7/26/23 10:51 AM

I am often disappointed with focal length limits on my phone for longer range pics.

Older Pixel 3A XL Droid. And it is way better than previous Samsung by a lot.

Should I get a new phone before I go with way better camera, or get a small travel camera. Using the bulky SLR Nikon out of the question.

I forget who here is the camera guru. Please help Obewan...

$500-900.00 range I guess be justifiable...


Looking here as a start:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/shop/travel-cameras

??Nikon - Z 30 4K Mirrorless Camera with NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Lens - Black


Or should I just get a new hybrid zoom android?

7/26/23 11:53 AM

re: Nikon Z series...I was a nikon shooter for years until all my (film SLR) kit got stolen about 25y ago. I decided to get back into it right after mirrorless was becoming a thing and went with the Z6. I later realized that the new kid Sony was really the market leader and still is, though Nikon has caught up a bit. But since I'd invested in glass I stayed. I now have a Z6ii (sold the Z6) and Z9 and they are fantastic but if I had to start over, I'd still go with Sony.

These are the higher end cameras, of course, but the trickle down theory suggest you might want to look at Sony's offerings. Panasonic is also a solid name for cameras these days. I'm less well-versed in the travel size bodies but I've heard excellent things about the Lumix series.

Given my experience with Nikon glass I'd think the DX (not full frame) 16-50mm you mention would do well but at full zoom and even with wide open aperture you're probably going to notice issues in less than good daylight at f/6.3. Kit lenses from them, and most makers of course, are often good but not great.

And as I type this I think I recall that the z30 is mostly geared toward video, as in for youtubers, and less so for traditional still photography. I'm worried you'd be disappointed in that one.

Probably not a lot of help, sorry.

7/26/23 12:48 PM

Analog suggestion from Mother Daughter photographers, sez Nikon last decades under $2k Pass.

For trip and use after recommended Cannon Rebel T7

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/canon-eos-rebel-t7-dslr-video-two-lens-kit-with-ef-s-18-55mm-and-ef-75-300mm-lenses/6323759.p?skuId=6323759

7/26/23 12:59 PM

Not well-versed in Canon but no aperture rating for lenses but the body says max 3.5 and min 5.6....that's a super limited aperture range esp if you're doing any landscapes

[eidt] further down there is something for lens 2....but still surprisingly limited, is that a canon thing? Never shot it

7/26/23 5:54 PM

The Sony RX-100 series cameras are outstanding and I've used one on several bike trips. It's fits conveniently in a top tube bag to which I've added some paddling. Unfortunately, I dropped my RX-100 IV at a Patriots game and it won't turn on anymore, but I went out and bought a used RX-100 V to replace it. I'll probably get the IV fixed soon, so I have a backup.

These can be crazy expensive new, but I've had good luck finding used cameras in pristine condition at good prices. With all your experience sniffing out great bike deals, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a camera at a reasonable price.

7/26/23 6:52 PM

Thanks all for chiming in.

I ordered EOS Rebel T7 EF-S 18-55mm from Amazon, be here later today.

I also went and looked at Pro 7 Google Pixel and S23 Ultra 5G. Camera impressive to me on the S23, the 1199.00 Price not so much. And I don't want that expensive a phone to drop and break either.

I hope the T7 isn't going to be bad to lug, the body is 1 lb. not sure if that include lens...

Dimensions and Weight

(W x H x D)
Approx. 5.08 x 3.99 x 3.06 in. / 129.0 x 101.3 x 77.6mm

Weight Approx. 16.75 oz. / 475g (including battery and card)
Approx. 15.06 oz. / 427g (body only)

I can still change my mind and upgrade phone before I leave...

7/27/23 12:29 AM

685 grams lens, body, battery and simm.

7/29/23 5:35 PM

quote:

---

The Sony RX-100 series cameras are outstanding and I've used one on several bike trips.

---

7/29/23 6:55 PM

Well, I also got a telephoto lens for tehh Rebel T7 off eBay. I was not going to bring 2 lenses, but with the Worlds Glasgow events we got planned I thought I would. Stay tuned for mid Aug pics.

7/30/23 4:41 AM

When I was in college, a Rollei 35 was my constant companion. When it was stolen, I got a Nikon FM and carried it all over, but it wasn't as much fun. A few years back, I got a Fuji X20. Optical viewfinder that zooms worth the lens, tiny, quick, and it feels like a camera. No Longer in production, but can be had for $200-400 on eBay.

7/30/23 4:20 PM

I really wanted smaller better, but now glad telephoto lens an option.

The brooks backpack we got has a spandex rear helmet expansion portal. Perfect for SLR stash, retrieving... i hope. :)

7/31/23 8:57 AM

Sparky, I loved my SLR, but carrying those things around for any length of time can be painful. I hope it works for you. But there is no way I would get an SLR today.

For studio work, where things are controlled, I would go with something mirrorless with a digital viewfinder, because you can see EXACTLY what you're getting.

For anything else, an optical viewfinder is the way to go. You see things as they happen, not milliseconds later.

7/31/23 9:01 AM

This T7 has a viewfinder and LCD which you can defeat to save battery.

Being we will have the backpack at all times and the spandex compartment is on the middle of the back.. Hoping for easier access. I will have it around my neck @ WorldChampionships..

7/31/23 9:52 AM

Andy, I've carried around a z6 and a z6ii and, with a smaller lens, it's not that bad. On a good strap it's not a problem at all. Bigger body or glass? Yeah, not so much.

7/31/23 10:03 AM

Rob, I just remember what a load my Nikon FM was with any decent lens. Built like a brick s_ithouse, dead solid reliable, but the size and weight made it pretty uncomfortable. But as always, MMV!

7/31/23 10:07 AM

I prefer using a heavy camers if the photography is serious. I think i have better stability and less shake, and i dont like slow lenses as i often prefer to blur the background.

7/31/23 10:55 AM

mirrorless are smaller by default than standard dslrs. Yeah, older stuff was bulkier but the z6ii isn't much bigger, if at all, from a lot of point and shoot cameras. I often have the 24-70mm kit lens as my walking around glass and it's not a burden at all.

7/31/23 1:36 PM

I used to love f/1.4 and f/1.8 lenses, and at one time, I was seriously jonesing for a NoctNikkor.

The lens on my X20 is a little slow, but f/2.0-f/2.8 isn't terrible. I seem to recall getting nicely blurred backgrounds with a Tokina zoom rated at f/4.0.

Yeah, there are a lot of other factors, I know.

And (photo weight weenie here?) the z6ii weighs twice as much as my camera...and the weight on mine includes the lens.

7/31/23 3:20 PM

For photographing bike races, a good fast burst mode and focus tracking are just as important as the lens. That little RX100 VII of mine can shoot 20fps in burst mode with focus tracking as it goes. I found those capabilities really useful when photographing the Worlds in Wollongong last year.

e.g. Alexey Lutsenko on the final lap after having been dropped by Remco Evenepoel:

<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc-ytpbvbe29T1R-ELzR2XFtX600uwQziZhtBu4UGwRc_3K0WSk5U-ll-nT6Hi91Yol6i97gJ5vE_9cd9sZyaPX77kWzKcH2NVnkrMT3Fa44LAFmXtbJ=w2400?source=screenshot.guru"> <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc-ytpbvbe29T1R-ELzR2XFtX600uwQziZhtBu4UGwRc_3K0WSk5U-ll-nT6Hi91Yol6i97gJ5vE_9cd9sZyaPX77kWzKcH2NVnkrMT3Fa44LAFmXtbJ=w1500-h1000-p-k" /> </a>

8/1/23 6:31 PM

"The brooks backpack we got has a spandex rear helmet expansion portal. Perfect for SLR stash, retrieving... i hope. :)"

That's the last place I would carry a camera, as it's like putting a sign on it that says "Steal me". When my camera isn't in my hands or around my neck, it's securely tucked into a bag or case where it's not visible or readily removed from my control.

8/1/23 7:02 PM

I get what you are saying, but it is opaque and would not be identifiable, if even a lump. I suspect @ events as you say it will be around my neck grab ready.