Your Budget Friendly Guide to Spotting Gear [~$500 USD]

Real World Aviation Spotting
63

I use a ZV e-10 have any recommendations for a lens

64

Thatā€™s a primarily video-focused camera, Iā€™m not really qualified to answer for good video lenses as the requirements are pretty different.

2 Likes
65

I got both the lens and camera together at around $180 both used.

So In terms of upgrades what camera and lens should I consider next when upgrading?
Something which could handle high-level/altitude/contrail planespotting which Iā€™m also interested in. Iā€™ve done a little research and I know Iā€™ll need a bigger telephoto lens i.e a 150-600mm or a general telephoto lens + a teleconverter or a just a telescope.

66

Iā€™m not too well versed in contrail spotting. 150-600 on a crop sensor camera will probably do good enough but you wonā€™t get anything super crisp. You will be able to easily identify the aircraft and airline and if thereā€™s text on the underside of the wing itā€™ll be readable but youā€™ll probably still have to crop a bit. It could be a good option if you also want to military spot a lot, but a 150-600 on a crop sensor can really be limiting for commercial spotting at an airport. I donā€™t know anything about telescopes so Iā€™m going to refrain from giving advice there.

67

So in general my next upgrade I should consider a Full frame camera right?..So any options in mind on the cameras I can consider to get the job done, possibly below a $1000 budget.

68

Depends. I personally believe if you donā€™t care about night work there is no reason to get a full frame, and especially not for $1000 budget. Full frame setups tend to be at least 1500 unless youā€™re buying the absolute bare bones.

69

I did a 150-600mm on a Canon 7D when I got into photography. I used it quite a few times at a few airports. It did decent but I do recommend using a full frame with a zoom lens.

70

I have this camera and it shoots fine pictures (but the lens doesnā€™t zoom much and it only shoots at 24mp

1 Like
71

Is this a comment or a suggestion?

72

Just a comment. Also can you tell us the reccomended settings in Sony camera

73

What do you mean by settings? Like menu settings or shooting settings?

74

Shooting settings

75

Entirely condition dependent. If no clouds no haze midday, f/8 1/1000 ISO100 is a good start

1 Like
76

Cochin is generally more foggy and rainy

77

Unfortunate (but felt), in that case just lower the shutter to maybe like 1/400 or 1/500 and you should be alright midday

78

Question. I may be getting a Nikon Z7. What is a good lens for it? And also looking sub $400

79

If youā€™re getting a Z7, you need to invest in a good lens. Itā€™s 46 MP, so it will expose flaws in lenses more easily than something with 24 or whatever. I would say the minimum you should be getting is the Tamron 50-400 or 150-500. Theyā€™re both around 1100 USD and both solid lenses, it just depends on if youā€™d rather have more sharpness and reach or if youā€™d rather have that wide end.

There is a Tamron 70-300 (500 ish) but on the Z7 I donā€™t think itā€™s a great fit. The main issue with the 70-300 is that 300 isnā€™t that much reach and itā€™s already pretty soft then. On a 61 MP sensor itā€™s pulling around 3300 lines which is just alright.

If you only can get a Z7 + 400 dollar lens, I would recommend either getting a cheaper body or saving up some more money.

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80

Iā€™m getting the Z7 from a. Hand me down

81

I see, that changes things a bit but if it were me I would still just wait. If you want to spot NOW though, that Tamron is your only option.

1 Like
82

Opinions on a Canon R8 for night spotting+ a RF 70-200