Good entry camera?

[cjwnovice]

Hello everyone,
I'm slowly getting into photography and was wondering what would be a good entry camera. I plan on using this "new" camera for sporting events and my budget is around 300-350. I understand I may have to go with a used model ,but I do not know where to start.
Thank you all for your input in advance.

[Tom]

I doubt it is possible to get something really useful for sports at that price.

I'd save up more or just buy prints from someone paid to do it.

If you really had to get something a used 70-300 for as cheap as you can find and a Canon 20D or something like that is probably your best bet. But I doubt you will be very happy with the results.

[cjwnovice]

Thank you Thomas. What would you recommend me getting as an entry level camera. I do not mind having to save up for a little bit as long as I was getting a good camera. I'm using this camera to take pictures of my wife doing agility with her dogs.
Once again thank you,

[divenut1]

I started with a Nikon D50 and 2 (28-80 and 70-300) plastic fantastic G lenses.
Cost me about $400....used it a year and then bought a second d50 body and then sold the first to fund a D200 body. I have 2 tokina 2.8 lenses, (28-80 and 80-200) , a 50mm 1.8 and a 18-200vr. I just now really only need a bigma and a good macro lens.

Learn and grow in small steps using good gear....

[Dobick]

300-350 is an awfully tight budget. Even in the point and shoot range (which is going to be plagued with bad shutter lag) you are going to be hard pressed to get a really versatile camera for 350.

Can you explain what you have in mind when you say sporting events?

[cjwnovice]

So my wife gave me her old rebel Gll 35 mm and it has a quantaray lens 28-90 mm. Now could I use that lens if I bought a digital rebel and if so what model would be good?
Thanks,

[cjwnovice]

Can you explain what you have in mind when you say sporting events?
To answer your question Dobick,
I will be using the camera to take pictures of my wife doing agility with her dogs.

[tc95]

Clarence....I saw this on Craigslist Dallas....Sony a230L with 28-85mm lens...for $450.00...

+ to Sony Image stabliaztation in the camera...you can find cheap old Minolta lenses...
- Less people use it than Nikon/Canon...

I have seen some Oly's around for that price point with the two kit lenses...E-500/E-510

Good Luck...

[David Whatley]

I have a Canon 20D with grip and Tamron 28-200 I will sell for 275 that might work for you.

[shamrock]

You're going to need fast glass to shoot agility. Most venues seem to be indoors with poor lighting.

[cjwnovice]

PM sent.

[cjwnovice]

Thank you shamrock. When you say fast glass do you mean fast shutter speed?
Sorry I'm a newbie, just now trying to pick up this new jargon.

[mmuhlenkamp]

Fast glass means big aperture or f/stop (which is counter-intuitive, smaller number equals bigger aperture, f/1.8 > f/5.6)

Fast glass (I think something like an 85 f/1.8 would be good for you if you go Canon) is generally more expensive, but allows more light into the camera so that faster shutter speeds can be accomplished (good for stopping action).

A used 20D and a fast prime (50 f/1.8, 50 f/1.4, 85 f/1.8, 100 f/2) would be a pretty good start. I'm not sure how close you can get in these agility events, but I'm guessing you can get fairly close.

Once you get into and start taking pictures you'll learn a lot faster. Good luck.