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Also seeking lighter camera option
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 10:31 am
by Robin
I'm in the same istuation as overthepass in that I'm finding a Canon 7D plus 100 - 400mm lens a bit heavy to lug around all day.
I'm looking at the Sony RX10 IV. This will enable me to do bird photography as its zoom lens is equivalent to 600mm at the long end.
Maybe I'm asking too much of the camera but wondering if anyone uses this camera for butterflies, moths and other insects. I know it won't match my Canon + 150mm macro lens but the lens on its own or maybe with the addition of close up lenses may do an acceptable job.
Thanks,
Robin
Re: Also seeking lighter camera option
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 11:27 am
by Andy02
Robin
I have been using the Sony TX10 1V for 3 years now. I use it for all wildlife. My research from others more competent than me told me to use the camera for micro at the full 600mm extension , and it works. It also means that you don’t need to get within a metre of the butterfly.
It also fits in my winter coat inside pocket.
Re: Also seeking lighter camera option
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 11:31 am
by Andy02
Robin wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 10:31 am
I'm in the same istuation as overthepass in that I'm finding a Canon 7D plus 100 - 400mm lens a bit heavy to lug around all day.
I'm looking at the Sony RX10 IV. This will enable me to do bird photography as its zoom lens is equivalent to 600mm at the long end.
Maybe I'm asking too much of the camera but wondering if anyone uses this camera for butterflies, moths and other insects. I know it won't match my Canon + 150mm macro lens but the lens on its own or maybe with the addition of close up lenses may do an acceptable job.
Thanks,
Robin
Robin wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 10:31 am
I'm in the same istuation as overthepass in that I'm finding a Canon 7D plus 100 - 400mm lens a bit heavy to lug around all day.
I'm looking at the Sony RX10 IV. This will enable me to do bird photography as its zoom lens is equivalent to 600mm at the long end.
Maybe I'm asking too much of the camera but wondering if anyone uses this camera for butterflies, moths and other insects. I know it won't match my Canon + 150mm macro lens but the lens on its own or maybe with the addition of close up lenses may do an acceptable job.
Thanks,
Robin
- Couple of photos both at 600mm
Re: Also seeking lighter camera option
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 3:18 pm
by Medard
At the age of eighty I now find walking difficult, nevertheless I daily use my Nikon D500 with a F4 300 lens, it will take a 1.7 converter for additional reach if desired, the camera's autofocus is extremely fast, this combination is light and can be hand held, great for twitchy subjects, supported by a shooting stick or better still a tripod it's good for video, for birds I use a D4 and a 500 lens but that's a different story.
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com
Video of four spotted chasers at Westhay Moor NNR.
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/p57 ... #h988580e9
A few examples
In my garden, hand held.
Scarce chaser
Damsellflies
Four spotted chaser
Painted Lady.
Re: Also seeking lighter camera option
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 7:36 pm
by jonhd
One thing that your APS-C sensor size shows, Medard, is that you can get away with much higher ISO compared to Micro Four Thirds sensors. (Although I would say that the pheasant photo is really pushing it!)
My current setup is Oly OM-D E-M1 Mk.2 with various MFT lenses (principally Panasonic Leica 100-400 [200-800 35mm equivalent!]).
And, for the (many) times when even that 'lightweight' combo is too much, I still get pretty good service from my old Panasonic FZ200 - I take it everywhere! 25-600mm equivalent lens with F2.8 across the zoom range... And the Raynox DCR clip-on macro lenses. However, it has many annoying foibles, not least of which is the slow electronic zoom (not to say the small, laggy EVF). So, the RX10 IV is the only superzoom that I thought might be a good replacement. It's a bit BIG, isn't it, though?...
So, would love to hear from RX10 IV users, too.
BR, Jon
Re: Also seeking lighter camera option
Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 12:53 pm
by Robin
Thanks all for your replies. The two images put up by Andy have convinced me it's the right camera to buy. They are just what I needed to see. Medard's images are impressive but we are solidly a Canon house with a plethora of lenses. Going Sony will be a sort of neutral step
.
I'd never heard of the Raynox macro lenses. They look an interesting option as I also need to be able to photograph micro moths after trapping. However, it looks as though they don't make an adapter large enough to fit the 72mm lens of the RX10.
Robin