Young photographer equipment help

[Veldranian]

I am a young wildlife photographer. I was wandering if you could tell me the basic equipment for wildlife photograaphy. I have got a Canon 20D with a 90-300 lens. I am hopefully about to buy a 100-400 L series . I have got a crappy tripod but I dont use it often. If there is anything else that I should have, being a wildlife photographer, please post back.

[operanut1972]

Hi Veldranian,

I would suggest that your better served with the 100-400, as it will give you a more flexible glass for your camera system, but hey, horses for course, you will need to purchase a stable tripod as well with a lens of this focal length a gimbal head of some kind will enable you to grab birds in flight, as well as give stable grounding for long shots.

Hope this helps

[John D]

Originally Posted by Veldranian

I am a young wildlife photographer. I was wandering if you could tell me the basic equipment for wildlife photograaphy. I have got a Canon 20D with a 90-300 lens. I am hopefully about to buy a 100-400 L series . I have got a crappy tripod but I dont use it often. If there is anything else that I should have, being a wildlife photographer, please post back.

A Canon 20D and a 100-400 L lens is a very good starting combination for wildlife photography. You should be able to handhold most of the time with the Canon 100-400mm L lens but the use of a monopod may be helpful in some cases.
Having got the equipment as noted above,practice and extreme patience are the next essentials.
Obtaining and understanding the use of 'digital editing software' is also important if the production of nice sharp images is to be obtained.
Good luck!

John D
Zenfolio | John's Wild World

[operanut1972]

Oops I misread the post, thought you were going to go for the 400 prime. Really need new glasses .... Ahem

[RoyW]

It obviously depends what type of wildlife you are most interested in, but don't overlook the possibility of adding a macro lens to your equipment at soe point. In general many smaller subjects are easier to get good photos of without the need for long lens (which are often expensive), but without a macro lens you may not be able to focus close enough. Extension tubes are one way to overcome this problem, but come with 'problems' of their own.

[squishy]

A beanbag is extremely useful for long lenses. In hides it's much easier and more comfortable to plonk the lens on a beanbag on the ledge of the opening rather than handholding or standing up with it on a tripod.

I also find it much easier to carry my 100-400L on a shoulder strap connected to the tripod ring, the neck strap just doesn't work for lenses this heavy.

[skyatnight]

Depends on what you call wildlife


I prefer the Sigma 120-400 which has had better reviews in almost all the press.


Just remember I could sit in my hide for a day and nothing, another day and within minutes a shot, getting a wildlife photograph is as much about time, and being in the right place at the right time as anything.

Some of the VERY best wildlife shots are found right in the back garden.


I find that almost any shot I need is covered with a 120-400 Sigma and the quality is superb, most of my shots are always cropped and printed on A3+

[operanut1972]

Yes but can the sigma boast the weatherproofing qualities that the canon has? Yes he will still need a rain mac for his camera and lens, but if caught in the open, he's likely to get away with it with the canon, not so sure on the Sigma.

[The_Moaner]

Buy the Canon 100-400mm It's a Great Lens and a bit more versatile.
Most of the lads I know who owns one either Hand Holds or uses a Monopod.
Make yourself a Bean Bag as well.
Good Luck

[johnf3f]

I used the Canon 100-400 for over 5 years and rate it highly, though I have now moved to a 300 F4IS - works better for me.
For wildlife a hide can be very useful. I made a cheap blind/hide from some locally growing Bamboo (yes it does grow in Wales!), a pack of Tesco value clothes pegs, the cheapest ball of string I could find and a sheet of cammo scrim netting (from Mole Valley farmers). Light and CHEAP!
The scrim netting was 10ft x 5ft so it can be simply thown over you if you are prone or used with the string/bamboo poles if you prefer to sit. Simplly screening your outline will make wildlife much less wary of you so they will behave more naturally and come in closer.
Hope this helps.