Wildlife Photography Accessories, 5 of my Favorites
Thanks for watching. In the comments.... Did you see something of interest here, put your thoughts in the comments. If you have any experience with any of them, share your thoughts to help others in their decision making
For more information or to purchase please check out the affiliate links below. These links cost you no more, but small commissions help support the channel.
Phone Holders:
Small Rig (shown): bhpho.to/3T9Ys5A (B&H)
Small Rig mini-ballhead: bhpho.to/3fZWjuV (B&H)
Ulanzi: amzn.to/3rPyhpc (Amazon)
Carrying Systems:
Promedia Gear belt: tinyurl.com/4ed9tyt9 (direct link, preferred)
Blackrapid strap : bhpho.to/3KElyhc (B&H)
Peak Design Strap Slide: tinyurl.com/bdhrtdaz (direct link, preferred)
Peak Design Slide light: tinyurl.com/2p8dn7h7 (direct link, preferred)
Cotton Carrier Harness: bhpho.to/3CVADcv (B&H)
Yoga mat:
1mm camo yoga mat: amzn.to/3EIND6r (Amazon)
Camo:
Camo cape: amzn.to/3yDDdB7 (Amazon)
5x6.5 netting: amzn.to/3VsIQw3 (Amazon)
Mini-tripod:
Sirui mini tripod (shown): amzn.to/3CSzpyE (Amazon)
Oben tabletop tripod: bhpho.to/3SXFXBy (B&H)
Pads:
Heat-a-seat ($12!): amzn.to/3MJ6bpn (Amazon)
RolanPro car bag: amzn.to/3To8Yq5 (Amazon)
Floating cushion: amzn.to/3Vptd8x (Amazon)
It's gonna sound like a joke/sexist/whatever, but my most favorite accessory is my wife. I'm starting to get into bird photography, and she just has this knack of seeing birds WAY faster than I do. We were on a walk the other day and there was a red robin (I think, I'm still new) in a branch above our heads and she pointed it out. It actually took me 2 minutes to finally notice the bird. I need to get better at seeing birds, but for now she has the upper hand. She sees the birds, I take the photos and we spend time together, so a win-win-win.
lol awesome same with my bf, he finds the owls lol
I always use my Merlin app to help identify birds! I’ve learned a lot about bird calls and I believe this app is a game changer!!
A yoga mat! Genius.
As a hunter and photo/videographer, SPUDZ lens cloth wipes are one of my favorite little accessories. Sub here, love your tips, gear reviews, helped my approach, techniques a lot in the field.
Real helpful video and tips Scott. Love my Cotton Carrier! I'm waiting on BLUBB bean bag to arrive and give it a go.
Some really great recommendations Scott! I own and keep the heat-a-seat in my car that you recommended for quick use shooting out the car and for low, duck photography. It’s been a life saver so many times! Highly recommend!
Great video. Thanks. I have pipe insulation tubing that is split and can go over my car window to rest the camera on. Easy to raise or lower window to height needed.
I agree 100% with getting the camo WITHOUT the string netting. It gets tangled with everything.
Enjoy your thorough reviews Scott. It might be kinda challenging but I would love to see you do a review of floating blinds.
I have a homemade float blind but would love to compare them! Problem for me is the budget, while I may bite the bullet and get one with my dime, it's hard to buy more than one just for a video. Maybe ill reach out and see if I can get one sponsored.
Excellent Video I keep knee pads in my car . When I need to get low around the beach area. For the winds of November around the Michigan lighthouses.
I can see that for sure in certain areas!
seconding the knee pads!
Another great review of gear. I’m giving this list to my wife for my Christmas wish list. Thanks for all you share.
Awesome Craig!
I would say a good one you left off would be a rocket air blower. They come in really handy.
I always look at which groups do the best, and where. Golfers know how to accessorize, but they don’t do so well in the woods. Rock climbers on the other hand can get places. I’m not about to carry a full rope, but it’s not unusual for me to have a couple of climbing protection pieces hanging off my belt to be used to stabilize myself while shooting.
Berlebach makes a nice mini wooden tripod that comes with a built in leveling base . Had this stuff gathering dust for a while. I tried it with my Benro gimbal, in the lowest position, as you show in the video. Very happy with that combo. The leveling base was particularly helpfulI. I'm a newbie to this ground gymnastics so maybe I'm easy to satisfy 😊
Enjoy!
I was out shooting marsh-side today, sitting on a trash bag to keep my butt dry and longing for the old bean-bag seats we used on hunting trips when I was a kid. I hadn’t considered the multifunctional aspect of using it as a camera support. Thanks for the video, I’m buying one now!
awesome!
Almost at 10k. Nice work Scott.
Great again! Thanks!
Loved this video! Some items I didn't even know existed, let alone used. Thanks for the ideas 👍
glad you liked it
Some of my favorite accessories are what I like to call the "Poor Man's Lens Warmer." This is a multi-piece setup that consists of either rubber bands or (my personal choice) an old sock, cut in half & toes cut out with hand warmers. You put the rubber band or sock around your lens, then either one or two hand warmers on top or under the lens to keep it from fogging up. Works great, and far less expensive or bulky than specialty lens warming equipment.
i love a DIY guy!
@Wildlife Inspired w/ Scott Keys Thanks! I forgot to mention, the reason why I prefer the old sock as opposed to rubber bands. It acts as an extra layer of protection to keep dew/condensation from building up on the outside of your lens. But, depending on the size of your lens, a standard crew sock will work in almost all cases.
This is the video I needed. Will help me.
Scott, I mentioned this to you before, my most used accessory is my Kirk sling strap. I sling my camera and up to my 300 2.8 lens around my shoulders and have hiked up to ten miles without much fatigue. Obviously a lighter lens is always better but it handles the weight well. The only thing I do is turn the grip part of the strap outward if I'm anticipating any action.
Jam packed! Lots of good recommendations there. I think a couple of bits might make a Christmas list for lack of better ideas.
Hope so!
Not sure muck boots can be considered as accessory, but really helps anywhere in muck, beach, or stream.
no doubt
Thank you. Don’t really own much stuff like these but need to get out more so this was a help. For brackets and cages have you adopted ones with Quick Disconnect (QD) sockets? Small Rig has also started using them and Black Rapid has straps for it. Even Peak Design straps can be adapted to use them when they are on base plates, L brackets and lens feet. Always enjoy your videos.
I did a video on this and yes I am using them much more.
Great recommendation on the camo cape and I had been looking for a light weight setup for the backyard birds and in the field!! Thanks
One thing i always carry is a short rope, maybe 5 feet. I use it to close gates when the wire used to latch is a little short. I tie a slip not in my rope and use both hands to snug it up so I can slip the wire latch over the vertical portion of the gate. It helps keep good community relations with land owners
Another informative video Scott! I’d love to see videos of you in the field. Explaining everything from the moment you arrive at a location to the final edit.
Ya, you gotta subscribe to Patreon for that stuff lol. www.patreon.com/WildlifeInspired
I cut about 8 inches off of a pool noddle and then slice the one side. I stick it on the window of my SUV to rest my big lens on it until the action happens. Cheaper than a bean bag and works well.
Yes, that absolutely works
You can't go wrong w/ a $8 heat-a-seat ! Good one 👍
your ass is older than mine!
Great recommendations Scott!
Glad you like them!
Good video, good info. Ordered the camo netting and hooded camo poncho. The quality of each piece is phenomenal for the price I paid….I’m excited to get out there! Thanks for the gear and the tips!
Glad it was helpful!
Best accessory? One contender is my soft, silicone eyecup.
Black Rapid strap is what I always use for my side arm camera. I am always in the market for different styles of Camo. I have a few, including the chair. Also, I use a nice pair of nice hunting boots for those times when I m out in some bad environment. They keep my feet dry and toasty.
footwear is a whole topic and can really make a difference in some environments
I use some kind of a boonie hat and face mesh guard from mosquitos ;) Game changer and it really helps me a lot in case of relax outdoors ;)
Good call on that. I also have a mesh piece that helps a lot with bugs! Sounds like a good topic for video.
Great video. I use a ultralight waterproof Tent Footprint instead of the yoga mat. It’s great to put all your gear and backpack. And sometimes I use it with the ground pod when I need to be closer to the lake or river, so I don’t get wet. The only downside is when is windy and the ground is hard to put the stakes or too moody. Cheers from Argentina 🇦🇷
Neat idea.
Great video great tips
Thanks for watching!
As I already had the Sirui R-2214x and liked it for low level photography which I got into last summer, your recommendation of its little, newer brother, the AM223 was good enough for me. I'm buying one. When the ground is wet in the spring, I will carry a small plastic tarp and a foam pad that came out of an old boat seat floating cushion. The cushion had two 1" thick pads inside, but the nylon sewing wore out and the pads are out, but still useful. The advantage of the tarp is that if you need to lie on it, you can. Not as much padding as your yoga mat. As for your Heat-a-seat suggestion...just put one in my amazon cart. $10.99 current price.
You really deserve a lot more subscribers Scott! Great work.
I appreciate that!
Actually had my camera and 70-200 fall off my Blackrapid. Yikes. Shooting basketball, 2 cameras, so they were going up and down and vertical to horizontal a lot. I was switching to wide angle, let go of other camera and it didn’t stop til it hit the ground. All that movement loosened the screw. Still use, but I’m constantly checking tightness.
had same thing! the clamp and anchors held, the screw literally came undone Now i check every time i use it!
Do you’ll have the rubber washer between the screw and camera body. Also, this was an issue with the initial version of the strap and the newer clamp style had a swivel point on the connector so it would not accidentally unscrew the screw.
Waist (Fanny) pack. Not cool or trendy but just the thing to keep that TC, nifty fifty, filter, extra piece of gear that you don’t have to remove and search through your large pack to put your hands on. Sometimes just go out with just camera with lens and another lens in the waist pack. Already took you up on a couple of your suggestions, thanks.
No fashion awards but functional!
Always like your stuff Scott, I bought the Wimberley MH100 off your recommendation, loving it so far!! Do you have any homemade hacks for the budget conscious? Would be neat to see your take on that! Cheers!
I'm super budget conscious lol. I'll try to do a video of some hacks if I can get 4-5 that I think work.
@@WildlifeInspired awesome! I think my favourite random accessory are fingerless gloves with a flip over fleece cover! Especially here in Canada right now with the temperatures falling it would be unbearable going for more than 30 mins or so without them!!
Good stuff Scott. I wonder if you've used a phone holder of some type that you can attach to a tripod leg? I have one I use that was designed for motorcycle handlebars...........but wondering if you may have found something great you could suggest?
Yup. I use one designed for bicycles. It's old and has held up well I'll look for a link
Great! Little help pls; have a canon EOS m50 mrk2. The instruction manual says don't use it below 0 degrees Celsius. ¿Does it means the camera get damaged if I shut photos in the cold Winter? ( -10 degrees ) I Know I should put it in plastic bag When go from outdoors to indoors, to avoid condensación. But wil camera suffer also during the Time I keep it Out in the cold?😢 Also, in foggy or humidity in tbe air, any tips to avoid damage during the Time the camera is oudoors? Thanks✌
I was hoping you would do a quick video about your duck bag. I saw a quick clip somewhere but couldn't find it again. I'm not sure if you had some simple green sticks/stakes to stack out your camo? Enjoying the videos. keep up the great content.
Most of my set up and behind the scene stuff I save for my Patreon members, since they are paid subscribers, I give them the good stuff. Hope that makes sense. Still trying to put out a lot of good free content here though!
@@WildlifeInspired Thanks for replying. I totally understand. It takes a lot of work to produce all this content. Your free content is greatly appreciated.
just discovered your channel, very informative and well presented, thx - I have the same small rig ballhead, I have made a construction with a Quad lock for my phone - for on the photo camera or for a little tripod - suggestion that I use either from ISHOX (shark) or RAM Mount (1 inch balls - I have 4 of them on my e-bike) a clamp that I can connect to an aluminium cold shoe square which has thread on 1 side and 3 cold shoes - that whay I can clamp anything on anything
Ill check them out. Is there a model for the RAM ?
Which binoculars do you recommend for a safari tour?
I am unsponsored so this is my unbiased choice I use Vortex diamondback (8x42) and I often try to get a close out price that they seem to do every few years. They have great service use this link to look and if the price is too high let me know at skeysimages@gmail.com bhpho.to/45ij8OY
Hi, i'd like to know if tripod am223 is useful like grounpod and if it could support my gambale berrò and d500 with sigma 150 600 sport at minimum height, like grounpod. Thanks for the video, very useful
I ONLY use this like a groundpod (its not big enough to support wildlife otherwise) It will come in handy with a ballhead or whatver so do things like a sunrise or timelapse with a smaller camera/lens
@@WildlifeInspired I'm sorry, but I didn't quite understand. You use it only as groundpod but not with Gimbal head right? Do you think I would have problems using it as a groundpod with gimbal head? If I understand correctly, you say it would not support the weight of gimbal, sigma150-600 Sport and D500 used as a normal tripod right? Not even if at medium height and not at full extension? Thanks bye
Can/do you slide along the ground with the mini tripod like you can with the ground pod?
excellent point! it will not slide the same way. For waterfowl, I don't think i every really need to slide it, but on sand that could be a consideration. In sand, I usually just handhold, but for those that want a base to work with in sand, a ground pod could make more sense!
I’m a subscriber of Mike Lane’s photo channel and he is a big proponent of shooting from hides. Unfortunately he is in the UK and can’t recommend anything in the USA. I was wondering if you have any experience with hides specifically for photography? And if not it seems to me like an area that you might like to explore….?
I use very portable homemade blinds for ducks.
I see that the ROLANPRO comes empty and the recommend Buckwheat Hulls. Out of curiosity what did you use? Love you videos.
Now I have to check... I think it was a natural hull filler (super light) I didn't save the bag, but I remember it was NOT an artificial (styrofoam) filler.
I use buckwheat hulls in mine.
Buckwheat hills are super light. Synthetic option did not work well for me.
@A Z I have the LensCoat lensSack jr. it’s made of water resistant material, I’ve got mine wet a few times with no problems. I can remember if I got a 3 or 5 lb bag of buckwheat hulls, they don’t weigh much 3 lbs is a lot.
how much buckwheat filler (1-2-lbs) is needed for the RolanPro car lens bag?
I used a small bag and didnt finish it. Hard to give a weight because material can vary but in terms of volume I would get 1 cubic foot would fill 1 and have enough left for another.
A lot of those cheap camo on Amazon and eBay is made with fluorescent fabric that reflect UV light. And you’ll stand out like a sore thumb to animals that can see that, like birds!
it breaks up shape, whatever I am using, I have photographed ducks 10 feet away from behind it (wild skittish ducks) and it allowed me pics I would have never gotten with out it
You forgot a torch and head torch - a must
you must be out in the dark!
@@WildlifeInspired often. Nothing worse than losing gear in the water or not being able to see what you’re doing. BTWFlat batteries suck 😂🤣😂🤣
If you're looking at social media, maybe stay home.