Bridge camera for planing

[travelfinn]

Now that I am pensioned have much more time for photography. Since January concentrated on low light photos. Have the nikon 800E and the holy trinity and TC17. Also bought an old 500mm reflex in February and a three way gearhead. Then have had the Camranger for more than a year.
Now after six months have bettered my hit rate from 1% to 20% .
My main lens is the 14-24 and now manage the framing and getting buildings straight.
Then a few months ago found out what was missing from my photos, the moon.
Used the moon calculator here but it didn't help a lot. Then found TPE and Photopills and now with them can find where the moon is during the night.
Have nearly placed the full moon on top of a church tower and at the end of a long alley.
Learning where to place myself and how much space I need for moving left or right or forwards or backwards to catch the moon at the right spot. Amazing how much you have to move. Missed shots for lack of spåce.
Now thinking of bying a second camera a bridge with large zoom so could go out daytime check the spot for obstacles trees etc. Angle of view, which lens to take with me etc. So when going out at night would be prepared. Also to be able to check how high or how low the moon has to be. Photopills will calculate for me when I know the direction and angle above horizon the dates times and the moon phase so I know when to be there.
Also would use the bridge camera to look for the right places to take photos of churches etc. To find the right spots for low light photos. A big difference summer or winter trees with leaves or not. The blue hour doesn't last long enough for searching for the right spot and the right lens.
Also thinking of bying an old 1000mm reflex and maybe an old TC for it.
Still unsure the 500 mm is a bit soft. Focusing is no problem camranger solves the problem manual focus is easy even at night.
Looking for shots of two towers behind oneandother and the moon behind or a moon under a bridge.
Used streetview for planing and there is also Phototansit but they only have views from streets for many shots you just have to figure where to go and check can you get it or not

[William W]

If I understand correctly, you’re considering a smaller camera, for the sole purpose of reconnoitre.

Maybe I am missing something obvious in the planning stage of your night-time photography, but I don’t see the need for you to buy another camera. Why wouldn’t you simply take the DSLR that you have with a standard zoom on it and capture the reconnoitre shots and make a record of the camera’s viewpoint for each shot?

If you really need to anticipate details of the composition using a 500mm lens then it is not that much of an effort to simple crop the sample image.

WW

[Saorsa]

Nikon Coolpix P600 24 to 1000mm zoom range.

[travelfinn]

Have an Red Irish Setter and have to take him out for at least two hours a day.
Two kgs camera vs 500gr would make a difference. Also thinking small camera 500 Euros or 5000 Euros for my normal equipment.
Most of the time when taking photos at night have him with me feel myself safer allthough have then only one hand to carry equipment.
Also shooting ground level and a bridge camera would have a tilting screen.
Will post a few shots of what I am trying to take.
The p600 seems to be the answer.

[Saorsa]

There is no reason that an Irish Setter couldn't carry some of your gear.

[William W]

Have an Red Irish Setter and have to take him out for at least two hours a day. . . etc

OK, I Understand. Thanks for explaining.
In the Canon range the Powershot System is worth a look.
Now that I understand your rationale my view is to buy the camera which is "On Sale" at the time - whatever brand, from the top five or six - they are all very similar and will all do what you want.

WW

[jcuknz]

I agree the bridge camera is probably the answer though since going to MFT and loosing some reach/zoom I think it preferable ... I don't have a dog so do not need to go out daily but have more age so prefer less weight 28-280 zoom covers my needs without being too heavy.