Camera and lens for motocross photography?

Well you started to allude to the thing you need to worry about - how close you can get. If you are taking pics at local tracks, and they will let you get close, something in the 50mm range works.

The longest lens I use is 85mm. That's also a really good portrait lens. But if I'm able to get on the track, 85mm is way too long.

Given your budget, there is no magical answer for your gear. Anything you can afford will be comparable.

One strategy might be get a reasonable body, and a super cheap lens, then go out and shoot a few races and determine exactly what you want from the lens. I think it will be hard for you to go all in on the perfect lens for you without some experience shooting.

PS shooting MX is a frustrating endeavor at times. You need to learn how to use light really well before you will start getting consistent great pics.

I’ve had really good luck with Sony. I started with an A7ii, stepped up to an A7iii and now I have the A7RIV. All really good cameras, I’m a huge advocate for mirrorless cameras. I also use Sony glass, my first lens was a f2.8 70-200 and I recently picked up a f2.8 28-70. Here are a few shots. You could pick up an a7ii for under $1000.

Nice...

Used Nikon D700 or similar. Learn how to verify shutter actuations and buy a used one without a lot of use.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d700.htm

Used Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 AF-D. This is the best value there is in a pro quality F2.8 sports zoom. This is your bread and butter sports/action lens type.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80200.htm

FYI, most modern bodies have an expected life of 200,000+ shutter actuations.

Any of those f2.8 7-200 style lenses are the ticket. You'll see most people using those including myself. Pretty damn good for moto even when you cant get that close.

We bought my son a Sony A6600 and a few different lenses, this one is his favorite for photos https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-e-70-350mm-f4-5-6-3-g-oss-telephoto-z…

Similar to moto, pick one brand you like and go with it - as a general statement, they all make quality products. To add to that, see if you have any local camera shops near you. They will be the best to work with to make recommendations, and I'd be willing to bet they'll be helpful even if you go used.

I personally started with a Canon 7D, which is a crop-sensor camera. Meaning, the sensor is smaller than the top of the line, professional models. The good part of this, is it's kind of like a built in zoom, when compared to the full frame cameras. The downside is, since the sensor is smaller, they don't do well in low-light situations. But, they're a smaller form-factor too. With the Canon crop-sensor cameras, it's a 1.6x crop. So if you'd pair it with the 70-200mm lens that many people like to use (myself included), it would compare to a 100-300mm lens on a full-frame camera. (70-200 * 1.6 = 112-320mm)

It can be confusing at face value, but once you can understand or dissect it, it's not too complex.

All of that being said, what should you go with? If it's strictly hobby, look to the Canon Rebel lineup. You can find entry-level gear within your budget.

If you think this is something you want as a hobby, that you take a little more seriously than the average Joey Moto-Fan-With-A-Camera, then I'd recommend looking at a used Canon 7D, paired with the 24-105 f4L lens. (24-105 is a versatile lens, for whatever you decide to shoot) You *should* be able to stay under that $800 mark. That combo is what I started at, and I picked up both items used.

Lastly, there is a book that can help with learning how to use your camera to the best of your ability, it's like $20 on Amazon (or you can buy it used for dirt cheap) Understanding Exposure

Hope this information is useful to you.