Camera/Lense combo for Junior/Youth Football Photgraphy

noelebob

My wife has recently been nominated as the team photographer for a couple of football teams I coach.
She recently borrowed a Canon EOS 7D Mk2 with a 70-200 lense which produced fantastic results for her requirements. ie. fast auto focus at any distance being the most important factor.
We have a budget of absolute max £450 for a camera/lense combo that would produce equally good images, if possible new but I know more than likely would be used.
Firstly is it possible at this price point and if so any suggestions please?

Thanks
Noel

icemanonline

I would get the Nikon D300 and also Nikon 70-300 Afs VR lens.  That combo will produce great shots.

Or

Nikon D3300 and Nikon 55-300 that would also do the job

Ice

snerkler

Icemans suggestion is a very good one but they will not give you the same results. There are reasons that a 70-200mm f2.8 will cost you £2k (for main brand) and a 70-300mm or 55-300mm cost a few hundred.

Also the autofocus system of the D3300 won’t compete with the D300 or Canon 7D-II.

All this being said, it depends on how good your wife is at photography and what settings she is using. For example if she’s shooting everything at f8 then the difference between a 70-200mm f2.8 and 70-300mm will be considerably less. Do you have any examples of what she is trying to achieve?

The trouble is though is that you’re limited by budget (aren’t we all ). A used D300 will cost you circa £180 and a used AF-S 70-300mm VR around £300 which is already over budget. I’m not as familiar with Canon but for a similar combo you’re going to be paying a similar price.

icemanonline

The D3300 I mentioned would be new.  Is only got 11 focus points iirc... But it's using a brilliant 24mp senser I know for a fact that camera produces stunning results.  The D300 is nearly 8 years old but still puts out great shots.  As fur the 2 lenses... Mpb or Gumtree with get you the lens for the price mentioned.

I hand used briefly Canon camera's but IMO Nikon are better especially lately.

Check Flickr and other sites for shots taken with both and lenses mentioned.  You will get a good setup for the money.

Ice

noelebob

Thanks for reply guys. I am a bit worried about putting up examples of what she has achieved as she is by no means a pro. Her biggest 'need' is a camera/lense combo that is quick to focus from distances of up to 50/60  metres away from subject.
Any other ideas very much appreciated.
Cheers
Noel

snerkler

I don’t disagree that the D3300 can produce great results, easily as good as the 7D-II the OP mentioned. But there’s a large difference in quality between a 70-200mm f2.8 and 70-300mm in terms of AF speed, AF reliability, image sharpness and image rendering.

And I’m not saying the 70-300mm isn’t good, it is it can produce great stuff, but the OP asked if he can get anything for £450 that would produce equally good images, which imo he can’t.

But as you say a D3300/D300 with 70-300mm is still a very good combo

icemanonline

Ok... Point taken but for the budget the OP is on about... My selection is within said budget.... My whole point.

Ice

snerkler

You should never be worried about posting pics on here. None of us are pros (that I'm aware of), we just enjoy photography.

Here's a pool of footy photos taken with the Nikon 70-300mm, some will be better than others based on how good the photographer is, and of course how good the light is, but it should give you a general idea.
Search: nikon 70-300mm soccer | Flickr

newbie1

Could you borrow the 7D /70-200 on an ongoing basis? Or rent? Will she sell the pics? This could fund the purchase.

icemanonline

Below are a few links to lenses and cameras …..The tamron lens and Nikon D5300? Great combo.



Also included Nikon 55-300 lens second generation VR...Brill lens.



Just to give you an idea of what you can get. All live and ready to [email protected]:16 on 24th May 2018







Nikon D D300 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera - Body only with Grip FREE UK POSTAGE 18208913398 | eBay



NEW Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD Lens for Nikon (A005NII) 4960371005546 | eBay~



Nikon D5200 24.2MP Digital DSLR Camera body Boxed Very low usage Superb! 4816367  | eBay



Nikon D5300 24.2 MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Body Only) Boxed 18208015191 | eBay



Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR DX G ED Autofocus Lens    Free UK Post  | eBay





ice