Does Nikon own the wildlife market?

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DavidT

DavidT

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I watched Mark Smith video on eagles he recently released from his trip to Maryland. He had the below image I took of my screen and found it interesting that the majority of the cameras appear to be Nikon.

We keep hearing how everyone is leaving to go to Sony. Canon has owned the sports market since The EOS-1 first came out leaving Nikon far behind with sport shooters still to this date.

Is Nikon losing market share with wildlife photographers? It sure seems when I’m out I see more Nikon.
Your thoughts?
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Arthur Morris was a Canon Explorer of Light for a few decades. A few years back he switched completely to Nikon and last year to Sony. Each time he sold and purchased tens of thousands of dollars worth of gear. The consensus seems to be that Sony is years ahead with mirrorless. I'm extremely happy with my D850 and 500PF. An excellent birder or stalker with a long lens will get the best images using gear from any of the manufacturers mentioned above. Improving fieldcraft will pay bigger dividends than changing brands.
 
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Neil H. said:
Arthur Morris was a Canon Explorer of Light for a few decades. A few years back he switched completely to Nikon and last year to Sony. Each time he sold and purchased tens of thousands of dollars worth of gear. The consensus seems to be that Sony is years ahead with mirrorless. I'm extremely happy with my D850 and 500PF. An excellent birder or stalker with a long lens will get the best images using gear from any of the manufacturers mentioned above. Improving fieldcraft will pay bigger dividends than changing brands.
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Yup absolutely true.
The most wonderfull pics were made back in the filmdays with full manual cameras...
Just one little (NOT) difference, the keeperrate was very low despite photogs were quite hesitant to press the shutter release those days.(every press did cost you)
Now with modern hightech cameras one has 1000+ AF points, AF field choices, tracking modes, AI, a framerate beyond imagination and a buffer wellabove that original 36 exp filmroll.
Then we’re able to shoot at ISOs we didn’t know they could even exist in our fast 400ASA filmdays with ditto shutterspeeds.
(Nevertheless we still managed to get a diving peregrine falcon or hunting cheetah.)

The point is everybody wants maximum results and succes when shooting and technical innovations and helpfull features do assist a great deal.
Some people can withstand the sight of that green grass on the other side, some can’t. LOL
Good for economy(y)
 
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I think if it wasn't for the fear that Nikon is financially struggling, coupled with the fact that DSLR might become obsolete, and taking into account how "slow" Nikon has been in the Mirrorless "race", less people would switch (or consider leaving Nikon).

I for one cannot afford a change to another brand, due to finances (too invested in F glass). I am certain many are in the same situation.
Besides, I don't earn money with my gear, so unlike Professionals I am not forced to switch to the best technology to stay competitive in the market.

My only wish is that Nikon stays afloat, the DSLRs don't become obsolete or that FTZ adapter improves.. in case Santa is listening ;)
 
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Ado Wolf said:
I think if it wasn't for the fear that Nikon is financially struggling, coupled with the fact that DSLR might become obsolete, and taking into account how "slow" Nikon has been in the Mirrorless "race", less people would switch (or consider leaving Nikon).

I for one cannot afford a change to another brand, due to finances (too invested in F glass). I am certain many are in the same situation.
Besides, I don't earn money with my gear, so unlike Professionals I am not forced to switch to the best technology to stay competitive in the market.

My only wish is that Nikon stays afloat, the DSLRs don't become obsolete or that FTZ adapter improves.. in case Santa is listening ;)
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Well said Ado! The gear I have now will have to last until I can only carry an iPhone. In Covid lock-down I went though old folders of RAW images. There is absolute gold there which I have enjoyed re-processing.
 
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It is very hard to find accurate estimates about the salient attributes of active wildlife photographers. Hard to estimate current numbers - let alone which brands they shoot. The indicators imply there are sizeable populations in N America and Europe, with growing interest in Asia and parts of Africa.

See some links etc posted a few weeks ago: https://bcgforums.com/index.php?threads/how-many-wildlife-photographers-are-there.3574/#post-30500

One proxy is the rise in prominent professionals in the genre who are educators and running tours. Another is the interest in wildlife photo competitions. Yet another new competition has just been launched in UK!

My highly subjective impression is Canon is relatively popular in southern Africa, with Nikon at parity or slightly less. This is based on conversations with a prominent retail manager and gear used to capture winning entries in local competitions. OTOH it is very clear marketing and support by the local Nikon distributor cannot compare to Canon's in S Africa
 
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I was there that day and this is only 10 percent of the photogs that were there. The AP has switched all of its sports guys to Sony. I would say the crowd was pretty balanced as to brand. There was a guy with 3 A92's strapped to 3 600 f4 all on this giant lens plate and gimbal, shooting all 3 remotely !!.. 40k in one set up. I believe the hesitation on many photogs, based on conversations is the high cost and scarcity of big glass for Sony shooters. A Sony 600 f4 is 13k new and 12k used if you can find one. In comparison a Nikon 600 f4 fl used can be had for 7-8k. The previous version for 5-6 k. I shoot and own both Sony A92 and 200-600, and my current Nikon is D500 and 500pf and Z62 on my 600 f4G. IMHO Nikon needs a camera along the lines of the A92 and Sony needs lens like the 500pf and constant aperture zooms. I am disappointed that the Z cameras are not as feature rich as the Sony.
 
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Nikon gained a lot of wildlife photogs (especially birders) with the D500/200-500 combo. I've said before and will continue to say the Nikon 200-500 is the best value tele zoom on the market. Many, including myself, dismissed it when it was introduced because it couldn't be very good if Nikon was selling so cheap. Nikon has had a reputation for slightly higher prices than Canon (Sony has only been a player for a relatively short time) so when they came out with a much lower price-in-category lens, the assumption was that it was just a cheap consumer lens. Once it got out in the wild, reports started that it was anything but a cheap lens. I had bought a Sigma 150-600 Sport (and paid more!) as I had the same thought, too cheap to be good. After waiting a bit I decided to get a 200-500 and like many, was pleasantly surprized by it's capabilities.
 
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Gear is only a minor contributor IMO. Skill of the person behind the viewfinder, being in the right location at the right time, knowing what might happen next so as to move yourself appropriateplu...that’s what makes great images. Sony might be ahead in mirrorless currently...that’s subject to change as vendors leapfrog each other...and mirrorless doesn’t mean better image quality just because it’s mirrorless. Add in the fact that for tha majority of us here we aren’t pros making money from our images...and we are invested in glass for whatever system we have...and I’m guessing that most of us aren’t switching.

It’s an interesting debate...but for most of us it doesn’t go beyond that.
 
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AndyL3 said:
I was there that day and this is only 10 percent of the photogs that were there. The AP has switched all of its sports guys to Sony. I would say the crowd was pretty balanced as to brand. There was a guy with 3 A92's strapped to 3 600 f4 all on this giant lens plate and gimbal, shooting all 3 remotely !!.. 40k in one set up. I believe the hesitation on many photogs, based on conversations is the high cost and scarcity of big glass for Sony shooters. A Sony 600 f4 is 13k new and 12k used if you can find one. In comparison a Nikon 600 f4 fl used can be had for 7-8k. The previous version for 5-6 k. I shoot and own both Sony A92 and 200-600, and my current Nikon is D500 and 500pf and Z62 on my 600 f4G. IMHO Nikon needs a camera along the lines of the A92 and Sony needs lens like the 500pf and constant aperture zooms. I am disappointed that the Z cameras are not as feature rich as the Sony.
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Wow only 10% that’s amazing!
At the end of the video Mark mentioned how he got tips and info that made the trip successful yet he didn’t elaborate. Have any or know what he was eluding to?

That is one thing I don’tlike about Mark’s videos say compared to Steve’s. Mark does some nice narrating and displays some nice images however he doesn’t really tell you anything about how he got the shot like Steve will. Steve is an educator and it’s pretty clear Mark wants you to pay for a class to learn anything. It’s a bit annoying when you figure people helped him out but I bet he didn’t pay any of them.
Point I guess I’m trying to make is Steve Perry has taught me more than anyone on YouTube and his books have just hammered the information home.
 
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Neil H. said:
Arthur Morris was a Canon Explorer of Light for a few decades. A few years back he switched completely to Nikon and last year to Sony. Each time he sold and purchased tens of thousands of dollars worth of gear. The consensus seems to be that Sony is years ahead with mirrorless.
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The newish Canon R5/R6 mirrorless bodies are raising some eyebrows with wildlife/bird photographers especially with regards to demanding bird-in-flight BIF shooting. Artie is currently testing a loaner Canon R5 w. RF 100-500mm lens and has been posting his observations on his blog.
 
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Yellowboard said:
Just me but, if I pulled up to a scene like that I would have immediately turned around and either looked for another spot or just gone home. Even if I was the first one there and had the "best" spot, as the crowd increased I would be gone, long gone...Eagles or not...
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The last time I found myself in a mob scene like that I was at an airshow. I must say though that people were actually pretty polite and I did end up having good conversation with three of the other photographers. Sometimes it can pay to just make the best of things.
 
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dtibbals said:
Wow only 10% that’s amazing!
At the end of the video Mark mentioned how he got tips and info that made the trip successful yet he didn’t elaborate. Have any or know what he was eluding to?

That is one thing I don’tlike about Mark’s videos say compared to Steve’s. Mark does some nice narrating and displays some nice images however he doesn’t really tell you anything about how he got the shot like Steve will. Steve is an educator and it’s pretty clear Mark wants you to pay for a class to learn anything. It’s a bit annoying when you figure people helped him out but I bet he didn’t pay any of them.
Point I guess I’m trying to make is Steve Perry has taught me more than anyone on YouTube and his books have just hammered the information home.
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I liked the above comment, but a "like" does not give justice to my total agreement with it. I too have learned more about photography from Steve Perry's ebooks, videos, and website than I have from any other source. I am a lightroom guy, but watching Steve I have learned extensively about photoshop. I am now expanding my skillset in that area. Can't agree more about Steve's addition to the hobby/profession. "Educator" is the perfect adjective for him!

I am a Nikon guy and learned a lot about my equipment from Steve. A comment he made a couple weeks ago about going to Sony sent some fear up and down my spine that I'd be losing a great resource. I cannot afford to switch brands at this point.
 
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I've noticed that more and more photographers are getting on the Youtube bandwagon with their videos and trying to earn money with it. There are now so many "influencers" on Youtube that seem to be driving the craze toward new cameras and gear. It's important to be aware of those Youtubers that are out there putting up videos almost daily just to get views and subscribers and clicks on their affiliate links.

Thanks, Steve, for giving us quality videos that really teach us about how to improve our photography.
 
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R.Philip said:
I liked the above comment, but a "like" does not give justice to my total agreement with it. I too have learned more about photography from Steve Perry's ebooks, videos, and website than I have from any other source. I am a lightroom guy, but watching Steve I have learned extensively about photoshop. I am now expanding my skillset in that area. Can't agree more about Steve's addition to the hobby/profession. "Educator" is the perfect adjective for him!

I am a Nikon guy and learned a lot about my equipment from Steve. A comment he made a couple weeks ago about going to Sony sent some fear up and down my spine that I'd be losing a great resource. I cannot afford to switch brands at this point.
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I felt the same way! Steve is such a unique resource, that there would be no replacing him. I sure hope he keeps Nikon in his arsenal!
 
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dtibbals said:
I watched Mark Smith video on eagles he recently released from his trip to Maryland. He had the below image I took of my screen and found it interesting that the majority of the cameras appear to be Nikon.

We keep hearing how everyone is leaving to go to Sony. Canon has owned the sports market since The EOS-1 first came out leaving Nikon far behind with sport shooters still to this date.

Is Nikon losing market share with wildlife photographers? It sure seems when I’m out I see more Nikon.
Your thoughts?
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I find this photo shocking! So many folk in the same spot, for me its not what wild life photography is about. As for Nikon and Canon, I often wish I had started with Canon which has far more choices for lenses and they are cheaper. But like Apple once you strart down that road it's expensive to start again.
 
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Based on local bird photographers and general impressions of online forums, I saw a significant shift from Canon to Nikon with the D500/850/5 era of cameras. But it was somewhat short lived. Within a year, I noticed another significant shift from Nikon (even people that had only been shooting it for under a year) to Sony and another push of Canon diehards to Sony (skipping Nikon on the way). Of course the latter half of 2020 we've seen another shift back to Canon.

Of course there are many who have stuck with one brand and are probably better off for it.

I move around brands a fair amount, I like chasing the latest and greatest, I don't make full on shifts to a new manufacturer all at once. I started with Canon in 2009 (but wildlife/birds was more 2012), added D500/200-500 in 2016, added A9/100-400 in 2018, slowly divested Canon during that period, increased Nikon investment in 2017/2018, fully divested all Canon wildlife lenses in late 2019, along with divesting some Nikon and then increasing Sony investment in 2020. And of course back to Canon in late 2020 with the R5.

I don't have many regrets along the way....my biggest mistake was letting go of my 400DOII and Canon EF TCs just shortly before the R5's potential was revealed. Because of that regret, I'm currently holding onto my 300PF, 500PF, TCs and a D500/Z50 in hope for a better Z. But 2021 looks like it will be a fight between Canon and Sony....for me it will probably come down to if Sony does produce this rumoured A9R or if Canon produces some sort of RF 600/4DO or similar.

Bottom line, Nikon does not own the wildlife market at all going into 2021. In 2018/19 I might have said they did but that has quickly passed.
 
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arbitrage said:
....for me it will probably come down to if Sony does produce this rumoured A9R or if Canon produces some sort of RF 600/4DO or similar.
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If something like the camera in the link below comes to pass, Sony may end up as my primary wildlife kit instead of Nikon. (I shoot both now, but Sony is my secondary system, I usually go Nikon first). But, just look at that thing! If they really do a a9R and a9iii with a full pro body, it'll be hard to resist.

sonyrumors.co

This domain may be for sale!
www.sonyrumors.co
 
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It's a small sampling size, but more of my wildlife photo friends use Nikon than anything else. Sony comes in second.

Some people are constantly changing and looking for the next best thing, which is understandable. I certainly can't afford that, so I've carved a Nikon D500 niche for myself that I feel I'll be quite happy with for several years. I think there are a fair number of people like me who have used Nikon for a while now, and don't want to buy all new lenses and camera bodies.

Meanwhile, I just watched a video where Annie Griffiths was interviewed. She has been a NatGeo photographer for a good number of years, having mentioned that she has traveled to 150 countries while on assignment for NatGeo. Her camera of choice, including for wildlife, is a little micro 4/3 Lumix G9. She uses a 100-400 for wildlife, and likes this set up for it's light weight and ease of use. I'm guessing picture quality must be just fine, too, if it satisfies the magazine's needs.

My only point is that there is a ton of great equipment to choose from these days, not to pick on anyone for their choice of gear.

BTW, I like Mark Smith's videos for their great photography, entertainment, and inspiration. I agree that he doesn't hit the technical side of things very hard, but that's just not the niche he has decided to occupy.

Steve, meanwhile, has given a wealth of technical knowledge through the years. He does so in a manner that beginner and pro alike can benefit.
 
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Based on a small sample size when I travel around Australia or walk around Sydney bird spots, I mostly see Canon. I feel Nikon has lost share to Sony in the last 5 years or so and Nikon would be third. In my regular travels to Southern Africa, I see Canon and Nikon equally, this is dependent on where visitors come from, including Olympus mainly with visitors from Europe.. My last visit to Botswana I did see organised photo safaris by Nikon and Canon. Local guides appear to use Nikon Dslr's. In Kenya I tend to see the D500+200-500 as a popular combo, mainly with visitors from South Asia.
 
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