Rig Your Camera For AMAZING Wildlife Videos

[@love4wildlife]

Yet another great video, James. You mention several vital components to take things to the next level. Looking forward to the next video. Would love to see this setup in action. Well done my friend.

[@jamesfrystak]

All the shots of the ducks were from that setup. Also, I really enjoy that R5 image. It matches well with the Red Cameras that I use.

[@love4wildlife]

@@jamesfrystak You leave me wanting for more...which is a great thing.

[@eerofi]

Great-looking rig James! Did you ever try to use one of those little screw-in cable clamps to secure the HDMI cable to the camera? That should protect the cable a little bit more and prevent it from coming out as easily.

[@jamesfrystak]

That is such a great suggestion. Ordering from Amazon now. Thanks!!!

[@timlesniak01]

Hi James, I'm really enjoying your videos. You mentioned in this video that you were going to discuss why the follow focus is so important. I am curious as to why since the R5 has such good autofocus. Perhaps as a video suggestion, you could go into more detail about how you use the follow focus and any other tools built into the camera or Atomos to help get you critical focus. I'd love to see a demonstration of how it all works together.

[@jamesfrystak]

This is a big topic and I’m going to do a deep dive on this one soon. Thanks!

[@AdrianW.Photography]

Very helpful. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise

[@jamesfrystak]

Thanks! Let me know if you have any questions.

[@touchedbynature5445]

Excellent Video, Very Helpful And Informative. Many Thanks For Sharing James, 🇬🇧

[@jamesfrystak]

Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@lewcehjitl3282]

I have the a7rV and the 200-600mm with a camo sleeve on it. Thanks for the info! 😊

[@jamesfrystak]

Good choice!

[@jamesfrystak]

Do you shoot much video with that kit? What do you think of the 200-600mm?

[@ericyoungblood]

I switched from the Sony 200-600 to the sigma e-mount 60-600 and the manual focus ability is so much better. The Sony lens is too sensitive, while the sigma adjust focus based on how fast you turn the wheel. Fine focus is so much better and you really don’t need a follow focus.

[@jamesfrystak]

@@ericyoungblood 60-600mm for the WIN!! I've been shooting all week with my Canon 100-500 and prefer my 60-600 by far.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Great information here, huge thank you for sharing!

[@jamesfrystak]

I'm glad you found some value.

[@rivieramacro5240]

Nice video thank you. No microphone ?

[@jamesfrystak]

The cameras I use don’t record audio when shooting “off speed” (slow motion) and most of the animals I film are usually at distances that would be a challenge to isolate the sound of. I would bet that 99% of the wildlife documentaries that you have seen, the audio was done in post-production.

[@dotta4763]

Very nice setup. Is your seamless smallrig ring 83mm? Cause they don’t make 84 for that lens. Any issues ?

[@jamesfrystak]

Thanks!! No problems at all.

[@futureexperience]

Really cool to see this and hear how you put it together! And the memory cache is something I hadn’t thought about but makes so much sense! Thanks

[@jamesfrystak]

Pre Record/Pre Roll/Cache record, whatever you want to call it, is very useful.

[@Rudy.Pohl.Ottawa]

Hi James, I'm an long-time avid amateur wildlife photographer who 3 years ago decided to give wildlife video a try and I love it. I have a Canon R5, RF50/f1.8, RF100-500 and the RF200-800, + 1.4x tc. I'm wanting to up my game and just found your AWESOME KZbin channel. First of all, a big CONGRATS on winning that Emmy Award! 👍👍👍 I've subscribed to your channel and signed up for your newsletter, but in the meantime can you tell whether or not you shoot in log and if so, when and which version - C-log or C-log3? Thanks, Rudy

[@jamesfrystak]

Thanks!! I always shoot in Log and in C-Log3

[@CalvinFisherPhotos]

Been looking forward to this video!! The r5 and 100-500 is actually the upgrade I’m saving up for currently. That rig looks like a dream and isn’t the most absurdly expensive thing, especially compared to its level of performance. Great video once again! Also have you had any issues with the battery life on the r5?

[@jamesfrystak]

Without a question, your gear doesn't really matter as long as you know how to use it. Get your camera at eye level, keep your subject in focus, and get a variety of shot sizes. Battery life hasn't been much of an issue, but I have some solutions around that. Maybe I'll make a video about that.

[@Rudy.Pohl.Ottawa]

Hi James, can you tell me the make and model of that hand held record trigger that you're holding at the 11 minute mark of this video? Can it be attached directly to my R5 or do I need an Atomos Ninja? Thanks very much. Awesome videos by the way!!

[@jamesfrystak]

Sorry for the late reply. It's the Libec RED-LA and I don't think it works with the R5

[@Rudy.Pohl.Ottawa]

@@jamesfrystak Thanks for this, James. Cheers, Rudy

[@marieta.s]

Hi James, I would like to ask your opinion on variable nd filters for filming. Is there a brand that does not have a color cast and would a 2-5 stop filter be enough for daytime filming?

[@anthonya1695]

How do you travel with that in the field? Do you take it apart or is it safe to put the whole thing in a backpack?

[@janardananwildlife]

Everyone's rig is a bit different and you have to find the right balance yourself. I use a BMPCC 6K Pro, so I don't need a matte box or a monitor. So I keep my camera and lens attached and have my rod setups as attached seperately and have my SSD and V-mount battery seperately. It takes about 2 minutes to set them up on my Sirui SH15 tripod. It mostly became a muscle memory except connecting the weipu power cable to the camera, which still requires me to be calm, else it just won't go in😂

[@anthonya1695]

@janardananwildlife Thank you. My setup is a little as well. I've just been using the cameras regular batteries. Haven't needed to setup an external but I do have the option with me. I see some people carrying the setup on the tripod over the shoulder like a battle axe. I'm too scared to do that, worried something can go wrong. $$$$

[@jackkelly2927]

Dude this video is amazing. Thanks so much for putting it together. So do you know what the next tripod up from this one might be, in terms of stability and stuff?

[@jamesfrystak]

There are a lot of great options out there depending on your budget. I personally like the Oconnor 1030 or 1040 but it's an expensive upgrade.

[@Wildridefilms]

Good insights. I have a few questions. Do you shoot in 8k on the R5? Does the Atomos Pre Roll work in 8k on the Ninja V? Does the R5 overheat in hotter conditions even for shorter clips?

[@jamesfrystak]

I shoot in 8k all the time, but only when I don't need to over-crank the FPS. The Ninja V does not record in 8k, only the Ninja V+ and I haven't had the camera overheat on me before. I am well aware of the overheating issue, and I always shut the camera down when I'm not using it to avoid that issue.

[@jamesfrystak]

Are you shooting on the R5?

[@Wildridefilms]

@@jamesfrystak I don't, just wanted to know how it performs. Their lenses are pretty interesting for wildlife video like the 200-800. The R5C is active cooled, so much more reliable but has terrible battery life.

[@jamesfrystak]

You could always get a dummy battery and tap out to VMount

[@glatznatureproductions]

@@jamesfrystak+1 on vmount for R5C. Tilta makes a decent interface but unfortunately it is not easy to use on a tripod.

[@alisonandguywildlifephotograph]

Great video….where is the microphone?

[@jamesfrystak]

Great question. We rarely record sound in the field. All the audio you hear in natural history programs is created in post production.

[@travelbagphotography]

Hey James, great video! Which brand VND do you use and you left out your mic? Curious to know which mic you use.

[@jamesfrystak]

Thanks! I use Hoya. I forgot to add that to my description kit list.

[@ecocarefoundation4314]

Very informative and educational tutorial.Fotvyiung fellows like us ,this set up technique is win or loose situation.Also,when you have time Please share actual filming techniques...Thanks for sharing and all the best . Yash

[@jamesfrystak]

Glad it was helpful!

[@matteoferrettiphotography]

Hi everyone! Thank you for the video: can anyone name the trigger for the Atomos Ninja? Thank's 😃

[@jamesfrystak]

It's the Libec REC-LA.

[@matteoferrettiphotography]

@@jamesfrystak thank you so much! This could be really nice to add to the kit with the atomos ninja with the pre - recording feature!

[@jamesfrystak]

@@matteoferrettiphotography Yes!! Definitely

[@mike_williams8522]

Great video James. Regarding the variable ND filters, do you prefer a certain brand? Thanks.

[@andyarts8382]

I use the Nisi one on my sigma 60-600mm and it is fantastic.

[@jamesfrystak]

The Nisi filters are great.

[@janardananwildlife]

Have you tried the lens supports that have wheels on them to adjust zoom or focus rings? Because that would be helpful for this setup as you could keep the lens support in further end of the lens, which will help maximise the use of a lens support. I use a BMPCC 6K pro, and it eliminates the need for a monitor, ND filter and matte box. It helps me keep my setup quite minimal, so it's easy to carry around. ❤

[@jamesfrystak]

Great suggestion. I’ll definitely look into it.

[@JimHawkins1]

Suggestion. Dummy battery for ninja connected to power bank. Power bank must be PD. Attach arm band phone holder to sticks for bank. Less weight and less battery changing.

[@jamesfrystak]

Great suggestions! I often use a dummy battery on the Ninja and attach a Vlock on rails behind the camera. Attaching it to the sticks would definitely help get the weight off the head. Thanks!

[@JimHawkins1]

@@jamesfrystak 👍🏻 sounds like you got that one covered. 😀