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May I revive an old post? Seems like I bought our camcorder recently, but when I think about it, the camcorder is about 10 years old. I haven't used it in several years and I don't even know if the battery still charges or if I can buy the mini-tapes for it.
What camera are you using? A point and shoot with video function? Or a newer digital camcorder? Is there a camera you would not recommend? What features are must haves? What do you dislike?
Thanks in advance.
Yes, cost is an issue and what one is willing to spend depends how you like and are involved in photography. If you're into high end photography, The Rebel mentioned is a good choice for a low cost high end camera. But if you're really not into photography and mostly are just a point and shoot kind of person, then there's a wide range to choose from. And if you have a smart phone than does a good point and shoot job for you, then you may want to only look for something temporary to use while your son is in HS and college . . .where you might consider just find a good used camera to taking videos during this time. You really don't need a camera with high amount of megapixels where a 10 or 12 mega pixel cameras would likely be more than sufficient. The important thing for what you seems to want/need is a camera with a high number for Optical Zoom so that you can zoom in to get a decent close up of the action. And of course, along with that you'll want a camera that can capture action clearly as well as provide slow motion quality. There are actually a number of good quality, low cost camera that work well. And yes, Canon makes some of them. About 10 years ago I was using a Canon A710 and it did a good job of capturing the video I wanted of my son playing ball. That was a 7MP camera and pretty good for its time. Now I use a Canon SX700 that has 16MP, but more importantly it has a 30X optical zoom. Sony and Samsung have excellent cameras in that function and price range as well. If you want to keep your cost down, look to eBay or Amazon to make a purchase. If you want a higher end camera, a Rebel is an excellent choice.
Hope that give your some ideas on what to look for.
Can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon, and for camcorders, the Sony's are pretty nice. I'd read the reviews of the cameras on Amazon that are in your price range and go from there. You can also take perfectly fine video with an iPad.
To me the best camera for filming sports is the one with a tripod. This makes for steady, more watchable video, and also allows you to not be looking through the camera all the time.
Thanks!
How are you avoiding having the chain link fence in your pics? I don't want to scratch my equipment on the fence. (I am a Nikon fan, btw. 
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I want a lens that will fit through the chain link fence. Not super happy with the quality of my point and shoot. I should have mentioned that in my first post.
JCG posted:To me the best camera for filming sports is the one with a tripod. This makes for steady, more watchable video, and also allows you to not be looking through the camera all the time.
Good point. However, having a camera on a tripod and not having to look through the camera doesn't work well when filming a position player (particularly if you're zooming in for a close view) or for base running videos. It can work well for videos of hitting or even pitching. But if one has a camera with a "steady" feature, holding a camera to take videos isn't much of an issue.
Is a series of still photos - sports setting - at at bat or a pitching - helpful for coaches as part of a recruiting video?
Camm posted:Thanks!
How are you avoiding having the chain link fence in your pics? I don't want to scratch my equipment on the fence. (I am a Nikon fan, btw.
How you avoid the chain link fence in one's pics depends on the type of camera you have and the size of the lens you're using. With small point and shoot cameras, one can hold the camera inside the opening of the link fence (which is what I used to do during games or more outside of the fence depending on where my son was and the angle I wanted). With higher end cameras with the big expensive lenses, you can actually ignore the chain link fence as the fence can essentially disappear as the lens focuses on the player and the fence simply won't show up due to the focal length. So, it really depends on the focal length of the lens and the aperture you're set at.
I want a lens that will fit through the chain link fence. Not super happy with the quality of my point and shoot. I should have mentioned that in my first post.
Well, don't know what you're using that makes you not so happy with your point and shoot. But some of them do a pretty good job of it and I've been happy with the results I get from my Canon SX700 in doing so.
Camm posted:Is a series of still photos - sports setting - at at bat or a pitching - helpful for coaches as part of a recruiting video?
No, I don't think still photos are of much help to them. They like to see the action and even to slow it down (e.g. slow motion) to evaluate mechanics and athleticism. A still photo can be eye catching and have some limited use in that way. But for evaluation, video is the way to go.
Camm posted:Is a series of still photos - sports setting - at at bat or a pitching - helpful for coaches as part of a recruiting video?
Not really. Still photos can be deceiving. What is helpful is a video camera that can shoot at least 60 fps and 120 or 210 is even better. There are several affordable video cameras in this range.
OK. . . to simply answer the question "What's the best camera for baseball photography" you're going have to look at a high end SLR camera like in a Nikon or Cannon. THEN . . . you'll need a high quality zoom-telephoto lens. So, if you really want the "Best", your probably going to be looking in the price range of $5k to $10k for camera and lens . . .or, maybe even more if price is really no object.
I read there is a 100 mega pixel camera that is really good, only $49,000 
"haven't used it in several years and I don't even know if the battery still charges or if I can buy the mini-tapes for it."
PM me your address I have 4-6 new tapes in my closet you can have, I will mail them to you. Ebay is a good place to buy a battery , just search your camera model #.
I bought a small flexible tri pod, I attach it to my small video camera and attach it to the backstop, aiming it without seeing a fence. I zoom it in just to get the pitcher, batter , ump and catcher. Son's a pitcher, he likes to review after games. One time I attached it to the CF fence and zoomed in, it was like watching the game from second base, son loved it. I just wish I had a remote control for the camera. I don't mind filming for my son but I want to enjoy the game and not worry about the camera stuff.
Video camera is a Sony, about the size of a cell phone. its 3-4 years old now. Its all digital, makes it easy to upload to computer and such. I didn't go with the HD, I think it was around $300.
Truman posted:OK. . . to simply answer the question "What's the best camera for baseball photography" you're going have to look at a high end SLR camera like in a Nikon or Cannon. THEN . . . you'll need a high quality zoom-telephoto lens. So, if you really want the "Best", your probably going to be looking in the price range of $5k to $10k for camera and lens . . .or, maybe even more if price is really no object.
I read there is a 100 mega pixel camera that is really good, only $49,000
If I had saved all the $ we have spent on our kids' activities over the years, I could probably have one of those "best" cameras! 
What's your budget? You should also consider the lens. Summer light is great, but night or overcast you should consider a 2.8 aperture lens (unless you are able to use a flash and are close enough to provide light). The lens brand should match the camera brand. There are logs of cheaper lens brands, but you will notice the difference. If you want to stop the action, you need a high shutter speed (you can only go so high without light (low aperture = more light)). The two work together to make a good picture. No matter the camera the lens will make or break the photo. Megapixels are nice, but are really only necessary if you plan on cropping and enlarging the photo or printing larger than 4x6 / 8x10. If your budget permits, the higher mega pixels the better. When you take your picture, if you can not zoom in, you need to use the compute to crop and enlarge. That is when you need the megapixels. Also, if you are taking pictures and want to see the sequence of the pitch from start to finish, you need to consider how many frames per second is the camera capable of taking. Sometimes video recorders are better for this, but the newer SLR's also do video in the same quality as they take still pictures.
If I may add to this thread, a monopod is also a good tool for steadying the camera. You can't go wrong with the big name brands, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, etc. As for shooting through chain link fence, I try to get away from the fence, get some height, or shoot through gap in door and fence, or go to the 1B or 3B side to get side shots of pitcher, batter & players.
You can try to shoot through the fence by using a narrow depth of field to throw the fencing out of focus, but generally the lens is larger than the fence opening and it shows in the edges. To avoid scratching the lens, be sure to put a UV filter on the front, easier to replace a $20 filter if it scratches than a $800 lens. and once a lens front element is scratched, the lens is toast.
Because the camera models change and get outdated, obsolete so quickly, I am hesitant to recommend a model however visit a good local camera shop and get advice there, or go to Amazon.com, DPReview.com or Cnet.com. Those are great sites for reading reviews of equipment.
Camera & lens pricing has fallen while the quality has increased, so you should be able to find a camera & lens kit in the $400-$600 range that will suit your purposes.
good luck to your senior son!
The best people to talk to for info and for prices is bhphotovideo.com. You wont beat their prices or their expertise. They carry anything from point and shoot to studio cameras, lighting and sound. Myself, I use a Canon 70D, and different lenses depending on the situation. It struggles for basketball without a grey sports lens if zoom is needed. For video I use a canon vixia digital camera, ipad, or iphone 6. All work well and for different situations. The little 300 dollar canon vixia you cant beat for a camera to throw in cargo shorts that is hand held
sunwalkingvalley posted:The best people to talk to for info and for prices is bhphotovideo.com. You wont beat their prices or their expertise. They carry anything from point and shoot to studio cameras, lighting and sound. Myself, I use a Canon 70D, and different lenses depending on the situation. It struggles for basketball without a grey sports lens if zoom is needed. For video I use a canon vixia digital camera, ipad, or iphone 6. All work well and for different situations. The little 300 dollar canon vixia you cant beat for a camera to throw in cargo shorts that is hand held
I am a Canon user as well. Can you tell me which lenses you use and when? Thanks!
Found this in a search for "how to photograph baseball games"
I would avoid point and shoot camera's if you are interested in taking stills. A low end Nikon or Canon DSLR for a little more money has a much better autofocus capability and can shoot better in lower light. Yes the DSLRs are more complicated, however at the very worst you can set them to auto everything. If you decide to try and shoot indoors with a DSLR you can buy a really cheap 50mm 1.8 lens to throw on the camera. The low end Nikon and Canon DSLRs will also shoot HD video, however the autofocus (for video) isn't very good for video on these camera's, so if your trying to shoot action that's moving around you likely better off with a dedicated HD camcorder.
re: video I would buy a new HD camcorder with a memory card rather then reviving an old camcorder. Tapes are slow to download for editing, and everything is on a memory card these days. I think I have seen an HD canon camcorder on sale for 199 at Costco and Amazon. If you just shooting around home plate your phone in HD mode will be just as good.
