Anupam Thombre (@anupam_thombre) is a passionate wildlife photographer from India. "I got hooked on cameras in my childhood years because of my grandfather’s hobby, and have been enjoying the journey since then." Thombre's first camera  was a Sony NEX-3 and from there things started to take off, in a manner of speaking as Thombre’s photography hobby transformed into a wildlife photography career. “I started with the revolutionary Sony Alpha 9 II with its 20 fps shutter burst, and the Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master and since then there was no looking back.” Fast forward to today as he’s updated his kit with some the latst advanced Sony full-frame cameras including the Sony Alpha 9 III and two Sony Alpha 1’s as well as additional Sony G Master and G lenses to keep up with the unpredictable and fast nature of wildlife photography. We caught up with Thombre to learn more about his work and what he includes in his kit for such high-quality animal imagery. Keep reading as he takes us through his kit.

Product Preview – In This Article You’ll Find:
–Sony Alpha 9 III
–Sony Alpha 1
–Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master
–Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II
–Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G
–Sony 2.0X Teleconverter
–Sony TOUGH Memory Cards

Along with my personal projects, I teach wildlife photography to enthusiasts. With on-field expeditions all across India and international destinations, I also teach photo post-processing to beginners, intermediate and advanced level wildlife photographers. For me, venturing into the wilderness is nothing less than entering into peaceful meditative state and going on a super thrilling adrenaline pumping roller-coaster ride, all bundled into one!

When I professionally entered into wildlife photography, Sony was world leader in bringing about the best technology in imaging industry, with the revolutionary mirrorless systems and the lightest prime lenses, hence I decided to move ahead with Sony. The brand has always been supporting my efforts and have been giving right justice to the quality of my work. I am extremely happy with my association to Sony and the best and technologically advanced systems they have been bringing for the imaging industry.

Cameras

Sony Alpha 9 III: As I have previously used the Alpha 9 II extensively, I was very well aware of the power the Alpha 9 series holds. For me, the Alpha 9 III not only surpasses the previous bodies in the Alpha 9 series, it raises the bar SO HIGH up for everybody. When it comes to action photography and birds in flight, I rely on the Alpha 9 III. 120 fps in uncompressed RAW is crazy unbelievable. The pre-capture feature with multiple custom time options is a blessing. The focus tracking and the artificial intelligence implemented in the focusing system is path-breaking. I just love this camera for the ability to shift from slower frames per second like 5 / 10/ 20 fps to blazing fast frames per second like 60 / 90 / 120 fps, with the all new C5 custom button’s one push!

"Shot in extreme low-light situation at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve." Photo by Anupam Thombre. Sony Alpha 9 III. Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/3200-sec, f/2.8, ISO 1000

Photo by Anupam Thombre. Sony Alpha 9 III. Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master.

Sony Alpha 1 (2 bodies): I started my career in wildlife photography with the Sony Alpha 9 II. It was a beautiful camera body, fast and robust. As my work progressed, I felt the need for  higher resolution, precision autofocusing and better dynamic range. The Alpha 1 had just launched and it ticked all my check-boxes – I upgraded immediately. For almost four years now, I have fully trusted my Alpha 1. With an updated menu system and perfect custom-button placements, it's so easy to set up my camera as per my requirements. Be it wildlife portraits, birds in flight or any low-light situation, the camera never fails. The focusing system is still unbeaten till the date. The Alpha 1 is a revolution in Imaging technology and helps me to re-create my imaginations! I can sum up the Alpha 1 simply: Super-fast, Reliable and Robust.

"Captured at Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary." Photo by Anupam Thombre. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/3000-sec, f/2.8, ISO 200

Lenses

Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master: This lens is my prized-position since I started wildlife photography dedicatedly. The range I am able to cover is great but when paired with the Alpha 1, the focusing is just impeccable. The lens is light and doesn't feel taxing on my hands at all while walking doing bird photography. The bokeh and subject-background separation is really impressive. It is my must have lens on field and out-shines any other glass even in low-light conditions. A must have lens for any wildlife artist!

"Rhesus Macaque family huddled up to combat winter chills at Keoladeo Ghana National Park." Photo by Anupam Thombre. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/400-sec., f.8, ISO 500

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II: When the animals come close, I just keep my 400mm down and calmly pick up the 70-200mm knowing my job is going to get fulfilled. This lens is so light and versatile, it has to be with me as my secondary. The main use of this beautiful glass is to capture wildlife in its habitats. Be it a tiger in the canopy of trees, or elephants on the vast lake side grasslands, it doesn't even fail once capturing the beauty of nature. It truly is the All round zoom lens!

"The magical wonderland called Dhikala, Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India." Photo by Anupam Thombre. Sony Alpha 1. Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/1000-sec., f/5.6, ISO 400

Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G: This one comes out when I am in the rainforest searching for frogs, lizards, snakes or beautiful insects. This glass is so sharp that I am able to show the details of my micro subjects without any extra sharpening in post-processing. I also whip it out when a friend needs a quick portrait on the field. The 90mm macro is a fantastic portrait lens. The combination of 90mm macro and high megapixel body is any macro photographers dream come true. I have taken it out in the Rains, on misty and humid forest floors and in extreme heat and nothing has happened to it yet!

"Gorgeous Malabar Pit Viper (Venemous), Amboli, Western Ghats, India." Photo by Anupam Thombre. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G. 1/90 sec, f11, ISO 200

Sony 2.0X Teleconverter: The 2X Teleconverter is an integral part of my bag. It comes handy when you shoot using Prime telephoto Lenses like the 400mm or 600mm. There are situations where I wish I can be a bit more closer to the subject or get a little more reach. This is when the 2X teleconverter does its magic. It is very compact, not much weight, sits in one corner waiting its turn. I use it to convert my 400mm f/2.8 into a whomping 800mm f/5.6 instantly. And when I turn on the crop factor on my Alpha 1 camera body I get 1200mm focal length!

Photo by Anupam Thombre. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master.

Accessories

Sony TOUGH Memory Cards: I use the Sony Tough CFExpress Type A cards and they are super fast competing with the 120 fps on the Alpha 9 III.

Peak-Design Strap: Helps me to hang my 400mm on the a1 body when waiting for action

Cotton Carrier G3 Harness: A life saver when hiking or walking long distances, when you need both hands free!

Nitecore BB2 Electric Blower: I blow away the dust from my cameras in style. Also comes handy in hot safaris to cool me with a blast of air!

Photo by Anupam Thombre. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G.

Cleaning Kit: I use this once I come back from every tour to give a detailed clean-up for my entire kit.

Atomos Ninja V: A must have in my bag when I am planning to capture videos and photos at the same time!

Godox V860III TTL Li-Ion Flash for Sony: This goes along with me when I am walking into the rainforests for Macro Photography. Very powerful, long-lasting battery and robust.

See more of Anupam Thombre's work on Instagram (@anupam_thombre).