Any Photographers out there?

[FBWillie]

As I mentioned in another thread, I'm trying to buy a lens as I'm getting into sports photography.  I'm shooting with a Canon 20D, needing a pretty fast EF lens, can't afford Image Stabilization just yet,  but wanting something in the 100-300 MM range.   I'm seeing a lot of generic lens' like Tamron, Sigma, Vivitar, Quantaray, Tokina, etc.   

Has anyone ever shot with one of those?  Are any of them worth a crap?  I don't want to spend $100 on something that I'm not going to like, so I've just been looking at Canon Brand name lenses. But if I could get something as good for less it would be worth it to a guy like me.

[michigancat]

I wish I could afford a good camera.  I like photography.

Here's probably my best picture ever:



Yeah, I kind of suck.  But I still like it.

[fatty fat fat]

I like photography.

qft. photographer majors @ ksu = really really cool.

[steve dave]

I have a Cannon SD600 that I really like.  You can get it really cheap and it fits in your pocket.  It takes ok mpeg videos with sound and the pictures are very crisp.  Got a good review on Cnet

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sd600/4505-6501_7-31740583.html

You can get one on ebay for almost nothing. 

http://photography.search.ebay.com/canon-sd600_Digital-Cameras_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR40QQsacatZ29997

[FBWillie]

I like photography.

qft. photographer majors @ ksu = really really cool.

really hoping that wasn't sarcasm.   

I wish I could afford a good camera.  I like photography.

Here's probably my best picture ever:



Yeah, I kind of suck.  But I still like it.

Nice, I wouldn't say you suck.

[cyclist]

As I mentioned in another thread, I'm trying to buy a lens as I'm getting into sports photography.  I'm shooting with a Canon 20D, needing a pretty fast EF lens, can't afford Image Stabilization just yet,  but wanting something in the 100-300 MM range.   I'm seeing a lot of generic lens' like Tamron, Sigma, Vivitar, Quantaray, Tokina, etc.   

Has anyone ever shot with one of those?  Are any of them worth a crap?  I don't want to spend $100 on something that I'm not going to like, so I've just been looking at Canon Brand name lenses. But if I could get something as good for less it would be worth it to a guy like me.

FB,

I use a Nikon D70.  I use Nikon lenses mostly, but recently bought Sigma f/1.8 24mm lens (on Nikon's it is the equivalent of a 36mm lens; 1.5 crop factor).  It's a good lens.  I'd see if you can find a Canon version of this:

http://www.nikonians.org/

A good users community will have folks who might have the 3rd party lenses you are considering and they aren't shy about opinions.

Also, Ken Rockwell's site may have some reviews on Canon brand lenses:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/

I will say that he doesn't care much for third party lenses...

Good luck !

[greasd up deaf guy]

I wish I could afford a good camera.  I like photography.

Here's probably my best picture ever:



Yeah, I kind of suck.  But I still like it.

That's a fine shot. You don't suck at all.

[michigancat]

[steve dave]

Stick to the music Rus    awww... just f'ing with ya.  That is pretty good in the kind of good that the kid from American Beauty likes the bag blowing in the wind good.   

[fatty fat fat]

Stick to the music Rus 

 

awww... just f'ing with ya. 

 

[Dirty Sanchez]

Yes, that's a hummingbird.

[greasd up deaf guy]

I don't have much for skills either. The only two I've ever taken that are worth sharing:

[FBWillie]

As I mentioned in another thread, I'm trying to buy a lens as I'm getting into sports photography.  I'm shooting with a Canon 20D, needing a pretty fast EF lens, can't afford Image Stabilization just yet,  but wanting something in the 100-300 MM range.   I'm seeing a lot of generic lens' like Tamron, Sigma, Vivitar, Quantaray, Tokina, etc.   

Has anyone ever shot with one of those?  Are any of them worth a crap?  I don't want to spend $100 on something that I'm not going to like, so I've just been looking at Canon Brand name lenses. But if I could get something as good for less it would be worth it to a guy like me.

FB,

I use a Nikon D70.  I use Nikon lenses mostly, but recently bought Sigma f/1.8 24mm lens (on Nikon's it is the equivalent of a 36mm lens; 1.5 crop factor).  It's a good lens.  I'd see if you can find a Canon version of this:

http://www.nikonians.org/

A good users community will have folks who might have the 3rd party lenses you are considering and they aren't shy about opinions.

Also, Ken Rockwell's site may have some reviews on Canon brand lenses:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/

I will say that he doesn't care much for third party lenses...

Good luck !

Thanks.  I'm actually biding on a used Sigma EF mount as we speak.  Hope I get it!

[FBWillie]

and since everyone's showing off their stuff; here's a couple of random shots I have on my work computer:

[Dan Rydell]

[cyclist]

As I mentioned in another thread, I'm trying to buy a lens as I'm getting into sports photography.  I'm shooting with a Canon 20D, needing a pretty fast EF lens, can't afford Image Stabilization just yet,  but wanting something in the 100-300 MM range.   I'm seeing a lot of generic lens' like Tamron, Sigma, Vivitar, Quantaray, Tokina, etc.   

Has anyone ever shot with one of those?  Are any of them worth a crap?  I don't want to spend $100 on something that I'm not going to like, so I've just been looking at Canon Brand name lenses. But if I could get something as good for less it would be worth it to a guy like me.

FB,

I use a Nikon D70.  I use Nikon lenses mostly, but recently bought Sigma f/1.8 24mm lens (on Nikon's it is the equivalent of a 36mm lens; 1.5 crop factor).  It's a good lens.  I'd see if you can find a Canon version of this:

http://www.nikonians.org/

A good users community will have folks who might have the 3rd party lenses you are considering and they aren't shy about opinions.

Also, Ken Rockwell's site may have some reviews on Canon brand lenses:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/

I will say that he doesn't care much for third party lenses...

Good luck !

Thanks.  I'm actually biding on a used Sigma EF mount as we speak.  Hope I get it!

FB,

Good luck on your auction.

Here are a couple Canon User Web Pages:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

http://forums.powershot-a.com/

Don't know how good they are, just did a quick Google and this turned up.

A little more research could get you some good results for user communities...

[cyclist]

Some of my pictures:

[Dan Rydell]

I especially like that Liberty Memorial shot, cyclist.

FBWillie:  you need one of these babies:

New Casio shoots 60-300 fps.   

[greasd up deaf guy]

slimz, willie, cyclist....
terrific stuff.

[Dan Rydell]

slimz, willie, cyclist....
terrific stuff.

You too, Trout.

I forgot to mention that I use a Fuji Finepix S7000.  Bought it just about when the first digital DLRs were coming out and were $$$.  It provides a lot of the manual control of an SLR, but no interchangeable lenses.     It's served me well, but I'd really like to get a true digital SLR sometime in the next year or two, especially now that the prices are coming down.

My film camera is a classic:  the Minolta SR-T 101.  It was originally my grandpa's, who was a reporter and later bureau chief for the AP.  As much as I love the flexibility and instant feedback of digital, there's still nothing like holding the Minolta in my hands and snapping off a few shots.

[ECN]

i dont know what im doing. i just love to take pictures. they are dull.


my cigars


my newphew and my dog. lake michigan


a giant cigar


my birdfeeder


rosemary is my favorite herb

[ECN]

slimz..your pics are great.

[Dan Rydell]

slimz..your pics are great.

Thanks, ECN. 

Did you have a macro lens or mode you used for the cigar and birdfeeder shots?  They're cool.  I should do more macro myself...

[ECN]

yeah, i used macro..i love that feature...just have to have a steady hand.

[Dan Rydell]

yeah, i used macro..i love that feature...just have to have a steady hand.

Invest in a $10 tripod, it's worth it.

[Duncan]

check out this website:

http://www.dpreview.com/

pretty good forums (you have to register to search the forums, and you can't use a web-based addy, only a isp one)

another good website:

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00JMsd

if you are looking at the 200mm+ range, you'll need a pretty fast lense to freeze the action.  IS won't help, it'll only reduce blur from shaking.

oh, and always shoot in jpeg for sports, not raw.  you'll fit a lot more shots in the buffer.

some favorite shots of mine (no sports though):

[ECN]

part one of my series.

[Skycat]

I know it's been a while since the question was asked, but:

Sigma is the best of the third party lens makers IMO.  Tamron and Tokina have a few good lenses as well, but I'm not sure if they have stuff in the focal lengths that you're interested in. 

You can get away with an f/4 or maybe even f/5.6 if you are only going to shoot outdoors during the day, but you'll want faster than that (f/2.8) if you want to shoot inside or at night games.

On the plus side, that 20D of yours will allow you to push the ISO up pretty high and still get good results.

Some really nice shots in this thread.

Here are a few of mine I like:

[ECN]

F"n beautiful!!!

[KSt8er]

WOW, some truly great shots from you guys.   Skycat - what was the elevation where you took that first shot, and where, Rockies?  Did the lizard make the right choice?