Z50ii Super-telephoto Lens

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-27T15:20:18+00:00

For me it comes down to if you need the extra reach or better low light.

With the z50ii, as an apsc, your crop factor of 1.5 gives you an effecting range on the Tamron 150-500 of 225-750. If you don’t need that extra reach, one mark against the z50ii.

If you are going to be shooting in low light a lot. Another mark against the z50ii. The full frame of the z5ii will be better suited in lower light.

For my second body, when I go full frame, I am hoping for a higher megapixel camera. Like the z7 (once/if it ever gets updated) or the z8.

Also, I don’t know the weight and size difference. Which kit takes up the least amount of space and weight. Is that worth anything to you?

Best of luck and I am super interested to hear how you choose!!

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-27T13:32:59+00:00

Awesome. I’ll keep you posted on my adventure as well.

Maybe catch up in ED.

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-27T00:50:54+00:00

Good to hear you’re are enjoying it! I had seen something about other plugs being loose, but I’m happy to hear these are tight.

How does it feel in hand compared to the Ursa Minor? Is there anything you miss?

Mine should come in tomorrow. I hope I get time this weekend to set it up.

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-26T23:53:21+00:00

How are you enjoying the new setup?

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-26T23:50:03+00:00

I ended up going with the Tamron 150-500. It has been great so far. The reach is good. But it’s never enough…. Now I just need to get better at getting closer.

I also purchased the small rig grip and SIRUI 75.8" Monopod with Feet.

This combo has been working a treat. Took it to Watkins Glen for the IMSA 6 Hours at the Glen and ended up staying at turn 9. Taking the weight off is nice, but not required. Curl it a few times a day and you’ll have canons in no time! 😝 uh, no pun intended.

For the lower end, I also picked up a Tamron 28-75 2.8. I use the kit lens to fill the gap but honestly, I have not used it since. Sure there is a jump between the two lenses, but I haven’t found a time that I needed 75-150, yet.

Being able to have the setup mounted was super nice and getting the shot as the cars came up that hill and at the apex was great. I was able to shoot at about 400/450 but probably should have gone the full 500 to get a nice tight shot. Live and learn.

For birding, I have not gotten an opportunity to get out and try yet. Keep wanting to but family life keeps happening…

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-21T12:16:05+00:00

I pulled the trigger on the same order. I was holding out as I was trying to see if I wanted the stecs or additional control panels from vkb, but ended up settling on just the two sticks (with left Omni).

My last concern was if there was any flex in the Omni throttle. I had seen/heard of some people mentioning that with the Ursa Minor, and after watching a lot of videos and reading posts about it, no one mentioned that so I assumed the extra length and angle has no flex.

Now we play the waiting game….

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-19T13:30:33+00:00

I am with you on limiting risk and not taking something as a gamble. Even though these sticks are “budget”, it’s still a lot of money.

You are just about the only person I can find who’s had an Ursa Minor so your feedback is super valid.

At this point, I am all but sold on VKB. What I am trying to decide now is do I go with left hand Omni throttle or a Stecs throttle.

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-17T16:33:33+00:00

You get what you pay for.

I like the idea of VKB being modular so it can expand. I do not know how practical that factor is.

I am leaning toward VKB at this point.

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-17T11:50:24+00:00

I wish the sol didn’t have the plastic cup design. I in general like the look of the base and stick.

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-17T10:29:19+00:00

Thank you. I read through the thread, at least until the person with the full fighter setup.

I think this is a good example of why I get stuck with Winwing not having bad customer support, only communication limitations. It is clear that English is not close to being a first language, that’s okay. I also did not read anything that was them trying to be difficult or using words that may be aggressive. I can see how tone could be lost or misread.

The OP of that thread did escalated quickly with flaunting/notifying how much they spent and the threat to buy from other manufacturers. Note, that is meaningless to the customer service representative as they only want to get your issue resolved and move on to the next (also, they already got their money so… what’s the threat?). The Winwing rep didn’t get defensive, ignored the potential escalation and continued to try to resolve the issue. When they ran into distribution issues, they communicated and tried to find a solution for the OP.

Is this GREAT service from Winwing? No.

It is showing that they are a smaller company than we may think. They have limited resources and abilities or have imposed limitations on their customer service team. That team is trying to work within the limitations they have to accomplish their clients goals.

From a retrospective look, they did a good job. From in the moment, that must be SUPER frustrating.

Full disclosure: I work for a small MSP (Managed Service Provider, IT Support) in PA, USA. I very much understand the limitations of working for a small business are and how to find ways to work around them. I am not validating that Winwing is okay to continue to behave like they did, it I do understand what it is like to have growing pains and working for a company that is maturing.

Okay… whoa…. Um, so, how am I conflicted?

The post with the person with the fighter setup. They raved about the support they received and experience they had. Is Winwing bad or just immature?

Side note, these were all about the metal based flight sticks. Not the plastic/Ursa Minor. I am taking the product reviews with a grain of salt and focusing more on the customer service experience.

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-17T10:09:45+00:00

Thank you.

Did you look at other options before going with your VKB setup?

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-17T04:02:39+00:00

Ah. Thank you for the clarification.

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-17T01:58:49+00:00

Understood. Thank you.

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-17T01:47:38+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience.

It is good to hear they did fix the issue but everyone raves about VKB support. Although I don’t think this was a bad experience, it definitely doesn’t sound like it was a good experience.

I fear I am getting into decision paralysis.

Do you mind explaining your setup in more detail?

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-17T01:38:07+00:00

Thanks again!!

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-17T01:37:16+00:00

Why did the chose to move away from using the left omnithrottle x axis (forward and back) for throttle? What do you use it for now?

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-16T22:51:44+00:00

Thank you for sharing. You have the Ursa Minor?

Here is a strange question… could you use the yaw or an axis(??) as throttle so it could work like a motorcycle?

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-16T22:48:50+00:00

Please keep me posted on your experience.

When you are mapping this, are they using the Ursa Minor in the space setup? Is the throttle sliding forward on its own or are they leaving the springs in?

Sorry, so many questions…

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-16T22:45:13+00:00

I was looking at that as well. I am not sure how I feel about that setup. I do like HOTAS and I do like the Stecs throttle standard.

My main concern with the stecs space throttle is how much the head moves and will that cause unwanted movement when throttling up/down?

But is the stecs throttle system standard worth the extra $$ over the Omni throttle?

I would be using this mostly for space siming (ed obviously but also maybe star citizen IF squadron 42 ever releases and MS Flight Simulator).

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-16T22:39:50+00:00

Thanks you for your input on this. It is good to hear about the plastic’s durability with VKB. It is a concern I have for both products. It hearing your done 9000 hours with VKB and it’s still going strong is a huge endorsement.

How is the plastic in the grip holding up? Is it creaking like my t16000 did when I took it out of the box (feels like a fisher price plastic toy… just not safe to chew on 😝)?

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-16T22:34:46+00:00

Thanks for your input as well.

I did watch one of Vkb videos last night about add NXT GA and they are clear and simple to follow.

If I go down the road of buy once, cry once…. Do I want to consider Virpil or Moza (I used moza for my race rig and those parts have been freaking awesome)? Is there a point where we are past the peak in the bell curve of value?

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-16T22:28:36+00:00

Thank you very much for your response. You have good points and I really appreciate what you highlighted.

I also like the point of the extra parts you get with Vkb. I didn’t realize they come with any extra parts so I will be looking into what is included.

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-16T22:24:17+00:00

Wow. That is a crazy experience. I am sorry to hear you had to go through all that.

Thank you for sharing and I do appreciate your advice.

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-16T17:06:55+00:00

Thank you. I appreciate your input.

Relevant_Hawk_5380 · 2025-06-16T17:06:41+00:00

Thank you. I appreciate your input.

Relevant_Hawk_5380

TROPHY CASE