Post your kayak wildlife

KayakPhotos wrote in post #17581760
Fantastic shots lately guys. I'm hoping to take my new setup out on the kayak soon.

I'm a bit nervous after killing a 7d a couple years ago when I first moved to Florida.

This is why I really flirt with the idea of getting a pentax system for my watery wildlife needs. Sigh!

Very best,

angelmeow wrote in post #17582040
love the frog photo

Thank you!

MalVeauX wrote in post #17582096
This is why I really flirt with the idea of getting a pentax system for my watery wildlife needs. Sigh!

Very best,

I actually thought about that last year. I was thinking about getting a K-5 II and DA 300. I bought a new computer instead (iMac) and then ended up going with the a7 and Sony gear early this year.

KayakPhotos wrote in post #17584491
I actually thought about that last year. I was thinking about getting a K-5 II and DA 300. I bought a new computer instead (iMac) and then ended up going with the a7 and Sony gear early this year.

Heya,

Nearly where I was going. I was looking at the K5 IIs and the DA 300F4 as well. That would be my ideal kit, right now for cost ($1500 total). The only comparable way to get it from Canon would be a 1D series (which I have an old 1DII that I'm using now), and a super costly lens (the 400F5.6L, 300F4L, etc, do not have weather sealing; only the DO's and the latest zooms and the big whites that are F4 and F2.8 have weather seal... it's totally frustrating to get an L and it not be weather sealed, dunno why Canon does this).

Right now I'm just using my 1D2 and a 600mm Tamron lens. No weather sealing since it's not a total weather sealed system.

Would be nice if Tamron or Sigma filled the weather sealed gap that Canon has left wide open, and drop a 300 F4 or 400 F5.6 with weather sealing for Canon. Something not $3k or higher.

Pentax seams to be the only ones. But I don't want two systems.

Very best,

I agree. It's a pain to maintain two systems. I'm probably going to end up going with a "wildlife only setup" and haven't decided what route I'll take. I love the a7 "bang for your buck" IQ, but it isn't as well suited as other bodies for that type of shooting. I used to shoot a 7D and 100-400 and had no problems in fresh water with getting the combo wet even though the lens wasn't technically weather sealed.

KayakPhotos wrote in post #17584556
I agree. It's a pain to maintain two systems. I'm probably going to end up going with a "wildlife only setup" and haven't decided what route I'll take. I love the a7 "bang for your buck" IQ, but it isn't as well suited as other bodies for that type of shooting. I used to shoot a 7D and 100-400 and had no problems in fresh water with getting the combo wet even though the lens wasn't technically weather sealed.

Yea,

I keep thinking I want to find a way to use my 1D2 with a weather sealed lens. But so far I haven't found anything specific that makes me want to get it. A used old 300 F4L non-IS is fairly cheap. But after shooting 600mm on my kayak, for what I shoot (small birds at the ocean), it's hard to even imagine using a shorter lens with my 8Mp camera. Cropping is a no go with that thing, so I tend to try to get it as close and magnified as I can initially.

I think my top choice would ultimately be a K5IIs and 300F4 DA, around $1500 newish/ebayed. But even then, I'm certain to crave more reach. But it would at least give me more options in terms of the early morning and late evening, and would be more useful in the fresh water streams around here, where there's canopy cover.

Other than that, it's use my 1D2 and get a Canon friendly lens that is faster to focus, and I would prefer a prime for the speed/sharpness and lack of more moving parts to avoid more damage over time knocking around kayaking. Sigma offers the 120-300 F2.8 OS/sport with weather sealing at $3k. So that's not really where I want to go. Otherwise, there's the 100-400 II with weather sealing I think, at $2k. But also not where I want to go. I just can't seem to find something that is 300 or 400mm, weather sealed, F4~F5.6, and affordable near the $1k mark for Canon. It just doesn't exist.

My ideal lens from Canon for this job is actually the 400 F4L DO. It's smaller, lighter, and compact for a super telephoto. Cheapest I've seen it is probably $2500 though. And I'm just not willing to go that far right now.

Very best,

Awesome pictures!

Just found this thread and read a good 70% of it. Definitely looked at 100% of the photos. This is absolutely one of the best places to get kayak photography information! So thank you all!

I'm on the verge of pulling the trigger on my first yak. I'm far from new to paddling on the water, but haven't owned one myself....always borrowed from friends/family. Since beggars can't be choosers I never really got into the mindset of trying to figure out what I liked better as I've always been fairly good at adapting my paddling practices to the type of boat I'm in.

With that said, my goal is use the boat solely for shooting around the lakes and ponds of New England. Vermont primarily. Lake Champlain would be the largest body of water, but I wouldn't be taking camera equipment into stormy conditions. Some boggy shallow water, in hopes of capturing the rare Vermont moose, could be problematic for capsizing (getting tangled up). I would like to get my 600mm f4 on the water once I feel comfortable. That lens requires a gimbal or monopod, so something open enough for a large tripod is going to be necessary.

This is where the Hobie Mirage Drive is appealing. Is the main reason it isn't mentioned much, in this thread, due to the cost? Is anyone here using a pedal drive system?

This is pretty cool for getting the large glass onto the water: http://diyphotocheapod​epot.blogspot.com/2011​_04_01_archive.html

Poindexter wrote in post #17614359
Just found this thread and read a good 70% of it. Definitely looked at 100% of the photos. This is absolutely one of the best places to get kayak photography information! So thank you all!

I'm on the verge of pulling the trigger on my first yak. I'm far from new to paddling on the water, but haven't owned one myself....always borrowed from friends/family. Since beggars can't be choosers I never really got into the mindset of trying to figure out what I liked better as I've always been fairly good at adapting my paddling practices to the type of boat I'm in.

With that said, my goal is use the boat solely for shooting around the lakes and ponds of New England. Vermont primarily. Lake Champlain would be the largest body of water, but I wouldn't be taking camera equipment into stormy conditions. Some boggy shallow water, in hopes of capturing the rare Vermont moose, could be problematic for capsizing (getting tangled up). I would like to get my 600mm f4 on the water once I feel comfortable. That lens requires a gimbal or monopod, so something open enough for a large tripod is going to be necessary.

This is where the Hobie Mirage Drive is appealing. Is the main reason it isn't mentioned much, in this thread, due to the cost? Is anyone here using a pedal drive system?

This is pretty cool for getting the large glass onto the water: http://diyphotocheapod​epot.blogspot.com/2011​_04_01_archive.html

I think the cost is probably the main hindrance, but mirage drive would be perfect for kayak photography. I haven't actually tried it but a lot of people use them for fishing and I've seen how efficient and easy they are. They are all stable and very well made.

If You don't want a Hobie, In large lakes I would probably go for a Native Ultimate 14 or Wilderness Systems Commander 140. These are both canoe "hybrid" styles and accommodate a tripod well.

The commander tracks better and is more stable (I've tested both and owned commander 120 before). The native is more maneuverable and has the better seat.

KayakPhotos wrote in post #17614947
I think the cost is probably the main hindrance, but mirage drive would be perfect for kayak photography. I haven't actually tried it but a lot of people use them for fishing and I've seen how efficient and easy they are. They are all stable and very well made.

If You don't want a Hobie, In large lakes I would probably go for a Native Ultimate 14 or Wilderness Systems Commander 140. These are both canoe "hybrid" styles and accommodate a tripod well.

The commander tracks better and is more stable (I've tested both and owned commander 120 before). The native is more maneuverable and has the better seat.

Thanks Daniel. After a visit to a few local shops the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120/140 is looking like a decent option as well. One of the shops made a point to say that the water temperatures, in Vermont, are only warm 2 to 3 months of the year and a closed top will be more comfortable more of the year. I hadn't considered that, but it makes sense. I have a feeling I'm going to end up with two kayaks

Joining this thread! I've been thinking of taking some gear in the kayak but have been a little nervous to do so. I've never tipped it or dropped anything. But I know as soon as I start thinking about it, i will drop something!

7DII, 100-400LII, 1.4III,

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/u6Rg​74

Pondrader wrote in post #17615594
7DII, 100-400LII, 1.4III,

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/u6Rg​74 IMG_1009 by Wild Photography, on Flickr

Really nice!

Poindexter, your needs are different than mine so I have nothing to offer in that regard. I can say it is a lot of fun! Peddle drive looks like it would be great for maneuvering while shooting.

Enjoy!

Poindexter wrote in post #17615473
Thanks Daniel. After a visit to a few local shops the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120/140 is looking like a decent option as well. One of the shops made a point to say that the water temperatures, in Vermont, are only warm 2 to 3 months of the year and a closed top will be more comfortable more of the year. I hadn't considered that, but it makes sense. I have a feeling I'm going to end up with two kayaks

I'm in a kayaking group and a lot of people have several kayaks. It comes with the territory...
If I wasn't into photography I would probably have more than one kayak, but I can't justify the expense since I have to pay to store my kayak (I live in a condo.)

That's a good point about sit inside due to cold weather. I used to take wildlife photos in the winter and I had a Old Town Vapor 12. This is similar to the Pungo. I wore cold weather clothes with a rain suit over the top to make it water proof. I've shot in conditions where I had to break through the ice. I'm in Florida now, so that's no longer an issue.