Four Months of Wildlife Photography with Nikon Z8 + Z 100-400mm + Z 1.4X TC

I’ve just posted a video on my YouTube channel giving my thoughts after my first four months of using the Nikon Z8 for wildlife photography. In that video I discuss how the camera has performed in partnership with the Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens and Z 1.4X teleconverter. The video shows 88 photographs that I captured during the aforementioned period during which I was running workshops, busy with my own photography and enjoying spending time getting familiar with my new Nikon equipment. I am writing this article in addition to that video so there is merit in reading this and watching my video which you can find here.

A curious Red Squirrel takes a look. Captured on Nikon Z8.

When it comes to wildlife photography, changing to a new camera which you are unfamiliar with can be both exciting and daunting. Today’s cameras are incredibly complex devices and share so much with computers. There is enjoyment in learning your new camera but if you are busy and need to use your camera for work it can add some pressure. The Nikon Z8, like all other modern cameras, has so many menu options and settings but fortunately I found them intuitive to learn. I soon got the camera configured how I wanted it and made some small refinements to that over time. Now I can operate it on autopilot and this is very important when wildlife photography often demands a quick response. It stood out to me just how customisable the Nikon Z8 is and it allowed me to configure my camera just how I want it for photographing wildlife. There is only one minor change I would make to the design of the camera and I discuss that in detail in my YouTube video which is linked at the beginning of this article. Overall I consider the Z8 to be a very well designed camera.

A beautiful Robin on a frosty winter’s day. Captured on Nikon Z8.

When it comes to choosing a camera for wildlife photography autofocus is often a main topic of discussion and rightly so. Being able to rely on your camera’s autofocus system is extremely important but I must stress that no camera will offer the perfect infallible autofocus system. I have been quite impressed with the Z8 autofocus and I regard it as being very reliable in most situations. What I really like about the Z8 AF is that it offers many AF options such as a variety of AF Area Modes and also bird and animal subject detection. I’ve found the subject detection to be very impressive but it is vital to know when and when not to use it - don’t expect it to find a Wren in a dark bush half a mile away! Not every mode or option will work perfectly regardless of situation and it is up to the photographer to know what to use and when. If a certain mode or option isn’t working as well as I’d hoped then I am able to switch options to something that I know will work better. In short I feel that if I don’t get the photo that I want it is not the fault of the camera but rather it’s my fault as the photographer.

A Dunnock on a favourite perch. Captured on Nikon Z8.

I have found the Nikon Z 100-400mm lens to be a very worthwhile purchase for my wildlife photography. It has helped me capture a wide variety of images and in some situations the ability to zoom has proved invaluable. The image quality that this lens helps provide is excellent and overall I can’t fault it. I personally find it to be reasonably light in weight and when combined with the Z8 it is a setup that I can use all day, even on longer hikes, without difficulty. The best focal length for wildlife photography is an often debated topic and one to which there cannot possibly be one correct answer. I’ll discuss the Z 1.4 TC shortly but for my own needs this lens, with the option of adding the TC, provides a very versatile setup. I’ve mentioned in some of my YouTube videos that when I was sure I was happy with the Nikon equipment as a whole it would be my intention to add to my kit a lens offering a longer focal length and that is something that I will do in the future. Whatever that lens may be I will always have situations where this one will be the correct tool for the job.

A quick note as promised on the Z 1.4X Teleconverter. I am very glad that I purchased this TC and if the situation is right and I have time, I will use it without hesitation. Any hit to image quality or AF performance is minimal at best; it is just a case of being aware of changes to aperture and potentially ISO and knowing when and when not to use it. I am aware there is much debate about cropping versus using a TC but I think what I have just said is the best and quickest way to summarise my views.

A Crested Tit poses showing its beautiful feathers. Captured on Nikon Z8.

To summarise my thoughts and experiences of using the Nikon Z8 over the last four months - I am very happy. I think it has been a great choice for me and how I approach wildlife photography and it is definitely a camera that I am happy to work with. Image quality, resolution, design ergonomics, AF, lens choice… These and more are all important considerations for me and I feel quite at home with the Z8. I must stress that although I don’t have access to all the latest camera models from all manufacturers I feel confident in saying that cameras in this price range should all be competent for wildlife photography. There will be fairly small differences here and there, there will be reasons we opt for one camera versus another, but I feel happy with my choice and spending my own money on the gear that I have mentioned in this article.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this article. It was not intended to be a full review but I feel in partnership with my YouTube video it has covered some of the areas that are most important to me. I do hope that you enjoy seeing some of the photographs in my video as well. Best wishes, Wayne.

Fuji XF 150-600mm Lens - First Wildlife Shoot, First Impressions and Full Review

The Fuji XF 150-600mm lens, box and accessories.

Having used the Fuji XF 100-400mm lens extensively for my wildlife and landscape photography I was very excited to hear about the launch of the Fuji XF 150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR lens. While I had no complaints about the super telephoto lens that I already owned, in my mind the Fuji XF 150-600mm would offer me a number of benefits:

1. Longer maximum focal length

2. Internal zoom

3. Less reliance on a teleconverter

4. Even better image quality in some scenarios due to newer lens design and less use of a teleconverter

With this in mind I pre-ordered the lens, received it at launch and headed out to see what wildlife I could find to photograph. Below is a female Chaffinch which is one of the first images I captured using the new lens. The first image shows my preferred crop (a minor aspect ratio change from out of camera), the second is a smaller crop of the same image to show more of the detail on the bird:

When reviewing this initial image in my editing software I was very pleased with the sharpness and detail that was captured. Unfortunately the “internet” versions shown here are lower quality than my RAW files but hopefully they show some of the capabilities of the lens.

While on location with this lens I was using the Fuji X-T3 camera body. Most of my time was spent photographing static birds as there was lack of birds in flight that were suitable subjects. In the static scenarios I was presented with I felt that the autofocus found my subjects quickly and accurately and this helped me get a number of photographs that I am pleased with. As any wildlife photographer will know, small birds perched on a branch, object or on the ground can still prove difficult for both photographer and camera due to their small size, foliage and other obstructions, changing light and because they often don’t stay in the same spot for long. In my very limited opportunities to photograph birds in flight again I felt the camera and lens combination did a good job; although I was only out to test the lens I was able to capture some sharp images of gulls that flew past. I would love to try the Fuji XF 150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR with the newly released Fuji X-H2S camera as I feel this combination may offer some benefits for wildlife photography, focusing and tracking birds in flight etc.

A young Great Spotted Woodpecker captured on Fuji X-T3 and XF 150-600mm lens.

Throughout my first shoot I felt that my new lens performed very well and I was comfortable using it handheld for most of the time that I was out. It comes with a strap which is very comfortable and the lens is well balanced which is an asset for both handheld and tripod use. The zoom ring is nice and smooth, as is the aperture ring which has a nice soft click to it as it is turned. On my first shoot I did not use the focus ring as the autofocus worked very well for my needs. At the front of the lens are four focus control buttons which I found quite useful and I am sure these will get a lot of use from me when photographing wildlife.

Chaffinch captured on Fuji X-T3 with XF 150-600mm lens.

Towards the end of my shoot dropping light levels resulted in me having to use higher ISO values to get the correct exposure on my photographs. With a camera such as the X-T3 this is not such an issue as it once was and I was still able to capture very good quality images. The following image of a female Great Spotted Woodpecker was captured using ISO 2500. In wildlife photography terms this is not an excessively high ISO but it was still a reasonable test of image quality on the Fuji X-T3 with the XF 150-600mm lens. Having looked closely at the image I am really pleased with the result, the noise is very manageable (thanks to the camera sensor) but what I was most keen to inspect was the detail captured on the bird at this ISO level. The fine, small details have been captured sharply - a very good result considering the overcast conditions and my camera settings.

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker captured on Fuji X-T3 with XF 150-600mm lens.

Overall I am very pleased with the Fuji XF 150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR lens based on my first shoot. It is a very manageable weight considering the focal length it covers, and due to the internal zoom it feels well balanced. In my opinion it has helped produced some very sharp and detailed images with pleasing colours and I am looking forward to using it again soon.

I have produced a video showing my first shoot with this lens which is available on my YouTube channel Wayne Robertson Photography. You can watch the video by clicking here. Also, a few weeks after my first shoot, I’ve now published my full review of the Fuji XF 150-600mm lens. My review contains lots of information about the lens and shows 27 photographs and 7 videos captured using this lens. The review is available to watch here. If you’d like to see my future wildlife and landscape photography shoots with this Fuji lens then be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel.

The Damage Storms, YouTube, Instagram and Social Media Can Do to the Landscape

Woodland on a fog filled morning.

As I write this Storm Corrie and it’s almost 60mph winds batter my house. Apart from a short trip out it’s another day indoors for me editing some photographs and catching up on some other work. I can’t help but think of the damage this storm will cause to people, property and of course the landscape. I’ve already seen more trees destroyed and of course storms Arwen and Malik took their toll too. The change to areas we live in, visit and perhaps photograph will be lasting. Storms aside, as a landscape photographer never do a few days pass without me pausing to think about the potential damage my outdoor photography could cause.

I’m very aware of the potential damage my own feet could cause to the landscape - what is under and around them. I always take great care but even in doing so if I visit the same place a few times within a short period I can have an effect on that specific area. In recent months I’ve visited some reasonably well known areas that I have been to before. Though not long had passed since my last visits I noticed the new damage done to narrow access roads which are simply not capable of supporting the high volumes of traffic they have seen. I saw cars and larger vehicles parked (or perhaps abandoned?) at the side of narrow roads as people ran out to take photographs. Roads, verges and vegetation all suffer. It’s not only roads that suffer, very similar damage happens to footpaths and the landscape itself. Even if I and others take care sometimes the sheer amount of footfall is enough. Of course when we wander off path new paths begin to form and others follow. It is becoming increasingly more common for me to read and see in the news, and witness for myself, the damage done to some areas due to them being unable to cope with large visitor numbers. Unfortunately I’ve also seen areas being damaged deliberately to make them more photogenic, and of course litter and waste is often an issue too.

While I have every confidence that the vast majority of us take great care and appreciate and respect the areas we visit, it’s a fact that a large number of visitors is enough to have an impact. Wildlife and people who live in the areas we visit are all impacted. But how does this relate to outdoor photography? As a photographer and someone who loves the outdoors an issue that I often find myself struggling with is because of the popularity of the internet, social media, and the sharing of photographs and video. Should a photograph or landscape/wildlife photography video which identifies the location of the content become very popular, it has the potential to make hundreds of thousands of people, if not more, want to visit that location. It’s impossible for me to put exact numbers to this in terms of how many people will actually visit that location, but the audience of photographs and videos does in some cases reach millions of views. I know beyond any doubt it has increased the visitor number to many many areas exponentially.

I’m not an expert on this matter, I’m just someone who cares about these issues. I care about the landscape, wildlife and the people who live in these areas and I feel that these three things don’t always want or benefit from the popularity the internet, photography and video can bring. For me these three things need to be prioritised over photography and business. I’ll continue to quietly do my best to minimise the effects of my own photography. If anyone were to ask me what can we do about this, my simplest answer is: “Think before you share”. Before you post your next photo or video online pause and think what could be the potential effect of sharing the location information? Thank you for taking the time to read this! Even if it makes a difference to only one person that is a positive result. If you are interested in this topic and want to hear more I have a video on my YouTube channel here.

#naturefirst

My Limited Edition Prints - Landscape and Wildlife Photography from Scotland

I’ve recently added some new limited edition prints to my Shop. These are some of my favourite photographs that I’ve captured over a number of years from across Scotland. All my images are captured, printed and checked by myself. Other than the time spent capturing these photographs I enjoy taking considerable time to ensure the final prints are just right. Each photograph is printed on archival quality paper with inks which ensure it will retain its original colour quality and look for essentially a lifetime. I also include a certificate of authenticity.

Why not take a look through my prints, I’m sure you will find something that you’d get years of enjoyment from hanging in your own home. Whether a foggy woodland, a snow covered vista, a seascape, a beautiful view from the Isle of Skye or a box set containing a few prints, I hopefully have photographs for sale that will resonate with you.

Below is one of the new prints that I have recently added. This is one of my personal favourites. It is an image I visualised many years before I was able to actually capture it. I wanted to photograph this tree during heavy snowfall and it was a delight to finally see that moment years after first having the concept. The image looks wonderful in print and is a faithful representation of what was a special and very rare moment.

Fuji X-T4 and Fuji XF100-400mm Lens - First Wildlife Photography Shoot

Ever since switching to the Fuji line of cameras I have had my eye on the Fujinon XF100-400mm F4.5-5.6 lens. As someone who loves wildlife photography this lens seemed perfect for my needs offering a great focal length range which can be extended further by using one of the compatible Fuji teleconverters.

I’m happy to say that I have now purchased this lens along with the Fuji XF1.4X teleconverter; when using this teleconverter the lens has a maximum focal length of 560mm on my X-T4 which is fantastic for photographing wildlife. Note: when using the teleconverter the aperture becomes F6.4-8.

For my first shoot with this lens I headed out on an evening to try and find some roe deer to photograph. The conditions were quite challenging with a strong wind blowing and of course the ever decreasing light as the evening headed towards sunset. I found some roe deer near a corn field which made for a wonderful setting for photographs as the corn blew in the wind. Despite the aforementioned challenges the lens performed really well and I was able to get some photographs that I was very pleased with. Excited to try the lens more I headed out again the following morning and captured some nice photographs of deer in the golden morning light.

So what do I think of the Fuji XF100-400mm lens based on my first few hours using it? I’m very impressed with the lens. Obviously I can’t yet speak about it in a long term capacity but the build quality seems excellent and I found the size and weight very manageable for a lens offering this focal length range. I am very happy with the image quality - the photographs I took show great detail and look very pleasing. When using the 1.4X teleconverter I found the loss in sharpness to be minor and this makes the teleconverter a great choice when the extra focal length is beneficial.

If you’d like to watch the video I made of this shoot which includes plenty photographs taken with the lens and teleconverter, and also video footage captured using the lens, then be sure to checkout the video here on my YouTube channel.

Camera Settings for Photographing Birds in Flight + Canon 5D Mark IV and Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary Tips

Capturing nice images of birds in flight is a very rewarding experience. To capture good sharp images you need to use the correct settings on your camera and lens. I’ve created a video which covers all the camera settings you need to use for photographing birds in flight, I also gives some tips to help Canon users including taking advantage of custom settings and modifying Canon AF case settings. I also discuss the best settings for the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens. You can watch here.

Limited Edition Landscape Photography Prints from Scotland

Here on my site I have a number of limited edition landscape photography prints, and limited edition wildlife prints, from Scotland for sale. I have a range of single prints and also box sets of prints, all from Scotland. Each photograph that I sell means something to me personally and I am proud of each image that I offer as a print. Great effort and care has been put into the capture and natural edit of each photograph, and that continues with my printing and packaging process. I produce archival quality prints which will last a lifetime and included in each sale is a certificate of authenticity and some other documents which I think you will enjoy receiving. I despatch worldwide and ensure that my prints arrive in pristine condition.

Why not take a look at my landscape and wildlife limited edition prints in the Shop section of my website?

Wildlife Photography with the Sigma 150-600 mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens

I spend the majority of my time doing landscape photography but over the years I have spent a lot of time doing wildlife photography. It is something that I have a love for and for a few months now I’ve felt the urge to get back out and capture some wildlife images. Recently while doing some woodland photography I was visited regularly throughout the day by a Robin (watch the video here). The Robin is a beautiful small bird with its vibrant red breast and seeing one up close that day inspired me to return with a suitable lens to try and capture one out in nature in the woodland. That lens is the Sigma 150-600 mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary (affiliate link to lens on Amazon) which I use on my Canon 5D Mark IV. I really like this lens, the only drawbacks for me being the size and weight but it’s certainly manageable. I made a video which you can watch here and in it I show a number of wildlife images I’ve captured over the years, and also the images I captured that day of a Robin. I also discuss why I switched to the Sigma lens when I previously had the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM lens (Amazon affiliate link).