My Lenses For Wildlife
You want a lens that you can zoom in with but something, if you plan to hand hold ,that you can hold steady. My Current Wildlife Lens:
- Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
- Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens
- 1.4 extender (for both lens)
- 2.0 extender – don’t recommend
Make sure extenders will work with your lens. Also research as often 1.4 will be sharper option and do auto focus. Not bad to test before you buy.
Here are some Recommendations for the Best Accessories and Gear for Wildlife Photography
Tripods
When using a long lens it is important to have a full size stable tripod. My tripod of choice is made by FotoPro. It is a carbon fibor Fotopro E6L Eagle Series Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with Gimbal Head The E6L Eagle Series Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod from Fotopro is a 5-section support made with 10 layers of 2K carbon fiber for a combination of great strength and lightweight portability. Designed with twist locks that disengage with a quarter turn, the legs quickly extend from a folded length of 24.8″ to a maximum height of 63″. With its independent leg spread and three variable leg angles, the E6L can be lowered to a minimum height of 4.9″. The 9.24 lb support set includes the E-6H Gimbal Head, which accepts Arca-style quick release plates and has a 33.1 lb load capacity. The gimbal design makes the E-6H head capable of supporting large telephoto lenses while smoothly rotating and swiveling for tracking your subject without losing it.
Monopods
While it does not give as much stability as a tripod, the monopod does help reduce some camera movement and is great for keeping your rig flexible when the scene before you is action-packed. Monopods are considerably lighter than equivalent-sized tripods, which is nice if you are going to be doing alot of hiking. I also keep it hand for video – not super stable but better than hand held. Benro MSDPL46C CN SupaDupa Carbon Fiber Monopod with Leveling Pan Head (62″)
Gimbal Heads
If you are shooting with a large telephoto lens, the best tripod head to have is a gimbal head. The gimbal head mounts on the tripod foot of a large telephoto lens and allows for smooth, controlled, fluid movements in the pan and tilt axes—great for capturing moving wildlife and other action scenes. The movements can also be locked to maximize stability for static shots. If you are not using a large telephoto, the ball head is probably your best option for the top of your tripod or monopod. Leofoto Camo PG-1 Lightweight Heavy Duty Gimbal Tripod Head I have used the Movo GH800 MKII Carbon Fiber Professional Gimbal Tripod Head for several years and now use it primarily on my kayak since I purchased the FotoPro Eagle 6L Tripod with built in gimbal. A less heavy duty version is: Movo GH700 MKII Professional Gimbal DSLR Tripod Head
Alternate Camera Supports
There are some alternative camera and lens supports might be perfect for your gear and shooting style, like bean bags or sandbags if you don’t want ( Or can’t ) use a tripod or monopod. . You can fill the bag at your shooting location, plop it on a rock, stump, etc., and rest your gear safely on it. I also use it in my car window. LensCoat LensSack Beanbag Camera Support (Realtree Max5) You can also get it with a plate to mount your gimbal on: Lenscoate LensSack Max4 I also have found this ground pad on Etsy and I am going to order one soon: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1472402517/ground-pad-tripod-base-deep-dish
Lens Skins & Bumpers
Lens and Cameras benifit from protection as scratches etc happen. Also photographing wildlife with a big white lens is not ideal. There are a couple of options: LensCoat Lens Cover in Digital Camo for Canon 100 400mm This is something new I’ve just learned about – buying special vinyl and wrapping your lens. I am going to try in on my Canon 100 400 that is white. – Here is an article about it: https://www.mossyoakgraphics.com/blog/post/camouflage-camera
Digital Camera Skins
I also like to wrap your camera body with a digital camera skin. These camera skins are usually made of flexible silicone or neoprene and provide great protection from light bumps and potential scratches. I have been using one of these for years on my cameras and feel like not only does it reduce sound but it helps protect my camera. I prefer the STSEETOP Professional Silicone Rubber Detachable Protective Camera Case Cover but there is also another brand I have used that has been good on all but 1 camera: easyCover Silicone Protection Cover in Camouflage
Blinds
There are basically 3 different types of blinds that I’ve researched Very Close fitting and I would not enjoy this: LensCoat LensHide Photography Lightweight Blind Realtree Max4 camo Camera Tripod Cover LCLH2M4
Chair Blind – my preference AYIN Hunting Chair Blind See Through with Carrying Bag
Full blind – this is one I’ve considered getting but then you still have to carry a chair AUSCAMOTEK 3W See Through Pop Up Ground Blind Hub Style 3-Panels Blinds with Removable Orange Blaze Top
Rain Protection
A lot of today’s photography equipment affords some built-in weather protection, but not all. Also, having water on your camera lens is a surefire way to ruin even the most amazing wildlife photograph. Plus rain protection will make you feel better if it should start pouring. I have been know to use a grocery sack but it can be a pain to work with. NEEWER Camera Rain Cover, Large Size (also available in smaller sizes) this has places for your hands to slide into the cover Movo CRC27 Storm Raincover Protector
Flashlights, Headlamps, and Lanterns
My favorite flashlight that I keep with me always is the Eagletac D25LC2 Tactical Flashlight, 1200 lm