Cheat sheet · Wildlife

Camera settings for wildlife photography

Long lens, fast shutter, patience and fieldcraft; respect the animal's space.

ModeManual + Auto ISO
Shutter1/500–1/2000 s
Aperturef/4–f/8
FocusAnimal-eye AF, AF-C
DriveBurst
Quick start: Long lens, fast shutter, patience and fieldcraft; respect the animal's space.

Starting exposures#

Typical scene brightness for this situation is around EV 12. Use these as a first test shot, then check the histogram.

ApertureISO 100ISO 400ISO 1600ISO 6400
f/1.41/2000 s1/8000 stoo brighttoo bright
f/2.81/500 s1/2000 s1/8000 stoo bright
f/5.61/125 s1/500 s1/2000 s1/8000 s
f/81/60 s1/250 s1/1000 s1/4000 s
f/111/30 s1/125 s1/500 s1/2000 s

Step by step#

  1. Research behaviour and season.
  2. Use a vehicle or hide as a blind.
  3. Shoot at golden hour when animals are active.

Gear checklist#

  • 300–600 mm
  • Beanbag
  • Hide

Pro tips#

  • Get to eye level.

Common mistakes#

  • Approaching too close and disturbing behaviour.
Birds in flight1/2500 s+, wide tracking AF and +0.3 to +1 EV when shooting against sky.… Perched birdsSingle-point or eye AF at the bird's eye, 1/800 s for twitchy songbirds.…

Frequently asked questions#

What are the best camera settings for wildlife photography?

Aperture: f/4–f/8 · Shutter: 1/500–1/2000 s. Long lens, fast shutter, patience and fieldcraft; respect the animal's space.

What gear do I need for wildlife photography?

300–600 mm, Beanbag, Hide.

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources