Jay Baumann is a wildlife photographer and conservation storyteller based in Whistler B.C. He partners with conservation organizations globally, working on the ground to share the stories of disappearing wildlife and the incredible teams working to save them.
Jay has helped document the rehabilitation of Cheetahs and Ground Pangolins in Namibia, IVF to save the Northern White Rhino in South Africa and was also a part of the team that rediscovered the Mindo Harlequin Toad, which was thought to be extinct.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS. 1/8000-sec. f/7.1. ISO 3200.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS. 1/4000-sec. f/14. ISO 20000.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/400-sec. f/8. ISO 250.
“Whether I’m in the back of a land cruiser or trekking through the jungle, these are the essentials I have in my bag every time.”
Shop This Kit:
Cameras: Alpha 1 II, Alpha 7 IV
Lenses: 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G, 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II, 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II
Accessories: 2x Teleconverter, ECM-W3 Microphone, NP-Z100 Batteries
Cameras
Alpha 1 II: I recently upgraded to the Alpha 1 II and I’m blown away by what a beast of a camera it is. The incredibly fast eye focus and tracking is a game changer for birding and 30fps paired with Pre-Capture means you won’t miss those perfect moments. The stacked 50MP sensor gives so much flexibility for cropping to show details or check identifying marking and the 8.5 stops of IBIS is perfect for shooting handheld with a long lens.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 1 II. 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS. 1/1250-sec. f/8. ISO 2500.
Alpha 7 IV: This has been my go to work horse for the past two years and I’ve taken my favorite photos with it. It’s lighter but still incredibly powerful and it’s my go to body for portraits or astrophotography.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS. 1/3200-sec. f/14. ISO 4000.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 2.5-sec. f/2.8. ISO 3200.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS. 1/1250-sec. f/6.3. ISO 500.
Lenses
200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G: This is my favorite lens and is on my camera 90% of the time. It’s fast, sharp and light enough to hold all day. The zoom range is crucial when dealing with animals that are moving around and it’s long enough to prevent disturbing wildlife.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS. 1/2500-sec. f/6.3. ISO 1600.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS. 1/160-sec. f/6.3. ISO 25600.
70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II: This lightweight lens is perfect for when the animals get close or you’re trying to fit an entire elephant into frame. Its sharpness really highlights intricate details like feathers or scales and it’s great for adding compression to portraits and headshots.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master OSS II. 1/320-sec. f/4.5. ISO 6400.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master OSS II. 1/1250-sec. f/8. ISO 400.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master OSS II. 1/250-sec. f/6.3. ISO 10000.
24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II: This is my everyday story lens and it’s super versatile. If I’m not shooting wildlife, this is on my camera. It allows me to give context to the story by showing more of the setting and I can still zoom in tight for portraits without swapping lenses.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/2000-sec. f/5.6. ISO 800.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/400-sec. f/5.6. ISO 6400.
Accessories
2x Teleconverter: I use this to get up to 1200mm of reach and it’s come in handy many times when trying to ID something in the distance. It’s also great paired with the 70-200mm when bringing a long lens isn’t an option.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master OSS II. 1/1600-sec. f/18. ISO 2000.
Dual-Channel Wireless Microphone ECM-W3: A must have for capturing clear, crisp audio no matter the setting, without the hassle of cords.
Spare NP-Z100 Batteries & Portable Battery Pack: These are essential for multiple days in the field. I always keep a rocket blower and lens cloths in my bag to try and reduce the time spent editing out dust spots on photos. I carry a cheap little tripod I bought at my local camera store but I shoot handheld 99% of the time. You’ll also find a small first aid kit, multi tool and a rechargeable headlamp inside.
Nanuk N-PVD 35L is my go to backpack as it fits my entire kit, laptop and enough clothes to keep me going in a bag that I can still carry on a plane. It’s tough enough to handle every environment and I can rely on it to keep my gear safe and dry.
Photo by Jay Baumann. Alpha 7 IV. 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS. 1/60-sec. f/6.3. ISO 4000.
You can find more of Jay Baumann’s work on Instagram @jaybaumann.photos.
To explore other wildlife gear and setups, articles, videos and free courses, visit https://alphauniverse.com/bird-and-wildlife-photography/.
