What’s in my (wildlife photography) bag?
Sony New Zealand asked me to contribute a ‘what’s in my bag’ article for wildlife photography – it was fun to put together some notes! What's In My Bag: Simon Pierce.
I’m currently updating that list for 2024 so, if you stumble across this page, check back soon :)
Cameras
Alpha 7RIII & RIV
I've been shooting with the A7RIII since 2018, and absolutely love them (I've bought two now). I often undertake projects in remote areas, so I need a tough, flexible, and compact system that offers both high resolution and speed. The A7RIII delivers on all fronts. They've travelled with me from the Arctic to Antarctica, from mountain cloud forests to the Galapagos Islands, so I know I can rely on them in any environment.
I picked up a used A7RIV camera in 2022 and that’s been great too. The ergonomics are a bit better for me, it’s quieter, and the autofocus is somewhat better.
I love the photographer-friendly customizability of Sony Alpha cameras, as it allows me to program direct access to the key settings I need via the external buttons – whether that be for rainforest wildlife, free-diving with the camera in an underwater housing, or manual-focus macro work. Photo editors also love the 42 megapixel files, as it gives them the option of using the full image or cropping in to show details.
I’m planning to create a webinar for Sony on camera customization for wildlife photography, so look out for that…
Polar bear on Arctic sea ice. Photo by Simon Pierce
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 100-400mm G Master lens and 1.4x Teleconverter. 1/1600 sec, f/8, ISO 400
I was able to have a play with an A1 at a recent Sony event and, suffice to say, it was amazing. It’s tough for me, as my cameras do double-duty as wildlife cameras and underwater cameras, and the housings are specifically designed for each camera model… but if you’re a serious wildlife photographer, the A1 is definitely worth saving up for!
Lenses
FE 100-400mm F4-5.6 GM Telephoto Lens
This is my favourite lens and my go-to for most wildlife subjects. It's compact and light enough for me to hike with, or to hold easily while I’m bouncing around in a small boat. The 100-400mm GM is very sharp, focuses almost instantly, and the zoom range means I can capture anything from landscapes to small birds.
Leopards in South Africa. Photo by Simon Pierce
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 100-400mm G Master lens. 1/200 sec, f/5.6, ISO 6400
Minke whales in Antarctica. Photo by Simon Pierce
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 100-400mm G Master lens. 1/2000 sec, f/8, ISO 500
FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G Telephoto Lens
If I know I'll need extra 'reach', or Mads steals my 100–400, this becomes my primary lens. It's a fantastic option for birds or for less approachable subjects, like polar bears.
Yellow-eyed penguin in New Zealand. Photo by Simon Pierce
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 200–600mm G lens. 1/500 sec, f/6.3, ISO 2000
FE 24-105mm F4 G Zoom Lens
I typically have two cameras at the ready, one with a telephoto lens and the 24-105mm on the other. The 24-105mm is a light, flexible, and sharp lens that is excellent for animal-in-environment photos ('wildlifescapes'), or for when a close approach by the animals is possible – which happens surprisingly often if you radiate a friendly vibe!
Gentoo penguin learning to swim in Antarctica. Photo by Simon Pierce
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 24-105mm G lens. 1/640 sec, f/6.3, ISO 320
The 20–70 looks pretty freaking useful for travelling wildlife photography, which I do a lot of, so I may switch to that in 2025.
Accessories
The bag! Thinktank Airport Accelerator (for travel)
I’m onto my second one of these – I eventually destroyed the zips on the first one with years of saltwater spray –
Mindshift Sling
Sony Tough Series UHS-II Memory Cards
I'm often shooting thousands of photos for several days on end, so I use 128 and 256 GB memory cards. While I'll copy the photos over to my laptop (and a SanDisk 2TB SSD) after each session, these large cards give me some redundancy in case of disaster. The fast data transfer speeds of these UHS-II cards also allow my camera buffer to clear fast when I’m shooting action.
Peak Designs Straps
I use a Slide Lite strap with the 100-400mm and the slightly thicker Slide strap with the 200-600mm.
LensCoat Lens Covers
These camouflaged neoprene lens covers keep contrast down in the forest, so it doesn’t surprise animals when I raise the camera. They also add grip in cold or wet conditions.
Also, whenever someone says ‘wow, that’s a serious camera’ when I’m out and about, it means I can give them a shocked look and reply ‘you can see it???’
Never gets old.
Monopod + MonoGimbal Head
I use a Gitzo 4-series (long) monopod, which extends to 190cm in case I ever need to shoot up into a tree for long periods (hasn’t happened yet, but who knows), with a Wimberley MH-100 MonoGimbal head. It’s a great setup for static photography with the 200-600mm, such as when I'm lurking near a seal colony.
Galapagos land iguana. Photo by Simon Pierce
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 100-400mm G Master lens. 1/1250 sec, f/8, ISO 800
Replacement Lens Feet
I use Arca-Swiss compatible lens feet on the telephoto lens so I can quickly attach them to the MonoGimbal. They also make for useful carry handles.
Sony VG-C3EM Vertical Grip
I'll add this vertical grip to the camera in polar regions when I’m wearing gloves while shooting from small boats. It gives me extra purchase when my dexterity is reduced in cold and wet conditions.
Atlantic puffin in Svalbard. Photo by Simon Pierce
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 100-400mm G Master lens. 1/2000 sec, f/6.3, ISO 320
Electrical Tape, Cable Ties, and Multitool
My field toolkit. A small loop of tape becomes a useful pull-tab for the LCD screen when I’m using gloves.
Think Tank Emergency Rain Covers
The weatherproofing on my cameras and lenses is good but, If it really starts pelting down, they go into the covers so I can keep shooting. The expensive stuff stays dry. Me, not so much.
Bearded seal in Svalbard. Photo by Simon Pierce
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 100-400mm G Master lens. 1/1600 sec, f/8, ISO 800
