The lens, the converter, the support and the settings — decided by the trip you are actually taking, the light you will actually get, and the money you actually have.
A field guide to camera settings for wildlife photography — shutter, aperture, ISO and autofocus for safaris, birds in flight, low light and backlight. Links to every situation.
Which lens, teleconverter and support to take for wildlife photography — chosen by your trip, budget and subject rather than a generic best-of list. Links to every decision.
The starting settings for photographing tigers in India — shutter, aperture, ISO, autofocus and metering for low dawn light, dust, and a moving vehicle. Plus how to tune them to your body.
For most first safaris, one versatile telephoto in the 100-500 / 200-600 / 180-600 class covers it, and a 150-600 does it on a budget. How to choose by reach, weight and money.
A 1.4x costs one stop and a little sharpness; a 2x costs two stops, visible softness and slower autofocus. For most wildlife, buy the 1.4x first — plus when a 2x actually works.
Back-button focus separates focus from the shutter so you focus once and hold. How to set it up, with animal and bird eye AF, on the Nikon Z8/Z9, Canon R5 II/R7, Sony A1/A9 III and OM-1.
The all-round settings for an African safari: shutter, aperture, ISO, metering and autofocus for dust, harsh midday, backlight and a bouncing vehicle. Plus how to tune them to your body.
The right shutter speed for birds in flight depends on the wingbeat, not a single number. A table by bird type, plus what to do when the light runs out.
How to meter and expose when the sun is behind your subject: keep the face off the shadow wall, or commit to the rim and the silhouette. A scenario table plus recovery in the raw file.
Which support to use for a long lens in a vehicle, a hide, or on foot — beanbag, gimbal, monopod or handheld. A situation table, and why the wrong support costs you sharp frames.
How much reach an African safari really needs. What 400, 500, 600 and 800mm each give you, park by park, and why more is not always better.
Zoom versatility against prime lightness and reach. How the Nikon Z 180-600mm and 500mm PF f/5.6 differ for birds, safari and travel — and which suits your subjects.
Two of the most popular wildlife zooms, on different systems. How the Sony 200-600 and Canon RF 100-500 compare on reach, weight and price — and what it means if you're choosing a system.