farleymr Loc: Brevard NC

I'm getting ready to retire and very interested in wildlife photography. Would like to know some classes that would be beneficial as well as type dslr and lenses that would optimize my experiences.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

Sigma offers excellent seminars on this subject. See if they are hosted by your local Pro camera dealer. ProCam offers them in Mi and IL at their stores.
Any class that can teach the habits and behavior of the wildlife you wish to photograph will allow you to pick vantage points and times for your photography that will give maximum results. Sporting goods like Cabellas would be helpful in making a concealed "blind" to shoot from. PBS has several shows with wildlife photographers- see if your local PBS station schedules them. Go to PBS.org to see what programs can be downloaded to your computer from the internet.

srodday Loc: Mass

Check your local camera shops. Many now offer classes for a small fee over a range of subjects.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

If your interested in a bit of reading, I found these eBooks quite good...


http://backcountrygallery.com/secrets-to-stunning-wildlife-photography/
https://fstoppers.com/animal/paul-nicklens-new-book-photographing-wild-learn-national-geographic-photographer-146480
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2016/04/photos-saving-rare-animals-conservation/

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

There are lots of online videos. I'd begin there. The basics of photography still apply, so it's not like moving to another planet.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=videos%20for%20wildlife%20photography%20instruction

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Check out Triple D Game Ranch. I went to Triple D in Montana and had a great learning experience.Some great instructors. A three day event with optional animals to photograph.
http://www.tripledgamefarm.com/

Other option get a good book on wildlife photography and go to your local zoo.
Good luck on your retirement.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Look to your local community. Environmental groups often have 'walk and talk' outings showing you the wildlife (or particular species) in your area. They often have photographic competitions or 'years' where you can contribute your work and or meet like minded photographers. Equally, as walking is now considered to be a healthy exercise, rather than a means to get from A to B......maybe a local Rambler or strolling group has outings to suitable locations. Conservation groups especially log a whole host of wildlife within specific locations
In other ways look at local maps and find accessible areas and parkland. By making a regular visit you can quickly amass a variety of subjects to photograph 'over a year'.
Think out of the box - macro opens up a whole new world of 'mini beasts' in your own garden or back yard.
Most DSLR's will handle 'wildlife' you just need specific lenses 'Macro' or 'Super zoom'. there are also specialist kits like 'camera traps' and 'movement sensors and triggers' that allow you to set up and leave your camera to capture 'whatever walks past' !

As a new hobby, I would start with a general set up: small wide angle 18 - xxxmm plus a macro 70 - 300mm (sigma do a cheap one) and then define what you want to specialise in (Birds in flight - or dragonflies /Mayflies, Black Bears or voles) each will demand particular kit and equipment. It is an interesting field (no pun intended)

If you look at online wildlife magazines they may state camera type and lens used with their pictures. Google EXIF data and most online photographs will have some or all the information about camera lens apperture etc used available. It is a good way to get a rough and ready idea about what kit you CAN use to get a great shot.

Remember it is fun....and enjoy what you do.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

How much are you looking to spend for a wildlife camera and lens? The most important thing is the reach and clarity of your rig. The range for a camera and lens is anywhere from $500 to $15,000. Wildlife photography is like hunting with a camera. Do you want to hunt from a blind with a tripod, waiting for your subject, or do you want to move freely to find your hand held shots? Factors like the weight of the equipment can effect your mobility. You want the best equipment for the task within your budget, so the budget is an important factor.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Best to contact MTshooter who is a member here. He could help you with the whole package.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Classes - you might want to check out your local photo club. Not expensive to join, lots of people who do what you are looking to do and happy to share. There are courses online, Moose Peterson has some videos on You tube, etc.

A great place to get practice is at the zoo. You'll get your best shots if you spend the time to observe the animal's habits. Next would be places that do wildlife rescue. There are also tracts of land set aside as wildlife refuges - and often have well-informed caretakers and rangers that will tell when and where to go for some good opportunities.

Your budget is important. You don't need big expensive fancy cameras and lenses, unless you want them. You don't even need a DSLR. Some of the newer mirrorless cameras match or exceed the performance of mid-range DSLRs. Look at the new Sony A6500.

Going with a point and shoot is not unheard of - http://birding.com.co/birding-with-a-point-shoot-camera/

An entry level DSLR can get decent pictures as well, and is only slightly more expensive than a top of the line point and shoot superzoom. I am most familiar with Nikon, so I will talk about them. Nikon's D3400, D5600 and D7200 are all good choices. With each increment in model number you get better autofocus, less dependency on menus to access camera settings, and a more solid built quality. Packages with a camera body and 2 basic zoom lenses start at around $550.

The next bump is into the $1500-$2000 realm. The D500 is a pro-level DSLR, still using a cropped sensor. It has been called a bird photographer's dream because of it's industry leading autofocus system, fast handling, hugh buffer for continuous shooting, and up to 11 frame per second burst rate for up to 200 images - for the spray and pray style shooter.

The next bump is going to take you over $2000 up to $6500, and all of these are full frame cameras.

Lenses are important, and here a cheap zoom is ok, but as most consumer oriented zooms go, they are weakest at the max zoom, and when used at maximum aperture. Beware of anyone suggesting that you buy a Nikkor 28-300 as a "do all" lens. It stops doing "all" around 150mm, and is pretty underwhelming up to 300. I would not take one even as a gift. Not a great use of your $$.

There are some good lenses, some of them no longer in production. I am partial to the Sigma 100-300 F4, or a 70-200 with a 1.4x extender for shorter lenses, and a 300mm F2.8 alone or used with a 1.4x or 2x extender for longer length. The 300mm will set you back $5500 for a new one, or between $2500 and $4000 for a nice clean used one. Another very good lens is their 200-400, not cheap but very sharp.

Another alternative that I like is the Sigma Sport 150-600. It is not a great lens for low light, but it is at the outside limit of portability. I use mine when I don't want to be bothered lugging around the 600mmF4 and it's tripod and head. I carry it on a sling-style strap attached to it's tripod collar and just walk around with it, ready to shot at a moment's notice.

If you go Canon, there are several outstanding glass options - the ones I mentioned above, (200 and 300mm F2.8, with a 1.4x tc) a 400 F5.6 and a 100-400 F4-5.6 - As always, with these longer lenses you will save considerably if you check out the refurbished and used markets.

Tripods are another big ticket item, and the one piece of advice is to avoid anything below $800 for a tripod and a gimbal head. It would be a false economy, and only add to the eventual purpose of something that will meet your needs. There are no "bargains" out there. The two best are Gitzo and Really Right Stuff, but there are some very good, less costly legs from Sirui, Benro, Feisol, Induro, and a few others.

farleymr Loc: Brevard NC

Thank you all. Lots to think about.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

I've been doing wildlife photography for over 30 years and, although I know it's a little self serving, I wanted to mention my YouTube Channel. I have a lot of videos heard towards wildlife photography. In fact, start with this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SniorcO1Hc0

And then take a look around the channel from there.

Also, thanks OnDSnap for the book mention :)