lyndacast

I am a Nikon shooter and was excited to put the Tamron z 150-500mm lens on my z50. I was ready to do more wildlife and birds in flight photography until I spent some time with this beautiful beast….it is too darn heavy for me to hold still and I am not inclined to lug a tripod around when I get the urge to shoot some wildlife when I am close to nature. At 75 I admit I am not as strong as I’d like and holding that lens isn’t getting easier.

So I am returning it to Adorama today and exchanging it for the Sony cyber shot RX10 IV. I guess a bridge camera isn’t so bad….(right?)…..and it sure will make my sometimes forays into nature a little easier. I just hope I don’t have pangs of regret and envy when I encounter folks with those big, beautiful telephoto lens in the field.🥹

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Everyone faces the reality of aging at one point or another. Feeling regret or envy is a waste of the few years you have left.

I hope you're able to reboot your attitude so you can experience the joy of the hobby and the awesome nature around you 🥰

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Use what works best for you.

I have a Sony H-1 bridge camera that I still use, even though the pixel count is not high at all.
My Canon T1i gets most of the work though.

A camera is much better than no camera!

Compromise/adjustment is inevitable at some point.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Well, the image quality isn’t going to be what you’re used to. However, what’s more important is composition color and story. I’m sure you’ll have fun with it.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Sympathy! I'm there, too. I have the RX10iv and some of my best birds and wildlife shots were taken with it. It even has animal eye recognition (cats for sure, not certain about birds).

But I'm still addicted to the higher quality raw shots from my SONY 𝜶6500. I am going to try an A-mount 70-400 on it (I have the required adapter already). Bought used, of course. I can recommend. either that lens or the FE100-400. I've used both and they are excellent with that small, lightweight camera.

I've used the Nikon-mount 150-600 and also found it too big and heavy for walking around shots.

One was taken with the 𝜶6500 and Sony FE70-200. The other with the RX10. I am fond of both. The best camera is the one you can actually carry and use.

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RX10 iv

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Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement needed today.
Life is short and unpredictable!
Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends
Bravo Zulu

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Perhaps you would consider using a monopod? I carry my heavy lens/camera clamped to my monopod which I just carry on my shoulder. It is also more than enough to keep the rig stable when I amm holding for the right moment to shoot. Just a thought.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I wanted a wildlife lens to take on trips in our small camper. They were all too big for my taste. Then I discovered Micro Four Thirds. Both Panasonic and Olympus have a 100-400. For the full frame thinkers that is like 200 to 800. I like video options so, at the time, I bought a Panasonic body and the matching lens.

I was on a Yellowstone trip taking video of a distant wolf. The roadside was lined with tripods and monster Nikanons. A woman next to me assumed I wasn't doing well with my small rig. She offered to let me see the wolf assuming I wasn't able to see much through my anemic viewfinder.

With video, my system has an additional cropping effect. In FF DSLR terms I had a field of view equal to about 1150 mm. After a few minutes I offered her a peek through my viewfinder. My wolf was bigger and big enough that she had her boyfriend pack up her heavy gear for her. She had a Suburban with a false floor in the back with custom cutouts under it for a few lenses, bodies and tripods.

My wife is often smarter! Her choice was a 2.4 pound Sony RX10 IV. She puts it on auto and shoots. She does not bother with a tripod. She will lean on the camper or brace on the window frame. Her wildlife images are great.

Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

Dear a6k... I love your shot of the Pelican in the dark. I am curious to know if you used a flashlight to light the bird at night, after placing your camera on a tripod, or if you used a flash to light the entire scene and perhaps darkened the background in Lightroom during post editing. In any event, it is a magnificent shot. I would appreciate learning from your expertise in such matters. (I have enjoyed shooting indoor soccer under poor lighting conditions for the last forty-four years for a local team. But that doesn't mean that I cannot admire photographers that have other preferences and shoot exceptionally well. Shooter41

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DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

In 2015 I got a Nikon 200-500 since I wanted a longer lens. When I started using it I found that the VR was far better than the VR on my 70-200. I went to a concert and took a photo of a guy I knew from about 50 meters away at 1/10 second hand held. Not perfect but much better than I had expected.

Since then the 200-500 gets a lot of use, indoor and outdoor. It also cost me more money because I then upgraded my 70-200.

lyndacast

Thanks, Linda….my attitude is great….it’s my biceps that need an adjustment!

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Thanks. Sent PM.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I wouldn’t consider a failure so much as a learning experience. If we’re lucky, we get those.

Some good suggestions given above for ways to mitigate the issue of the heavier lenses. I’m gonna throw my hat into the ring to suggest you at least consider M43. Much smaller and lighter for a given focal length, and f-rating, versus so-called full frame.

Don’t stop shooting whatever camera you decide to use and most of all, have fun.

camshot Loc: Peterborough ontario Canada

Too bad you did'nt try a monopod, much lighter and just as stable. Makes a handy walking staff as well

Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

Dear a6k... If I understand your reply correctly, you shot your pelican picture with a Sony a6500 camera, in natural light, editing out the limbs, tweaked the light with Pixelmotor Pro, on a Mac, in the shade. Would you mind telling me if you handheld or used a tripod, what ISO you were set at, what shutter speed you used, what aperture your lens was on and if you avoided coffee before you took the picture or are just as good at slow shutter speeds as the Sony Australian Ambassador, Mark Galen? Thank you for your time and expertise. Shooter41