Photographing Wildlife

The answer really depends on the type of wildlife photography you do, and each solution has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Stabilisation

Stabilisation systems allow the photographer to reduce the usable shutter speed by up to two stops. However, if you happen to be using a 300mm f/2.8 lens with a teleconverter, then the weight and magnification can make it more difficult for a stabilisation system to compensate fully. It is still possible to get good handheld shots using IS if you are using smaller and lighter telephoto lenses such as the Tokina 80-400mm AT-X f/4.5-5.6 AF II D.

Tripod

Obviously, the best way to guarantee that camera shake doesn’t affect image sharpness is to use a tripod. This is a great solution if you are concentrating your photography on a particular area, or if you are seated in a hide. If you are more inclined to stalk for wildlife then the impracticalities of having to carry the extra weight of a tripod, and the time spent correctly positioning and setting it up, can make it too slow to be practical.

Monopod

Those who do prefer to track wildlife in the wild or in nature reserves would be better with a monopod as they are lighter and more manoeuvrable and compact. While it doesn’t offer the rigidity of a tripod, it does help to reduce vertical camera shake that can be caused by using longer, heavier, telephoto lenses.

by Richard Sibley