I built my DREAM Wildlife Filmmaking Camera Rig

I just got back from a 15-day wildlife expedition in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and WOW – what an incredible experience! From ermines to great gray owls, I was absolutely blown away by the beauty of the wildlife and their frozen environment. Throughout the trip, I put my new camera rig to the test, and I’m beyond impressed with how easy it is to use and the image quality I’ve been able to capture.

In this video, I’ll walk you through my dream wildlife filmmaking camera rig, and why each piece is essential for capturing stunning footage in such extreme conditions.

Camera Rig Breakdown:

🦅 Tripod:

Sachtler Flowtech 100 with Touch & Go Aktiv 10 Head
Lightweight, quick adjustments, and super durable, the Flowtech 100S is perfect for shooting in the snow. The Aktiv 10 head offers fast, tool-free leveling, ideal for fast-paced wildlife filmmaking.

🎬 Baseplate & Dovetail:

Bright Tangerine Left Field Baseplate Kit
Versatile, lightweight, and intuitive, this kit allows for multiple quick-release options. The dovetail plate and quick-release system make it easy to switch between tripod and handheld shots.

🔧 Support & Focus:

SmallRig 15mm Rods & Lens Support
Basic yet reliable, these rods and lens support ensure my long lenses stay stable throughout the shoot.
Tilta Mini Follow Focus
Smooth, precise, and compact – this follow focus makes focusing much easier without disturbing the lens.

📸 Camera:

RED Komodo X (6K Super 35mm)
The Komodo X delivers incredible image quality with its 6K sensor, and at just 4.5 lbs, it’s light enough for all-day shooting. With RED’s 16-bit RAW, I get maximum flexibility in post-production.
Note: The slow boot-up time is a bit of a hassle, but I can work with it.

🔋 Power:

Core Nano X Micro V-Lock Batteries
Small, efficient, and with a handy display showing battery percentage and recording time left.

🎥 Monitor:

RED DSMC3 7” Monitor
A 2K touch-screen display that helps me nail focus and adjust camera settings easily, plus it’s perfect for outdoor shooting with its Red Monitor Hood.

🎤 Audio:

Sennheiser MKH 416
Mounted on the rig for high-quality, directional audio capture, essential for nature documentaries.

📷 Lens:

Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 Sport Lens
This lens is a game-changer for wildlife, offering an incredible focal range (60mm to 600mm) and outstanding image quality at all zoom levels. It’s affordable and delivers results comparable to lenses that cost 35x as much! (CN20)

This setup has been a dream for capturing stunning wildlife footage in Yellowstone and beyond. I couldn’t be happier with the ease of use, image quality, and versatility of this rig. Whether I’m tracking elusive predators or capturing the beauty of snow-covered landscapes, this camera rig handles it all with ease.

👀 Want More Details?
If you want to dive deeper into any of this gear or have questions about my workflow, drop a comment below! I’d love to hear your thoughts or discuss any gear you’re interested in.

📅 About Me
I’ve spent my early 20s working in ecotourism and natural history filmmaking. As a whale-watching captain and naturalist, I’ve been fortunate to film everything from the whale migration in Baja to orca encounters in Alaska. Thanks for following along on my journey!

🔗 Explore more marine adventures: [    • Incredible Wildlife 🐋   ]

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Website: https://www.adamernsterwildlife.com

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