Need help selecting a digital camera.

[Vapors]

Looking for a digital camera to take pics of Porsche's at Porsche get togethers. Also at the race track when in motion and possibly some video. Need to take several pics in quick secession when the cars come down the track. What or which camera should I get? I would like to spend aprox. $250-$400 range. Please do not get over technical. Thanks

[dd74]

I suggest the Canon EOS SLR 20D. It's more than you want to spend, but worth it in the long run.


Here's a link:
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=10464

[id10t]

Cannon rebel. High end am/pro SLR, but it is digial. Newest version is a grand, prior model is $700.

In your price range, I *really* like my Fuji S5000. Only complaint is that it uses the expensive memory format (xd).

[einreb]

For less than $400, i'd suggest the panasonic fz3. Its got a really nice lens and more features than I'll ever understand, but its simple enough to use.

Its gotten very good reviews at that price point.

I was looking for a camera when I saw this thread...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=196537&highlight=panasonic+digital

but didn't want to spend that much money. This link describes the FZ3 and compares it with the more expensive camera described in the thread above...

http://www.megapixel.net/reviews/panasonic-fz3/fz3-gen.php

[island911]

Originally posted by dd74
I suggest the Canon EOS SLR 20D. . . .

I though he said he wanted the addition of video too. CMOS based digitals don't do video . . . but at least they're expensive.

[Drago]

Isn't that your old camera?

[island911]

who, me? . . .I still have my Minolta. It's well used, and over two years old. . .but still liking it a lot. It is fast, even by todays standards (from what I've seen).

The nicest (now mainstream ) feature I wished it had, would be the image stabilizing deal. . . .for all those sunroof periscoping shots -- damn buffetting wind.

[jyl]

Hmmm. You need a lens that will go from fairly wide-angle (to photograph Porsches up close, and get the whole car into the frame) to real telephoto (to photograph Porsches on the track, rather far from you, and have the car fill the frame). You need a camera with minimal shutter lag (the delay between pressing the shutter button and the camera setting exposure, autofocusing, and then taking the picture). You also need a camera that will take several shots in quick succession. You need a camera that will take some video. Finally, you don't want to spend too much.

Given the budget, I think you should look at the Panasonic Lumix FZ20.

It has an excellent lens, a Leica zoom that covers 36mm to 436mm (in 35mm film camera equivalent). 36mm is a moderate wide-angle, 436mm is a long telephoto that will reach out and fill the frame with a race car 100 ft away. The lens is fast (f2.8 throughout the range), which isn't so crucial for you, since it sounds like you'll be shooting in daylight, but does allow faster shutter speeds (to freeze action) and wide apertures (to get selective focus). The lens can be manually focused using a traditional focus ring (useful at the track, if you want to prefocus on a corner and shoot as cars come through). The lens has image stabilization, useful when hand-holding at 436mm. It will shoot a burst at 2 or 3 frames/second. It takes short movie clips in Quicktime. The full shutter lag is only so-so at 1 second, but if you have the shutter button half-pressed (i.e. the camera autofocus has already focused), then the lag from there is very short (1/10 sec). I'm going to guess that in manual focus mode, the full shutter lag would be very short.

The negatives of the FZ20 are that it uses SD cards, not CF cards, si it can't use the 1+GB microdrive CF cards (tiny hard drives). With the falling price of flash memory, this may be less of an issue. It also has "noise" in the image when using film speeds (there's no film, of course, so this really means the light sensitivity setting) above 200 ISO. For daylight shooting and with the fast f2.8 lens, I think 200 ISO is fine.

The FZ20 is around $600, I think. The older FZ10 might still be available, its pretty similar.

The Panasonic FZ5 (replaced the FZ3) is quite similar, but is a slightly smaller camera and lacks the manual focus feature, and the hotshoe for an exernal flash. It apparently has a bit less full shutter lag and may have a bit less noise at 400 ISO. I think it is somewhat cheaper.

Myself, I would get the FZ20 for the manual focus option.

I wouldn't buy a digital SLR (like the Canon Digital Rebel) unless you plan to ultimately spend $2000+ on the body and a couple of lenses.

I would not buy a compact point-and-shoot type digital camera. They won't get the pictures you're describing.

Personally, my SLRs are film since I like to develop and print the old-fashioned way. But I've used the FZ20 and talked to users, and that is the digital camera I'd get if I were going to spend <$1000.

Go to www.dpreview.com for more info and detailed tests.

[newms]

As a new owner of a FZ20, all I can say is WOW. The zoom is great, long life battery, super fast shooting...it is a bit over your budget, I paid $530 online at Circuit City and then drove ten minutes to pick it up, spring for a 1 gig SD card and fire away!
Good luck.

[newms]

Here is an example of FZ20 in the hands of a true amateur (me) taken today at TBall. I was at least 20 feet away. Love that Leica lens, big zoom and image stabiization. BTW, Panasonic will release the FZ5 this month at $499, not quite the FZ20 but real close.

[Joeaksa]

Its hard to beat anything with the name Leica on it. Yes, its bloody expensive but their quality is excellent.

JoeA

[jyl]

newms, what is the shutter lag with focus on manual? Was my guess that it would be very short correct? I define shutter lag as time from first pressing the button until the camera takes the picture.

[Don Ro]

Whatever you eventually get, I suggest an extended warranty. I bought my first Nikon CP4500 (US version) from B & H Photo 2.5 yrs. ago for $400+ w/a 5 yr. Mack warranty ($49). Sent it in for a problem last December. They sent it to Nikon for repair. Cost me $9+ for s/h. Bought my second CP4500 (International version) from B & H last month for $300+, also w/a 5 yr. Mack warranty ($59) - Nikon won't repair the International models unless sent to them by a warranty station like Mack cameras.
.
More on ext'd warranties: if you buy it using a VISA card, you can also buy VISA's ext'd warranty for cheap. I wasn't aware of this when I bought that first Nikon. VISA won't do a warranty on an International item.
.
http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/credit/visa_signature_benefits_wm.html#anchor_6
.
Good luck.

[nostatic]

well, I ordered the FZ20, so we'll see how it behaves. I'll be comparing it to a D70 SLR and previous Canon small ones.

[newms]

Originally posted by jyl
newms, what is the shutter lag with focus on manual? Was my guess that it would be very short correct? I define shutter lag as time from first pressing the button until the camera takes the picture.

As mentioned, I am a true amateur and have not used manual focus (yet?). So I am pressing halfway for autofocus, then shooting. There is a great burst feature which allows several shots per second, once focused, of course.