This is why I need a new camera so badly.

[GymBot]

la_mamacita_81 has added a photo to the pool:

I can't get a single good shot of her indoors without using a flash, and flash isn't allowed at competitions. I need DSLR so I can capture these moments of her life, get action shots of her. It is just so prohibitively expensive. I can't even dream of spending over a thousand dollars on a camera. PLEASE LET ME KNOW if you come across anyone who's willing to sell a used DSLR to a broke single mom with an overachieving daughter. lol.


More...

[Granny Smith]

I feel for you. We did go out and buy the "good" camera, but the $1000 camera is half the battle. The true cost lies in the purchasing of the lens that are fast enough so you don't have to use a flash.

Luckily dh has found a couple of places that rent lens and we are slowly purchasing lens as we go. We have a 55mm lens and dh just bought an 85mm lens. These are only good for if he is close (basically home meets). Anything in another gym where he will be at a distance and we need to rent the "bigger" lens.

I will say what we do is we take pictures of all the girls on our team (dd's level) and I have them printed out and I give to the parents. The parents have in return given us a couple of dollars here and there and this has helped cover the cost of the lens and the printing.

I will try to post some pictures so that you can see the quality difference.

Good luck!

[Granny Smith]

These are some of the pictures that my dh has taken of our dd during competition.

This is her on her tumbling pass during floor:



This is her mount onto beam (the background is supposed to be fuzzy and she is crystal clear.)



This is another one of her on floor. This is her beginning pose.



Realize dh will easily take over 200 photos at a meet and maybe about 50 or on a good day 100 pictures are worth keeping. But this is how he enjoys his time at the meets so who am I to complain!

[audra]

Great shots- what kind of camera are you using?

[Granny Smith]

Quote:
Originally Posted by audra Great shots- what kind of camera are you using?

We use a digital Cannon Rebel. The exact details I am not a 100% on, but I know it takes a great picture - but like I said before, it's using the right lens.

[gymgramma]

We have a Panasonic that takes both video and still photos. Got it this summer at Circuit City for around $400/500. It is a fantastic camera/camcorder!!

[GymAunt]

Just keep your eyes open. I'd been in the market for a DSLR for a while... got lucky and happened upon a Wal-Mart store that was doing a clearance on "last year's" models. They had one camera that someone had bought, used to take their wedding photos, then returned. I got it for $330!! It came with one lens and I have bought a 200mm used lens off eBay for $60. The camera is autofocus, that that particular lens is not... but I've gotten used to it. I'm normally close enough to the floor to be able to use the shorter lens and only need the long lens for vaults (I'm horrible at catching those anyway) and maybe bars or beam... but I'm normally able to get into a spot where I won't be changing focus during the event. I paid for my 200mm lens last year by doing photo collages of pictures taken at the State Meet. Two moms with Level 9s paid $35 a piece (the "professionals" were charging WAY more) for an 8x10 photo collage pictures I took of their daughters' performances. I was supposed to have 5 orders, but three never showed up to pick up their photos. I actually had the gym owner contact me when they were doing their spring exhibition meet for the recreational girls about doing the pictures for the parents since they forgot to book the real photographer. I couldn't do it... work and well, I just didn't feel I had the equipment for THAT. It's a Pentax *ist DL.