Photojournalism equipment help

<p>I just got drafted onto my school paper as a photographer (Peninsula Outlook, number one student paper in the nation 2 years running) so I have a big reputation to keep. Currently I'm shooting with a rebbel txi and the newspapers 50mm and 85mm 1.8s. I also have a Sigma 24-70 2.8 but it's being repaired right now (The focus ring locked). Although, I love the primes, when I shot sports I missed alot of shots by not having a longer reach or flexibility. So right now I'm saving up some money to buy new equipment. I've been looking at either the canon 70-200mm f4 or sigma 70-200mm f2.8. However, just a few hours ago I was uploading photos when saw that I reached the 30,000 image mark. ALSO I also shoot weddings and portraits outside the newspaper. So I have a few questions:<br>

1) Should I save up for a lens or a camera first? I've been looking at the 20d or 30d for the faster fps and easier controls ( I really enjoy the rear-wheel of the XXd series). I'm not sure what the shutter life of my camera is despite my research and I would really hate to have my camera fail on me.<br>

2) If I should get a lens, do you recomend the canon f4 or sigma 2.8?<br>

I've been researching this for awhile but I feel the need to ask anyway. I apologize for the rambling question. </p>

<p>Tough call because I see a couple huge problems.</p>

<p>First, you are correct, your lenses are short for some sports. However, if you have press sideline access (which I hope you do) you can make due with the 85mm lenses and just concentrate on getting the action shots near you-this requires a lot of strategic planning to know where to stand-and when. This isn't ideal, but will work-especially with indoor sports (basketball, volleyball, etc.) The sports that tend to need the longer lenses are football, soccer, and baseball since access spots still tend to be pretty far from the action.</p>

<p>The second issue isn't so much that you camera has a lot of shots on it, the issue is that you are relying on a single camera to get the shot. In photojournalism and weddings, you can't reshoot. You NEED a backup. This camera could also have a different lens on it so that you can switch cameras quickly rather than changing lenses.</p>

<p>So, my recommendation is to get a camera body-if you limited your choices to a 20 or 30D, I'd pick the 30D. Faster processing/larger buffer/newer body</p>

<p>Thanks for the quick response John. I do in fact have sideline access which is what I've been using to get shots.<br>

For all three of my weddings I've rented or borrowed a back-up body. However, for photojournalism I am without a backup. and my choices aren't really limited to a 20d or 30d but those would be, in my opinion, the "best bang for my buck" however, if you think the 40d (obviously the 40d is a better camera but it is still fairly expesive) or any other camera would work better I'm completely open to suggestions.</p>

<p>Or even the newer 50D if you can get your hands/budget on one... it will rapid fire with aplomb. If anything, I'd say it excells at that sort of shooting.<br>

Sounds like you're going to have great fun doing this, should be a good learning experience, and with any luck you can pick up equipment along the way... (I saw you shooting at the game, I have this old camera/lens, don't know what it's worth, blahblahblah). You never know.</p>

tell the paper you need new equipment

<p>Again, thank you for the quick responses. Tom I would absolutely love a 50d but I'm afraid it's out of my budget. I'm extremely happy being on the paper though, despite all the stress and cussing out the schools computers I'm having a great time. Alan, the school district cut our budget so we can't get any new equipment this year, we even got reduced to a monthly newspaper as opposed the last year when we were a weekly paper.</p>

<p>Keep the responses coming, I'm excited to hear your input. Thanks.</p>

<p>Again, thank you for the quick responses. Tom I would absolutely love a 50d but I'm afraid it's out of my budget. I'm extremely happy being on the paper though, despite all the stress and cussing out the schools computers I'm having a great time. Alan, the school district cut our budget so we can't get any new equipment this year, we even got reduced to a monthly newspaper as opposed the last year when we were a weekly paper.</p>

<p>Keep the responses coming, I'm excited to hear your input. Thanks.</p>

<p>Have you considered Canon's 200mm f2.8? Used, it would come in about the same price as the 70-200, and would give you an extra stop of light/subject isolation. Also, if you do settle on a back-up camera, don't discount the Rebel Xsi - refurbished and used ones can be had for less than $500, and it would take the same batteries, accessories, and sd cards from your T1i.</p>

<p>Sorry there was a spelling error. I have a rebel XTI not the T1i.<br>

Plus, I want a camera with a better fps for action shots that's why I was leaning 20/30d. <br>

But the 200 fixed is an interesting Idea.<br>

Another related question towards photojournalists; what do you normally keep in your bag camera and lens-wise?<br>

Thanks for the responses </p>

Joshua, for your purposes, I agree that you should prioritize a backup body (in case of failure) and then a zoom lens like a 70-200 f/2.8. You may also want to consider a wide angle zoom like Tamron's 17-50 f/2.8. I have the XTi, an 50 f1.8 etc., but you may well find that in locker rooms and confined spaces, you'll be in a fix on the wide end. Retain your current primes for sure, but I would definitely advocate for the versatility of a zoom like the 70-200.

<p>For the record, much as a high fps is a nice to have, proper timing and anticipation is the more crucial skill, and can be achieved on the XTi. If you can swing an xxD series body, you'll be the better for it. Check out Adorama, B&H or KEH for delas on used or factory refurb bodies. What's your budget?

<p>Decisions decisions :)

For sports I would probably settle for the 30D, a 70-200mm lens, preferably 2.8 and an 1.4X extender.

<p>I love how quickly I get responses. Thank you. :)<br>

Mark: My budget is approximately 300-350 dollars (but I would stretch it for the 70-200 f4). I already own a 24-70 which I used alot before it broke. However I was thinking of selling it for the tammy 17-50. Whould that be wise of me?<br>

Harry: That is basically my dream kit. but unfortunaley I don't have the funds for now. Would you suggest the 30d or 70-200 f4? given the choice.<br>

Keep the responses coming. I'm learning alot.</p>

If, as it seems from your post, you intend to remain with a crop-sensor dSLR for the foreseeable future, then yes, it would probably serve you better to offload your Sigma 24-70 and get the Tamron 17-50. It covers a more useful focal length IMO. Tamron has recently released a new variant with VC (Vibration Control), Tamron's equivalent of Image Stabilisation. This means the non-VC version's price is likely to drop somewhat.

<p><em><strong>"Would you suggest the 30d or 70-200 f4? given the choice. . . .My budget is approximately 300-350 dollars "</strong><br /><br /><strong>***</strong></em><br>

<strong><em>“Weddings & Sports capture for the Prize winning Newspaper” </em></strong>. . . <br /><br />Buy the 30D, get the 24 - 70 fixed quick smart and shove that on the 30D.<br /><br />Put the 85 on the Rebel and the 50 is in your pocket and learn to run a lot . . . and how to crop the image in PP. <br /><br />Consider the alternative: Bride in tears, you say, “OOPS my rebel konked-out, sorry I did not have a second camera."<br /><br />Newspaper Editor says: “What the FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!.<br /><br />It is that simple.<br /><br />WW</p>

If you don't have the funds then F4 is not a bad choice. The newer IS version is still a wopping $1,250, but you can get by with the Non IS version. IS is not going to help when you are shooting moving objects anyway unless you PAN. I paid close to $1300 for my 30D, but you can find them easy now for less than half of that.

<p>Thank you.<br>

Mark: Thanks for the advice. I really do hate my 24-70. It slow to focus and really really loud.<br>

William W: Thank you for that very frightening scenario... :/ but the point is taken. It looks like the camera.<br>

Harry: As much as I would love a 70-200 it looks like a camera is the better way to go right now.<br>

So would my best course of action be a 30d and sell the 24-70? This is my final check. lol<br>

Thanks you all very much for your responses.</p>

<p>A 17 to 55F/2.8 + 50F/1.8 + 85F/1.8 with <strong><em>two APS-C cameras,</em></strong> is a much more flexible kit than having a 24 - 70F/2.8 as the zoom.<br>

WW </p>

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