Owen’s Bird Photography Gear

NIKON Z9

Nikon’s flagship full-frame camera body with a 45.7MP stacked CMOS sensor reduces rolling shutter distortion for fast-moving subjects – like birds! Integrated vertical grip allows you to use a higher capacity battery, giving you longer shooting times (~700 frames per charge)

-Uses 2 CFexpress Type B/XQD cards, much safer and faster than SD cards
-Can photograph up to 120 fps in JPG with Pre-Release capture, and can buffer 1000+ RAW images in a burst with barely any lag
-Camera body is dust and moisture resistant and made with a rigid magnesium alloy chassis, making it durable in inclement weather and lighter than DSLR flagship bodies
-Pair with an extended eyecup to eliminate sun glares while shooting in daylight

Shop the Nikon Z9

Once you pick your camera body, it’s time for a good lens! There are plenty of focal length options to choose from, but for the purpose of bird photography you’ll want to use a telephoto lens. This will help you maintain a safe distance while still capturing magnificent photographs!

Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Lens

-Lightweight super telephoto lens, the Phase Fresnel (PF) element cuts the weight by 50% and length by 16%, making it only 5.25 pounds. The former F-mount version weighs over 10 pounds
-Two Autofocus drive units work together to deliver fast and accurate autofocus results. This is achieved by the use of stepping motors, which help to keep AF quiet and smooth
-Unfortunately, this lens doesn’t have a filter ring, but I found an adapter so I can protect the front element from dust and scratches
-The included foot isn’t Arca-Swiss compatible, so I swapped it out for the following foot, which allows me to attach this lens to my tripod/monopod easily

Shop Nikon Z 800mm

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Lens

– Versatile super telephoto zoom lens that uses the same autofocus drive units as the Z 800mm lens, delivering the same fast, accurate, quiet, and smooth AF results
-Minimum focusing distance is 2.5’, making it easy to photograph subjects that are closer, yet gives you the reach to photograph subjects at a farther distance
-Dust and moisture-resistant lens barrel allows you to feel confident photographing in inclement weather without damaging your gear. I accidentally left this lens outside with one of my Z9 bodies during a rain storm and it worked perfectly fine afterwards!
-A 77mm threaded filter ring allows you to attach a plethora of filters to your lens. I use an antistatic UV filter to keep dust and moisture off of the front lens element
-The included foot isn’t Arca-Swiss compatible, so I swapped it out for the following foot, which allows me to attach this lens to my tripod/monopod easily

Shop Nikon Z 100-400mm

Nikon AF-S F-mount 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens

-Super telephoto lens with one Phase Fresnel element, allowing the lens to maintain image quality and minimizes overall weight
-Dust and moisture-resistant magnesium-alloy lens barrel protects the internal elements from inclement weather conditions while shooting
-Silent Wave Motor allows quick and precise, yet quiet autofocus performance, along with an internal focusing design so the lens maintains its overall length while focusing faster. Used with the Nikon FTZ II Mount Adapter, it’s compatible with Nikon mirrorless camera bodies
-A 95mm threaded filter ring allows you to attach a plethora of filters to your lens. I use an antistatic UV filter to keep dust and moisture off the front lens element

Shop Nikon AF-S F-mount 500mm

Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x

-Z-mount lens extender that magnifies your lens length by 1.4x
-Retains full communication between the lens and the body, enabling metering, autofocus, and Vibration Reduction as well as the transmission of Exif data
-Dust and water resistant for use in inclement weather conditions

Compatible with the following lenses:
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S
NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S
NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S

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Nikon EN-EL18D

-Has a capacity of 3300mAh, an output of 10.8V, and 36Wh.
-Battery can be charged within the MH-33 charger, and it can be used as a spare or replacement battery
-Compatible with Nikon Z9

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SmallRig Lightweight Fluid Video Head

-Compact video head that’s standard arca-swiss compatible
-Detachable telescoping pan handle that supports 360° swivel
-Pan and tilt axes have independent locks and fixed drag
-Can adjust the camera balance by sliding the camera platform back and forth, allowing you to use larger lenses
-Weight capacity of 11 pounds

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BlackRapid Cross Shot Breathe Camera Strap

-Crossbody strap with a non-slip, 1.5” wide shoulder pad, adjustable from 36-70”
-Drapes the camera from one shoulder to the opposing hip, resting the camera upside-down along the hip so it’s easy to raise for use quickly
-Durable, brass and zinc-alloy CR-3 ConnectR locking carabiner attaches to camera or lens’s 1/4″-20 tripod mount with provided BlackRapid FR-5 FastenR Breathe

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Gitzo GIGT1545T Traveler Series 1 Carbon Fiber Tripod

-4 section carbon fiber legs with G-lock leg lock system allows you to easily adjust height of the tripod, and the carbon fiber allows the tripod to feel lighter
-Working height range is 8.6-60.2”
-Folded height is 16.7”
-Load capacity is 22 pounds
-Tripod weight is 2.3 pounds

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COMAN M1S Monopod with Detachable Clamp & Base Modules

-One-touch lever to easily adjust the height of the four telescopic sections
-Includes a detachable tilting base with foot pedal; base can change from a single spike to three feet
-Integrated adjustable ball bowl that’s arca-swiss compatible
-Weighs 3.85 pounds with a load capacity of 22.05 pounds
-26.18” folded, max height 65.16”

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Kirk QD Quick Disconnect Push Button V2

-For use with QR/QD sockets
-Pull tested to support up to 250 pounds
-Protective bridge over the push button so you don’t accidentally push it while in use

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3 Legged Thing Window Mount Clamp

-Compact window clamp with rubber padding to protect your glass
-Features a 3/8”-16 mounting screw so you can attach a tripod head

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ClouZen TAINER Portable All-in-One Backup Storage

-Small, light, and portable storage backup device
Available with internal SSD options, or no internal SSD, so you can install your own
-Supports CFexpress Type B/XQD cards, SD cards, and USB-connected memories using included card slots and USB-C/USB-A ports
-Able to connect to a network via a Gigabit Ethernet port
-Previews RAW, JPEG, and TIFF images and 4K Video after backing up to device

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Think Tank Streetwalker Rolling Backpack v2.0

-Sturdy rolling bag with a retractable trolley handle that meets most domestic USA and international airline carry-on requirements; includes TSA-approved zippers and combination locks
-Reinforced, padded dividers support heavy gear and maintain strength; easily moveable dividers attach to the interior liner with velcro
-Holds 2 camera bodies with grips, 4-6 lenses with hoods reversed, and accessories
-Side pockets for Tripod and water bottle, interior pockets for small items like memory cards, and front pockets that can fit a 17” laptop and 10” tablet

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Leica 8×32 Ultravid HD-Plus Binoculars

-Delivers bright and clear high-contrast images across the entire field of view with true color rendition and virtually zero distortion
-8 time magnification, wide 62° apparent angle of view, 404′ field of view at 1000 yards
-Phase-corrected prisms reduce chromatic aberration for enhanced color rendition
-Scratch- and abrasion-resistant High Durable Coating (HDC) and hydrophobic AquaDura coating on outer lenses protect surfaces and cause water and oil to bead off lenses

Shop Leica 8×32 Ultravid HD Plus Binoculars