camera in my hand - so advice for the getting the best shots would be appreciate!

Thanks in advance! ;)
 
I dont think the kit lens will be any good to you. I presume you wont be able to use flash for actual action shots.. only setups.. I ahvent done any boxing (yet unfortunatly) but the people I do know are using 24-70 f2.8 and they say thats perfect for ringside.. If budgets tight then a sigma 24-70 might do it for you..
 
KIPAX said:
I dont think the kit lens will be any good to you. I presume you wont be able to use flash for actual action shots.. only setups.. I ahvent done any boxing (yet unfortunatly) but the people I do know are using 24-70 f2.8 and they say thats perfect for ringside.. If budgets tight then a sigma 24-70 might do it for you..
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Cheers for the reply.

Looked at a 24-70 and I am really going to struggle to get one anywhere near my pricerange..... :'(

Considering all the ringside stuff is only going to be for websites and therefore not massivly high quality will the Canon 18-55mm and Tamron 70-300mm lenses really be no real use?
 
hmm if you only want them small websize then you may be OK as you can usually save just about any pic by making it smaller... I suppose if no one else around has tried it then its gonna be a case of try it and see innit :)
 
KIPAX said:
hmm if you only want them small websize then you may be OK as you can usually save just about any pic by making it smaller... I suppose if no one else around has tried it then its gonna be a case of try it and see innit :)
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Cheers mate......

Really stuck as to what to do now!

Money burning a hole in my pocket, but can't offord to make a mistake to be honest. Just don't want to make the wrong decision I suppose......
 
spencer said:
There's a couple of second hand 400D's in the "for sale" forum for about 250!

Why not buy one of these & a Sigma 24-70 f2:8??
Its better to spend more on decent lens.

Spence
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Cheers Spence.

Not read up on the 400D - so will take a look.

So this would be a better option then ?
 
OK - so I've had a look around ebay etc; and to be honest I kind of have my mind set on buying new. It is my first jump into the DSLR world, and £500 is quite a bit of money for me, so would prefer the comfort of a decent warranty etc.

The cannon 24-70 is a huge no go - over £800 just for the lens!

If the 70-300 lens is going to be no good for me on the boxing apron - what about the standard 18-55 on the 450D? Is the 450D a decent base camera? Also, just noticed that Jessops have a Sony A300 down to £350 (was £500) and that has a 18-70 lens with it. That seems closer to the magical 24-70 (I am still trying to work out exactly what all these bloody numbers mean - so any help there would be appreciated....) Would that be a decent buy?

Remember, most of my shots will be live boxing action shots, followed closely by some training shots in and around the gym, and then finally some standard portrait stuff (with maybe some time left to take a few snaps of my family!)

Am I asking too much? Also, apologies for all the dumb questions.....
 
Haaa then if your confused... we better ask... do you realise you need a fast lens for indoor no flash dim lit photography.. apologies if you already know this.. But its not the 24-70 v the kit 18-55 leagth.. its the fact that the 24-70 is an f2.8 lens which is real important.
 
KIPAX said:
Haaa then if your confused... we better ask... do you realise you need a fast lens for indoor no flash dim lit photography.. apologies if you already know this.. But its not the 24-70 v the kit 18-55 leagth.. its the fact that the 24-70 is an f2.8 lens which is real important.
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Oh - I see! So the 2.8 part is most important. Thanks for that.

I like the look of the 450D (and also the feel of it, after playing in my local Jessops!) - I also like the fact that it can do 3.5 pics per second, so I thought that would be good for my chosen sport. Hopfully not miss a shot.

What do you think of the 450D or Sony A300?
 
Well mine does 10 frames a second hehe ... Sorry I dont know those cameras so I cant comment. I had a canon 10d and that was 3 frames a second.. I thoguht it was the best thing since sliced bread when I got it... believed I would never need another camera it was soo good..
 
KIPAX said:
Well mine does 10 frames a second hehe ... Sorry I dont know those cameras so I cant comment. I had a canon 10d and that was 3 frames a second.. I thoguht it was the best thing since sliced bread when I got it... believed I would never need another camera it was soo good..
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Cheers mate - to be honest, I am completly baffled by it all now! Just tried to read the wikipedia article on Focal Lengths and had to give up!! :bonk:
 
Really not meaning to put you off and hope I havent in any way.. But as you say you are spending a lot.. if you spend 500 quid cant get a good picture and someone says its because you bought the wrong stuff you wouldnt be happy eh.

I think a f2.8 lens is going to be more important than the camera..

However there is a lens thats even better and only costs about 50 quid... thats the nifty 50...its a fantastic lens but its a fixed 50mm no zoom.. its f1.8 which is even better than the 2.8 ... for around the gym taking pics it would be perfect... at 50mm it might work ringside... again its the sort of thing you need to test really...
 
KIPAX said:
Really not meaning to put you off and hope I havent in any way.. But as you say you are spending a lot.. if you spend 500 quid cant get a good picture and someone says its because you bought the wrong stuff you wouldnt be happy eh.

I think a f2.8 lens is going to be more important than the camera..

However there is a lens thats even better and only costs about 50 quid... thats the nifty 50...its a fantastic lens but its a fixed 50mm no zoom.. its f1.8 which is even better than the 2.8 ... for around the gym taking pics it would be perfect... at 50mm it might work ringside... again its the sort of thing you need to test really...
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OK thanks for that - you have not put me off at all. I really appreciate all the advice.

I will look into the Nifty 50 (top name that!)
 
only problem with the nifty fifty is that you will need to stop it down to at least 2.8 anyway to get reasonable depth of field.
I know the sigma hasnt got a hypersonic motor but could it be quicker at focusing than the nifty?
 
Had a look around, and looks like this Nifty Fity thing could be a goer!!!

A few google searches come up with the fact that a 50mm works pretty well at ringside, and also for portaits etc. Couple that with the 3.5fps on the 450D I might be on for a winner.

Jessops have a cannon 50mm for £80, so might just get the 450D, standard lens and then pay extra for the Nifty Fifty. Leaving the 70-300 well alone as it's not required.

Cheers for all the help.
 
A quick update!

Bought the 450D yesterday, with the 18-55 IS kit lens. Got a decent card, bag and filter etc too, and left the Tamron Lens well alone. I am well impressed!!!!

On the lookout for a nifty fifty now.....

Cheers
 
Good luck on the booking photos! I'm going to be taking some over the christmas period in a traditional, dark dank workingmans club. As recommended, the nifty 50 lens would be great for what your after! The Kit lens with the 450 is a nice bit of kit also.

The link below is for a brand new one from amazon for £70. You can get it cheaper from places like camerabox.com, but i had an awful experience with them so wouldn't recommend.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF-50...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1229727810&sr=8-1

Be interested to see your photos when you take them!
 
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