BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY REVOLUTION: Exploring Mirrorless Cameras and lenses

Changing from our trusty Nikon DSLR cameras to the mirrorless Nikon Z7ii for bird photography has been challenging. Changing lenses is also a challenge. In this video, we are photographing ducks like the Barrow's Goldeneye and Harlequin ducks on a river, trying to get arty and moody images.
The mirrorless revolution is not new; some of you have probably used mirrorless cameras for years. We have used them for four years, but it is only now that we have bought lenses for both landscape photography and bird photography. This video is shot during 4 days of bird photography in wonderful weather, where we really get to explore the possibilities of this setup.
OUR BOOKS (www.ggart.is)
BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY IN ICELAND - Our 40 Favorite Locations (eBook)
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PHOTOGRAPHING ICELAND: A Photo Guide to 100 Locations (A must-have for trips to Iceland) (Print and eBook versions)
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Iceland: Wild at Heart
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Grímsey: The Arctic Wildlife Wonder
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www.photographingiceland.com
If you have questions about our photos or ideas about collaboration, you can contact us through one of our websites.

[@paulus0109]

Island is amazing. Beautiful footage. Great photo's, specially the Harlequins. Thnx.

[@nancyturek1121]

As a hobbyist it is comforting to know that even highly experienced professional photographers struggle to come home with what they perceive to be perfect and satisfying shots. Thanks for the inspiration to never stop trying.

[@barrymedlin6587]

Such beautiful shots, love them!!!! Enjoyed seeing the emotion from Gyda on potentially missing the shot, I do that a lot! Will have to add the bean bag to my kit👍🏻

[@lonnieolson3032]

Not only do I anticipate any of your stunning work being released for us to view but throughout the the years I’ve been following I’m so drawn in to how much I love your personalities. I have been shooting wildlife for years and am always blown away it’s your dedication to your craft. 👌

[@trondwestby5264]

Very beautiful video! Thanks for sharing your awesome birds and nature in Island.

[@GudmannAndGyda]

Thank you also for sharing Trond. We were last night watching your video from Svalbard. Best wishes from Iceland. :-)

[@julioamaral4391]

Congratulations on your beautiful work! Nature is the Master. My wife and I just went mirrorless. We live in South Brazil and use to go to Patagonia, South Georgia and Península Antarctica. My journal on Blipfoto is jezenkner. Learning with you here. Thankyou! Cheers from South Brazil .

[@holgerkroger889]

The new Nikon Z Lens are fantastic, in quality and weight. For your art and work I think the Z8 is the perfect workhorse. The autofocus is so much better. Many greetings from Germany

[@GudmannAndGyda]

The quality of the S-glass from Nikon is great. We chose the Z7ii since landscape work is what makes most of our income and being light is important. The Z8 and Z9 are not offering us much more than the Z7ii. Only faster, more reliable autofocus and slow-motion in 4K video. Having used the bigger batteries in the DSLR flagships, the bigger batteries are also great. Those bodies are too expensive to buy also when this is the only benefit we get. We will probably go for Z9 some day when we have forgotten the financial side of the mirrorless transition . Until then we have to make up this difference with talent and experience ;-)

[@stephenthompson1998]

Good to see how you professional photographers work. Marvellous bird photography. Look forward to your next production.👍

[@clovishound5756]

First time viewer, I loved seeing how you approached shooting these beautiful birds. I recently got back into photography after several decades, and I absolutely love the new Nikon mirrorless cameras. One thing I would point out to those who shoot out in the wild in other climates. Be careful about lying prone on the ground. I was out this weekend shooting in a swamp in the southeast US. It was a beautiful early morning with misty rain, and the birds were out fishing the swamp. I got down low with the tripod and got several nice (for me) shots. When I went to stand back up I put my hand on the ground for assist, and got nailed by a poisonous snake. Fortunately, I didn't get much venom and only suffered some swelling, stiffness and bruising. Don't be afraid of getting out and doing what you love, but be careful, and cognizent of what may be hiding in your surroundings. Putting a tarp down might be prudent.

[@GudmannAndGyda]

Luckily there are no snakes in Iceland. On has to be careful, depending on your environment. Here - there are no dangerous animals. If you are the most unlucky person you might be bitten by a tic, or a lice from the puffins. Nothing life-threatening. Good to hear you got well after being bitten.

[@kevins8575]

I think that the camoflage has the effect of reducing the threat signature rather than the visual signature. Perhaps, they still see you, but they see a lower threat.

[@IngolfurDavid]

Great stuff guys ❤

[@GudmannAndGyda]

Glad you enjoyed it Ingólfur.

[@viviennenoble4035]

I love watching your videos.

[@tukkl00]

Again a beautiful video and some great shots. I was at Laxá River myself this week and I understand better now why you love this place so much.

[@sathishKumarRathinaswamy]

How beautiful it will be to see this video on Apple vision pro when it come 😮

[@hans-olofsvensson4567]

Hello and Thanks för the video. Mirrorless is fantastic. Awesome nature Best regards from Sweden // Hans-olof

[@GudmannAndGyda]

Thank you too Hans-Olof!

[@bolleolympus]

❤❤👌👌👍👍

[@Chrispitchwildlife]

wow, such a nice place, and such beautiful ducks! I always new those camouflage things were useless, but you opened my mind about the fact that you could actually get few meters closer. Thanks! 😀

[@GudmannAndGyda]

In general we use green clothes or camo for people, not birds. :-)

[@andersselland9396]

lovely content ,great choice of music also ❤ have been many days at that river ,really a lovely place ❤

[@GudmannAndGyda]

Thank you Anders. It is giving to work with music. It can be a big part of the video. Thank you for the nice comment.

[@glenhopes8233]

Great video! You live in a beautiful part of nature!!

[@jackbrumby1892]

Thank you. Fellow Jim Nix, who is a image software guru (particularly ON1 & Luminar Neo) raves about the scenery & wildlife in Iceland. We have only visited Norway & Sweden from Australia, but Iceland looks tempting. We live in Sydney, but the best wildlife shooting I have done was in our Northern Territory - birds, reptiles, marsupials, crocodiles etc. Cheers.

[@GudmannAndGyda]

We tend to think the grass is greener on the other side. We have often wandered if Australia would be a good option for wildlife - but it seems many Australians are here in Iceland for photography.

[@phillipallaway7306]

@@GudmannAndGyda You can't always lie down in the grass in Australia to get the photo - there are many things here that bite. 🐍🕷

[@ScottRitchie-bw9ls]

Lovely video and some great images of the ducks. Were you happy with Topaz AI? And did you enjoy the mosquitoes!

[@GudmannAndGyda]

Absolutely - both! :-)

[@robertlawrence7958]

Another excellent video. I was thinking what a clever idea to stuff your bean bags with the cammo material. Can I assume that you cram several pieces of cammo in there? Otherwise the bean bags are going to be somewhat redundant when you take the cammo out to cover you 😊 All the best from Wales.

[@davidcox2499]

Hello Nikon, please sent these folks two Z8 cameras. They will show the world what incredible wildlife shots are possible.

[@GudmannAndGyda]

Good idea!

[@walterstein9331]

Excellent video, as always. One question: Where was this video taken ? I bought your E-book last year and I love it. Greetings from Cordoba - Argentina

[@GudmannAndGyda]

Thank you Walter Stein. Can't give you exact location. It is taken at few locations, some of them delicate.

[@RobJorg]

looking at a long weekend in iceland. not sure where to go yet or when, winter or summer or which month. are you considering the Z8 for photography or are you sticking with the Z7 ?

[@thomastuorto9929]

Nice vid. Nikon say it is alright to carry that camera/lens combo by held by the camera only. I see a lot of you tubers doing it but thought if it has a tripod foot it, the weight should be supported there. With the introduction of smaller & lighter lenses, maybe that has changed & it is now just a balance point? Happy shooting.

[@GudmannAndGyda]

The tripod foot is great if you want to use it on a tripod. I would not use the camera's bracket though the lens is light. Carrying it by holding the camera feels great and I don´t think it is hurting the camera body.

[@thomastuorto9929]

@@GudmannAndGyda Thanks.

[@Shorttrip1958]

Thank you very interesting movie. Have a question? Does a 2X teleconverter degrade the image a lot?

[@GudmannAndGyda]

The 2x teleconverter demands perfect technique, but we use it without hesitating. It is excellent for video - slow in autofocus, but it works fine for us.

[@Shorttrip1958]

@@GudmannAndGyda Thank you!