I’m a newbie in wildlife photography and I’m planning to go on this snow leopard photography expedition in February 2027.
What photography gear should I be carrying photography gear (esp. to a remote high altitude region in the Himalayas)?
I know that the snow leopard sightings are quiet far away (normally in 300m to 500m range), the telephoto lens is essential.
Other than that, the full frame vs crop sensor camera is what I’m not sure about.
Also, please suggest a good tripod and binocular.
Have you thought about Micro Four Thirds, smaller and lighter?
Or a Bridge Camera … Sony RX10 24-600mm equivalent.
I like the easy-to-carry aspect of such mirrorless cameras but I doubt they may not be as good as the traditional full frame single-lens reflex cameras.
Have you thought about a monopod, doubles as a walking stick.
Strongly suggest you look at MFT (micro four thirds) cameras and lenses
I had Nikon cameras from the D70s right through to the D810, then I changed due to weight, and went over to Panasonic micro four thirds and it was like coming out of the dark ages. Namely the Panasonic G9 and later on the G9ii
Best move I ever made camera wise. Not only having dual image stabilisation (0ne in the camera the other in the lens) making the Panasic G9 and G9ii the most stable hand hold cameras you could wish for.
Lets get onto lenses. you are not limited ot one make of lens as all MFT make of lenses will fit any MFT camera. you want distance? try holding an 800mm full frame lens without a tripod! let alone carrying it all day
At my age of 81 years old I can easily hand hold a panasonic 100-400mm (200-800mm full frame) lens to get a steady video clip.
forget a tripod they get in the way and expensive.
This is a better option I came up with
8" tripod crossbar
pistol grip and locking nut for camera Cost around £20.
Easy to dismantel for travel and takes up no room in a camera bag. No lugging a tripod about and having to set it up by which time you have lost the shot
don’t foget filters for the lens, look up the one you will need to use against white snow etc something
like a UV filter
Add to the cost memory cards . something like this, beware of fakes do not buy from Amazon
Almost foget get a camera wrist strap Peak design do quick release ones
I think it’s fair to say full frame is better than MFT, but bigger and heavier.
Do you know others on the trip, what are they taking?
Can you talk to the organisers?
