Looking for best options for zoom for landscape, outdoor photography

4 years 5 months ago #660496 by soaringeagle
Hi, new to the forum. 
Got a great deal on a Sony a6000 that came with 50mm lens in the $300 range. Still need to get a zoom lens for it.
Am having doubts about my purchase though, and wondering if I should have gone with a bridge camera that has a SuperZoom feature built-in like the Nikon Coolpix B600 so you don't have to keep up with lens. With these I realize that the megapixels are some less than the 24mp that come with the a6000 but have read where with zoom you're not getting the full 24mp anyway.
 
Most recently I've had a Panasonic FZ70 that has a 60x zoom, but have found it lacking when zooming in for the detail I want. 
 
Wanting to have great and crisp resolution for making professional photos of action shots of wildlife and landscapes for posters and large prints from, but limited budget wise to the $300 range. Maybe I should just wait and get one more capable later.  
Thoughts?


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4 years 5 months ago #660501 by garyrhook
It's important to understand that the only reason you can get 60x zoom on a camera like that is because the base focal length is short. Perhaps 4mm?

As for long zooms, the farther away you're trying to get, the less distinct your subject. It's just the way light works. To counteract it, you need quality optics and skills in post.

That's all just a nice way to say, what you can't be done well at your budget. You'll need to reset your expectations, or plan on spending significantly more money.

A larger sensor will provide greater fidelity, and you'll want a good lens. You have the a6000, so suggest you purpose to learn how to use it well, and how lenses work, and how to create great images in post.

N.B. You can rent lenses, too, instead of buying them.


Photo Comments
The following user(s) said Thank You: KCook
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4 years 5 months ago #661170 by Deb Reardon
Plus, have you considered buying used?  You can get some good deals if you look around that will allow you to fish a little higher.


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4 years 5 months ago #662357 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day SE

+1 for Gary's thoughts too

For my money - I would be considering something like a 100-300mm lens as your next target lens ... the max is 6x larger image when compared with your current 50mm lens, short enough that camera shake will not usually be a problem, but long enough that you can see outlying things a bit better

I use superzoom cameras almost exclusively these days, and all mine have about 20x zoom capacity so that the image quality is better than what you describe via your B600 ~ well realising the compromise one has with quality vs zoom reach

Hope this helps
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

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