Other equipment essential for wildlife photography

1- Tripod/Monopod- A slight camera shake can ruin a photograph and therefore a tripod/Monopod is essential for wildlife photography. Make sure that your tripod is strong enough to support the combined weight of the camera and the lens. The advantage of a monopod is that it is easy to carry and relatively compact.

2- Bean bag- Bean bags are a must for wildlife photography. Since it may not be possible to use a tripod every time and therefore investing on a good bean bag is also a must.

3- Filters- used in wildlife photography alter the color and quality of light that is transmitted to the digital sensor of the camera. They also protect the lens from dust and accidental damage. Every lens has a different filter size. There are several types of filters available. The popular ones are the Polarizing Filters, UV Filters and Warming Filters.

4- Binoculars- are used by wildlife photographers to spot the animals/birds while moving in the jungle.

5- Protecting your equipment- Keeping the equipment safe is essential for a wildlife photographer. Protecting the equipment from rain, dust and accidental shocks is essential. Several rain and dust covers for cameras and lenses are available and it is worth buying watertight bags for hostile environments.

Carrying equipment (Camera bags)- Backpacks are the best to carry equipment in the field. They are designed for trekking and provide adequate protection against damage. Compartmental bags helps to keep the equipment tidy and provides easy access. They also provide space for extra memory cards, spare batteries, charger and external hard disks. With the greater use of digital technology laptops/ipads are now often carried in the field. Some backpacks are designed to hold a laptop/ipad safely and securely. Should you want to leave the laptop behind, the laptop pouch can be easily removed from the bag before venturing out in the field.

6- Blower- When cleaning dust from the camera, filters and in particular from the lens optics use a photographic air spray. It is a safe and effective way of cleaning and maintaining your gear. Easy to use.

7- Microfiber cloth- It is very helpful in wiping the camera screen; cleaning the filters and lens. Keep your microfiber cloth clean. If it is dirty, it can drop dust particles inside the camera.