My wildlife photography CAMERA GEAR for Polar Bears | Nikon Z9, Z8, 600mm Z TC, 300 PF !

[@antonoat]

Great video Tom, still dreaming about owning the 600mmf4 Z TC, what an epic piece of kit! Wildlife watching supplies are ace, I'll never forget Kevin did me a big favour many years back when I needed a lens cover in a hurry for my first 200-400f4VR1 when they first came out, I drove to his place and he used my lens for a pattern and made the cover while I waited, fantastic service, incidentally I still have that cover and it's like new despite much use! Looking forward to seeing news of your other trips this year, have a good one. Cheers.

[@BullitTom]

Great video Tom. Nice to see your still using the 300f2..8, I bought one on your recommendation. I’m still on D850 and D5 and is good to know that both 300’s are worth keeping for when I make the jump to mirror less

[@ryancooper3629]

I recently got a killer deal on a 300PF used and I'm just in love with the lens. My brain doesn't understand how you can get such an amazing performing 300mm lens in such a small package.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Yes it’s a rather awesome bit of gear and a fab lens to have in my kit for jobs like this where I’m limited of size or want something that’s light and easy to use in combination with the 600mm. Also I know it’s going to be fantastic for hiking and camping expeditions where I want a tele but also need to drop some weight!

[@ryancooper3629]

@@TomMasonPhoto Yeah, makes me wonder if they have a Z mount successor to it on the way. Maybe like with the 500 the successor will be a bit longer even, say a 400 F4? ;) (Though maybe that too similar to the 400 4.5)

[@beegee2234]

As ever a really comprehensive review.. One point you didn't discuss was battery life. Maybe it wasn't quite as cold when you travelled but we had several days around -30C. At that temperature the camera (D500 and Iphone) both regularly turned off. A few minutes in a warm pocket restored normal function. Interestingly the battery didn't drain power, just turned off. When it was warmed up it had the same reserve as before.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

I discuss both the battery life of the Z8 and Z9 in this video, maybe you missed it at the beginning? As stated I was impressed with the Z9 especially, I had no times when the camera just shut down on me or the battery drained faster than I’d expect. I was preemptively changing our batteries and putting them inside my jacket so that probably helped. The Z8 battery performance wasn’t as good but I was shooting a significant amount of video on it that was likely for the higher drain rate. As you say it was only -10/15 so another -15 may have surely made a difference!

[@patricksmith2553]

If you use the MB-D17 and EN-EL18c or EN-EL18D in your D500, it will not turn off or lose battery life in cold conditions. I use D6 bodies with the EN-EL18D's from the Z9 and I use the newer MH-33 charger and adapter to charge all my batteries. Anyways I use the EN-EL18c in my D850 and D500 battery grips.

[@SundayRacers]

Good to see the kit you use. I use large ziplock clothing bags to put my camera gear into to avoid condensation. Works great and easy to use in the field

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Yes that sounds like a great solution for the condensation! Should add some of those to my bag in future!

[@SundayRacers]

@@TomMasonPhoto Yes, used them in the field in Northern Sweden and they super easy to use, even with gloves. Not sure you'd get one for a 600mm with a Z9 attached, but I had an 80-400 on a D5 and and it worked great with that

[@Karkawry1970]

Just looking back at this one Tom, have you looked into the Flexshooter Pro as a kind of 'best of both worlds' ball/gimbal replacement?

[@TomMasonPhoto]

I think in future I’ll just take the ball head + my wimberley sidekick! Although these days I’m also looking into fluid options as well for filming!

[@danpsharpe]

Great vid Tom! Super random question, but I can’t find it online. What are the dimensions of the lens hood? I’m trying to determine if it will fit in my bag. 😊

[@johnclay7644]

Informative video Thanks Tom.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Cheers John

[@wildpatagoniafilms16]

Great post! Lots of good info! I'd like to know if you could do a post regarding exposing when shooting on the snow: polar bears... artic foxes.. etc. Light fur animals with a snow background... you do spot, matrix? thanks!

[@petersuvara]

Do you get paid per shot on your tours? I have the Z9 and considering if it’s worth investing in a 600mm f4 TC. But I need a path to cover the cost.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

I sell images yes but the price all depends on the brief, here I was out to scout the location with the team with the idea of bringing back guests for a photo tour in the future, although the images I’ll likely be selling as prints in the near future. The 600 is an expensive lens but it’s a long term investment for me to aid my work in the long run!

[@petersuvara]

@@TomMasonPhotothanks Tom. How long have you been in this career path?

[@TomMasonPhoto]

@@petersuvara for over a decade now, was doing my first professional jobs when I was 19! I moved out of home when I was 21 and have been making a living from my photography full time since then, crazy to think that was ten years ago now when I started this journey!

[@bladerealm124]

Do you have a video about your path to working as a professional wildlife photographer and your most recent main source(s) of income? Or could you elaborate on them? Do you have any tips on how to get started and what you would focus on if you were getting started today? I have the budget saved up for basically any equipment but I'm looking to see where I should invest my time as far as what has the best success rate and income.

[@sounds-of-soul]

Hi Tom, what size is the WWS raincover? The link goes to all of them. I have Z9 + 600 F4 AF-S D

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Erm it’s the biggest one! I think it’s the C.80.4

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Should say for 600 f4/ 800 6.3 etc

[@sounds-of-soul]

@@TomMasonPhoto thanks Tom

[@anson4924]

Lovely video! What is that lens coat you are using?

[@TomMasonPhoto]

So I have the Lenscoat standard black neoprene cover for the 600mm f4 Z

[@David-rc8fb]

Very interesting and useful information, what Footwear did you use? Happy New Year, keep well 👍🇬🇧

[@TomMasonPhoto]

So I was wearing some Baffin boots whilst up in Churchill as they were provided and I wanted to slim down the gear I was personally bringing, in cold conditions like this I prefer my own Muckboot arctic sports that I’ll be wearing on a few future trips to cold locations!

[@David-rc8fb]

@@TomMasonPhoto Thank you, very interesting, not that I am planning any ultra cold trips, just curious. 👍🇬🇧

[@Felix.Julian]

While we are on the topic of keeping you gear safe; i just drowned my D850 with the 200-500 in a river while photographing the kingfisher.. Definitly a lesson for me.

[@KevinNordstrom]

Ouch.

[@dominiqueschenck430]

I wish Nikon comes back to its full best - like the good old times. And stops using Sony sensors to be fully independent and gain a secure long term future

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Nikon has tweaked sensors for years and they are rarely - other than in entry level models - just off the shelf sensors. I think Nikon is entering such an exciting period and I really can’t wait to see what tech advancements the Z series it going to bring over the next few years!

[@jabonaelwuo9703]

It's a animal fur?

[@TomMasonPhoto]

No the fur on the jacket is Synthetic

[@colintraveller]

It's common practice when out about Polar Bear Country .. is to be armed !!

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Yes my guides were armed ✅ I discuss this in my previous video but yes it’s certainly an important consideration

[@Rob.1340]

👍📷😎