Camera Advice: Best for Budget

[MarshallG]

When I was a high school yearbook photographer, we supplied our own cameras. The school provided the film and printed it. And that was in the 1970's, in a fairly rural school. We didn't have a lot of money.

[Elkaintmoose]

Wow. Thanks, everyone for your suggestions, tips, and advice—I've got a lot to consider. I'm probably going to look for a DSLR, especially so the kids can have the experience of working with a higher-end camera than we've had in the past. I'm intrigued by the D3100's guided mode—I wonder how valuable/useful it might prove to kids "in the field" as it were...

I know there's no way we can really get professional sports shots with entry-level kit, but I think anything will be an improvement over our old cameras.

I appreciate the camera store recommendations, as well—I may do some quick poking around and see if I can get a line on some used equipment, although finding time to shop in person could be tricky for me at this point.

I think I'll also send our old Fujifilm P&S's off and see what it would take to fix them—they'd still certainly be useful for "normal" shooting assignments.

Thanks again for all the responses (and the spirited debate?), and I'll try to check back in later and let you all know how we fared!

[Elkaintmoose]

Jeff,

How are you going with your choice?

Have you negotiated more money?

WW

Heh. We've just this year moved in to a brand new, $35M building—so I was surprised to be offered $1000—everything's strained to the limit, it seems. I appreciate the fundraising angle, too—but conditions aren't quite right this year, for various reasons, to kick off something like that—but maybe down the road that will be a viable option.

[Didace]

An impossible situation – low budget + low light + indoor sport = impossible. Sorry!

You're right, they should just give up.

C'mon, they're just learning. I suppose that for Drivers Ed they should hold out until the school gets them a Ferrari.

[William W]

Heh. We've just this year moved in to a brand new, $35M building—so I was surprised to be offered $1000—everything's strained to the limit, it seems. I appreciate the fundraising angle, too—but conditions aren't quite right this year, for various reasons, to kick off something like that—but maybe down the road that will be a viable option.

Just keep fighting the good fight. The kids are worth it, even though the establishment might drive you insane.

WW

[jcuknz]

From my experience in working for news the principal point is getting the shot, if it is of good quality all the better. so if you look at MFT and Amazon I am sure you could get what you need for $1000 though better if you deal with KEH, Adorama, or B&H and explain what you are aiming to do. They all will have a better range than your local store by nature of their size.
Just checked KEH from whom I have happilly bought and I could get a couple of Panasonic G3 with a short zoom 14-42 and a 45-150 [ which with MFT equals a 28-84 and 90-300 ] and still have change for storage cards which meets somebodies suggestion and they work at 6400 ISO for "inside of marque at 2am for a sports event by ambient light" with good results considering the conditions. So they would hose in for the veranda shot of AB's. Probably some cash for a tripod ... largely unneeded in these days of image stabilisation but neccessary for training in 'studio' still iife shots. They are also capable of HD movie shooting and most of the features you find in a modern camera.

I still like the idea of getting them to bring their family camera to demonstrate its potential and limitations. P&S and Bridge cameras are a lot more versatile than many give them credit for with their fascination with DSLRs. With a good grounding it doesn't take very much to translate to another camera type.