sharing wildlife moments with a focus on gratitude, humility and respect for nature
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Gear That We Use
The Nikon Z9 is a game changer for Nikon still photos and video as well. It's build quality is far superior to it's competitors and it's easy to "dial in" the Z9 to your exact shooting style. Another plus is it's battery life, it just keeps on shooting and shooting all on the same battery. It shoots 8K video with none of the over heating issues plaguing other similar cameras.
This is my go-to Boss camera.
Although the Nikon Z9 is more sophisticated, the Z7 II is super lightweight and fully up to producing professional results. To sum up in one sentence, the Z7 II is my workhorse.
Another excellent performer in the Nikon line up, the Z50 is a crop sensor (DX) camera, super light, but built well, shoots 4K and has an excellent focusing system.
Attach the Nikon Nikon 100-400mm lens to it and it becomes a very impressive 150-600mm wildlife lens.
I've been shooting Nikon gear since the 70's. To begin, my advice for any photographers, especially those starting out is to pick a brand and stay with it. One of the biggest mistakes anyone can make is changing brands after you have learned a particular system, learned the menus, learned the buttons, why would it make sense to switch and start over. Many will disagree with me on this point, and that's their own choice, but facts are facts. Being completely familiar with a certain brand of camera gives you an advantage from the git-go.
Nikon gear is rugged, well built, and their optics are incredibly sharp. But what's most intriguing is the value they are providing us with these days and the professional gear they make available at affordable prices.
Quick funny story…
20 years ago, shooting a Nikon F3 top-of-the-line film camera loaded with Kodachrome 64, photographing wildlife in Northern Maine in mid-July, I'd run out of light and shutter speed about 7PM, and just have to sit and watch big moose swim by my kayak. Fast forward to today and today's Nikon mirrorless cameras, I can shoot a couple of hours later at the end of the day, achieve sellable results, and not have to send 30 rolls of Kodak in for processing. Oh, did I mention I can see my image immediately after I took it, instead of hoping I nailed it and finally seeing it 10 days later when I got my slides back!
Nikon Gear
This camera is rated as the best DSLR camera in the world by any company, regardless of cost.
It's high resolution, incredible AF, and built tough workmanship is at the top of the heap. Totally fabulous machine for capturing action shots in both sports and wildlife photography
This camera is the baby brother to the D5 and D850, but it is a powerhouse of a performer, especially for wildlife shooters. It's modest price tag makes it an incredible bargain.
Lenses
ALL the big heavy F/4 telephotos are gone.
We do not miss carrying them at all.
They are not needed.
Nikon Z 100-400mm S Lens
Nikon AF-P 500mm F5.6 VR Lens
Nikon AF-P 70-300mm FX Lens
(lightweight and killer sharp)
Sony 70-300mm Lens
(light-weight option)
Again, when talking about my "go to" gear, I grab the Z7 II with this lens attached and off I go with a professional but extremely lightweight package. This lens exceeds my expectations in every way. It's so sharp it continuously makes me trust it in any situation and the wide focal range gets you that shot time and again without stopping ot make a lens change in the field.
Nikon has made several models of this focal range thru the years, and this model is the best yet, the lens test charts on this lens are so high for image quality, it simply does not get any better than this. The large F2.8 aperture is excellent for blurring backgrounds and shooting in low light.
WOW, this lens is an achievement. For anyone who has lugged around a 600 F4 lens of any brand, this lens is such a welcome change.
It weighs about 5 pounds instead of the usual 8-14 lbs and is amazingly sharp. But it is its price tag that is astonishing. Other comparable models cost double or even triple the retail of this lens.
Nikon Z 800mm F6.3 Lens
Nikon Z 800mm F6.3
Nikon Z 100-400mm S
This is the best all around walk around lens from Nikon Z line. It performs flawlessly on the Nikon Z9, and is super sharp at all focal lengths.
You can't go wrong with this choice and when you switch into crop mode on the Z9 or Z7 II, you get a 150-600mm wildlife lens.
This lens is AWESOME.
I'll never forget the first day I shot with this lens, after having a few Nikon 24-70 F2.8 AF-S lenses, this little gem blew all those more expensive away, and it did so easily. Folks, this lens costs 25% of what the 2.8 versions cost and it is wonderful. Put it on your Nikon Z body and enjoy. You can't go wrong with this bargain of a piece of Nikon glass.
Accessories
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Accessories
Really Right Stuff Series 2 four section MK II Tripod Legs
Kirk Photo TLB-2 Mini Leveling Base
Gitzo GHF2W Fluid Head (super solid but lightweight)
Really Right Stuff BH-40 Ballhead
Jobu Jr Gimbal Head
Induro Carbon Fiber Stealth CLM204L Monopod
Really Right Stuff MH-01 Swivel Head
Really Right Stuff & Kirk Lens Foot and Plates
Really Right Stuff Quick Release Clamps
Sony 240GB 440/400 G SERIES XQD Memory Cards
Lexar 2933X Professional XQD Cards
Sony 256GB CFExpress memory cards
Delkin Devices 128GB CF Express cards
Sony Tough SD cards
Think Tank Battery Cases
Lenscoat Forest Green Camo Protective Coats
Lowepro AW450 Backpacks
Kinesis L511 Long Lens Cases
Kinesis C850 Holster Bag
Kinesis Multi lens pouches
Kinesis B308 Belt System
Kinesis SafariSack 4.2
Grizzly Bean Bag (for stabilization in kayak)
-Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10 Pedal Kayak in Hidden Oak Camo Pattern
-Hobie Mirage Revolution 11′ pedal kayak (game changer)
-Nikon Monarch 5 12X 42 ED binoculars
-Burris 15-45 mm HD spotting scope
Kuiu Rain Jackets & Coats
-Forest Green & Realtree Hardwoods Green Camo clothing
Kuiu Scarpa R-Evolution Boots
-Cabela’s Camoskin face masks and gloves
-Hunter’s Specialties Windicator (wouldn’t leave home without it)
-Midland GTX444 2-way radio
-Kwik Camo Wildlife Blind