wildlife photos? what gear

[Charlie Spencer]

Thank you for all your comments.

I think I get frustrated because we don’t always get to see these animals here and when they come up....I get my camera, spend 20 minutes trying to get a good shot....and all I get is this slightly blurry thing!

Don't wait until there's something you want to photograph and then rush to shoot it

Get a couple of interesting objects - stuffed animals, folding chairs, a lawn mower, etc. Put those out where the deer and the antelope play. Now take your time getting comfortable with your camera and see what you can do when you're not under any pressure.

I agree with those who recommend building your skills with the gear you currently have. The principles are going to be the same. You'll learn what you do and don't like about the D3500, and what you'll want in a replacement. You may find you're perfectly happy with it once you get better at using it.

Good luck, and try not to get frustrated; this is supposed to be fun.

 

[jack1857]

Thank you so much for your comments. I can’t reply to all individual points as by the time I get to them all there will be more replies but it’s all very helpful- thank you!

I will definitely do some test shots to see if there are distortions etc present. I have some semi decent photos from when I first bought the camera and the lens but recently everything is very blurry and fuzzy. Don’t think it’s the camera as portrait etc using a different lens look good!


I know the subjects are quite dark- part of it is probably too low iso in one the photos as (having googled things- I know that’s not a reliable source of information) I read that at high iso settings there could be noise so thought I’d try to avoid it in case that’s what’s causing the problem! Silly me!

No wonder the Tamron lens was pretty much thrown in for free by the shop if that’s how good it is from what you are all saying!

 

[jack1857]

Hello again,

so I've been trying to do some test with the lens and even cleaned it too, but it didn't get any better......

It's also time to write a letter to Santa, so my question is: If I were to buy a better lens, maybe even a better camera, what would you guys advise? Since there's no holidays coming due to Covid I think Santa might be generous! and I really really want to be able to get better results straightaway and also be able to use the same camera for a long time. What would you guys suggest/recommend? I wouldn't want anything that only a pro could use, equally I would like something with a bit of life still in it. My budget would be around 3000-4000USD for a camera with a telephoto lens.

 

[PhotoTeach2]

Hello again,

so I've been trying to do some test with the lens and even cleaned it too, but it didn't get any better......

It's also time to write a letter to Santa, so my question is: If I were to buy a better lens, maybe even a better camera, what would you guys advise? Since there's no holidays coming due to Covid I think Santa might be generous! and I really really want to be able to get better results straightaway and also be able to use the same camera for a long time. What would you guys suggest/recommend? I wouldn't want anything that only a pro could use, equally I would like something with a bit of life still in it. My budget would be around 3000-4000USD for a camera with a telephoto lens.

Easy recommendation ...

Sony RX10-IV -- 24 to 600mm-EFL @ f/2.4-4 and PD-AF @ 25fps.

Both of those "features" are ideal for wildlife.

It will be EASY to get help using it on the "Sony Cyber-Shot Talk" forum here.

 

[jack1857]

Thank you. That's much cheaper than what I was told my a friend of mine who suggested a nikon D850! I've been reading about different DSLR and mirrorless and bridge cameras and there's a lot good said about all of them, and I just don't want to buy a wrong one!

 

[PhotoTeach2]

Thank you. That's much cheaper than what I was told my a friend of mine who suggested a nikon D850! I've been reading about different DSLR and mirrorless and bridge cameras and there's a lot good said about all of them, and I just don't want to buy a wrong one!

A 600mm f/4 for the D850 will cost you $13,000 (that is $15,000 total and you still don't have "normal" or WA lens).

And cannot do 25fps.

So for $1600, you have 24 to 600mm-EFL @ f/2.4-4 and 25fps .... YOUR CHOICE ???

 

[Teriyaki_Handsome]

Everyone here is bagging on your lens, which might be an issue, but I wanted to ask if you took these photos out of a window. I have a great camera and lens, and it shows the kind of crazyness your does whne taking photos through a window that is older and a single pane.

If you are taking the shots through an older windows it doesn't matter is you have a 100,000 camera, and a lens that is the same price, the window will distort the image.

--
I give permission to anyone wishing to download any of my images solely for the purpose of reposting in the same thread with C&C.

 

[FrancoD]

Everyone here is bagging on your lens, which might be an issue, but I wanted to ask if you took these photos out of a window. I have a great camera and lens, and it shows the kind of crazyness your does whne taking photos through a window that is older and a single pane.

If you are taking the shots through an older windows it doesn't matter is you have a 100,000 camera, and a lens that is the same price, the window will distort the image.

I commented on that in my first post

" Not sure but it looks like at least the deer photo was through a window. If that is the case avoid it unless you are righth at the window and the subject is not too far"

however that was ignored, so it either it was not or the OP did not think it was relevant to the situation.

Mind you, maybe it wasn't obvious that by "throgh a window" I meant a closed window....

 

[cheddarman]

Hello again,

so I've been trying to do some test with the lens and even cleaned it too, but it didn't get any better......

It's also time to write a letter to Santa, so my question is: If I were to buy a better lens, maybe even a better camera, what would you guys advise? Since there's no holidays coming due to Covid I think Santa might be generous! and I really really want to be able to get better results straightaway and also be able to use the same camera for a long time. What would you guys suggest/recommend? I wouldn't want anything that only a pro could use, equally I would like something with a bit of life still in it. My budget would be around 3000-4000USD for a camera with a telephoto lens.

That is LOAD of cash Jack, you certainly don't need to spend that kind of money to get good pictures! About 90% of a good picture is a good photographer behind the viewfinder, someone who knows his camera's capability and his subject.

I think you have to think very carefully where you are going with this hobby in the future before deciding what gear to buy. Also think of convenience, how much kit (weight) are you happy to carry around?

As one of the older members on here I can no longer tolerate a heavy camera with heavy lenses hanging around my neck so I have compromised an bought what I have found to be one of the best, light cameras on the market, the SONY RX10 Mk4

It has a great zoom range, but lacks a bit at the lower end but as I take mainly wildlife that isn't an issue for me.

A couple of sample images, but I'm sure you've seen plenty but these show from ultra close-up to extreme telephoto - 24-600mm.

 

[jack1857]

Hello and thank you for your suggestions. No the photos weren’t done through a window- closed or open.. these were also the best photos I had to share with you!

I don’t mind carrying the bigger gear with me, but this will never be more than a hobby and considering what you guys said and the photos you shared I think the Sony camera might be a good shout. Thank you

 

[cheddarman]

Hello and thank you for your suggestions. No the photos weren’t done through a window- closed or open.. these were also the best photos I had to share with you!

I don’t mind carrying the bigger gear with me, but this will never be more than a hobby and considering what you guys said and the photos you shared I think the Sony camera might be a good shout. Thank you

I don't think you'll be sorry Jack. I'm 82 now and just love the flexibility and light weight of the RX10.

Read the manual, it's one hell of a menu, most of which you won't need .

There are many posts here and on Youtube for the various setting recommendations for different types of photography which I found most helpful;pful.

If you do go for the RX10, come back and ask questions, I did and have always appreciated all the help available on here.

Good luck.

 

[jack1857]

Thank you very much.

a bridge camera was one of the things I was contemplating so it’s great to be reassured that I’m not going to be wasting money on a gimmick and that they are actually decent!
When I get it, I’ll be sure to be back with some feedback and to ask for help! Hopefully my wife will finally agree that I can take better photos than her on her iPhone!

 

[Anders_K]

Thank you very much.

a bridge camera was one of the things I was contemplating so it’s great to be reassured that I’m not going to be wasting money on a gimmick and that they are actually decent!
When I get it, I’ll be sure to be back with some feedback and to ask for help! Hopefully my wife will finally agree that I can take better photos than her on her iPhone!

At the end of the day it is a very personal balance between 'needed', 'fun' and 'money'.

F.ex. many people love their FZ300 for wildlife shooting, others marvel at Nikon's P950 zoom length, twice as expensive as a FZ300. Both are 1/2.3" sensor bridge cameras, good in daylight, weak in twilight.

Still, used properly, they can do the job:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/63244070

Others wrinkle up their nose and swear on 'real' bodies with a collection of 'real' lenses. A compromise is the RX10 IV bridge camera with 1" sensor and reasonably good glass, but at a questionable price, twice as expensive as a P950.

Second comes the FZ2000 for about half the price of a RX10 IV:

**FZ2000 REVIEW: Still Top of the FZ Tree**

INTRODUCTION Back in 2016, Panasonic released and billed the FZ2000 (FZ2500) as the ultimate Still/Video ‘Hybrid’, which, if it fully lived up to the label, equated to the very first ‘Bridge’ camera capable of truly great output in both motion and stills recording mediums. A tall order indeed...

www.dpreview.com

A bit less money are the FZ1000s with less zoom but good image quality.

 

[User4286416121]

Sliw down a minute. Try getting some good pictures first. Then maybe choose between a lens and a super zoom. Even renting a camera will not work yet. After getting up to speed you can sample various cameras then. I use super zooms. My iq is not in the same range as the super expensive lens but is fine for me. Samples later.

 

[Ian Stuart Forsyth]

Hello again,

so I've been trying to do some test with the lens and even cleaned it too, but it didn't get any better......

It's also time to write a letter to Santa, so my question is: If I were to buy a better lens, maybe even a better camera, what would you guys advise? Since there's no holidays coming due to Covid I think Santa might be generous! and I really really want to be able to get better results straightaway and also be able to use the same camera for a long time. What would you guys suggest/recommend? I wouldn't want anything that only a pro could use, equally I would like something with a bit of life still in it. My budget would be around 3000-4000USD for a camera with a telephoto lens.

You already have a camera body so you might think about looking for a lens'

Right now there are a great deal of lenses out there that can give you better results

Sigma and Tamron make 100-400 zooms that will keep your weight down

Sigma and Tamron have several lenses in the 50-600mm range

Nikon have the 200-500 I have only used the lens briefly but it is a contender for IQ on a budget.

If your heart is set on purchasing another body the D7500 with any of those lenses will give very good results.

There is also the chose of looking for a used body the D500 is king for cropped.

And if your heart is set on using FF there are deals on the D800 and D810 that are to good to miss and the difference between the D810 and D850 you really need to push the camera to the max to see a difference.

I went with the D800 and added the D810 for my wildlife setup I also use the sigma 150-600 sport as a bet dirty lens and enjoy what it can do

I would not be surprised that you could find a D810 and sigma sport for well under your budget









If you are looking for something more the Nikon 500 ƒ/5.6 is another lens that I would consider for it size and weight.

There is also another lens that gives you much of the bells and whistles as the top pro lenses out there the 200-400 F4 and 200-400 F VRII. Both can be found at bargain prices and this is my primary lens for wildlife.



































Two of the biggest hurdles you will face is placing yourself into the conditions that are needed to photograph wildlife and using the equipment at its best strengths.

Even with cheaper and less resolution cameras just understanding how to get the shot will go along way





This was taken with the Pentax K10d and the beater sigma 50-500mm lens that was not very sharp

--
The Camera is only a tool, photography is deciding how to use it.
The hardest part about capturing wildlife is not the photographing portion; it’s getting them to sign a model release

 

[jack1857]

Thank you Ian- your photos look great! some other folk have posted some great photos too, all taken with different cameras and lenses which obviously proves the point that the equipment isn't everything and yes I know I should learn and be patient etc.

I'm not very attached to the camera I have, it wasn't very expensive and I could get some money back by selling it on. The last thing I want to do is to invest more (lenses etc) in technology that is either going to be obsolete or have limits (I know, my ability currently is the biggest limit...) but I wouldn't want to be spending hundreds or thousands of pounds on lenses for this particular camera and then find that I want something different/better and can't re-use them....may as well invest some money upfront knowing that it was a wise investment and hopefully be a bit happier with the hobby in the meantime.

A couple of you guys made a very convincing argument about bridge cameras and maybe that's the way forward for me.

 

[PhotoTeach2]

Hello again,

so I've been trying to do some test with the lens and even cleaned it too, but it didn't get any better......

It's also time to write a letter to Santa, so my question is: If I were to buy a better lens, maybe even a better camera, what would you guys advise? Since there's no holidays coming due to Covid I think Santa might be generous! and I really really want to be able to get better results straightaway and also be able to use the same camera for a long time. What would you guys suggest/recommend? I wouldn't want anything that only a pro could use, equally I would like something with a bit of life still in it. My budget would be around 3000-4000USD for a camera with a telephoto lens.

You already have a camera body so you might think about looking for a lens'

Right now there are a great deal of lenses out there that can give you better results

Sigma and Tamron make 100-400 zooms that will keep your weight down

Sigma and Tamron have several lenses in the 50-600mm range

Nikon have the 200-500 I have only used the lens briefly but it is a contender for IQ on a budget.

If your heart is set on purchasing another body the D7500 with any of those lenses will give very good results.

There is also the chose of looking for a used body the D500 is king for cropped.

And if your heart is set on using FF there are deals on the D800 and D810 that are to good to miss and the difference between the D810 and D850 you really need to push the camera to the max to see a difference.

I went with the D800 and added the D810 for my wildlife setup I also use the sigma 150-600 sport as a bet dirty lens and enjoy what it can do

I would not be surprised that you could find a D810 and sigma sport for well under your budget









If you are looking for something more the Nikon 500 ƒ/5.6 is another lens that I would consider for it size and weight.

There is also another lens that gives you much of the bells and whistles as the top pro lenses out there the 200-400 F4 and 200-400 F VRII. Both can be found at bargain prices and this is my primary lens for wildlife.



































Two of the biggest hurdles you will face is placing yourself into the conditions that are needed to photograph wildlife and using the equipment at its best strengths.

Even with cheaper and less resolution cameras just understanding how to get the shot will go along way



This was taken with the Pentax K10d and the beater sigma 50-500mm lens that was not very sharp

Very INCREDIBLE work ... I especially like the composites.

 

[Ian Stuart Forsyth]

Hello again,

so I've been trying to do some test with the lens and even cleaned it too, but it didn't get any better......

It's also time to write a letter to Santa, so my question is: If I were to buy a better lens, maybe even a better camera, what would you guys advise? Since there's no holidays coming due to Covid I think Santa might be generous! and I really really want to be able to get better results straightaway and also be able to use the same camera for a long time. What would you guys suggest/recommend? I wouldn't want anything that only a pro could use, equally I would like something with a bit of life still in it. My budget would be around 3000-4000USD for a camera with a telephoto lens.

You already have a camera body so you might think about looking for a lens'

Right now there are a great deal of lenses out there that can give you better results

Sigma and Tamron make 100-400 zooms that will keep your weight down

Sigma and Tamron have several lenses in the 50-600mm range

Nikon have the 200-500 I have only used the lens briefly but it is a contender for IQ on a budget.

If your heart is set on purchasing another body the D7500 with any of those lenses will give very good results.

There is also the chose of looking for a used body the D500 is king for cropped.

And if your heart is set on using FF there are deals on the D800 and D810 that are to good to miss and the difference between the D810 and D850 you really need to push the camera to the max to see a difference.

I went with the D800 and added the D810 for my wildlife setup I also use the sigma 150-600 sport as a bet dirty lens and enjoy what it can do

I would not be surprised that you could find a D810 and sigma sport for well under your budget









If you are looking for something more the Nikon 500 ƒ/5.6 is another lens that I would consider for it size and weight.

There is also another lens that gives you much of the bells and whistles as the top pro lenses out there the 200-400 F4 and 200-400 F VRII. Both can be found at bargain prices and this is my primary lens for wildlife.



































Two of the biggest hurdles you will face is placing yourself into the conditions that are needed to photograph wildlife and using the equipment at its best strengths.

Even with cheaper and less resolution cameras just understanding how to get the shot will go along way



This was taken with the Pentax K10d and the beater sigma 50-500mm lens that was not very sharp

Very INCREDIBLE work ... I especially like the composites.

Thank you

--
The Camera is only a tool, photography is deciding how to use it.
The hardest part about capturing wildlife is not the photographing portion; it’s getting them to sign a model release

 

[User4286416121]

Awesome!

Is that an American Woodcock?

I have tried very hard to see one of those !#/^ chickens.

Not sure how far the op wants to take this hobby/genre. One can see from your display the effort and skill/talent. Would a superzoom scratch the itch enough, or at least get pics of things in the yard? Starting a career/hobby in wildlife requires a lot of field craft and special sauce, you have shown. I agree, work on camera skills and field craft, then decide which way to travel.

There is a sale on the 150-600 right now.

I am a superzoom user, wildlife hobby. But I am not a photographer. After these beautiful photos I give.

 

[User4286416121]

Please use the reply, not the reply with quote button, please.