Churchill Birds: Photographer's Guidelines

June 20-28, 2003

Equipment

If you have questions about appropriate camera equipment for birds and Churchill in general, please contact me. I will be bringing at least two bodies and my EOS 500 mm f/4 IS lens with 1.4X and 2X telextenders, as well as my 300 mm f/2.8. Extension tubes are quite helpful for close focusing. I will also have a range of lenses down to 20 mm.

(Other possible subject besides birds include scenery, icebergs, Arctic wildflowers, and possibly Beluga whales and the occasional seal.)

For birds in flight and other handheld shots, it is hard to beat the Canon EOS system with one of their light autofocus telephotos: 100-400 f/4.5-5.5L, 400 mm f/5.6L, or 300 mm f/4L IS. IS stands for Canon’s excellent Image Stabilization. Nikon now offers a popular 80-400 mm VR (Vibration Reduction) lens with similar technology.

I strongly recommend that your bring the instruction manuals for your camera and flash. They are a valuable reference (unless they’re in a drawer at home).

Here are some specific equipment recommendations for Churchill birds:

Flash

Fill-flash is useful for adding highlights to the eyes on overcast days or filling in shadows in contrasty light. A flash extender – a Fresnel lens you mount in front of your flash to concentrate the output into a narrow beam for your telephoto lens – is very useful; I recommend the Visual Echoes Flash Extender (aka Better Beamer). In fact, they are so popular with participants that I now have some for sale.

A very useful and innovative bracket for flash with large telephotos is made by Really Right Stuff (which also makes customized Arca-Swiss style mounting plates). You mount your flash (with Better Beamer) on the B-91 Flash Arm (for large telephotos; smaller ones also available), which positions it several inches above the center of your lens. This added height helps reduce "red eye," but more importantly it separates your flash from the camera so that you can rotate your camera and tripod-collar-mounted lens to vertical, while the flash stays where you want it on the bracket. (You will need the appropriate RRS mounting plate for your lens. You will also need the appropriate off-camera flash cord from your manufacturer.) Contact Bryan Geyer at Really Right Stuff at 805-528-6321 and tell him you’ll be going on one of my photo tours.

Flash Batteries

For fast recycling times and high flash capacity, consider a Quantum Turbo Battery ($300). This is a high-voltage lead-acid batteries which require that your flash have a high-voltage socket; most high-end flashes do. All flashes generate high internal voltages (300-600 volts) to charge their capacitors. Normally, your flash does this starting with 6 volts of power (from four 1.5 V. "AA" cells), which requires a long recycle time. The Turbos supply this high voltage directly which dramatically shortens recycle times. You will need the appropriate connecting cable for your flash. Some flashes still require their "AA" batteries along with the Turbo, to operate the display or zoom functions, etc.

Low voltage batteries such as the Quantum Bantam, Battery 1, Battery 2, etc., will provide you with more capacity (i.e., more flashes) than your AA’s, but won’t significantly shorten recycle times. (But they will save you money in the long run on batteries.)

Without an auxiliary battery, bring plenty of AA-batteries (or AA-rechargeables) for your flash; batteries are available but expensive in Churchill. Even with auxiliary batteries, its good to have a supply of AA’s for backup.

Camera Batteries

Bring plenty of batteries, especially if your camera requires special batteries like lithium 2CR5 cells. The supply of these may be spotty in Churchill. Also, bring extras of any other unusual batteries your equipment may require (e.g., my EOS off-camera flash connector requires strange button cells, my Pentax spot meter requires an odd battery, etc.)

Camera Bags and Vests

A photo vest is useful for carrying film, batteries, telextenders, extra bodies, windbreakers, candy bars, etc., etc. I currently use one of the Xtrahand Vests, which are very well-made and versatile. They will customize the fit and accessories for you. Contact The Vested Interest in Carrollton, Texas (972-245-4256).

(I am very happy with my Domke Photogs vest, but it is 100% cotton, which is not good in a wet climate, and it's not designed for holding large amounts of gear.)

Aside from its utility in the field, you can stuff your photo vest with camera gear and film and wear it onto the plane; so far these are not being counted as carry-on luggage.

Camera backpacks are useful (Tamrac, LowePro, et al.) both on the plane and in the field. A scope pack capable of carrying your large telephoto and/or tripod may be preferable to walking long distances carrying them. However, I prefer to leave my 500/4 and camera mounted on my tripod so that I can shoot quickly. I carry the assembly by resting it on my shoulder; padded tripod legs are a big help here -- see below.)