Expert: Abe - 11/19/2008

Question
I want to buy a camera, a decent one, but have no idea where to start.  I am a "scrapbooking mom" who uses her camera constantly but everything I take pictures of involves sports....baseball, football, basketball, and these are the pictures I'm having trouble with.  I need a camera that can get me close enough to the action to get the good shots, one that can take pictures one after the other without a pause or lag I guess is the right word, yet one that is easy to use.  I am using a Kodak easy share which is pretty idiot proof so I guess I'm wondering if there is a "better" idiot proof camera for me.  Is there something between what I'm using and a professional camera?  I realize that I'll probably have to spend several hundred dollars and I'm okay with that, I just don't want to spend thousands.

Answer
Hi Kim,

For what you're describing, you need a digital SLR. These come in all sizes and prices. The bigger ones are more professional, more expensive, and have a lot more features/better performance. But I think for what you want to do, an entry-level consumer (non-pro) digital SLR will get the job done and you'll be very pleased with the results. I'd recommend a Canon XSi with 2 lenses - the 18-55mm lens, and one zoom lens, like the 70-300 IS.  Here are some links:


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542180-REG/Canon_2756B003_EOS_Rebel_XSi_a_...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397663-USA/Canon_0345B002_70_300mm_f_4_5_6...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/580122-REG/SanDisk_SDSDX3_008G_A31_8GB_Ext...

Your total cost will be about $1300 after you throw in 8GB worth of memory. Should you find any of its functions confusing, I'll be more than happy to help you figure it out once you have it.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Abe