Viewing The Wild Ones on Apple TV+ is a must for any wildlife photography enthusiast

Viewing The Wild Ones on Apple TV+ is a must for any wildlife photography enthusiast

In the world of wildlife photography, capturing the perfect shot can be a challenging and exhilarating endeavour. This is evident in the new six-part wildlife documentary series, The Wild Ones, available on AppleTV+. The series follows wildlife filmmakers Declan Burley, Vianet Djenguet, and Aldo Kane as they strive to film six elusive and critically endangered species from across the globe, with the aim of bolstering conservation efforts.

The team's mission is no easy feat, as they have so far been tasked with tracking the Malayan tiger and Gobi bear, both of which are critically endangered. The series provides a unique perspective on wildlife content creation, showcasing the team's struggles to capture footage and offering a glimpse into the use of thousands of dollars' worth of imaging kit, tracking skills, long solo camera sessions, and setting up hundreds of camera traps.

Mike Harris, a photography expert with bylines in Digital Camera, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, Practical Photography, Digital Photographer, iMore, TechRadar, and N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, is a top tutor for techniques on cameras, lenses, tripods, filters, and more. His expertise extends to everything from portraits and landscapes to abstracts and architecture to wildlife and fast things going around race tracks.

If you're looking to capture your own wildlife moments in a style reminiscent of The Wild Ones, here are some top cameras to consider for 2025:

1. Nikon Z9: A professional flagship known for robustness and top-notch performance, highly regarded in wildlife photography circles.
2. Fujifilm X-H2S: A pro-spec APS-C mirrorless camera with subject recognition autofocus for animals, up to 40fps silent burst, extensive weather sealing, and a 26.2MP stacked CMOS sensor.
3. OM System OM-1 Mark II: Known for its blackout-free 120fps burst rate (50fps with full autofocus and exposure tracking), industry-leading weather sealing, and a unique Pro Capture mode that buffers frames before the shutter press to avoid missed shots.
4. Canon EOS R10 and Canon EOS R8: Lightweight and user-friendly full-frame or APS-C mirrorless cameras with accurate animal autofocus and fast burst rates.
5. Sony A7 IV: Popular for its solid autofocus, good image quality, and versatile lens options, commonly favoured for bird and wildlife photography.
6. Panasonic Lumix G9 II: Noted for bird photography, offering fast autofocus and high burst rates at a more affordable price point.
7. Canon EOS R5: Praised for its high-resolution sensor allowing heavy cropping without losing detail, strong autofocus, and good value among professional wildlife cameras.

These cameras feature advanced autofocus systems designed to track animals and birds effectively, high frame-per-second shooting to capture fast action, and durable, weather-sealed bodies suitable for outdoor use. Choosing among them depends on your budget, preferred sensor size (APS-C vs. full-frame), and specific wildlife focus (e.g., birds vs. larger animals).

Pairing these bodies with quality telephoto zooms or primes from their respective ecosystems is crucial to maximize reach and sharpness necessary for wildlife photography. The rapport between the experts in The Wild Ones (Declan Burley, Vianet Djenguet, and Aldo Kane) is excellent, and their series has enticed neutral viewers with its suspense and the infectious personalities and passion for wildlife. So, grab your camera, head out into the wild, and capture your own unforgettable wildlife moments!

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References: [1] Digital Camera World [2] TechRadar [3] OM System [4] Canon

1. Mike Harris, a photography expert, offers techniques on a variety of subjects, including wildlife photography, in publications like Digital Camera World, PhotoPlus, The Canon Magazine, and N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine.
2. The new wildlife documentary series, The Wild Ones, available on AppleTV+, provides an insightful view of wildlife content creation, displaying the team's challenges in filming critically endangered species like the Malayan tiger and Gobi bear.
3. The team's mission involves using thousands of dollars' worth of imaging kit, setting up hundreds of camera traps, long solo camera sessions, and employing tracking skills to capture footage.
4. For capturing your own wildlife moments in a style similar to The Wild Ones, consider the Nikon Z9, Fujifilm X-H2S, OM System OM-1 Mark II, Canon EOS R10 and Canon EOS R8, Sony A7 IV, or Panasonic Lumix G9 II cameras.
5. The Nikon Z9, a professional flagship, is well-regarded in wildlife photography circles for its robustness and top-notch performance.
6. The Fujifilm X-H2S offers subject recognition autofocus for animals, up to 40fps silent burst, extensive weather sealing, and a 26.2MP stacked CMOS sensor.
7. The OM System OM-1 Mark II is known for its blackout-free 120fps burst rate, industry-leading weather sealing, and Pro Capture mode.
8. Choosing among these top cameras depends on factors such as budget, sensor size, and your specific wildlife focus, like birds or larger animals. Pairing them with quality telephoto zooms or primes is essential to achieve the needed reach and sharpness for wildlife photography.

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