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Chinitna Bay Bear Viewing

Hello there! Sarah here, Media Manager for Rust’s Flying Service and K2 Aviation with 14 years’ experience as a professional photographer. We frequently receive questions about camera equipment and settings for our bear viewing tours and I’d like to offer some insight on gear that works best for capturing the incredible wildlife experiences we offer.

Embarking on a bear-viewing adventure in Alaska is an unforgettable experience, and capturing these impressive creatures in their natural habitat requires a mix of skill and the right photography gear. Choosing a camera and lens combination or a well equipped mobile phone for aviation assisted bear photography means balancing portability and weight, as well as ensuring durability for Alaska’s sometimes harsh weather conditions. Many of our guests, armed with just their smartphones, capture amazing memories on our tours. While a dedicated camera can elevate your photography, you don’t need professional equipment to enjoy the experience.

Best Camera Types for Bear Viewing

In photography, there’s a popular saying: the best camera is the one you have with you. A shot with any camera is better than not capturing it at all. I’d take it a step further and say that the best camera is one you’re comfortable using. Bringing gear you’re unfamiliar with can cost you precious moments as you fumble with settings. My advice? Stick to the camera you know and are confident shooting with—it’s the surest way to make the most of every opportunity!

When it comes to capturing Alaska’s bears, you’ll want a camera that performs well in low light, has rapid focusing capabilities, and can capture sharp, detailed images from a distance.

• Mirrorless Cameras are compact and lightweight, making them a favorite for wildlife photography. They excel in speed, ISO, and quiet shooting modes, an important feature to minimize disturbance to wildlife. Mirrorless is my personal choice in camera using the Sony A7R V.
• DSLR Cameras are known for their reliability and robust build, often favored by photographers working in rugged conditions. These cameras tend to have a larger body with more weight.
• Point and Shoot Cameras can be excellent tools for wildlife photography in the right circumstances. These compact cameras are lightweight and easy to handle. Look for models with a powerful zoom lens, as they allow you to capture detailed shots from a safe distance. However, they do have some drawbacks. Their smaller sensors often struggle in low-light conditions, which can be common in Alaska’s overcast environments, leading to grainy or less-detailed images. The zoom capabilities, while useful, may lack the reach or clarity of professional telephoto lenses, making it challenging to capture distant wildlife sharply.
• Mobile Phones have significantly increased in quality and resolution throughout the years allowing you to control settings such as aperture and shutter speeds as well as shoot in RAW! You can now also purchase removable lenses to increase zoom. While mobile phones can never compete with the sensor sizes and full setting control of the mirrorless and DSLR cameras, they are a great option to relax and enjoy the experience while not having to lug around an extra bag of heavy gear.

Lake Clark Bear Viewing

Best Lenses for Bear Photography

Since bear-viewing is often done from a distance, a telephoto lens is essential for both safety and quality close-ups. Here’s a look at some of the best lens options.

Telephoto Zoom Lenses

Telephoto zoom lenses are essential for capturing bears safely from a distance, making them perfect for our Chinitna Bay Bear Viewing tour, where bears are often seen roaming grassy fields. A recommended range is 200-600mm, allowing for intimate shots that showcase the bear’s personality while keeping a safe distance. My personal choice is a 70-400mm lens for its versatility—it lets me frame the entire scene or zoom in for detailed close-ups. These lenses provide enough reach to capture stunning images without compromising safety and are still portable enough for backcountry adventures. However, remember that longer focal lengths require more stability, so bringing a tripod is a smart idea.

For those who shoot in low light or want added stability shooting handheld, look for a lens with vibration reduction. This feature helps reduce camera shake, making it easier to capture steady, clear images.

Lake Clark Bear Viewing

Prime Telephoto Lenses

For ultimate clarity and detail, prime lenses are fantastic, though they’re less versatile in length. These lenses are perfect for our Katmai Bear Viewing tour particularly at Brooks Falls where the bears tend to stand in one spot fishing for long periods of time.

A 600mm prime telephoto lens is a powerful choice for wildlife photography, offering exceptional image quality and incredible reach. However, these lenses often come with a high price tag, making them ideal investments for seasoned photographers seeking professional-grade results. You can also rent lenses for travel to cut down on the investment.

For those wanting high clarity and sharpness without breaking the bank, a 400mm or 500mm prime lens can also be excellent options. They offer impressive detail while being slightly lighter and more manageable, providing flexibility and reliability for capturing wildlife in action.

Redoubt Bay Bear Viewing

Wide-Angle Lenses for Environment Shots

While telephotos are best for close-ups, a wide-angle lens can be great for capturing the landscape along with the animals. Our Lake Clark Bear viewing tour has incredible mountain scenes that would be perfectly captured with a wide angle lens.

A 16-35mm wide-angle lens is perfect for capturing expansive, scenic shots, allowing you to frame both the bears and the stunning Alaskan landscape in a single shot. Lightweight and often weather-sealed, lenses in this range are built to withstand outdoor conditions and offer sharpness across the frame, making them great for immersive, environmental photography. Bringing multiple length lenses will also be benefit on the flight to your bear viewing location. You are not going to want to miss out on the vast scenery of Alaska seen aerially from your flight.

Lake Clark Bear Viewing

Chinitna Bay Bear Viewing

Camera Accessories for Bear Photography

• Tripod or Monopod: A lightweight, sturdy tripod or monopod stabilizes your setup, reducing blur from camera shake, especially with telephoto lenses. Carbon fiber options are particularly suited for backcountry photography as they’re light and robust. There are also some really great tripods out there for mobile phones!
• Teleconverter: If you already have a telephoto lens but want extra reach, a teleconverter can extend your focal length, like a 1.4x or 2x for additional zoom.
• Waterproof Covers: Alaska’s weather can be unpredictable. Keeping your gear dry with a good waterproof cover is essential.
• Memory Cards: You are going to find yourself taking a lot of photos on this tour and you will run out of storage quick, especially if you are shooting continuous or in RAW. I would recommend bringing at least two 128GB cards but the more storage space the better!
• Batteries: On an half day bear viewing I end up going through at least two batteries. I always make sure to bring three or four as backup.

Lake Clark Bear Viewing

Settings and Techniques for Capturing Bears in the Wild

These days, even mobile phones allow you to adjust your settings! To bring out the best in your gear, consider these techniques:

• Use a Fast Shutter Speed: Bears can move unpredictably, so a shutter speed of at least 1/1000 sec is ideal for capturing action shots and water droplets from bears splashing. A fast shutter speed is a must on our Redoubt Bay Bear viewing tour where you’ll find the bears shaking off water around the lake.
• Opt for Silent Shutter Mode: Some cameras offer a silent or electronic shutter mode that reduces noise, helping you avoid disturbing the bears.
• Adjust ISO Carefully: In low-light conditions, increase your ISO but keep an eye on noise. Modern mirrorless and DSLR cameras often handle ISO well up to 3200 or even 6400 with minimal noise.
• Use Continuous Shooting Mode: This is a must for fast moving bears to ensure you haven’t missed a moment. This mode takes images continuously at the camera’s maximum speed while the shutter button is held down. My Sony A7R V can shoot up to 10 frames per second.

Redoubt Bay Bear Viewing

Final Thoughts on Choosing Your Gear

Bear viewing is both thrilling and unpredictable, and a well-chosen gear setup can help you capture the majesty of these animals in a way that does the experience justice. Consider a mirrorless option for portability, a DSLR for durability, or a mobile phone with detachable lens for convenience.

Renting or investing in quality gear can make all the difference, ensuring that you capture your Alaskan adventure with precision, clarity, and respect for the wildlife. With the right equipment in hand and the knowledge of how to use them, you’ll be ready to create stunning, memory-worthy images of one of Alaska’s most iconic animals.