Upgraded Camera Recommendations for Upland Bird Hunting

[IdahoFF]

I currently pack around my Olympus TG4 which takes nice photos however I'm wanting something with more zoom. I'm not looking to become a photographer but would like to be able to capture improved photos of the dogs on point and the landscape. I'm not opposed to a bigger camera that I have to sling behind my pack but want one that is fairly weather resistant and durable. Appreciate any and all recommendations

 

[Dos XX]

How much are you willing to spend? I have an Olympus OMD EM5 that is water resistant. Mine is a number of years old. It takes very high quality pics. It has been on a bunch of float trips.

It isn't an all in one camera. It has removeable lenses. It is pretty small though. That camera, or the latest version of it, and 1 prime lens or even a zoom is a pretty small package.

 

[IdahoFF]

Appreciate the response. That is one of the cameras I have been looking at, I just have zero knowledge about what's what with cameras.

 

[Dos Perros]

Are you on Instagram? https://www.instagram.com/thelastbestfind/ takes some pretty nice dog on point pictures, maybe could DM him. Your ask is sorta a tougher one, good pictures at zoom but assume you want it walking around tidy.

 

[Camera Land]

There are a few great options. The EM5 is now the OM5, (crop sensor). That with the 14-150mm lens is a very good option. The Nikon Z5 (full frame) with the 24-200mm is an amazing option now due to the $500 instant savings.
Both are weatherproof outfits. Both will give you amazing images. The Nikon sensor is larger and if you are going to make large blow ups, bigger then 16x20 or do a lot of cropping, then the Nikon is the better option.
The key feature on both are that the bodies and the lenses are all weatherproof. Other brands will have weatherproof bodies but the similar lenses are not.

As a sponsor here we always do the right thing for members here.

Give me a call to discuss them at 516-217-1000. I am here every day thru Tuesday, back Thursday

Joel
Camera Land

 

[charliebravo77]

I'm a Canon and Fuji APS-C user predominately, but the exact camera sort of doesn't matter. Regardless of the type of outdoor photography, my ideal setup is a fast prime (f1.2-f1.8) in the 35-50mm full frame equivalent range and a 70-200/2.8. That said, I've gotten good shots with less than ideal setups - often having somewhat intentionally handicapped myself.

I approach most outdoor photography sort of the same as I imagine a wedding photographer might approach a wedding ceremony and reception - you're telling a story that is occurring (usually) somewhere between 100 yards and less than a foot away. Meaning, you'll want to capture shots that are up close and shots that are somewhat far away so you will need a body and lens combo that can accommodate that.

I've taken a LOT of photos with a Canon 80D and a Tamron G2 70-200 - some even happen to be upland themed. A 70-200/2.8 (or equivalent if you are going with something other than a APS-C or full frame sensor body) with a constant aperture throughout the zoom range will give you good reach without sacrificing too much on the aperture speed and light gathering abilities which makes for nice subject isolation/background separation/shallow depth of field. This can be helpful to keep backgrounds of images from becoming too busy and detracting from whatever your subject may be while also letting you get more shots in at first and last light without raising your ISO to an unusable level.

70-200/2.8 and Canon 80D shots:

IMG_8085 by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

IMG_8126 by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

IMG_9982 by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

Pheasant Hunting 12-21-2019 by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

IMG_6636 by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

IMG_7062 by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

IMG_8245 by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

IMG_8557 by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

A fast prime - 35mm, 40mm or 50mm usually, in f1.2, f1.4 or f1.8 allows for even better low light performance at the sacrifice of reach, but is also really nice to help with that shallow depth of field for detail shots, close ups, etc. You can even use it at a bit longer distances to help blur things like foliage between you and your subject so the image is less distracting and it's clear what your subject is, as they are usually the only thing in focus. Some of these were taken on a 18-35mm/1.8 Sigma Art zoom lens, though it is effectively 3-5 prime lenses in one as just like the 70-200/2.8 the f1.8 aperture is consistent throughout the range, unlike a lot of other zoom lenses. The fast aperture is also helpful for being able to freeze motion with higher shutter speeds without sacrificing quality due to increased ISO and subsequent noise.

Fast prime shots, also all on a Canon 80D:

Northwoods Grouse by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

Northwoods Grouse by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

Northwoods Grouse by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

Northwoods Grouse by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

Like I said, though, you can get away with less than ideal equipment sometimes. On a few recent trips I have taken just my Fuji X100V which is a 35mm equivalent f2.0 fixed lens APS-C camera either due to flight/luggage constraints or just wanting something unobtrusive to throw over my shoulder and carry in the woods/mountains/wherever.

X100V shots:

2024 Northwoods by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

2024 Northwoods by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

2024 Northwoods by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

Bonus X100V non-upland:

DSCF9287 by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

DSCF9835 by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

DSCF0018 by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

DSCF8990 by chrisbrennerphoto, on Flickr

Any digital camera body from Canon/Nikon/Fuji/Olympus/Sony from the past decade has the ability to take amazing photos - I would focus more on which lens mount family you find more useful and make your decision more around the lenses you will be using most often than the body itself. Just like hunting optics, camera lenses are worth putting more money into than the camera body and if you go with a newer body/mount (Canon RF, Nikon Z, Fuji X, Sony E, M43, etc.) then you'll have a lens collection that doesn't need to be upgraded with the body for quite some time.

 

[Camera Land]

Nice shots. A lot of photography is the person behind the lens, not the camera in front of the person. I have customers that have gone back to film and use Pentax k1000's with a prime lens that get pictures that amaze. The key is to learn your camera and learn how to take pictures. We offer free on line classes from Canon throughout the year. Most of the classes can be used regardless of what cameras you use. I will post here once Canon sets up the schedule for 2025

 

[charliebravo77]

Nice shots. A lot of photography is the person behind the lens, not the camera in front of the person. I have customers that have gone back to film and use Pentax k1000's with a prime lens that get pictures that amaze. The key is to learn your camera and learn how to take pictures. We offer free on line classes from Canon throughout the year. Most of the classes can be used regardless of what cameras you use. I will post here once Canon sets up the schedule for 2025

Agreed, and thanks! I also happen to be a happy Camera Land customer and recommend reaching out once OP is ready to buy - I got my X100V from y'all juuuust before they became absurdly popular and impossible to get.

 

[Camera Land]

Thank you!! That Fuji series, now the VI is still heavily back ordered.

 

[IdahoFF]

Appreciate all the detailed responses. Looks like I have a lot of learning to do. Merry Christmas