Seriously, consider it.
Next, digicams (these have fixed lenses.) First, budget about $100 to $150 over the cost of the camera for required accessories such as batteries and extra "digital film." Things to consider include:
- shutter lag
- lens speed (f number)
- noise at higher ISOs (you'll want 800, or at least 400, for basketball shots)
Shutter lag is this: you point the camera at the subject, maybe even press the shutter button halfway down to autofocus, and then press the shutter button all the way down to take the shot. The camera then thinks about it for a whiles, and takes the shot maybe 1/2 to 1 second *after* you press the lens. Needless to say, if you were trying to capture the "decisive moment" you missed. My digicam was very frustrating to use to try to capture cheerleaders doing a pyrimad, for example, because of this problem. If you do get a digicam try to check it out in the stores or see what the reviews say about shutter lag.
Lens speed and noise: since you want to shoot indoors without flash there isn't enough light. You'll want the fastest lens at the telephoto end (lowest f number) and the ability to shoot at ISO 800 with good digital noise in the images. Check the reviews on this.
Brands: I always recommend Canon, Nikon, or Olympus. Fuji, Kodak, and Sony are also making usable digicams these days. I wouln't buy any other brand, no matter how good the price.
Things that don't matter: 1) Don't go for the bargain, which may be last year's model or an old model. Cameras are improving so rapidly that the new model is always better and cheaper than the old model. The old models are not a bargain.
2) Megapixels don't matter. Anything you buy is going to have enough megapixels. Seriously.
3) Don't buy any bullshit filter kits or whatever. You don't need them. Whatever you need is cheaper on line. Talk to me first
Things that do matter:
1) Power. You need batteries. Cameras that use AA batteries are good, but you really need nikel metal-hydride batteries (NIMH) that are rechargable. These produce more current than regular batteries (so recharge the flash faster if you're flashing). They last thousdands of charge cycles. Some cameras have proprietary batteries. If so, you *need* a spare, and they'll often be $50 or more. (The Nikon N70, OTOH, comes with a lithium rechargable and lasts forever; you'd only really need one).
2) Memory cards. I feel a camera that uses compact flash is best; these cards are quite cheap now. A lot of cameras other cards that can be expensive. Oh, and you probaby want to avoid buying extra batteries and memory cards at a local retailer. They can be had much cheaper on line. Your best buys and circuit cities make huge profits on the accessories.
Keep in mind that if the digicam breaks, or if you scratch or damage the lens, it most likely will not be cost-effective to repair it.
Stores: Camera prices do no vary much from store to store, so buy locally or from a reputable internet dealer like adorama or BHphotovideo.com (I always buy my stuff from B&H).
Reviews:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech.htm
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
"HOPE THIS HELPS"
-Dick
p.s. And whatever you buy, you'll want to read the manual and take practice shots before shooting anything you really care about.
p.p.s. Another radical idea would be to get a modern autofocus film camera, such as a Nikon N80, and shoot 800 film. That should would very well for indoor basketball. If you want digital images, any drug store now will include a CD with development for a very modest cost. Then as DSLRs come down in cost, you could get a DSLR body in a few years and still use the lenses.