DSLR for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

[Ballisitics]

I run a blog where I do reviews on gear for BJJ and I want to upgrade from a point and shoot to a DSLR so I can make the pictures look professional and high quality. I also want to be able to take shots of teammates during competitions.

So after doing a little research I find my self a bit stuck on choosing a camera. Initially, I was set on buying a Nikon D3100 because it was right at the tip of my budget ($650) and from what I have read it would be perfect for my gear reviews. However, I have also read that it wasn't the greatest choice for action shots. That's where I am lost on choosing a camera.

From my understanding, the lack of an AF motor is the issue with entry level Nikons, and also the issue with action shots. I don't know if my understanding is correct but that is what I seem to be getting out of my research. So is there a camera in my price range that would be good for that?

[OsmosisStudios]

Upgrading the camera will not make that pictures, and I quote, "look professional and high quality". A professional photographer with a good background and knowledge will, but a camera wont.

For what you've mentioned, you may frankly be better off simply hiring someone with experience to do the shots you need for your website. If this is meant to be an ongoing thing (and your blog is big enough to warrant it) then you could look into an investment into good gear and training for it.

[Ballisitics]

I would obviously have to learn dude. Im not hiring someone, I want to learn myself.

[zona5101]

The lack of motors in the entry level models isn't necessarily a problem...it just means you need to buy lens with motors built in. Nikon, Sigma, Tokina, Tamron all make lens for Nikon with built in motors. You can also manually focus - as back in the day that's all there was and they still took action shots
Probably the biggest concern I'd have is high iso performance as I assume flash would not be welcome during a tournament. This requirement will probably break your budget as will lenses fast enough to allow the maximum light in. Also shooting gear you might need some additional light in the form of continuous or strobes...
So if you really want to do it right, i'd save up some more $$$. (even double your current budget probably won't be enough)

[Ballisitics]

Originally Posted by zona5101

The lack of motors in the entry level models isn't necessarily a problem...it just means you need to buy lens with motors built in. Nikon, Sigma, Tokina, Tamron all make lens for Nikon with built in motors. You can also manually focus - as back in the day that's all there was and they still took action shots
Probably the biggest concern I'd have is high iso performance as I assume flash would not be welcome during a tournament. This requirement will probably break your budget as will lenses fast enough to allow the maximum light in. Also shooting gear you might need some additional light in the form of continuous or strobes...
So if you really want to do it right, i'd save up some more $$$. (even double your current budget probably won't be enough)

Can I buy a camera and build on it as time goes by? Or nothing in my budget will be good "enough" for right now.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Ballisitics

I would obviously have to learn dude. Im not hiring someone, I want to learn myself.

There's no need to be condescending. For what you said you needed, hiring a photographer may be a better use of funds than buying a camera. If you ask for help, then dismiss anything contrary out of hand with that attitude, dont expect to get help very often.

[Ballisitics]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

There's no need to be condescending. For what you said you needed, hiring a photographer may be a better use of funds than buying a camera. If you ask for help, then dismiss anything contrary out of hand with that attitude, dont expect to get help very often.

Attitude? Condescending? Seriously?

You made an off hand suggestion, disregarding my original post and advised to hire someone. What I said wasn't condescending in the least bit, rather it was directly to the point of my intentions. No attitude, just to the point. With out being able to hear the intonations of my voice or see body language, how could you possibly come to the conclusion that I had an attitude, or was being condescending?

[RMB Photodad]

Cheapest Canon kitRefurbed from canon $399 plus taxes and shipping

If your shooting from the same place as the picture you posted on thePhotoforum your gonna need:
Cheapest Lens: 200mm f2.8 $959.99 plus tax and shipping

If you have some sort of pass oaccess to the floor and can shoot within say 20-60 ft then you COULD get away with

a 50mm prime for around $100 or 85mm f1.8 for $419 + shipping depending on how far away you actually are.

Then after about 2 years of shooting and a hole lot of Practice, disappointment, Practice, humility, Practice, aggravation, practice, frustration, Practice, humility, and More practice (assuming by this point you dont throw in the towel by then you finally get the experience to start being able to use the gear you bought.

And dont worry, I'm still somewheres between frustration and humility

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Ballisitics

I would obviously have to learn dude.

"Dude"? Really? That's attitude.

And I did read your original post. I took what you said into consideration in my suggestion. You're a newbie who seemed to be under the impression that a big expensive camera makes your pictures magically better. Nowhere did you mention a learning curve of any kind.

You said you needed photos for a blog: that's fine. But if you don't know what you're doing, the money you drop on a camera (and time you spend learning it) could be better spent hiring a professional. It means you could concentrate on the events, writing, etc and not worry about whether you were screwing up the photos AND missing information.

It was your choice of words (as noted above) as well as your complete dismissal of all the other information in my reply that made you come off as an arrogant ass. Next time, try to take constructive criticism or suggestions openly, and ask WHY I would suggest that, not simply dismiss things out of hand.

If you'd like to discuss your attitude, arrogance, or lack of tact, then please feel free to PM me so that I may ignore it. Otherwise, feel free to explain to me how you think a dSLR will "make the pictures look professional and high quality" without you knowing the slightest thing about them.

[Ballisitics]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

"Dude"? Really? That's attitude.

And I did read your original post. I took what you said into consideration in my suggestion. You're a newbie who seemed to be under the impression that a big expensive camera makes your pictures magically better. Nowhere did you mention a learning curve of any kind.

You said you needed photos for a blog: that's fine. But if you don't know what you're doing, the money you drop on a camera (and time you spend learning it) could be better spent hiring a professional. It means you could concentrate on the events, writing, etc and not worry about whether you were screwing up the photos AND missing information.

It was your choice of words (as noted above) as well as your complete dismissal of all the other information in my reply that made you come off as an arrogant ass. Next time, try to take constructive criticism or suggestions openly, and ask WHY I would suggest that, not simply dismiss things out of hand.

If you'd like to discuss your attitude, arrogance, or lack of tact, then please feel free to PM me so that I may ignore it. Otherwise, feel free to explain to me how you think a dSLR will "make the pictures look professional and high quality" without you knowing the slightest thing about them.

Its attitude if you're a little sensitive girl. Get over it man. My first post didn't have an attitude in it, nor did my second. This post however, is full of it. You seem to be under the impression that you can magically understand the intentions and connotations of my posts without even knowing who I am. You want to dig deeper and assume you know what I mean? Fine. But without asking questions and knowing more about me or my intentions you just come out looking like a sensitive know it all cynical elitist. My first post doesn't say anything about a learning curve, but it doesn't say that there isn't one either.

Obviously the quality isn't just about the equipment, but the equipment matters. If it didn't, then the greatest photographers would be walking around with cell phone cameras. Unless of course you are trying to tell my that a professional photographer can match the photo quality of his $4000 dollar DSLR with my $100 point and shoot. Id love to hear that one. Besides, I never said any of the things you assume I imply. Once again, assume assume assume.

I bet you within 24 hours of owning a DSLR I can take a better picture than my P&S can just by doing some minimal research. Being that I can't even adjust the aperture on my P&S.