Good Motocross Camera - Pappy

[ltr450rider21]

Pappy,
This weekend I'm heading to breezewood and none of our friends who have good camera can go, and they basically have quit riding. :rolleyes: So now we have no camera to take pictures!

I'm thinking of buying a camera before this weekend, but I want a good camera, pictures are clear and takes good pictures of moving objects for motocross. Also, not on the expensive side. My friends both have the Canon Powershot SX110IS 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom. It actually takes amazing pictures and its 226 on Amazon.

Is there a better camera than this one or anything you recommend?

Thanks!

Picture from that camara.
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww155/blbnck729/atv156.jpg

[Pappy]

I say this with all honesty...if it isn't Pro or Prosumer camera I dont pay any attention to them so I cant really recommend one.

The Nikon D60, the Canon 50d/XTSI are both what I would consider the minimum I would recommend.

The biggest thing with trying to capture the action like we do is quality lenses and atleast the bare basics of how to make the camera body work for you

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3574502157_3692c175d1_o.jpg

[kawabunga]

I'm with Pappy on this. An SLR with some fast glass is the way to go, along with a good understanding of how it all works. If you don't know how to run an SLR then I wouldn't recommend buying one before the weekend. Not a decision to be made without thought. There are some really nice point and shoot cameras available but I wouldn't know what to tell you.

[ltr450rider21]

Thanks for the Info pappy. Im probably just going to buy a decent one for now then save up for a better one in the future, maybe.

[Pappy]

Keep you eyes open on ebay...craigslist etc. There are some real deal out there.

[Ryan]

The SLR's are definitly the way to go, if you know how to use them..... I actually just started taking an online college courses for photography. I plan on buying an SLR once I learn how to use all the features on the camera's. Until then, my digital is fine.

But that photo from your buddies camera doesn't look bad at all.... And you can use some little tricks on the computer to get the colors out a little better....

For example, heres the same picture you posted... I used irfanview and went under (color enhancements)... Came out with this...

[Pappy]

Originally posted by Ryan
The SLR's are definitly the way to go, if you know how to use them..... I actually just started taking an online college courses for photography. I plan on buying an SLR once I learn how to use all the features on the camera's. Until then, my digital is fine.


We are talking digital slrs...just making sure noone went out and bought a 35mm:p

[Pappy]

Originally posted by Ryan


For example, heres the same picture you posted... I used irfanview and went under (color enhancements)... Came out with this...

And learning to correct things without making them look corrected will be a great lesson for many! A basic class onoline is great...I wish it was that easy for PS:p

There are other programs out there for edit work that destroy PS!

[Ryan]

Originally posted by Pappy

There are other programs out there for edit work that destroy PS!

What exactly do you mean by that :confused: .

Bare with me.. I just started this course 2 days ago, so I know little to nothing :p . And I don't think I start messing with photoshop until the third unit. Im dying to learn it, though.

[Pappy]

Im saying that PS has its place, and if you have the time and can learn it more power to you.

For basic photo edit work, there are programs that are faster, easier and when combined with basic photography skills, can yield results that will exceed those with PS. Now I am talking normal, required work with digital files. If you want to change the sky completely or take a building out of a picture, thats where PS excells.

I use CaptureNX2 for working with my RAW files, and Adobe Lightroom for typical edit work. When you have to weed through 3000 pictures after an event, speed is a must. I have PS3, use it when its needed but do my best to capture an image that doesnt require much:p

[Pappy]

And I will say this.....if you dont understand basic photography, light and the way it all works, you had best learn. Anyone that has taken the time to take even a basic course will understand what I am saying. I see it every week here, and I watch it on sites that I go to that teach advanced digital photography and that is people that edit an image with no real knowledge of what they are after. It starts at the camera and ends in an editing program and when you learn it from start to finish....you will start producing images that make your jaw drop.

The equipment plays an important role, but your best weapon is knowledge....that kind of tackles alot of life doesnt it:p

[Ryan]

OOOOO, ok, I see what your saying. My main concern right now is learning to use my digital camera manually (and ofcourse getting an eye for taking a good shot). When I was at the night of thrills over the weekend, as soon as it got dark, all of my pictures went to chit and I couldn't figure out how to fix it... I had plenty of light (changing the shutter speed), but the pixles in the photo's looked terrible. But just about every photo I take on (auto) needs to be edited or adjusted in some way or another.

And yes, Knowledge certainly is the key ;) . Speaking of which, I should probably go ahead and start lesson 2... LOL

[meankfx]

I used adobe lightroom 2
<a href="http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc296/meankfx400/?action=view&current=ffff.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc296/meankfx400/ffff.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[MX MaNiAc 06]

I'll be the first to say it. That picture is badass!

[8my_Cash]

agreed, and for a point and shoot, its not half bad either.


I use PS, Illustrator, and Lightroom for my editing needs. Im more of a graphic designer than a photographer :D


Pappy, what programs are you using for your photo editing?

[Bryson#221]

It looks like it could use a little more contrast- seems kind of bright. It's a good shot though!