bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I wanted to put together a kit that was compact, reasonably affordable (compared to Nikon or Canon systems) and could capture "Full HD" clips of wildlife. I settled on a Panasonic GX7 with a Panasonic 100-300 lens. As a M43 camera, the full frame "equivalent" of that lens is 200-600. Video does not need the entire sensor, so there is an odd and optional multiplier effect that does not sacrifice any quality. So for video, the full reach is an equivalent to near a 1000 mm lens on a full frame Canon or Nikon.

At places like Yellowstone, when wildlife shows up, the big and beautiful Nikon and Canon gear will grow like weeds along the road. Every few feet there will be a photographer with $15,000 worth of equipment. My gear looks tiny next to them.

At Yellowstone last August, we pulled the camper into a "turn out", set up the lawn chairs and started a pot of chili. There was a single bull elk in the meadow. I set my gear on a tripod I got from Costco and kept it pointed toward the bull. Over the next 2 hours a herd of about two dozen drifted out of the forest into the meadow. Not one had antlers! I have to assume they were all girlfriends.

Here is a sample of what my gear was able to do:

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Hi Bill,
Looks like you didn't add the link to your video.
Bob

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Ooops! Try this: http://vimeo.com/146185237

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Very nicely done Bill!

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Thank you!

Being able to get video like that is really a dream come true. You can see from my avitar where I started 60 years ago!

FWIW, the Park Rangers were suggesting that the bull in the video was going to get to be very busy the week or two after I shot my video!

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Bill, Thank you for that. That is very encouraging. I have recently acquired a GX7 and a GX8 as well as the 100-300 lens, and I have the 100-400 on order. I am just getting competent with the two cameras but have not yet dived into the video world. It is my intention to do so in the coming months and your video has given me great encouragement, knowing what the potential is. Again, thank you.