Hey! I’m Michael Stavrakakis, a wildlife photographer from Melbourne, Australia.
I started photography in 2016 during my first safari in South Africa. Since then, I’ve travelled the world, choosing destinations based on the wildlife I hope to capture.
Everything from polar bears in the Arctic to gorillas in Uganda!
My first camera was the Olympus EM-1, which served me well for three years. It was a great introduction to photography, but I found the smaller micro four-thirds sensor limiting.
In 2019, I upgraded to the Sony A7 III and haven’t looked back. I am a fan of Sony’s full-frame system and have now upgraded to a pair of Sony A7 IVs.
Recently, I made an impulsive decision to add Nikon gear to my kit. I was blown away by the Nikon Z8 and the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S with the built-in 1.4 times teleconverter.
The ability to instantly switch to 560mm f/4 was a game-changer I couldn’t resist.
Here’s what I’m currently working with:
Nikon Z8 – Shooting at thirty frames per second with 45MP resolution is a dream for wildlife photography. It gives me the flexibility to freeze moments and crop in when needed.
The no-blackout viewfinder and superb autofocus are a bonus for tracking fast-moving subjects.
Sony A7 IV – I have two of these as my workhorses. Sony’s mirrorless ecosystem is arguably the best. While the ten frames per second speed isn’t ideal for fast action, they’re excellent hybrid cameras that handle a bit of everything at a reasonable price and are yet to fail me.
Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S – I debated getting the Sony 400mm for a while but was hesitant about needing an external teleconverter. Dust, time lost swapping gear over, and missed opportunities led me to the impulsive and expensive purchase of the Nikon with its built-in teleconverter.
It’s been a revelation, letting me seamlessly switch between 400mm f/2.8 and 560mm f/4. On my recent trip to Africa, it was my go-to lens, and I can’t imagine being without it now.
Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS – This was my primary wildlife lens before the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8.
Its versatility from 200mm to 600mm is unmatched, but can be slightly soft at the long end.
That said, it’s still an incredibly convenient lens for travel and dynamic shooting situations, and its price point makes it even more attractive.
Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II – is my favourite lens. It’s perfect for capturing environmental shots and showcasing animals within their habitats.
The f/2.8 aperture makes it great in low-light conditions, especially for early morning and post-sunset shots when all the action is in.
Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II – The perfect everyday walk-around lens. This is handy for behind-the-scenes moments, large herds, and when animals come up extremely close.
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM – I don’t use this lens often, but it’s been fantastic for astrophotography and landscapes. I plan to get my dive certification soon, and this will be my go-to for underwater photography.
All my gear fits perfectly in the F-Stop Tilopa DuraDiamond Backpack 50L including the Gitzo Mountaineer Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod, the Benro Supadupa Pro Carbon Fiber Monopod, and my Vortex Diamondback HD 8×42 Binoculars.
Plus, I always carry a stash of Haribo gummy bears. You never know when you’ll need an energy boost in the field!
I use a LensCoat LensSack Pro with FlexShooter Pro Ballhead for tracking and stability when shooting from safari vehicles.
There are still so many places to explore and wildlife I hope to capture, and 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year.
The first stop is Borneo to photograph orangutans, the Pantanal in Brazil to witness jaguars hunting caiman, and Patagonia in Chile for the elusive pumas.
Credit : Source Post
