Very nice video, most relaxed I've seen you. Nature still has amazing experiences and creatures to see despite man's persistent attempts to destroy their habitats. Lovely photo of the Buzzard, they're wonderful birds.
The man at the fence at 8:08 was wondering who was sitting on the ground talking to themselves. A few seconds later he recognized it was Russ and walked away because he has had many Russ sightings and was hoping to capture a glimpse of the elusive Loz. The man walked away disappointed but vowed to come back to this place again one day and, if fate allows it, see the two photographers together in their natural habitat holding Z8 cameras. Thanks for the interesting look into your process and feelings about wildlife photography, and keep going on the adventures.
It could be true! I do like chatting to other bird watchers as they often have good locations and stories. Thanks, it was hard work and long time editing this so i'll see how it goes to make another...
@@lozzom Give it a go. I hear that sometimes a spontaneous music gig pops up in the middle of some of those fields. The punk bands play more in the woods and are a bit harder to find.
A very enjoyable video, think you. Observing by wandering about is the best way to photograph nature. Even if you don't see much, at least you get a decent walk, much better for you than being stuck in a hide!
Nice change of pace. Love getting out in nature myself and leaving modernity behind. So relaxing to just listen to the sounds of nature without any manmade sounds. I don't do nearly enough. Thanks
Bird photography is like surfing…You catch your first wave and you are hooked for life. Get your first ‘Bird’ photo and you’ll be thinking about it forever, scanning the trees every time you are out in nature. Welcome to the sweet obsession. ;-)
@@craigcarlson4022 I do think a zoom would be so handy for tracking and keeping the bird in the frame. But then the subject needs to be big in the frame to make a good photo
@@russandloz Yes, agree, i settled on the z100-400 with 1.4 teleconverter in part for that reason (and its closer MFD). But i’m also finding i want even more telephoto reach.
Nice video (never sure if you are Russ or Loz!) My perfect relaxation is being in the middle of nowhere in the countryside with just me and my gear on a perfect sunny day, beautiful out today and a pain to be stuck in my home office working as I write this! But I will be in action tomorrow...
Nice relaxed vid Russ. A couple of point I hope you don't mind me mentioning. The lens hood ..protects the front lens and helps with contrast/light flare. I'd swing the lens foot out of the way and hold the lens barrel for a better grip and stability. Try using both eyes open when aligning birds in flight...takes a bit of practice but well worth it imo. You don't mention your chosen auto focus settings ! there's so much more to getting great shots with the Z8/9 than shutter speed. Good luck with future videos. Ted. Nottingham.
Yes I do usually use a hood but I forgot it that day. But good point about the foot, I don’t think I’ve even used a tripod with it. But makes a good handle for carrying. For focussing I use full screen bird detection in auto c. Sometimes use a smaller area if it’s struggling. Is there a better way? Thanks for your help 😊
@@russandloz I think setting several different focus modes as per. Steve Perry/Hudson Henry/Yan Wegner helps...full screen auto is great with a relatively clear back ground, open sky ect. for a more cluttered background then as you say a smaller focus area should help.... which buttons to use I think comes down to personal preference ..
Getting close is the key. You don’t need longer lenses than your 400mm & tele and sometimes + DX mode (to aid focus) But you do need to be closer. The longer the lens the more that haze, particles in the air and distance to subject will impair the image. Detail always needs proximity and light. A little environment often tells a better story but if the subject is a tiny % of the frame it really isn’t doing justice to the kit you have. I have the same kit and it is phenomenal when the distance to subject is optimal.
Yeah it isn’t great cropping in so far as the image suffers. Issue is being close enough as it all happens so quickly. The keeping the subject in the frame is tough lol
@@russandloz Keeping in the frame is just a little practice. Focusing is perfect with that kit once it is locked on and of decent size in the frame. The excitement you showed on seeing the buzzard come a little closer represents the addictive nature of wildlife photography. I strongly recommend you book a day in a hide where the subject is sure to appear (set up) within an optimal range and you will be blown away with the pop from that lens. Long lenses are not about photographing from great distances. They are for the right distance. I can see in your joy that wildlife is something you should pursue both for fun and on the channel.
@@russandloz I don’t know where you are but there will be something within a reasonable distance from your location. A kingfisher hide or a photography specific falconry experience or some such.
Thanks a lot for the great video, love it. Fully share your feelings and perception that such an experience in nature provides the type of relaxation we need in our tec equipped office world. - Using the 1.4 TC as often (because it is needed to adjust and increase your focal length to what your subjects require), do you not feel that the 600 PF might be better suited to accomplish the task? I also have the 400mm 4.5, but sometimes feel that the 600 mm 6.3, which is also very light and portable, could be a very reasonable choice to handle such situations (assuming that you have the budget, of course).
@@russandloz you'll be surprised how well the Z8 copes with high ISO, give it a go. I agree with the suggestion and I use at least 1/1600 for birds, faster for in flight.
@@russandloz I use the 180-600 and try to start wide and then zoom in. The best birds to practice on are seagulls, they are both obliging and aerobatic!
@@russandloz I like it! It ties with my 180-600 but It's so light weight I can't bare to sell it. If you can rent or get your hands on a 800PF you will fall in love with it.
@@russandlozI have the 400 + TC and if you have that you don’t need the 600mm PF. 560 6.3 and 600 6.3 are too similar. I went 800 as others suggest, but the 400 +TC and the 600 don’t make sense.
Very nice photos, thanks for sharing.
Nice photos Russ. I liked the Oystercatcher, Cuckoo and Kestrel with the vole.
Very nice video, most relaxed I've seen you. Nature still has amazing experiences and creatures to see despite man's persistent attempts to destroy their habitats. Lovely photo of the Buzzard, they're wonderful birds.
Thanks, I wanted a relaxed video instead of being short and full on. Glad you enjoyed it 😊
The man at the fence at 8:08 was wondering who was sitting on the ground talking to themselves. A few seconds later he recognized it was Russ and walked away because he has had many Russ sightings and was hoping to capture a glimpse of the elusive Loz.
The man walked away disappointed but vowed to come back to this place again one day and, if fate allows it, see the two photographers together in their natural habitat holding Z8 cameras.
Thanks for the interesting look into your process and feelings about wildlife photography, and keep going on the adventures.
It could be true! I do like chatting to other bird watchers as they often have good locations and stories. Thanks, it was hard work and long time editing this so i'll see how it goes to make another...
He may be waiting a long time to see me there 😬😂
@@lozzom Give it a go. I hear that sometimes a spontaneous music gig pops up in the middle of some of those fields. The punk bands play more in the woods and are a bit harder to find.
A very enjoyable video, think you.
Observing by wandering about is the best way to photograph nature. Even if you don't see much, at least you get a decent walk, much better for you than being stuck in a hide!
Thanks, yes, the hides here are so far from the birds i'd need a 800m at least!
Nice change of pace. Love getting out in nature myself and leaving modernity behind. So relaxing to just listen to the sounds of nature without any manmade sounds. I don't do nearly enough.
Thanks
I do watch a lot of your gear videos, but I very much enjoyed this change of pace. Nicely done.
Thanks John, hoping it does well so I’ll make more 😊
Very nice. I use the 180-600 with Z6 and Z7, but I ordered the Z8 an hour ago. Now it s just to wait 😊
You'll love it! You'll never know how you did without it!
Bird photography is like surfing…You catch your first wave and you are hooked for life. Get your first ‘Bird’ photo and you’ll be thinking about it forever, scanning the trees every time you are out in nature. Welcome to the sweet obsession. ;-)
Thanks. Do I need a different lens?
@@russandloz Yes, we both need to buy the 180-600, then curse its wight and price each time we take it out. ;-)
@@craigcarlson4022 I do think a zoom would be so handy for tracking and keeping the bird in the frame. But then the subject needs to be big in the frame to make a good photo
@@russandloz Yes, agree, i settled on the z100-400 with 1.4 teleconverter in part for that reason (and its closer MFD). But i’m also finding i want even more telephoto reach.
Nice video (never sure if you are Russ or Loz!) My perfect relaxation is being in the middle of nowhere in the countryside with just me and my gear on a perfect sunny day, beautiful out today and a pain to be stuck in my home office working as I write this! But I will be in action tomorrow...
Thanks, I'm Russ, always left on screen for Russ and Loz. I'm the same when I watch wildlife videos so hoping i'd inspire too!
Nice relaxed vid Russ. A couple of point I hope you don't mind me mentioning. The lens hood ..protects the front lens and helps with contrast/light flare. I'd swing the lens foot out of the way and hold the lens barrel for a better grip and stability. Try using both eyes open when aligning birds in flight...takes a bit of practice but well worth it imo. You don't mention your chosen auto focus settings ! there's so much more to getting great shots with the Z8/9 than shutter speed. Good luck with future videos. Ted. Nottingham.
Yes I do usually use a hood but I forgot it that day. But good point about the foot, I don’t think I’ve even used a tripod with it. But makes a good handle for carrying.
For focussing I use full screen bird detection in auto c. Sometimes use a smaller area if it’s struggling. Is there a better way? Thanks for your help 😊
@@russandloz I think setting several different focus modes as per. Steve Perry/Hudson Henry/Yan Wegner helps...full screen auto is great with a relatively clear back ground, open sky ect. for a more cluttered background then as you say a smaller focus area should help.... which buttons to use I think comes down to personal preference ..
@@tedshillitto6886 Yeah I try something similar, though I can't wait for RAW precapture to help too!
I use the z8 and z800mm with a 1.4TC… you get used to it small smooth adjustments is the key
I think i'd only be ok at 800mm with perching birds! But would be great to get flying birds with it!
Getting close is the key. You don’t need longer lenses than your 400mm & tele and sometimes + DX mode (to aid focus)
But you do need to be closer. The longer the lens the more that haze, particles in the air and distance to subject will impair the image. Detail always needs proximity and light. A little environment often tells a better story but if the subject is a tiny % of the frame it really isn’t doing justice to the kit you have.
I have the same kit and it is phenomenal when the distance to subject is optimal.
Yeah it isn’t great cropping in so far as the image suffers. Issue is being close enough as it all happens so quickly. The keeping the subject in the frame is tough lol
@@russandloz Keeping in the frame is just a little practice. Focusing is perfect with that kit once it is locked on and of decent size in the frame. The excitement you showed on seeing the buzzard come a little closer represents the addictive nature of wildlife photography. I strongly recommend you book a day in a hide where the subject is sure to appear (set up) within an optimal range and you will be blown away with the pop from that lens.
Long lenses are not about photographing from great distances. They are for the right distance. I can see in your joy that wildlife is something you should pursue both for fun and on the channel.
@@markr3926 Yes you’re right, I’m not sure there are any setup hides in my area but worth looking into. Maybe do a floating hide like Mortan lol
@@russandloz I don’t know where you are but there will be something within a reasonable distance from your location. A kingfisher hide or a photography specific falconry experience or some such.
@@markr3926 I’m based in coventry midlands uk.
Thanks a lot for the great video, love it. Fully share your feelings and perception that such an experience in nature provides the type of relaxation we need in our tec equipped office world. - Using the 1.4 TC as often (because it is needed to adjust and increase your focal length to what your subjects require), do you not feel that the 600 PF might be better suited to accomplish the task? I also have the 400mm 4.5, but sometimes feel that the 600 mm 6.3, which is also very light and portable, could be a very reasonable choice to handle such situations (assuming that you have the budget, of course).
Thanks. That will the 600 PF be that much better than the 400 with Tele converter? The 400 is a nice option to have too?
You are using a slow shutter speed for these shots. I use at least 1/2000 for birds. Quite often 1/3200.
Won’t they be iso noisy? Especially bringing up the shadows?
@@russandloz you'll be surprised how well the Z8 copes with high ISO, give it a go. I agree with the suggestion and I use at least 1/1600 for birds, faster for in flight.
@@ian-nz-2000 Yes I will, though the challenge seems to be keeping them in the frame!
@@russandloz It's a trade off. You can use denoise to get nice sharp images or unsharp images that you put in the bin.
@@russandloz I use the 180-600 and try to start wide and then zoom in. The best birds to practice on are seagulls, they are both obliging and aerobatic!
Go for broke and get the 800PF. You won't regret it. BTW I love the 400 f4.5.
Can’t afford it! Would rather have the 600 pf anyway I think. How do you get on with the 400?
@@russandloz I like it! It ties with my 180-600 but It's so light weight I can't bare to sell it. If you can rent or get your hands on a 800PF you will fall in love with it.
@@russandlozI have the 400 + TC and if you have that you don’t need the 600mm PF. 560 6.3 and 600 6.3 are too similar.
I went 800 as others suggest, but the 400 +TC and the 600 don’t make sense.
i am afraid you need to clean the camera sensor!!!
Yes I did notice when I got home. It could be on the lenses those artefacts