C300: Leopards: The Last Stand

indiawilds

indiawilds

Veteran
I have been filming with the C300 in India's forests. My film Leopards: The Last Stand is currently in production. I increased the scope a bit and am working on it again. I have released a sneek peek. http://youtu.be/n-Yc5VNUN-o

The footage with C300 is marked with the text "C300 Footage". Watch it in HD (720p). I have used all ISOs including 20,000.
 
Yes. Sighting leopards is not easy. Comparatively one has more chance of sighting tigers than leopards. I tried to push the camera as much as possible. I am sure in narratives you guys are not likely to use ISO 20000.
 
Curious to know what long lens you are using and what you would recommend to shoot dangerous wildlife. I recently got a Canon 100 -400 lens.
Would I need something longer? It is a f 5.6 on the long end. Would long primes be better?

Also, were you shooting from a Jeep or a platform? And how close could you get to the animals and not be eaten? Thanks.
 
I use a Canon EF 400mm f2.8 L IS USM lens with or without TCs. It works well with the 2x II TC. I have shot scenes even at 2.8 at 400mm at ISO 20000.

I use other lenses like your 100-400, 70-200 f2.8 L IS USM. The 100-400 helps a lot due to its zoom. The 100-400 is a nice lens and it can just fit on the EF lens mount of the C300 without any rigs, without any problems. I find that using the 100-400 with a 1.4x also works well. For most of the people they will not need anything more than that. However, I normally don't use a converter with the 100-400. I use 2x TC with the 70-200 f2.8 L IS II USM lens and it works nicely and is good to handhold.

I am yet to get the 600mm f4 L IS II USM lens. These lenses are pretty good. However, I use a good tripod and fluid head as well. Sachtler with OConnor 1030 HDs fluid head. Canon guys loved the footage and details.

I am shooting from an open jeep, as well as my closed SUV at times. I also shoot by just standing still below a rock hiding behind a bush and in number of cases just plain open ground with the leopard moving all around. I tried using the hide at times but not much.

By the way, I always find human beings far more dangerous and attack without any provocation. Give the wildlife space and they will not harm you. One needs to understand their behaviour. You can make out if the animal is getting irritated or going to attack etc. If I try to move closer beyond their acceptable limit, then they slowly move away. Never make your movements fast. Be slow. The animals will not be stressed and they will slowly become comfortable. After that they will come close on their own and give you incredible behaviour.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi
 
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