Sony A6400 Wildlife Settings: Pro-Level Techniques

This week I take a look at the basic settings I use to get the best out of my Sony A6400 for wildlife photography, don't worry theirs no witchcraft or wizardry! Most importantly I explain my philosophy on improving as a wildlife photographer and what is and isn't important ( Skip through to 15:30 for that!) Hopefully you can try out anything your not doing already and see if it has the potential for improving your images.
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www.scotttille...
The list below contains the equipment I use for Wildlife Photography and video production. I have provided an affiliate link for each bit of gear. If you buy using this link I get a small commission which helps towards producing this channel. Thank You👍
VISUAL
Sony A7r111 amzn.to/3LTMBqf
Sony A6400 amzn.to/3Bk2zVP
DJI Osmo Action 3 amzn.to/41mLC7P
Sony 200-600 G OSS Lens amzn.to/4343Yf9
Sony 90mm F2.8 Macro amzn.to/42pIEkb
Viltrox AF 24mm 1.8 FE amzn.to/3HXBIT6
TRAIL CAMERAS
CEYOMUR Solar Wildlife Camera
4K 30fps, WiFi Bluetooth 40MP Camera amzn.to/3p7zs5p
SOUND
Rode Videomicro amzn.to/3pxOod5
DJI Microphones (Lav Mic Set) amzn.to/3VWlu2z
Tascam DR-05X Sound Recorder amzn.to/41u1VQe
SUPPORT
Vanguard Veo3Go 204CB (Travel) amzn.to/3LYPUMO
Vanguard VEO 2 PRO 233CO amzn.to/3MiD910
Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB 100 amzn.to/3nRRrw9
Artcise Heavy Duty Bowl Tripod amzn.to/3nSc63e
Manfrotto Manfrotto MVH500AH fluid head amzn.to/42qlLx7
Vanguard Veo2s AM234TBP5OT Monopod amzn.to/3pvjAtw
CLOTHING/HIDES
JACK PYKE LLCS 3D Gloves amzn.to/3nLw8MX
Harrington Marley 3D Ghillie Mask amzn.to/42rT5n8
JACK PYKE Rannock Jacket amzn.to/3LTyL79
BAGS
VANGUARD ALTA SKY 51D Pro Backpack amzn.to/3NXau2H
Vanguard VEO Range T37M Backpack amzn.to/42qoF4Z
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Facebook: / scott.tilley.96
Facebook Photography Group: / 464830210734820
Twitter: / 1436712703272361990

[@Leon-dt8uo]

Hi, Nice video thanks; one really important setting missing though is your Focus mode; do you use wide area, flexible spot or zone, or a mixture of these depending on the situation/subject; if so what modes do you advise for different situations/subjects? I guess tracking is on all the time? I experiment with all of them but would love to hear your thoughts/experience of each. Many thanks!

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Hi, thanks for watching and great question! I tend to use wide area if I am photographing fast moving subjects such as birds in flight etc. If I am dealing with a slow subject potentially within undergrowth I use single spot as this enables me to lock the autofocus on without it getting distracted by vegetation etc. If the subject is well hidden in undergrowth, small birds are a good example I often switch to manual focus with focus peaking to ensure that the single focus point isn't being fooled. 👍👌

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Nice work Scott. Certainly is a great little camera and youve captured some magic images with it over the years 👍🙏

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Thanks Adrian, still love shooting with this when I get the opportunity. I'm in the process of changing the A7r3 but will be keeping my A6400, its become a bit like an old friend!!😊👍Cheers mate!

[@bloodmoney88]

great production sir, I enjoyed watching & learning with you. One little point re why or how we shoot, our choices aren't always of preference; I'd like to do somethings but can't due ability... shaky hands my issue, aging eyesight another. So choosing certain functional aspects is not always about preference, though I'd like it to be. I bought a camera without stabilization (affordability, I'd have preferred a camera with stabilization but couldn't find one to compare with my other functional interests), so I have to adapt that for my preferred use; a stand, tripod & mono, a lens with stabilization. I don't like using them, but I have to for a lot of my interests in live talent. Thanks for your good work.

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Thanks, certainly agree that we all need to adapt. Just considering some adaptions of my own at the minute. For years I have had the viewfinder set up for my eyes but am just considering setting it to when I am wearing glasses because I can't see the LCD these days without glasses (only from a couple of metres away!😂) All the best👍

[@glennvanderbusse4137]

Hi Scott and thanks for posting this video, I have just recently changed from my NEX6 to the a6400 so am still getting use to all the extras I have also purchased a Tamron 18-300mm and for the bird pics I use a Tamron 150 - 500mm. I noticed that you had your camera on 6MP is this what you normally would use as I took some bird pics the other day using 6MP and found them rather sharp once I seen them on the Desktop screen. Cheers Glenn v from NZ

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Hi Glenn, I just had a look at the video to see where I refer to the 6mp. The only instance I can see is on the first menu where the Jpeg line is showing 6mp. To be honest this is not really relevant because I always shoot in RAW. Shooting in RAW format means you can make changes to the file and it will not lose quality. However, if you shoot JPEG these will lose detail every time you edit them. They also add in camera sharpening which is what you might be seeing. RAW files don't do this which is important because when editing sharpening should be the last thing you do to an image and it should be sharpened depending on its use (online, print etc) Hope this helps! 👍

[@glennvanderbusse4137]

@@scotttilleyphotography Hi Scott, I find that when I take photos on a cloudy day using my a6400 and Tamron 150-500mm I seem to end up with grainy pics could you tell me what settings I should be using as I have a feeling I have it wrong. Cheers Glenn

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Hello Glenn. What iso are you shooting at with these images?

[@glennvanderbusse4137]

@@scotttilleyphotography mainly King Fisher or similar size by birds not in flight. I have ISO on Auto and use f7 -9

[@recmydream]

5:16 menu settings

[@glennwebster6344]

I enjoyed your video as I use as 6400 with a sigma 100-400 for wildlife. Most of my settings are similar, but I use auto iso minimum shutter speed set at 1/2000 sec for birds. Works well for me and automatically drops shutter speed if it can’t get enough light using your preset ISO range. Have you tried it? Also wondering if you are considering moving to the 6700?

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Sounds great! I tend to switch around a little bit. I have changed my minimum shutter speed to 1/2000 since making this video, however I use this as a base and depending what birds I am photographing this can go up and down. I haven't looked at the A6700 yet! I shoot with the A7r3 and A6400 at the minute and my next upgrade will be switching the A7r3 for the A1. In the future I may look at the A6700 but at the minute very happy with the A6400.👌👍

[@Rob.1340]

Cheers Scott. All the best. 👍📷😎

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Thanks Rob👍

[@RichardBirchett]

Well said Scott, never take things for Gospel! Nice Tips there, not that I shoot Sony:-) R👍

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Cheers mate, hope things are going well in Canada, I will be on a Canada playlist marathon shortly!!!👌👍

[@RichardBirchett]

@@scotttilleyphotography All good thanks mate, I'm forever on catchup! Thanks, all the best 😀

[@leehanley71]

Hi Scott, another excellent video. As I've said before, I purchased the a6400 because of the quality images I seen of yours in your vlogs and on your photography group. This camera never ceases to amaze me. I also use it with the 200-600 lens, it is a brilliant combination. I use aperture priority and shutter priority to great effect. I do use Manual occasionally too. Do you ever use any of the semi automatic modes? Or always Manual? Thanks for another great video 📸

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Hi Lee, thanks for watching. I still love using the A6400, can't see me swapping it any time soon as its so versatile especially when I need a lightweight setup. I used to shoot in aperture priority exclusively but switched to manual about ten years ago. At that time I would also change ISO myself as noise reduction meant you would rarely shoot above 1600 ISO, now reduction software is so good I'm happy to let the camera select it! Have a great weekend mate👌👍

[@leehanley71]

@@scotttilleyphotography Cheers Mate, have a good weekend also 📸

[@glennwebster6344]

I use auto iso minimum shutter speed of 1/2000 with iSO set to float between 100 and 6400. This setting tries to maintain the shutter speed of 1/2000, but will start to drop it automatically if proper exposure can't be obtained. I have a custom button to slow the shutter speed down for static shots. It works well for me.

[@Andreww1111]

Thank you! Благодарю!

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Thanks for watching 👍 Glad it was useful

[@abhranilchoudhury]

hey scott what do you think about sony a6400 with tamron 70-300mm lens to start of wildlife photography

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Hi, this is a good starting point. On the A6400 the crop factor makes the 300mm like a 450mm. This is a little short for wildlife but as I say it will allow you to get started. I use the camera with the Sony 200-600 so I would look to upgrade the lens first as the camera will serve you well for a long time. If budget is a problem look for a used lens. Something like a Canon 100-400 Mk1 with a metabones converter or a Sigma 100-400 E mount is a great lens. 👍

[@abhranilchoudhury]

@@scotttilleyphotography thanks.but if i use canon 100-400 mk1 with metabone converter then will the aotofocus work properly ?

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Best to check out on Metabones website as they will have compatibility charts

[@abhranilchoudhury]

@@scotttilleyphotography thank you for replying .i will check it.

[@glennwebster6344]

I was using a sigma 18-300 but was disappointed. Moved up to the Sigma 100-400 and am much happier with that. Still, the 300mm will get you started.

[@salort]

You made my day scott thank you for share your knowledge

[@scotttilleyphotography]

My pleasure, really glad you found the video useful! All the best Scott👍