You soon realise when photographing wildlife why virtually everyone else who does it has expensive, big DSLR cameras with huge lenses. Compact cameras, phone cameras and even bridge cameras just don't really hack it. You need a camera with lots of reach (magnification), that will focus and shoot quickly. I started out with a Panasonic FZ18. This was a great little bridge camera with an amazing zoom and surprisingly good quality images, considering the price. However it takes a very long time to focus and to take the shot. By the time it had took the shot most fast moving wildlife were well out of frame. So I quickly realised I needed a DSLR. Having a limited budget I went for a beginner model Olympus E520 with a 300mm lens. With good light and a close subject this could give very respectable results. But if circumstances were at all challenging, which they usually are with wildlife, it was often disappointing. I also soon became frustrated with the reach of a 300mm lens. As most wildlife is on the small side and usually difficult to get close to, you need as long a lens as possible. So as soon as I could justify splashing out once more I went for a Canon camera and lens. A 7D with a 100-400mm lens. It's difficult to ignore Canon or Nikon as they offer such large model ranges, especially in lenses. This combo was classed as a semi-pro outfit and was a big step forward, in my ambition to capture quality images. Trouble was even 400mm was a bit restrictive and you couldn't fit a lens extender with the 100-400 Mk.1 & 7D. So as soon as the Mk.2 7D and 100-400, which would autofocus with an extender, became available I craved an upgrade once more. After battling on with the Mk.1 combo for another year or so I couldn't resist this upgrade. The Mk.2 combo was a great progression. It's not top end but then I'm not striving for professional quality images or sales. It's a great all-rounder. It'll take very respectable macro shots of small insects but also has the speed and range (560mm with a 1.4x extender) to take distant birds. It is also light enough to carry round all day. Whatever camera kit you opt for you will very soon have your eye on something else, that has advantages over yours. There are so many desirable features and the truth is you'll never be totally happy with what you've got. You just have to decide what features are most important to you. eg If you're happy to sit in a hide for hours it doesn't really matter how large or heavy your rig is. In 2024 I upgraded once more, going mirrorless. I now have the Canon R7 with a matching100-500 lens.

 

  This is not a commercial website. The photos are displayed in low resolution, for anyone's enjoyment. Hopefully it might come in handy as a source of reference or learning to some. If you wish to copy any of the images that is fine.

All I would ask is that you donate something extra to a wildlife conservation charity when you get the chance.