There can be only one!

[shred gruumer]

Im looking at the slr like cameras.. I want to take outdoor snowboarding and action shots.. Are any of the new supers zooms even good at this?

It doesn't have to have 18x zoom but it needs to be decent so they are not on top of me.

I want to be able to have good large size action photos for framing..

am I asking to much... I don't want a D40 with a big lens stuck to my Gut then take a spill but its not out of the picture yet..

Or am I asking too much..

I don't want the Canon 5s.. too many outside buttons to get wet and don't like the swivel lcd ..just one more thing to break..

Right now Im looking at the new Olmypus 560, The Panasonic FZ 18, I ruled out the Fuji Film but what else should I be looking at.. any 10 megs cameras movie mode not required or auto zoom,,but must have auto focus good burst.. Any Alternatives I should be looking at?..

Primary use is outdoor sports.. with a good zoom..

Thanks,, newbie..

Right said Shred
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[JSPhoto]

Hmmm, I'll have to think about this one a bit You may be able to use a Rebel but they, like any lower cost non pro body won't be sealed as well as the pro bodies. Your best bet may be to buy a couple used bodies 20D or 30D that it won't matter if you trash them or not. They are not 10MP but give good results with daytime outdoors stuff if you don't need more than 3 frame burst. Get yourself 70-300 lens and it should do what you need and although not short it is light.

Welcome to the forum!

JS

[shred gruumer]

Thanks,,

Thats the feed back I need... keep it coming...

Im not too worried about it getting wet as Im careful in and out of the jacke but the canon S5 is too plasticy for me.

But tell me more about your thoughts... I have to research the suggestions... At a minimum are they auto focus... ? Im usually riding hard along with my friends thats why Im thinking a SLR Like... so I can at least tuck it away..

Still trying to find out with anyone about sports shots with these cameras..especially the Olympus 560 which has some burst rate but the pixel image is low at 15fps.. but seems to feel more durable..second choice is panasonic FZ18,,,
'
But there has to be some thing around 10meg 10x SLR like camera that can take action photos...can't there?

[shred gruumer]

The other option I find if I went with an SLR is the Olympus E410,, small light and a usable lens kit.. to make it snowboard rider friendly... again should I be heading this route?

or super zoom camera..just don't know anyone who is using one and the results of action photos..

sorry for double post.. but I have been looking around and the snow is falling and i got to get out there....

Thanks for reading...

[Xia_Ke]

Are you referring to the Olympus 560uz? My dad has the 550uz which is the previous version and really not very different. I would NOT recommend this for any sports shooting especially something as fast paced as snowboarding. The shutter lag on it is HORRIBLE. I love his camera and all but, the shutter lag is just way too much for any type of sports still shooting. I have not tried the burst mode on it though which could be a saving grace

[shred gruumer]

Yea,, the 560 UZ so it may seem that for fast still shots.. I might be SOL?:mad2:

Funny though.. I have a old point and shoot Canon SD300 and have taken some decent 5X7 but.. now its time to move up.. with you big boys..

Shred

[Xia_Ke]

I would say yes, you would be SOL with the 560. We compared the 550 to my girlfriend's Canon G2 and the shutter lag was almost twice the Canon's

[shred gruumer]

I been looking at all the reviews.. the Olympus 410 is the lightest and smallest SLR..

Seems to have good continuous shooting... No image stabilizing but my AE-1 never did either. is that a must as well?

and the kit with two lenses are priced great... so... would this be a good start or is there something the same size thats better..

So right now thats where Im at.. Im sold on the compact size and the lens kit up to 300..

Any thoughts on that choice for action shots?

[JSPhoto]

I had an Olympus C2100UZ as my second camera and that thing worked rather well considering, and it took a beating and kept on ticking. I went from that to the Canon 1D (the original version) and the very first night with the 1D I learned it was much easier to pan with even though it weighed a ton compared to the C2100. From then on I believed what a photographer said about panning being easier with a heavy body.
But the 2100 did work well enough for the time, and it's f2.8 lens was a huge help but I did buy an external flash for it, the internal flash is worthless.

I still think and XT/XTi may be your best bet as long as your shooting daytime or get a good ecternal flash for low light/night stuff. Or you could get an older 1D used, however I think the weight and size may be an issue, they will however take a beating and are well sealed. Batteries don't last long so you'd probably need two or three and they are not cheap @ $140, but they too last forever I think. I am still using one that came with my original 1D and it's 6 years old. In the MKII N it's used in now it has lasted through 8 basketball games and a Christmas concert on one charge!

John

[dhyravy]

I have to side with JS on this one. If you want acceptable large prints, a DSLR is the only way to go. The point & shoots have too small of a sensor to deliver reasonably good results at sizes above 8x10. (and that's stretching it) Also, the shutter lag and slow focusing would be a problem. It's a trade off between shooting good action shots or getting a few decent ones and being able to participate at the same time.

[Jimmy B]

Please do your self a favor and go with a DSLR. P&S wont get what you want action wise. Have fun shopping!
Jimmy B

[shred gruumer]

Its kinda new.. but im still looking for input on the Olympus E410.. Its a DSLR so doesn't that count? its compactness and live view will be helpful so im not taking off my helmet and all my gear ,, I usually shoot,, buckle up and go.. then stop shoot and repeat.

If I go with the canon XTI and a 300mm it will be huge in my jacket, and trying to stow it away quickly will be a chore.. I might now be forced to ride with a pack... which is very awkward in difficult terrain..

Keep the input coming as Im not locked in on it yet...

Thanks

Shred

[JSPhoto]

Shred,
I just looked at this site: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_se...p?product=1294

I guess it would work but one thing does bother me for your use and thats the temp range and using it outdoors in cold weather as they say it's only usable to 32 degrees F and it's normally colder than that. Thats not to say it won't work, but it wouldn't be optimum. Otherwise it may work OK for your use, although 3fps isn't too much, although depending on the XT/XTi version you'd only get 3-5 fps. You'd definately be better off if you do get it to get the two lens kit.

JS

[shred gruumer]

I guess I'll be the guinea pig on this one... I purchased it.. and got the two lens kit for $559 plus tax... which by looking is a great deal... So at least I did not bust the bank and I can get my feet wet... and maybe next purchase go with the gusto... but hell maybe it will work great... it sure is the shortest lightest one out there.. I could have gone with a sony or 40dx but then I would have had to spend some more coin on a zoom lens...

So lets see what happens.. I guess I can let you guys know what happens during this winter season... so I will keep you posted..

Thanks for helping a green horn out...

Shred

[shred gruumer]

Geez the macro and resolution just taking a few picks is unreal!!!

[shred gruumer]

But enough of that ...time for some sports as soon as the rain stops!!!!

[Xia_Ke]

Congrats on the new camera shred! Looking forward to seeing how it works out for you on the slopes

[JSPhoto]

In the examples you have here Shred they appear a tad underexposed, normal for digital so bump the exposure to a step or two over center on the meter and you should be good to go.

JS