Thoughts on DSLRs?

Looking to get into more track photography, and the point-n-shoot, while very good for up-close work, isn't cutting it for anything more than about 2' away.

I'm trying to find used stuff, sticking to Canon/Nikon. Near as I can tell from reading online, Canon vs Nikon is akin to Ford vs. Chevy, neither are better but people are zealots about which one they'll use.

A friend had me convinced that getting a film body was a better way to go, but after thinking about it, I really don't want to deal with buying film, trucking it off to get it developed, etc. I definitely want the convenience of just coming off and offloading a CF card straight to the laptop.

The advantage put to me, other than price, for a 35mm SLR was that it's full-frame. Is this really a huge advantage? Am I shooting myself in the foot to get a non-fullframe camera like all the entry-mid level DSLRs are?

I've got a Nikon D300 and there is no way no how I would ever go back to film. I used to own a Photography Studio and loved my Hassablads, but digital is far and away more fun to shoot and play with. I've also used a D90 and 40, and both of those work well too, and Canon's are also great cameras. I stick with Nikon mainly because all my lenses are Nikon, but to start over, I wouldn't hesitate to go with either.

I also have a couple of point and shoots, but the DSLR's have it over those in almost every respect except small packaging. I personally like having a lot of control too, and point and shoots don't give you much in comparison.

Pentax K-X here...

I wouldn't go full-frame for action photography. I'd also buy used previous gen stuff rather than new and semi-pro rather than pro. Dollar for dollar a Canon DXX will probably always shoot faster and more accurately than a XD. You really want the most up-to-date AF system you can afford to do track photography.

I shoot Canon but like Nikon's entry level cameras MUCH more than Canon's, simply because Canon's ergonomics kinda suck on the Rebel bodies. I ditched my old 300D as soon as I could, just because using it in full manual mode was such a PITA.

Use your money for glass. Pay for image stabilized lenses if they're long, and faster glass if they're short. Buy Sigma/Tokina/whatever lenses when appropriate. Get a personal articles insurance policy on all of the kit.

Canon vs. Nikon doesn't really matter, IMO.

Don't get obsessed with gear.

Pick up a Nikon then pick up a Canon and see which is more comfortable in your hands and has a layout you can use easily. Both are exceptionally great cameras and will more than likely do what you want.

Personally all of my DSLR (and SLR) cameras are Nikons, I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 or 9 different bodies film and digital. My point and shoot on the other hand is a Canon. You won't be shooting yourself in the foot by not getting full frame there are MANY professionals that do not use full frame cameras for digital. Also not all lenses are compatible for full frame cameras so you will limit yourself to the more expensive lenses.

Heck I still shoot with an old D1X, a D70 and a D40 for digital and I still grab my film cameras all the time.

Canon has some awesome deals on refurbs right now, and apparently the discount code "fam211" gets you another 10% off of these prices. Canon Refurb DSLRs

And to the guy who says "Don't get obsessed with gear." Um... isn't that the whole point?

jg

Based on what I see from the race coverages over at yellowbullet, I don't think it matters what you shoot, just shoot it. Most everyone there shoot some damn fine photos started with crappy equipment and refined HOW to shoot photos. So when they got some better equipment, they knew what to do to get that awesome photograph.

The basics still apply; practice, practice, practice!!!

I have a nikon d50, I only bought it 6 months or so ago. The pictures it takes are so much nicer then point and click cameras IMO. But its like cars, you always want a new lens, new camera bag, etc. You need something to make it faster, better, etc.

yes, welcome to the other side of racing...the side of the camera that gets to the point that you could by a challange car for the price of gear for a camera.... but everyones advice would be to talk to some people and hit some different shops and play around with the cameras and see what you like in you hand what what types of deals you can find. some good deals on ebay also at at times and check craigs list for deal with stuff. i myself shoot a nikon d60 for the past few years and i have to say you will want a very good zoom lense that is sharp and fast..but you will want to spend some money on that though. i have a manual 55-200 that i picked up cheap. i am looking to get a 70-300 auto focus if i can save the money for it though.

For racing, you'll want long lenses and the partial frame of DSLR's offers the bonus of effectively extending that lens. For advice on action photography with long lenses look in the background of any major sporting event; The white barrels are Canon...

I agree that the Rebels aren't comfortable to hold but I love the feel of my 50D. Definitely follow the advice that others have given and go to a camera store where you can hold the different models.