Since I will soon be “switching” from nature photography to nature filming, I was looking for an ideal lens and the first thing that came to mind was the Sony 200-600. Almost borderline for photography, since the F5.6/6.3 is not really bright, but for filming in connection with the Sony FX6, this lens should be very useful, especially when travelling. I was able to do a first test with the Sony A9 on my Vietnam tour that just ended. At temperatures of up to 40°, the approximately 1 kg weight saving compared to my FE 400/F2.8 is quite nice. Optically, the lens is very good, although not comparable to the 400, which is not to be expected given the price difference.
At the end of the year, one more adventure was necessary and, as so often, I ended up in Vietnam again. On the one hand I wanted to visit my colorful friends, the red-shanked douc monkeys and on the other hand I wanted to go hunting for the other two associated species for the first time. Vietnam is currently still struggling with the aftermath of Covid, there are still quite a few tourists on the road, which is of course always a good thing for me.
It can also be found in many streams and rivers in North Rhine-Westphalia, but it rarely wants to be in front of the camera, which is why photos of it are coveted by nature photographers. For me, too, he is a long-time 'opponent' of whom I was able to take photos from time to time, but never really good ones up close. That's why, thanks to Corona, I've dealt with him extensively in the last few weeks. For me, as always, the “project” starts with the search
A popular travel destination among nature photographers is Costa Rica, the unique nature offers many motifs and so I went there for the first time. With the rental car I drove to the southwest in the province of Puntarenas, primarily with the aim of exploring the jungle around the Corcovado National Park. I deliberately left out the park itself, because it is a tourist attraction so mostly well attended, which I find besides the fact that you cannot explore the park alone without a guide
The Mekong Delta in Vietnam offers a breathtaking backdrop, especially in the rainy season. It rained surprisingly little this October, possibly due to climate change. The rain showers are usually short and heavy and the temperatures are usually high. In recent years, various dams have been built to protect the people and the fields, which are supposed to make life easier for the people there. You can reach the region in about 6 hours by bus from Ho Chi Minh City, by the way, the buses are super comfortable with reclining seats and of course with free wifi.
It was a great experience. After many years and countless attempts, I managed to photograph a wild snow leopard up close for the first time. It was the longest and most exhausting journey I have taken to photograph the rare and elusive cat. At the start of the tour in December 2016, the conditions on site were anything but favorable, as there was only sporadic snow. So I did the one-week acclimatization in Leh, the provincial capital at about 3500 meters […]
