Introduction

My primary camera is a full frame Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera which I use with the mirrorless S mount Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 zoom lens and my F mount Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 zoom lens (via Nikon’s FTZ adapter). This is a great combination for paid gigs, but I wanted something smaller and lighter for a backup camera and personal use. I chose the Nikon Z50 crop sensor mirrorless camera together with the 2 currently available S mount crop sensor lenses – the 16-50mm zoom and the 50-250mm zoom. I decided to try out my Z50 and 50-250mm lens where I could put it through its paces on my first ever wildlife shoot.

Location

I selected the Bernardo Wildlife Area in Central New Mexico due to its proximity to Albuquerque and easy access from IH 25, and the fact that it’s a sanctuary for Sandhill Cranes. Sandhill Cranes are related to Whooping Cranes, but are smaller (4 feet in height; 6-1/2 feet wingspan). I chose a late afternoon time because the cranes are more likely to be in flight just after sunrise and and just before sunset.

Preparation

Wildlife shooting is a photography venue unto itself, and I knew that there would be a steep learning curve, especially with camera gear that I hadn’t yet really learned to use to its full advantage. But one of the things I love about photography is that you never know it all, and there’s always new techniques and skills to be learned. My study of wildlife photography led me to a very helpful You Tube tutorial by Steve Perry entitled Nikon Mirrorless Performance and Action Tips.

Suggestions

I thoroughly enjoyed my first experience with wildlife photography and look forward to seeking more opportunities to practice and improve my skills. For those like me that are new to this venue, I’ll pass along a few suggestions.

Shoot in Manual Mode. Use a shutter speed appropriate for the size of the bird and the speed of the wing flaps. 1/1200 is sufficient for large birds like the cranes, but 1/3200 may be required for smaller birds like humming birds. Use apertures smaller that f/5.6 to improve depth of field for those times when autofocus misses the mark. Since the ambient light can change quickly, set ISO to Auto.

Challenges

Autofocus can be problematic, especially where the bird is flying close to trees or brush. I used the Dynamic Area Autofocus in AF-C (continuous) mode and back button focus (camera menu f2 control set to use the back button AE/AF L for focus instead of the 1/2 press shutter). The next time out, I will see if I get more keepers using the Wide Area or Spot focus settings.

David Hood #Capture the Memories Found in Travel and Life

Email: d300dave@gmail.com

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