Here’s another one from the camera trap last week. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 20mm lens, ISO 500, f/14 at 1/250th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flash units.
Sean, I have been thinking about setting up some camera traps on our property in Montana. I have been very impressed with the quality of your trap photos. What equipment and camera are you using? I continue to enjoy your outstanding photos. Best Howard Sheridan
Hi Howard, glad to hear you’re still checking out my daily posts. I use both Cognisys and Camtraptions gear, but for my home set up Cognisys is much more robust and the way to go. The battery can last for months with moderate use. Camtraptions is my travel set up if I’m flying somewhere and need to keep things light. I use the Cognisys Scout triggers (both a PIR trigger, and also their beam sensor depending on the set up). I also use 3 of Cognisys’s strobes (sometimes just 2). These all work wirelessly with the Cognisys “camera box.” Everything is really easy and works seamlessly. The tricky part is predicting where the wildlife is going to be and pre-focusing your camera (always in manual), and setting up the flash units. I usually have a flash or two hanging from a tree, or hidden behind a log depending on the scene. The great thing about camera trapping is I can take all the time I need to perfect the set up. Unlike 99% of wildlife photography where you have to be reactive and might only have a second or two, with camera trapping, it’s very considered. You spend time setting your system up but might not get the shot for days or months even. As for the camera, I use my regular Nikon DSLRs. Because you set the camera in manual mode and usually stop down the aperture to f/11 — f/14, really great lenses aren’t necessary. Any cheap kit lens will do the trick because fast focus isn’t a consideration, or fast f/stops. I use my “retired” D810 with my “retired” 17-35mm lens on my main set up behind my house. My travel setup uses a D3500 and the kit lens (I think it’s a 35-55). I usually like to shoot on the wide end of the zoom to capture larger mammals like bears and bobcats up close. Oh, and with my travel kit, I use either my nikon flash units, or Camptraptions flash units, and cover them with clear plastic bags. Happy to talk more about camera trapping. It’s very addictive. Montana should be a great place for all sorts of nocturnal and diurnal mammals.
Thanks Sue. With that wide angle lens, he/she is looking a bit bottom heavy. Nice to see them return to our yard. Over the last year or so, it’s been less frequent (maybe that’s because we are diligent about keeping our garbage in a closed garage, and we don’t use any bird feeders from April 1st through November) while others nearby do.
We use cookies to enhance your experience while using our website. If you are using our Services via a browser you can restrict, block or remove cookies through your web browser settings. We also use content and scripts from third parties that may use tracking technologies. You can selectively provide your consent below to allow such third party embeds. For complete information about the cookies we use, data we collect and how we process them, please check our Privacy Policy
Here’s another one from the camera trap last week. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 20mm lens, ISO 500, f/14 at 1/250th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flash units.
Sean, I have been thinking about setting up some camera traps on our property in Montana. I have been very impressed with the quality of your trap photos. What equipment and camera are you using? I continue to enjoy your outstanding photos. Best Howard Sheridan
Hi Howard, glad to hear you’re still checking out my daily posts. I use both Cognisys and Camtraptions gear, but for my home set up Cognisys is much more robust and the way to go. The battery can last for months with moderate use. Camtraptions is my travel set up if I’m flying somewhere and need to keep things light. I use the Cognisys Scout triggers (both a PIR trigger, and also their beam sensor depending on the set up). I also use 3 of Cognisys’s strobes (sometimes just 2). These all work wirelessly with the Cognisys “camera box.” Everything is really easy and works seamlessly. The tricky part is predicting where the wildlife is going to be and pre-focusing your camera (always in manual), and setting up the flash units. I usually have a flash or two hanging from a tree, or hidden behind a log depending on the scene. The great thing about camera trapping is I can take all the time I need to perfect the set up. Unlike 99% of wildlife photography where you have to be reactive and might only have a second or two, with camera trapping, it’s very considered. You spend time setting your system up but might not get the shot for days or months even. As for the camera, I use my regular Nikon DSLRs. Because you set the camera in manual mode and usually stop down the aperture to f/11 — f/14, really great lenses aren’t necessary. Any cheap kit lens will do the trick because fast focus isn’t a consideration, or fast f/stops. I use my “retired” D810 with my “retired” 17-35mm lens on my main set up behind my house. My travel setup uses a D3500 and the kit lens (I think it’s a 35-55). I usually like to shoot on the wide end of the zoom to capture larger mammals like bears and bobcats up close. Oh, and with my travel kit, I use either my nikon flash units, or Camptraptions flash units, and cover them with clear plastic bags. Happy to talk more about camera trapping. It’s very addictive. Montana should be a great place for all sorts of nocturnal and diurnal mammals.
Looks healthy – it’s good to see them on the move~
Thanks Sue. With that wide angle lens, he/she is looking a bit bottom heavy. Nice to see them return to our yard. Over the last year or so, it’s been less frequent (maybe that’s because we are diligent about keeping our garbage in a closed garage, and we don’t use any bird feeders from April 1st through November) while others nearby do.
Will I be sharing your salt water pool with Mama Bear and her cubs in July!?