CAMERA RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING FOALS

[Mamare]

I seem to remember a thread where people were recommending the best cameras to catch foals in action, but I can't seem to find it. Does anyone care to resurrect this topic? I seem to remember some great photos someone took of a really cute foal with a Canon something, something, and lens.

[Fairview Horse Center]

My friend (serious amateur photographer) uses a Canon Rebel XTi. My little one is also a Canon, SD 850 (recomended by her brother who is a professional photographer).

Both take super shots. The Rebel is great for serious people that want to use the lenses. The 850 is great if you want an inexpensive, pocket camera that also takes good video.

[stripes]

Any SLR camera will take awesome foal photos and any other photos you want to take. I've always been a Nikon girl, but Canons are good too. Maybe check out your local camera store and ask for assistance. They will be more than helpful, I'm sure. Tell them what you want to do and they'll help you get the right camera. I shoot with a Nikon D300 & D2X.

[downthecenterlinetheycome]

Well, Canons and Nikons are your best bet, if you're looking in the SLR category. I think rideagoldenpony might have some good suggestions, as I know she does her own foal photography and it looks great. Generally what you'd need is a camera that will do fast, quality burst shooting, like 6fps, so you can get a continuous line of photos of the action if your timing is lacking. Also, if you're an ammy, good autofocus is a must, but that's more lens than camera. I don't know of your budget, but the 40d is a very fast shooter, semiprofessional camera that's been dropped to $950 since the release of the 50d. But honestly, the lens is more important than the camera; 20ds are decent, and if you're on a budget (though they're not much less expensive than a 40d), and pair that with a good lens, you can get great shots. You're going to want a zoom lens if you have friendly foals - you know, get within 20 feet and they come up for pets, too close for any pics. Then you can shoot far back without distracting them or mama, and also pan in quickly for that perfect shot at a show or anywhere else. Some zoom lenses are heavy, though.

Some pairings that might work for you:

Canon 40d with 70-200 zoom lens (if you're doing low-light shooting, you'll want a really low aperture, if you're doing outside stuff in the sun, anything under 5 is ok really. You WILL want IS, image stablisation, which reduces camera shake).

Canon 20d with 70-200 zoom lens.
[Canon 30D is skipped intentionally, as it's not much of an upgrade from the 20d]

Also, the nikon D60 is a decent, much less expensive camera, though the burst shooting is very slow; would work for conformation shots, but not too well for action.

For the lens:
Make sure the lens, as I said before, has excellent autofocus if you're an ammy. If it doesn't, you will get a million amazing shots that are completely out of focus - don't ask me why I know this. :no:

[Draygonfyne]

I'm a canon user...so my recommendations reflect this.

If you're going to an SLR, the Rebel is probably everything you need and more, for a fabulous price. Where you'll want to spend the time to invest etc. are the lenses. My camera bodies I change out frequently...but it's the lenses I sink the big $$$ into and have to last. It's the glass that makes the picture really.

The 70-200 2.8 is the main lens most professionals use...but in all honesty if your primary interest is shooting foals outdoors in the fields on nice days...you really don't need that 2.8 at that price. If money isn't an issue....then go for it. I rarely shoot with anything else. If you're going to be shooting a lot of low light or indoor action shots, then you will need to 2.8.

There are some nice lenses in the 70-300 range that are not too expensive and give you great reach with the zoom. If you go Canon...and Canon lenses are a bit pricey for you, consider Sigma. I invested in the Sigma 2.8 many years ago and it's still going strong....it's my primary lens.

[FriesianX]

I use a Rebel XT, and have decent results. It isn't as fast as the XTi, but it is really reasonably priced and you still have the SLR. My recommendation - go to a store and FEEL the cameras in your hand - if it doesn't feel good and well balanced, you won't do as well with it. I liked the Canon and the smaller Nikons, the larger Nikons and the Sony felt out of balance and bulky.

Just about all the pics on my website were done by my husband and I with the Canon Rebel. Once you experience SLR, you'll never return to a regular digital camera :winkgrin:

[rideagoldenpony]

This has become one of my favorite subjects!!!

I LOVE taking pictures of my ponies!!!

Last fall I was shopping for a Canon 30D. I was actually hoping to find one used, as I was on a budget. I ended up finding a 20D, and bought it on eBay for around $500. It came with the kit lens, which was fine for shooting things not too far away. For Christmas my Mr. RAGP bought me a 70-300 Canon lens in the $500 range. Now that is AWESOME!!! I can take great pictures from clear across the pasture. I have had SO much fun with it all season long.

I'm certainly not "professional level", but I have gotten some great shots of my babies and show ponies this year. It has really been a lot of fun. I have found the burst shooting at 5 frames per second to be awesome to get action shots, as I certainly have NOT perfected my timing yet. My strategy has been just to take tons of photos, then discard lots and I'm usually left with more good ones than I can even use.

If you want to get an idea of the foal photos, you can use the link below to go to my web site. There's a link to the foal page on the front page of the site. ALL of my foal photos this year were taken with the Canon 20D.

[siegi b.]

To me Olympus has always made the most user-friendly digital cameras.... I now have the E-520, but as other folks have said, it's the lens that makes the picture, and my favorite right now is a 50-200mm, 2.8 that is among the best out there. And, better yet, it was an anniversary present from Mr. Stall Europa!

Here are a couple of examples of pics taken with this lens...
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee243/sbelz/myboyElvis.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee243/sbelz/DivoRiccoSEat4mos.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee243/sbelz/Taurose.jpg

[Mozart]

Now this is timely. My local camera store is selling the Canon Rebel EOS XS with lens for $599.00. I was actually going to pick it up tomorrow. I think that is a pretty good price for the camera including lens. I plan to take a digital photography course from them too, I am still using :o ..film...I have the most under photgraphed horses and family in the western hemisphere.

[siegi b.]

Mozart - do yourself a favor and make sure the camera comes with a good lens (3.5 or better).

[sniplover]

Mamare (or anyone), if you're looking to spend a little less and don't need/want the investment of a dSLR/SLR and the lens, I have two great cameras to recommend to you: the Panasonic TZ5 for $200-$250 http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-TZ5K-Digital-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B0011Z8CCG and the FZ28 for about $300 http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FZ28K-Digital-Stabilized-Black/dp/B001CCLBSU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1224799131&sr=8-1.

The TZ5:
9-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for poster-sized prints
10x optical zoom Leica DC lens; Face Detection
New Panasonic Venus Engine IV improves noise reduction, elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effects
3.0-inch LCD; Mega O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO
Captures images to SD memory cards (not included)

The Fz28 (my next upgrade, coming soon, I hope!):
10-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
18x wide-angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized zoom lens
2.7-inch high-resolution LCD screen; HD video capture
Full SLR-like manual operations including aperture, shutter, program and full manual modes with Advanced Scene modes
Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

I have the TZ3 (Tz5's year older brother) and have gotten some great shots over the last year that I've had it; from close up stills http://www.flickr.com/photos/24994333@N03/2623788844/ to action http://www.flickr.com/photos/24994333@N03/2687403588/ -- and I've even had success with poor lighting http://www.flickr.com/photos/24994333@N03/2923556194/in/photostream/ -- although it really shines when the sun is out!!

[Mamare]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I think it might be that Rideagoldenpony originally posted about the Canon 20D and that it were her foal pictures that I have in my mind! Is that right? I seem to remember your husband bought you a lens at Christmas???? I love your website! Makes me want to breed ponies!

Also, my daughter does the jr hunters and Dad takes all the pics with some fancy Nikon D200 - Way too hard for me to use!

[sixpoundfarm]

To me Olympus has always made the most user-friendly digital cameras.... I now have the E-520, but as other folks have said, it's the lens that makes the picture, and my favorite right now is a 50-200mm, 2.8 that is among the best out there. And, better yet, it was an anniversary present from Mr. Stall Europa!



I have an Olympus E-500, and have been really pleased with the photos from it. I do have the upgraded lens package, and for the most part only ever use the 40-150 lens.

I have only ever used Olympus and have been very happy with them. I would love to upgrade lens' in the future!!

[Signature]

We have a Canon Digital Rebel too, and some special zoom lens thing too (can you tell I'm not the photographer in the duo?)... it takes gorgeous pics!

[RedMare01]

If you don't want to go SLR, I would recommend the Canon S5 IS. It is between a point and shoot and an SLR, and has some features of both. I bought mine from ebay last spring and have been very happy with it. If you look in my webshots link in my signature, you can see some pictures I took at Rolex this year using the "sports" setting.

Caitlin

[foxhavenfarm]

Now this is timely. My local camera store is selling the Canon Rebel EOS XS with lens for $599.00. I was actually going to pick it up tomorrow. I think that is a pretty good price for the camera including lens. I plan to take a digital photography course from them too, I am still using :o ..film...I have the most under photgraphed horses and family in the western hemisphere.

Great camera! I got one the week it came out and it takes fabulous pictures. The lens that comes with it is good, but I will be upgrading to a 70-200 lens as soon as I can afford it.

[okggo]

We have a Canon Digital rebel that does a great job! I can't link photobucket here (forbidden site) but if you go to photobucket and search user okgottago you can see a ton of pictures (action and still) take with it. MHO- the key is the LENS, not the camera. Our lense cost 2x what the camera did. We have the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens for action shots. For sports, you should purchase a lens with an aperture number of f/2.8 or smaller. Amazing difference with that on it!

[Dressage_Diva333]

I have the Nikon D50, which is a very nice camera, more amateur friendly.

But I have a friend who has a Nikon D200, it's simply amazing. I don't have enough good to say about the D200.

[MajesticDynasty]

I'm really a Nikon person but I have a Canon Rebel XSi. 55-200 lenses are the best for horses I think. It's a wide range so you don't have to switch lenses. I'm deal with a 18-55 right now (came with camera) I just crop the heck out of the picture. They look decent. The burst feature is my best friend for movement shops and I've found the click, click of the shudder makes the horses ears prick up so I use it a lot.
I drool over my friend's Nikon D200 and I'll be buying that at some time. It's twice as fast as the Rebel XSi and I just love how his pictures turn out with it.
Cost wise, go with a Canon. Nikons IMO are better made and last longer with good care. My dad is teaching me everything on his 30 year old Nikon film camera.
But again, cost wise, Canon wins. I bought my Rabel XSi for $540 in a kit with the 18-55 and everything else (strap, batteries, ect.). There was an XTi there for $400 but I'm not a fan of the back of it or of a silver camera. They said the XSi and XTi weren't being made or they weren't going to carry them or something like that so they were getting rid of them.
If you want to compare the Nikon D80 and the Canon Rebel XSi here's a link of my pictures taken with them.

http://www.snowwhite3890.smugmug.com/Other/491366
a local show in March with the Nikon D80 with a 75-200 lenses

http://snowwhite3890.smugmug.com/gallery/6101663_cXCpA#383688267_9t8Mj
My horse Majestic Dynasty "Majic" a warmblood cross registered AWR by Maxamillion taken with my Canon Rebel XSi with a 18-55 lenses

And note none of the pictures with either camera were edited decides cropping

[Fairview Horse Center]

Just wanted to show anyone looking for a pocket camera the ability of a tiny Canon SD 850

These photos were taken using partial zoom and full zoom from a 5th floor hotel balcony. The larger area has been resized to post, but the grass detail is just cropped to fit COTH space.

[okggo]

Okay...finally can link some of the pics taken with the camera/lens I mentioned above...

This is actually an "action" lens but it does absolutely amazing still shots as well.

Here is one where the eye was focused in on http://s264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/okgottago/?action=view&current=IMG_3124.jpg

Still shot
http://s264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/okgottago/?action=view&current=IMG_3128.jpg

Able to absolutely capture that perfect moment:
http://s264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/okgottago/?action=view&current=IMG_3046.jpg
http://s264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/okgottago/?action=view&current=IMG_4264.jpg

In action:
http://s264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/okgottago/?action=view&current=IMG_2849.jpg
http://s264.photobucket.com/albums/ii170/okgottago/?action=view&current=IMG_6046web.jpg