Wildlife photogs, how many images per day?

[FlyingSquirrel]

I'm trying to estimate how many images I might shoot per day on a trip (Yellowstone, as an example). I haven't been out for a day of productive wildlife shooting in who knows how long, so I can't recall how many shots I took in a day. With perhaps 14 hours a day being out (Yes, it is possible, I have done it), for birds in flight and general action, I believe I have shot over 1000 photos in a long day (sunrise to sunset shooting). This equates to a shot or two per minute on average (considering some minutes will have rapid fire, and some minutes no shots) But with multiple breaks, meals, and down time / lack of action.

I am making a completely wild and random guess that at Yellowstone, I might shoot 1,000-2,000 images a day (this is by no means how many I expect to keep, but simply grabbing shots of whatever I see, with a lot of missed shots for various reasons. Hey, it happens.)

A friend of mine who is a prolific and excellent bird photographer just went to Florida for a week and shot 2,000 images each day (total of 14,000) shots!!!

Just wondering if people could weigh in on how many captures they might snap in a day of wildlife shooting. Consider various wildlife, some rapid fire bursts for action shots, landscapes, etc, and perhaps 10-12 hours of shooting

Let me know your guesses! Thanks

p.s. if anyone is interested, my friend's flickr stream is https://www.flickr.com/photos/corey-hayes/

[NorthernFocus]

A thousand a day is not at all unreasonable. But it's hard to say. As you know it depends on what you run into. The new wears off of the buffalo and elk pretty quick. Particularly since the elk won't be bugling and will still be in velvet. At first you'll shoot a lot then start getting pretty selective. But if you run into a bear or wolves you could shoot a lot of frames in a short time. Or I would.

I'd count on at least 1000 per day.

[Krawuntzel]

Hello Matt
I shoot around 800 pictures a day when I am on a typical safari in East Africa (10 hours to take pictures); used to be less in the days of film, more on my first trips with a digital camera; I have never been to Yellowstone - so I do not know what is expecting you there.
Erwin

[Mike Buckley]

Just for perspective, I read decades ago that National Geographic photographers typically shot 50 rolls of film each day. That was about 1800 images and of course they weren't necessarily wildlife shots.

[shreds]

The numbers don't really matter ultimately as its the quality that counts and some days things might be more in your favour or you feel more inspired.

But don't forget it will be you sat in front of the screen doing all the editing.

[NorthernFocus]

The numbers don't really matter ultimately as its the quality that counts...

Most of us have seen the quality of imagery that Matt produces. The lad is trying to figure out how much card capacity he needs for his trip.

[Shadowman]

If camera is mounted on a tripod fatigue will be less, if handholding; especially a with a big lens then arm fatigue can really play a big part psychologically and physically on how many you'll actually attempt.

[loosecanon]

Interesting topic - I still forget the minimal cost of taking an image - yet to get anywhere near end of life for the shutter - before the camera needs replacing with a newer model!!
I often am still in film mode, taking one shot when really I should be taking 5 or more, only to regret it later when the one shot is not quite as good as I hoped.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Thanks for the input everyone. This was really helpful! It confirmed that I was not crazy in thinking I may take perhaps 2,000 photos in a day. I am going with that number as my baseline to calculate the cards I need, then perhaps get one more card for good measure (better to have a little more space than not enough!)

Dan, great input! I agree, I will probably be going nuts for the first day or two while I see all kinds of "shiny new subjects" ...this is really going to be an experience for me, being relatively new to wildlife still and having not gone many places or seen many species. But like you said, I will probably calm down and get more selective over time. Man, this is exciting!!! I hope I see some wolves at a reasonable range for shots. Bears too..but they can stay further away The ultimate dream would be a mountain lion, but chances are pretty slim for that. At this point I'm rambling...

Mike, awesome factoid, thanks for sharing, and it does give me a decent concept of the shot count I might end up with; fits right in with the other estimates. I can't imagine how expensive 50 rolls of film was! But luckily things have "improved" due to digital technology. We are fortunate to have all of this great stuff

I created a custom spreadsheet for myself where I can list out each card that I own (their GB capacities), the average image file size for my camera, the days in the trip, and whether or not I have my camera set to write duplicate files to both cards or if it is writing one copy and doing overflow. The spreadsheet then tells me: Total GB of card space I have, shots possible for each individual card size, total shots possible, and shots possible per day average. If I change the camera image file size, days in trip, etc, everything updates. Perhaps overkill for most people, but I think it is useful and I enjoy this kind of stuff

[davidedric]

Oh dear, around 100 for me. Must get into the digital age

[rpcrowe]

I seem to remember that you will be shooting with a 7D Mark II. I would recommend that you use the fastest UDMA CF card possible (CF Cards are still superior to SD cards regarding speed) despite these cards being slightly more costly than SD cards with the same amount of memory..

http://www.cameramemoryspeed.com/can...rd-comparison/

Then have a UDMA compatible reader when downloading the images to your computer (I hope you will consider a computer to facilitate the transfer). A UDMA card and UDMA reader really speeds up the transfer of great numbers of images from card to computer. I always transfer my cards to the computer, copy the files to a pair of small physical size (large capacity) external hard drives and recharge camera and flash batteries in the evening before going to bed.

I don't know if any notebook computers have USB-3 capability but, a USB-3 capable UDMA compatible reader will be lightning quick.

BTW: your friend's Flickr images are really super!

[FlyingSquirrel]

Richard, thanks for the suggestions!

After some research, feedback from CiC in some threads, and some thinking, I have decided to continue using CF cards instead of buying SD. This is inline with what you've said. However I did this more so because I feel that CF is more durable and rugged, easier to handle, and fits in the current memory card holder that I have, as well. I love my CF cards. Currently I use Lexar Pro 800x, and when shooting in the 7D2 I have not had any issues (I tend to tap in bursts of a few shots here and there, instead of just holding down for 30 shots and filling up the buffer.). I suppose the ultra fast 1066 speed or whatever would be better, but I don't feel I need them at this time.

Since I'm happy with my 800x, I decided to purchase more of them (I bought 6 of the 32 GB ones). Adding that to all of my current CF cards, I will now have a total of 320 GB of capacity! I expect to be able to shoot for the entire trip by just swapping in new memory cards as I fill each up (again, I don't have any way to offload the pics anyway, and I'd rather just keep the cards on me the whole time with the original images there. I actually trust that more than offloading and then formatting the original card). Originally I was going to buy SD and use both slots on the 7D2 to write duplicates on CF and SD so I have backups, but decided against that due to logistical, cost, and other issues.

BTW, I see that you use the original 7D (two of them), and I've noticed that you've talked about the 7D mk II a bit. I would highly recommend that you give a try on the mark II - you could rent it. It is just a really awesome camera, I love it to death, so much better than even the great 7D v1. I am getting a second 7D mk II, that is how much I love it.

[rpcrowe]

Matt,

I am waiting for the 7D2 to appear as refurbished. I have purchased my last four DSLR cameras as Canon refurbs and like that way of purchasing both in price and because I have more confidence in refurbs...

As far as the durability of CF cards, one of mine survived the sharp teeth of a puppy...

Richard

[FlyingSquirrel]

Matt,

I am waiting for the 7D2 to appear as refurbished. I have purchased my last four DSLR cameras as Canon refurbs and like that way of purchasing both in price and because I have more confidence in refurbs...

As far as the durability of CF cards, one of mine survived the sharp teeth of a puppy...

Richard

Richard, I totally understand and agree. Both of my original 7D's were purchased as refurbs as are many other things that I own. Anyway, your wait will be worth it when you finally pick up the 7D2. Thanks for your input and help on my question(s) in this and recent threads.

[Bobobird]

My highest was that one time within a 4 hour period shot over 2000 images, with a slowish 5D3. This was of gulls chasing the backwash of a boat which brought up lots of fish. Needless to say 99% of those shots were useless.

[Vivaan89]

Depend On Frame ........... Ever since digital SLR technology has become more readily available, more and more people have become photography enthusiasts, and more and more photography enthusiasts have started venturing into a genre previously reserved for only a select few…Wildlife Photography. It seems that this field, in conjunction with Landscape Photography, has really seen a huge growth spurt in these last few years…at least as it pertains to the amount of people practicing them as serious hobbyists or budding professionals

[Vivaan89]

Depend On Frame ........... Ever since digital SLR technology has become more readily available, more and more people have become photography enthusiasts, and more and more photography enthusiasts have started venturing into a genre previously reserved for only a select few…Wildlife Photography. It seems that this field, in conjunction with Landscape Photography, has really seen a huge growth spurt in these last few years…at least as it pertains to the amount of people practicing them as serious hobbyists or budding professionals

[NorthernFocus]

...After some research, feedback from CiC in some threads, and some thinking, I have decided to continue using CF cards instead of buying SD....

I have one body(D810) that takes mixed CF/SD like yours. In that camera I use the SD for overflow only. I try to switch the CF card before it fills up. While CF cards do seem a bit more durable they are more of a hassle. The card readers needed to download them tend to be the weak link in the system. I'm fairly careful and have still ruined a couple of readers by bending pins in them. SD card readers are inherently more durable. Also since SD is becoming more or less standard in consumer grade cameras/camcorders, a lot of laptop and desktop computers come with an SD card slot built in. So SD is definitely more convenient. My biggest complaint with SD is simply that they are so small and easy to misplace. That said, the D7100 takes two SD cards and it is nice only having to worry about one type of card. In the end that is more important to me than which type. I wish that on any given body they would just pick one card type and go with it.

[csa mt]

Overkill is better than running out of cards and batteries!! Take a very good supply. Yesterday in my backyard, in about 30 minutes, I shot over 60 images. When the conditions are good, you want to shoot as much as possible, as this gives you a better choice of those "keepers".

[rpcrowe]

I just noticed that Adorama has a pretty decent sale on 32GB and 64GB 800X CF cards at two for 89.95 (32 GB) and two for 119.95 (64 GB) both with free shipping http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/de...=lexar+cf+card I use 800x CF cards in my 7D and they work great! I believe that B&H has a similar sale...

I have seen some CF cards, reputed to be Lexar brand selling on eBay for less money. Maybe it's just me, but I would be hesitant to trust the photos of a once in a lifetime my trip to cards purchased on eBay due to the very real possibility of counterfeit cards...