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Once you start getting really high mag then everything must be perfect for a good photo. Often it is the air quality/mirage that wrecks the high mag photo quality. I'd be looking at the make/quality...

I think the Sx 50 is f3.4 at best and reduces with full zoom. Not the best just on dusk but ok most of the time.

Another way to steady the tripod is to take a small stuff bag, but a few rocks in it an hang it off the tripod. This will increase the mass of the tripod and make it steadier, not much use of no...