24 x optical zoom
Discussion
The 24x relates to the multiplier of the shortest focal length, so it it's a 10mm at it's widest, then 24x means it's 240mm which isn't that great for bird watching I'd guess.
If the camera is 20mm at it's widest then you are talking 480mm which is much more like it. I'd imagine it would be very wobbly though so you'll definitely need a tripod or some other form of support.
If the camera is 20mm at it's widest then you are talking 480mm which is much more like it. I'd imagine it would be very wobbly though so you'll definitely need a tripod or some other form of support.
Vespula said:
Thanks for replying guys.
I already have binos and a scope, it's just the picture taking I need to improve.
In order to get shots of birds you are going to need something with LOTS of magnification and the means to attach a camera to it.I already have binos and a scope, it's just the picture taking I need to improve.
You say no DSLRs but you can get adaptors to connect one to your scope. If you google Nikon and Digiscope you should find something.
The alternative is to get a DSLR and a whacker of zoom lens. Trust me - I have a 400mm lens and it's only good enough for shooting in the garden, really. Bigger telephoto lens = much bigger bucks.
I have heard of binocs with a digicam built into them. You could try Googling for that...but I don't anything else about them...
In that case, and if you cannot afford/don't want an SLR camera, then yes, a camera with a 24x zoom lens or similar is probably your best bet.
As explained above, the '24x' bit is telling you about the overall zooming range of the lens. The important bit is what is the focal length at its greatest.
This will be expressed either as the actual length, or as the 35mm equivalent focal length. This is because how wide or narrow an angle of view you get for any given focal length depends on how large (physical dimensions, not number of pixels) the sensor is. So an actual 50mm focal length can give you a different angle of view on different cameras. The 35mm equivalent focal length gives you a way of comparing cameras with different sized sensors by telling you what the angle of view would equate to on a 35mm film camera.
Finally a camera with a 250-500mm 35mm equivalent zoom lens has a 2x optical zoom but will still give you a narrower angle of view than a 28-300mm 35mm equivalent zoom lens that has an 11x optical zoom. Hope that all makes sense to you.
As explained above, the '24x' bit is telling you about the overall zooming range of the lens. The important bit is what is the focal length at its greatest.
This will be expressed either as the actual length, or as the 35mm equivalent focal length. This is because how wide or narrow an angle of view you get for any given focal length depends on how large (physical dimensions, not number of pixels) the sensor is. So an actual 50mm focal length can give you a different angle of view on different cameras. The 35mm equivalent focal length gives you a way of comparing cameras with different sized sensors by telling you what the angle of view would equate to on a 35mm film camera.
Finally a camera with a 250-500mm 35mm equivalent zoom lens has a 2x optical zoom but will still give you a narrower angle of view than a 28-300mm 35mm equivalent zoom lens that has an 11x optical zoom. Hope that all makes sense to you.
There is only one lens for birdwatching, I bought mine yesterday http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800622963-US... can see into number 38 no problem
stigmundfreud said:
There is only one lens for birdwatching, I bought mine yesterday http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800622963-US... can see into number 38 no problem
I bet you can see into number 38 on a street the other side of town with that! 
I'm waiting for the f1.2 version personally...
LukeBird said:
stigmundfreud said:
There is only one lens for birdwatching, I bought mine yesterday http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800622963-US... can see into number 38 no problem
I bet you can see into number 38 on a street the other side of town with that! I'm waiting for the f1.2 version personally...
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