WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

Option 1 - Nikon Z 7II, FTZ adapter & Nikon 70-200mm Lens
Weekend from £155 - hire now!

If you are used to shooting with a DSLR then the Nikon Z 7II may be the camera that entices you to the world of mirrorless. If you are familiar with professional DSLR bodies, then the huge reduction in size and weight won’t go unnoticed, plus it boasts astonishing low light capabilities, giving you more freedom early in the morning or when dusk sets in. Autofocus is super fast and accurate, which is particularly useful when shooting with a shallow depth of field. 

Dual card slots give you true peace of mind – you can configure the camera to either start recording on the second card the moment the first is full, or choose to record to both cards simultaneously – safe in the knowledge that you have a solid backup the instant the image is captured. Another truly invaluable feature this camera boats is the high dynamic range, which is a true asset when the sun is low in the sky and contrast is high. 

The Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is the latest incarnation of its legendary 70-200mm series of lenses; it’s a super versatile focal length, with a formidable maximum aperture throughout. Weather sealing, gives you ultimate freedom and peace of mind should you encounter less than favourable conditions, plus, built in image stabilisation (VR) allows you to capture static creatures with longer shutter speeds when light is limited. 

Option 2 - Sony a7R IV, Sony FE 70-200 F2.8 Lens, Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS Lens & Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS Lens
Weekend from £548 - hire now!

The Sony a7R is the true professional’s choice, offering 60 megapixels, 5-axis image stabilisation and incredible low light capabilities; it’s the ultimate tool to have on your side when capturing unrepeatable events out in the wild. It doesn’t have the same ‘grab and shoot’ ease of use as some other entry-level cameras, meaning you will want to spend some time setting the camera up to ensure it’s fully personalised to suit your shooting style, but in doing this, you are rewarded with ultimate quality, usability and a truly intuitive experience. 

Sony’s G Master lenses represent the absolute pinnacle in optical quality in terms of sharpness, autofocus speed, beautiful colour reproduction and that wonderful bokeh we all love. They’re not the lightest option to carry around in the wilderness when searching for wildlife, but in return for this small drawback you get divine results. They have large apertures, giving you more freedom in low light situations and producing images with beautifully shallow depth of field. In addition to these benefits is the weather sealed construction, letting you concentrate on getting the shot without being preoccupied with light rain or drizzle.