My Must Have Gear For Amazing Bird and Wildlife Photography

If you’ve ever wrestled with gear decisions or wondered how other photographers build their kit around shifting creative interests, this deep dive into my current setup might help. While I’ve always had a soft spot for landscape photography and the gear that supports it, moving to Florida changed my habits in a big way. My shooting now leans heavily toward bird photography—and that meant reevaluating the gear I use.

This post breaks down my main camera body, the zoom lenses I rely on, some key accessories, and why each has earned a place in my bag. Be sure to check out my Gear page for links to everything I mention here, too.

Camera Body: Sony a1 II

I’ve long been a fan of Sony’s a7R line—working my way through the Mark I, II, III, IV, and V. But bird photography exposed the limits of even the high-res a7R V. The autofocus and buffer speeds simply didn’t keep up.

Enter the Sony a1 II. It’s expensive, no doubt, but its autofocus tracking, pre-capture capabilities, and subject recognition (with separate AI modes for birds, animals, people, and vehicles) make it incredibly capable for action-heavy genres like bird or sports photography. The camera’s ability to record frames from before you press the shutter has saved me countless missed shots.

It’s not just about the camera, though—the speed and performance only matter if your media can keep up.

Memory Cards: Don’t Skimp Here

I used to rely on Sony’s 160GB CFexpress Type A Tough cards—fast and reliable with 800 MB/s read and 700 MB/s write speeds. But since SanDisk (a brand I’ve trusted for years and that I'm an ambassador for) released their Pro-Cinema CFexpress Type A cards, I’ve switched.

My new go-to: 480GB SanDisk Pro-Cinema CFexpress Type A

•  1800 MB/s read, 1650 MB/s write

• More than 4,000 RAW files per card

These speeds matter, especially when using features like pre-capture and high burst mode. If you’ve invested in a high-performance body, make sure your media can match it.

Lenses: My Zoom Setup

I typically think in terms of a "trinity" when it comes to lenses (ultra wide, standard, and telephoto), but my zoom kit now consists of four focal lengths that give me coverage from 16mm to 800mm.

1. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM (Mark I)

• Solid performer

• 82mm filter thread

• Wide enough for landscapes, not so wide that it complicates filter use

I haven’t upgraded to the Mark II because the original still delivers excellent results.

2. Sony 24-105mm f/4

• Replaced my heavier 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

• More versatile zoom range

• Lighter and smaller

• Perfect all-purpose lens for everyday shooting

3. Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM + 1.4x Teleconverter

• My workhorse for bird photography

• Sharp, responsive, and well-balanced weight distribution when paired with the Sony a1 II

• The teleconverter stays on 99% of the time, extending my reach without compromising too much on quality

4. Sony 400-800mm f/6.3-9 G

• My newest and largest lens addition

• Internal zoom (no lens extension)

• Non-GM but still optically excellent

• Ideal for distant wildlife; lets me frame tight even when the subject is far

Camera Accessories

• Peak Design Strap: Long-term companion, reliable across multiple camera bodies.

• Leofoto L-Bracket: Allows quick transitions between horizontal and vertical on a tripod.

• SmallRig AirTag Holder: Holds an Apple AirTag on the camera body for peace of mind—helpful for forgetful moments, not just theft.

• Sony USB-C Dual Battery Charger: Finally—USB-C charging from Sony. Big improvement over proprietary power bricks.

• Lexar CFexpress/SD Card Reader + Cable Matters USB-C Cable: Fast transfers are only as good as your weakest link. Don’t bottleneck performance with low-grade cables. 

Wrapping It Up

This kit reflects how my shooting priorities have evolved—from sprawling landscapes to quick-action wildlife. Whether you're building out your own setup or thinking about a gear refresh, I hope this breakdown helps you weigh your options. If you’re curious about my approach to prime lenses, check out my article on the case for primes.