I use a wide lens for landscape photography and it looks like your 50mm is your best bet for that. Bring the zoom lens with you tho, you never know what you might see in the distance that is interesting to the eye.
Manual focus is my suggestion. Auto function limits what you can do with the light and exposure.

Finally had the chance to look up your article. Very nice shots. Love the golden color.

[quote=Notorious T.O.D.]And this is frustrating as there are people who might not know better and will take the information as gospel fact[quote
Some might, but hopefully they will learn.
I was informed many eons ago that we should believe none of what we hear, half of what we see and always get more than one opinion because opinions are like, ahem, elbows. Everyone has one.

I am a newbie in photography and I can say that any and all info that comes my way is appreciated. That said, I will explain to some of the, how do you say...... excitable posters here, that those of us that are new to the field have probably found something that excites us, photography, and are eager to get to the Hows and Whys as soon as possible. Up until I joined UHH, I paid no attention to EXIF. What gave me a starting point was to actually read the camera manual, get to know my equipment better and as the saying goes, practice, practice, practice. Through trial and error, many errors, I found that under/overexposed captures could still be brought in to create a great photo. I find Bobs example and question interesting. I will explore that technique. I still try to create my photos as to look good in the lens, but have found that to be not always possible. So Bobs white balance technique and the settings for the camera give me, a newbie, an interesting path to follow. But for me now, I am used to the way my camera captures data and I am getting better at adjusting things on the fly to get the shots I want. EXIF was useful for a time, but not so much now.
I suppose the answer to the primary question is, EXIF can be useful to the ignorant such as I, but not the answer to our questions. For that, we do research and ask more questions. And practice. Did I mention that we practice a lot?

Well, I always try to use a tripod whenever it is available. But if I have to go handheld because it’s happening now, then ok, but not if I want that sharp detail. I was shooting a Canon 7DII with an EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens
Full zoom 400mm 1/1600 f/5.6 ISO 250
I had been using a Tamron 200-500 lens, but the photos were just a little soft in focus.
Same thing happens if I use a 1.4 extender.

To be bored with the same thing just means I need to use my imagination more.
And my wife will never hear me say I’m bored with her. That would be suicidal.
As to what I see in the Moon, well, it does have rotation relative to earth. I see the Man in the Moon upside down sometimes. Then there are those nights where I just want to howl at it.
“What was that?” Coyotes dear, Coyotes.

This is a quote from Joe Blows answer above.

Then we get into the DSLRs (Digital Single Lens Reflex). These allow the most control over the photo and most cameras are video capable. DSLRs run from a few hundred dollars for older amateur models to $5,000 plus for top of the line but any DSLR can give you a great photo. Lenses are extra but kit lenses usually are very satisfactory. Because the lenses are interchangeable, they are also the most versatile. They also require some degree of photography knowledge to operate. End quote.
Here is a link to bhphoto, there you can peruse the equipment and get some reviews of how the equipment performs. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/
They have the latest video cameras there too. Amazon is a place for deals as is eBay, but know what is is that you want first.
Also take into account the need for post processing software and its cost. As always, research is your best friend.

I am pretty new here too. Welcome. In regards to your question, do you really want a DSLR camera or a video camera?
As your and your granddaughters interest is in video, you may want to zero in on a video setup. The DSLR cameras can do video, and a Cinema type DSLR camera that you can change lenses with gives you more options and sharper video than a hand held video cam.
I suppose you might want to decide what your budget is, what your primary purpose is and to what quality you want your end product. Then the pros that give advice here can help zero in on the best equipment for you.

I used to feel that pain. Spent wayyyyy to many winters in South Dakota. We are snowbirds now, summer in Huntington Beach and winter in Palm Springs. Rarely does it get below 50. It should reach 76 here today with a few scattered clouds. The fruit on the five different varieties of citrus we have here on property is ripe for picking. This is where I got my grapefruit for breakfast today. I really liked how the deep blue sky reflected on the leaves. Could not get that sky color to come out in the background tho.

Ruby Red Grapefruit begging to be eaten.

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Did not see your topic listed because I do not know what your subject line is. But I had read that the Supermoon, being called that because of its relative closeness to earth in its apogee was starting from 9:24 pm EST. Since I am in SoCal, I knew I would not be up quite that late, but still wanted the photo so I went out in the 60 degree weather on a cloudy nite for this one.

01-01-2018

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Forgot the photo. Its not getting old, its the forgetfulness. And the body.

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I once lived in S Dakota. Now when I winter here in Palm Springs the nighttime temps seldom go below 50. I was just out taking my Supermoon pic and it was chilly, but not to the bone.

No, there are small specks of golden pollen on the gorget (the purplelish coloring) that is very noticeable on the download detail. Here is an enlargement.
The hummer wars are in full swing out there now.

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This Costas Hummingbird has a penchant for posing for the camera. He greets me every time I sit for coffee and the paper and gets very up in my face if the feeder goes empty. He has become one of my favorite subjects. Notice the flower pollen on his face.

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Never said anything about one gift. But this requires a great deal of diplomacy. Tact and raw nerves help.