Should I upgrade?

[jen2swt]

I currently have a D60. I'm wondering if I should upgrade? I'm by no means a professional photographer, just a mom who likes to take GOOD pics of her son playing sports (from a distance) and the occasional nature shots, etc?

Although eventually I'd like to start learning more in depth on how to photograph.

I have the standard lens and the lens to 200MM...I'd like to go with a more of a zoom, but not sure. I know the D60 is probably ancient by now but I still like how it looks compared to P&S.

Any thoughts?

[RichardTaylor]

In what way do you feel your existing equipment is limiting your photography?

Maybe a new lens or picking up some new skills may help.

[jen2swt]

Well I do feel limited in getting "closer" in my son's sport shots. I definatly want to get a bigger zoom. Also indoor sport shots too. I'm guessing I would need an external flash for such and again a better zoom.

I also want to start venturing into taking lightning shots and macro shots..I love closeup shots.

[Shokinen]

There is a few things you can look into before upgrading your camera.

Are you shooting in RAW and do some kind of post production using software such as Lighroom / Photoshop ? Learning how to do it will definitly increase your picture quality with your current equipment. Any pictures can use a bit of sharpening / mid-tones adjustements.

If feel you would like to subject bigger, you can always crop (again using softwares) and you may not need to buy anything at all.


I would personnaly look into a new camera if you "need" more frame per second (faster continuous shots), or if you "need" better high ISO quality. But "need" is a concept that is personnal and we all have different budget.

As for a longuer lens. You have a few options depending how much money you want to spend.

[RichardTaylor]

(1) Getting "closer" means a longer lens, especially ig you can't physically get closer.

There is a Dimensional Field of View Calculator here (just scroll down)
It will give you an idea of what focal length you may need to cover a certain area.

(2)
If you can use a flash at indoor sports then your existing flash may do the trick or an external flash may be needed (more power).

If you cannot use a flash then there are possibly three ways you can go (depending on your lighting and lens).

(a) Shoot at maximum ISO, lens wide open, and in RAW (to give you more leeway when post processing) and see how you go.

and/or

(b) Use a very fast lens Like an F2 or F2.8 lens and/or replace your camera body with one that has better (or higher) high ISO performance.

This DPS tute on fast lenses may be of interest.
Lenses #6 - Fast lenses

(3) For close ups a "close up filter" may meet your needs.
For extreme close ups, including macros, a macro lens or extension tubes will be needed.
See this DPS post.

http://digital-photography-school.co...ro-budget.html

(4) For lighting your existing camera would be ok, if you have a "standard zoom". You may need a tripod..It is just a matter of technique and the weather..

See this DPS tutorial (there is also another one down the tutorial page also)

How To Photograph Lightning


Hope this helps.

[jen2swt]

Well the most things I feel frustrated with are taking shots while my son is playing sports.

If it's an indoor event, the pictures suck...big time! If it's outdoors, I think there nice (just more zoom would do the trick to make them better). I use the continous setting for outdoor's since I can get better results while he's in fast motion.

I will attach a few of the indoor shots that I'm embarrassed by.

I shoot in JPG, never shot in RAW before..

The Basketball shots are obviously indoors. That's my biggest challene with shooting indoors. Mind you we sit up in the stands so getting in close and using the built in flash doesn't seem strong enough (again, I guess an external flash and longer zoom would do the trick)..The football outdoors are just from two weeks ago...not shabby I dont get into editing the photos, although I should but it was cloudy and dreary out.......and well the X-mas tree, lol. I don't even know what setting I had set on, but I LOVE the look of it..lol

BTW: I hope it's not against the rules to post the pics in here, I just want you to see what I'm working with.

As far as budget for lenses, well...I always have a budget, but a few hundred would be fine. Less then $400 maybe?

[RichardTaylor]

It's 1:20am here so if your questions are not answered by morning I will be back.

[RichardTaylor]

I think the outdoor one is OK

Shoot RAW, especially for the indoor stuff, as it will be a lot easier to get the colours right and to control noise. It will also give you a bit of leeway with exposure control.

This intro, and some of the associated links, may be helpful.

The Basics of RAW files {and what to do with the darn things}


Learn how to post process, it can make a huge difference to how your final pic looks.
However it is best to get it as good as possible when shooting.
Do you know about exposure (Aperture, shutter speed & ISO)?
What settings are you using for the indoor basketball pics?

You may be able to get better results without buying any more equipment.

As far as getting closer goes, a 70-300 lens will do that. Third party ones can be had for just under $400 (not Nikon). However they will most likely be too slow for indoor sports.
A F2.8 lens is the way to go, however they will be expensive to very expensive.






.

[3bayjunkie]

I agree the 70-300 is a great lens. I had one for my Nikon N80 and i loved it. even with a full frame sensor. with your crop sensor it will have the zoom capacity of a 450mm. your 200mm is about equivalent to a 300mm on a 35mm sensor.

also your indoor photos don't look too bad as far as exposure, just looks like your white balance is off. If you shoot raw you can fix in post. or figure out what white balance to use before hand.

[lil red bird]

My sister was having the same issues with her d40 so I let her borrow my 70 to 300 and it helped her images greatly.