In the Field: Canon EOS R5 for Seal Photography

UK-based wildlife photographer and videographer Dani Connor has captured some of the most spectacular wildlife imagery from locations all around the world. During her latest shoot with beautiful seal pups, she gave us a rundown on using the Canon EOS R5 to photograph seals. Over to you, Dani.

Good lenses and a decent camera certainly help you achieve great photos but I definitely believe you can get excellent photos with standard gear (older lenses that have been on the market for ten years or so). But the reason you can capture those excellent photos is with practice and experience with your equipment.

I remember early on in my journey as a photographer, I was told that you should never buy a new piece of equipment right before a big photography trip. I did that. The night before leaving to photograph puffins on the Farne Islands, I upgraded to the Canon EOS 5D Mark III from my Canon EOS 550D. I remember that feeling of shooting full-frame for the first time! My photography game went up a level. But I also remember feeling extremely frustrated. A puffin was in front of me but I didn’t know how to properly use the camera!

Gaining a new piece of equipment is always exciting, and also a challenge. There are three pieces of equipment that help me tell my story as a wildlife photographer. My camera, the Canon EOS R5, was my arch-nemesis. As a stubborn consumer, I immediately wanted to go out shooting. I knew the amazing capabilities of the camera but I didn’t take the time to sit down and learn how to use it. It took me many months but it’s now my sidekick.

The animal eye tracking has been a game-changer for my wildlife photography. For the first time ever, I can continuously track my subject as it runs towards me and get pretty much every shot sharp. The flip screen has also helped my content creator side. I can rotate it towards the lens so I can see myself when vlogging. I can also rotate the screen upwards when filming wildlife at eye level.

My lens, the 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM, is my love. I was lent this lens for a couple of days and I fell deeply in love and used all my savings to buy it immediately. A week later, I bought my own 300mm f/2.8 from MPB. This was two years ago and it still is my favorite piece of equipment. It’s heavenly at f/2.8 and so sharp.

The last piece of equipment that’s always in my camera bag is my Canon EF 1.4x III Extender. This takes my 300mm f2.8 to 420mm f/4. I use this teleconverter a lot. That extra reach can be so nice in a situation where you don’t want to get closer to your subject. I also have the Canon EF 2x II Extender that takes me to 600mm f/5.6. I don’t use this converter as much but having the option to double the focal length of my lens, so affordably and at little expense of weight, is really so awesome. I love teleconverters: they’re light, small and get me closer to my subjects.

Read more camera gear guides on the MPB Content Hub.