Thinking of a new camera

[Ex-biker]

Ok this is probably going to be a wierd one.

I like the versitility of a compact camera, but want a very good zoom and the features of an slr.

I am thinking of 2 (very different) cameras and can't decide.

1. Canon 350D
Because I want to take sports photography I like a fair few of the features it has over the 300D (3fps, start up time, write times etc).
In addition to the 18 - 55 lens I will want something like a 70 - 300 lens (anything from £160 to £360 dep on spec, which I need to understand) and probably (to keep costs down) a x2 converter.
So that's £635 (ish) for the camera and £300+ in lenses - Ouch!

2. Nikon 8800
Comes with equivalent 35 - 350mm lens with image stabilisation. It 8mp with RAW output (as per Canon), has a flexi screen so I don't need to lie down when shooting close to the ground etc and can shoot 3fps. A x2 converter from Ebay is around £40
I can get the camera for around £540.

I know a 300mm lens on the Canon will give me iro 450mm (35mm equiv).
The only other thing I am not sure about is how the continuous shoot works. When panning a subject, will I be able to see the subject when pressing the shutter? My current camera viewfinder tends to go blank when the shutter goes off and it is easy to lose the subject.

I think this is long enough! (for now)

[simpo two]

Ex-biker said:

I like the versitility of a compact camera, but want a very good zoom and the features of an slr. The only other thing I am not sure about is how the continuous shoot works. When panning a subject, will I be able to see the subject when pressing the shutter? My current camera viewfinder tends to go blank when the shutter goes off and it is easy to lose the subject.

Then go for the SLR - far more flexibility and no shutter lag (important for sports). You will soon forget how much it cost! When an SLR shutter fires, the viewfinder is momentarily obscured by the mirror - like a blink - but this does not affect your ability pan and follow subjects. It's a proper machine

[rex]

SLR every time for your requirements.

>> Edited by rex on Thursday 24th March 14:55

[Nuggs]

what they said.

[Ex-biker]

If I go the SLR route, cost is a major factor.

The camera is fine, but what is the best 300mm+ lens I could get on a budget?

Is a x2 converter a good idea (read value) to get an even longer zoom?

Have seen the 350D for sale with Canon lenses (18 -55 & 55 - 200 USM), Sigma (18 - 50 & 55 - 200) or I could go for the camera with 18 -55, them buy something like a Tamrom 28 -300.

£800+ is a lot of money!

[HankScorpio]

I haven't seen the spec of the Nikon but if you want to do sports, I'd steer away from an LCD viewfinder.

My Fuji 602 had one and it's a nightmare to track action and you just have to fire off bursts hoping for the best.
TTL has changed that to single shot for me.
Just MHO

[simpo two]

Ex-biker said:

The camera is fine, but what is the best 300mm+ lens I could get on a budget?

You can get a new Nikkor 70-300mm G for £99, so I'm sure Canon or Sigma do the same. Also, consider mint secondhand lenses to save £.

Ex-biker said:

Is a x2 converter a good idea (read value) to get an even longer zoom?

Mixed blessing IMHO. You'll get a 600mm lens but you'll need double the shutter speed to avoid camera shake, and you lose two stops of light. So probably OK on a sunny day but not otherwise. As a compromise, you could consider a 1.4x. See how it goes.