Two good tips for wildlife photography, intermediary.

[jduncan]

Hi,

For those who have spent some time with wildlife, there's nothing particularly new here, but it's a good refresher. The first video, with its examples and numbers, is quite nice.

Even if you're already familiar with this, it's a good video to share with anyone you're encouraging to get into wildlife. I have no connection to Perry and don't know him personally, so this isn't an endorsement.

He didn't discuss the AF performance, which is not straightforward. While having 5x the light makes AF easier, a larger subject with up to 9 times more pixels also has an impact.

Maybe if someone else wants to add other links on the use of perspective in wildlife this thread could be a good resource for beginners.
Best regards,

 

[MartinN]

I like the second clip more, but if I would have the means I would go for a 600 f4, not a zoom, ho hum, which is the only thing I can afford.

 

[jduncan]

I like the second clip more, but if I would have the means I would go for a 600 f4, not a zoom, ho hum, which is the only thing I can afford.

Hi,
Same here, and the fact that the 600mm has the TC built it makes it even sweeter.
If I could I will go with the 400mm f2.8 with the build in TC is 560mm 40mm shorter than what I am used to, but more than good enough and the quality will compensate.
But again a 14K lens is difficult to justify when one is not making a lot of money from it, and you are more into portraits and dancers as I do.

Best regards,

 

[Duff photographer]

No links from me I'm afraid, but I'd like to point out a few obvious things regarding wildlife photography, but not related to the equipment. These are...

1. The welfare of the subject, and organisms around it, comes first, whether it's an orchid, ant or elephant. If you are going to cause potential stress to your subject or cause damage or other harm to its environment or other organisms, then don't go through with it.
2. Know your subject; its life history, behaviour, etc. This will safe a huge amount of time and get you photographs you would not otherwise foresee.
3. Excellent fieldcraft, which includes patience, can get you photographs that cannot be had by any other means. For birds and mammals, using a hide or some other means of concealment is the starting point. I remember once, when wearing a ghillie suit, being mistaken for a dead sheep by a Raven that decided to land on my head and proceed to do what came naturally to it.


Cheers,
Duff.