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Equipment
A very wide range is available from 35mm upwards at various prices. It is not
necessary to spend huge amounts on equipment. Take care to buy equipment suitable
for your needs. 35mm SLR cameras are particularly suited to wildlife photography,
given their lightweight and cost (its all relative in photography!).
With care a small amount of equipment will cover most situations. How much are you prepared too carry? Nature photography does require leaving your home and car! Add equipment for more specialised needs as and when needed.
Cameras- various makes will do but make sure extra lenses and equipment are readily available. Autofocus/autoexposure are fine but the ability to override is essential.
Lenses-One or more wide-angle lenses with the ability to focus close. This enables landscape shots with a large subject in the foreground.
A medium range zoom 28-80mm or 28-105 with the ability to focus close (many will go down to half life size (1:2) or more with a wide aperture (F4.5 or wider). Fixed focal length lenses are also suitable (often with better performance) but may require accessories for close up work.
A telephoto zoom of 70-300mm should also be able to focus close. This is good for nervous subjects such as dragonflies.
The correct lens hood for each lens is vital and not an option. They protect the lens and cuts down greatly on contrast reducing flare.
Also try to buy lenses with the same or similar filter sizes to enable you to buy one filter instead of several. Good quality multicoated filters are not cheap.
A good heavy tripod with a good ball and socket head is also needed; cheap tripods with pan and tilt heads are near useless. The tripod should also be able to go from low down (eight inches) to above your eye height.
A good bag-waterproof with various pockets is also needed. An excellent selection is now available. It should not be too large as it will become full of "useful" items that are never used. As important as your camera are relevant maps and field guides. Walking boots and waterproof clothing are also vital.
Equipment List.
1. Camera(s). 1 or 2 bodies (for 35mm, one could be a basic body or a compact camera for scenery).
2. Lenses 28-80m and 70-300, or 24mm, 50mm, 105mm macro, 300mm.
3. Tripod and/or monopod. Bean bag to rest on.
4. Filters. Polarising, yellow, orange, yellow green for black and white. Colour correcting filter for colour.
5. Close-up lenses if needed. +2, +3 Diopters.
6. Lots of Film, various types.
7. Small flash for fill-in flash or larger flash for night subjects.
8. Cable release.
9. Small tools- Swiss army knife, watch- maker's screwdrivers for emergency repair.
10. Plastic bags to put the camera in when raining.
11. Spare battery for camera.
12. Aluminium Foil for make reflectors.
13. Notepad and pencils.
14. Spare money.
15. Map and compass with the knowledge to use them.
16. Field guides for wildlife as needed. Try to do research before you go out to take photographs. Decide upon areas, bearing mind weather and time of day. Subjects such as butterflies will only be around for short lengths of time. You may need to use local knowledge to avoid wasting time.
17. Compact binoculars for spotting subjects.
The list above is a basic list covering most subjects. Much more can be added for long expeditions or specific items for particular subjects. If you have forgotten something on a 10-mile walk, it's too late!
I suggest you begin with plants and insects to gain experience in technique. They are readily available even in your garden or park. This does not mean it will be much easier!
Technique
Technique is more important than in other branches of photography as the detailed recording of the subject is often of prime importance. To this end it is vital to understand your own equipment in detail. It is also important to understand the effects of shutter speed and aperture. You need to be able to set the correct shutter speed to stop or blur a subject. Also know your limit in hand holding a camera. Too many photographs are ruined simply because people try to hand hold a camera at low speeds. A 28mm lens at 1/60 sec. Is OK. A 300mm lens at 1/60 is not. A rule of thumb is 1/focal length so 1/300=1/300sec or 1/250sec.
For sharp photographs use your tripod. A tripod allows accurate composition and use of a larger depth of field. This is a vital requirement for much close-up photography.
As you approach life size on film depth of field is almost none existent. It is vital to focus accurately and in the right place. Practice and understand these techniques until you are confident in their use. When you find a good or interesting subject use a lot of film. Bracket exposures especially in colour transparency. Many of your photographs will be poor technically so take more to get one really good shot.
Apart from photographic skills it will be essential to work on your field craft. The better you become at finding and identifying your subjects the more likely you are to produce better photographs.
Learn to move slowly and quietly.
Wear clothes that are quiet and do not rustle. Also clothes need to blend into the background. Bright colours and designer-wear are out. Browns and greens are in.
Learn to get up early as wildlife is often about near dawn and dusk.
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