Hello all! First off, let me say thank you to all that have posted responses to the questions on these forums. All of the insights, no matter what the bias, have been invaluable in helping me reach my decision to purchase a K-r. Before you flame me for mentioning bias, I just meant that while even though some reviews or comments showed bias, I balanced those opinions with many others from other forums. I was looking for all things during my research: specs, insights, and opinions. There were also, many many unbiased, hints, tips, and suggestions offered by some very knowledgeable folks... so once again, thank you all!!
Now, a little about me. I started this journey by waking up one recent morning absolutely convinced that I needed a DSLR camera. I enjoy taking snapshots with our various point-n-shoots and even own an old Canon AE-1 (although I haven't used it in over 15 years). I wanted to be able to take better photos of our kids and family vacations etc... So I needed a camera that would be able to get some neat outdoor scenery shots when we go camping/hiking along with something that could keep up with 6 & 10 year old boys playing hockey. When I began my research, it was that last one that threw me for a loop. To read the forums (pretty much everywhere) the consensus opinion is that hockey is hard, if not impossible with kit lenses and the gold standard is a 70-200mm f/2.8. Since, based on budget, it boiled down to a choice of a lens without a camera or a camera kit without the f/2.8, I decided to press on and choose the best camera I could that would fit my budget and might offer me a chance. I chose the K-r because of it's reportedly fast autofocus and superior low light/high ISO performance in the mid-range DSLR arena.
I am extremely excited and cannot wait until my K-r is delivered. I am optimistic that by choosing the K-r kit with the 55-300mm lens, I might be able to pull off some decent shots at 1600 or 3200 ISO by staying in the lower range of the zoom in order to allow a wider aperture. I could be way off on that and if I am, don't tell me now because the money is already spent
I am writing today because I wanted to capture my baseline for any other point-n-shoot folks out there that may be entering DSLR and Hockey into their google searches only to get instant sticker shock. I promise to return with first impressions and sample photos. Hopefully with some critique and advice from these forums, I'll be able to get hockey shots that are better than the "that little fuzzy dot there is my kid" kind of shots you get with point-n-shoots. I'm really not looking for the cover of Sport Illustrated, but perhaps a photo card at the holidays and some shots on the net for family to look at. I doubt many in my situation ever do anything larger than a 5x7 and probably make more mouse mats, photo mugs, and keychains than they do wall posters.
So here we go.... my quest for sub $1000 kids hockey pictures begins! Stay tuned.