How much should you pay to get 10% better images. I've spent thousands and I wonder if it has all been worth it!

Hey Nikon, there's a talented guy named Josh Bayou who makes inspiring videos and tries to convince himself that he doesn't need new gear. He's right, his actual photos are beautiful, but such motivation deserves the best gear. He would be a great ambassador in my opinion.

It`s the man behind the camera, who takes the photos (not the gear)!

D500 coupled with any of this lenses is a beast combo.

I’m very happy with my D500. My photos have improved through just getting out there and shooting.

Hi Josh, absolute amazing videos. I constantly look at for your videos and appreciate the amazing content that you put out. A big thanks from Peter, all the way from South Africa 👌

Josh, you are CRUSHING IT with your Z6ii. These are among the loveliest bird pics I've seen. Those cedar waxwings ❤️❤️❤️ BRAVO!

Thank you Josh :) Absolutely agree with your summary and your conclusion 👌

A great budget setup for birders in my opinion is the D500 and the Nikon 200-500mm f5.6....You can buy new and still come in under $3k with gas money left over or buy nice used for $2k....This is the setup I still use while I save for the D850 and 600f4....We went down a very similar road, I started with a D3300 and the 55-300 and then to the D7200 and the 200-500 and now i have been shooting the D500 and the 200-500 for about a year and a half...

Excellent, once again. Thanks for posting

Thank you! Your work is an inspiration. Your humility is an example.

Awesome advise!!! Thanks!

Absolutely sir. Your summary should be taken to heart by everyone looking to improve, spot on.

The advice in this video is really, really on point. I will refer people to this video from now on as it was able to crystallize my thinking on the subject and he does it so well, with examples and clarity.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.

Nailed it Josh..excellent stuff

Great Video, Amazing images.

Excellent advice. I owned a D7200 for 7 years before getting my Z6ii last November. Never invested in the big glass since any travel I did required a more compact kit. In the new year my purchases will be slightly different-multifocal IOLs to replace cataract affected lenses. The laser surgery is not cheap but I’m looking forward to really enjoying photography and life without thick and heavy eyeglasses. Post-COVID, I hope to get out much more and enjoy life. Thanks for your lovely example photos!

Great advice... Thanks for your time and effort

great video and some stunning images

Great content as always. One extra tool I ran across years ago was I met a landscape painter. In doing so I spent hours in discussion about the differences between the two crafts. It helped both of us to just learn from each other. Plein air painters if they are good completely digest a scene. It changed my outlook. So if you ever run across a painter that interests you spend time with them if you can.

Amazing Photography Bayou!!!

Josh I've been following your work since early days of KZfaq channel of yours. Since I can correlate most of them are things that you put in the content. Glad that your channel growing...

Nice summary and photos.

I always enjoy your videos and narration. This video is a darn good piece of advice. In fact, when you started off with the 600mm f4, that was quite a step forward, and that inspired me a lot. Thanks Bayou.

Great video as always, probably the best advice guys like me can get. I’m close to changing all my gear out, hopefully 2022. Thanks for these videos

Great video! You nailed it! That's exactly how it is. I like how you explain it and how you tell us your impressive journey. I have pretty decent equipment and you could always buy more and better stuff (for example the brand new A7IV is soooo awesome). But it's not always needed. And next time when I think about it, I will also think about your video... 📷😊

Your photo's are fantastic. The cardinals, egrets and herons make me want to go back and visit the mid west.

Great and honest vid, really like that! Best regards from Germany

Great video Josh.

Wow, another fantastic video and story, images are superb, I started going through all your videos and watch some more than once.

Love the video ! Thank you

Very straightforward and honest advise. Liked it. 👍🏻

Great vídeo mate! Thank you from Austrália

Great video I agree with everything you said! I am excited for the z9 if it’s autofocus is on par with the competition I do think bird in flight shots, especially smaller birds, will be much easier to get. Great job!

Good advice wonderful images. 👍

Great video :) Very good advice, subscribed :)

Great video, very humble, hat's off!

Spot on and honest. Great video.

Thanks for some off the best advice ever. Enjoy your photography

Awesome stuff, thanks! :)

listening to you is just like meditation to me along with the wise advise that you put in your videos. Your skills like yours define the camera and not the other way around. Its only after your videos that i decided to buy a Z6ii (my first camera after waiting to accumulate funds for 6 years).Thanks!

Great video. I like your summary of the different cameras and lenses you went through to get where you are now. I'm currently on my 3rd camera but I'm pretty happy with it. I started with a Canon EOS T1i. A couple years ago I made the jump to full frame but on a budget and bought a used EOS 6DMKII. But recently I bought a brand new R6. It was a drop in pixels, but the improvements in autofocus, ISO capabilities, and dynamic range compared to the 6DMKII were well worth it. I also just recently bought my first expensive lens, the RF 100-500. Haven't gotten out to shoot with it a lot yet, but the few times I have, I've been very happy with the results. Now I just need to get out a little more often and continue practicing. Really enjoying your channel. Both the story style videos, and the straight talk to camera videos. It's a good combination to have both styles.

Awesome advice... stunning bird photography

Just a quick shout out to tell you that I very much enjoy your channel and the down-to-earth approach to bird photography. You're very authentic and stay true to yourself, unlike so many photography channels trying to monetize every last thing that they do. Also, nice images of lovely critters. Another bird photographer from Germany.

Thank you so much! It was really useful!

This is exactly the journey I’ve been on. Been slowly upgrading from a Canon T7 and kit lens to now a R7 with the Canon 100-500mm L. I was hoping I was done but now I don’t know. 😆 You’re right about the resolution and clarity not mattering to anyone. My wife could care less. It’s all about the bird, colors and action in the photo. Some of my best and favorite pics do nothing for her. Lol. I guess in the end it’s just for me because im never going to be a pro.

The beauty of your photos brought tears to my eyes. Nature is so beautiful! Thank you!

Interesting! Beautiful photography

Good info here also your video production keeps getting better. Keep it up

It’s all about the journey .. the experiences and learning … I started with D7200 and I loved it . Yes the 300mm f4 , still can’t let go for compactness … cheers

Josh, we enjoy your videos very much! The advice in this video is on-point for birding and wildlife enthusiast photographers. My husband and I started serious photography when we both retired. First DSLR was Nikon 3400. As time went by, we traded up and hubby uses the 850, 750, & 7200. I use two 7200's and am totally happy. We buy good lenses! We have found our comfort level and no-stress fun birding photography. It should be fun and thank YOU for helping beginners to understand the latest and most costly gear is not necessary. Best Wishes to you, your wife, and this channel.

I just finished your video interview with Jeremy. Awesome video. I am a Canon user but I enjoy and learning a lot on your channel. Have a blessed 2022.

Great video and all valid points! I really enjoyed the images you showed and what goes into it. Your images show the work you have put in to improve massively - more than any camera can help! Here are my thoughts about what to get in terms of value. I think the best "value" in wildlife photography today (assuming you do not need video capability) is a Nikon D500 with the stellar 200-500mm. The crop sensor gets you greater reach (very welcome), it's fast at 10fps with full size images and tracking, and it's very inexpensive when purchased used in good condition. I doubt you will get 10% better quality from anything you purchase above this. Full frame makes the biggest difference, but it is truly small for this type of photography. Should you "aspire" to it or start there? I think it depends on your budget. As for the rest of the possible 10% improvement, as Josh said, it's better glass. Again, depends on the budget.

Danke, dass Du Deine Erfahrungen mit uns teilst. Ein schönes Video und tolle Fotos

Fantastic work !

Awesome video! Very informative.

Awesome video. Thank you. Canon user here but I found the exact same thing It was when I upgraded to full frame from crop sensor I started paying so much more attention to depth of field and composition and editing in lightroom, then next i got addicted to the L-series glass lol

Really great video Bayou. I'm a Fuji shooter and use a lot of vintage glass (I like the look) using adaptors. I'm glad I found your channel.

Great video!

Pretty honest review. Thank you so much.

I have recently discovered tour channel and I appreciate that you are keeping it real and honest. Your comments were spot on. Not everybody cam afford a 600mm prime and these lenses are not for everyone. For amateurs that do not need to sell their kidneys to buy a lens, there are some very good options out there to enjoy their hobby. Personally if I were to buy a lens I’d get a tamron 150-600mm and it would be more than enough for me. The important thing is understanding where you are at your photographic journey and buy accordingly.

No truer words said. I’ve been on a similar journey myself starting with a canon 200D and what has changed the most amongst constant upgrades is my knowledge of photography and editing just like you said. I can go back to some of my early images and make them look pretty good if they have potential. Back then I couldn’t see that potential and to me they were all bad images because my gear was inadequate. I now know that the gear had way more potential than I thought.

Great advice and video Josh, I did much the same as you mate but started with a Canon 40d and a second hand 400mm f5.6, I upgraded my 40D for a 7Dmk1 and used that set up for many years, it taught me so much, learn your craft, learn bird behaviour learn conditions etc etc much like you say, more valuable than any new gear

Honestly I wouldn't completely dismiss crop. I started with a few Nikon APS-C bodies, moved to a D610 with a a few primes and 70-200 (I'm a landscape photographer), and have recently switchd to Micro Four Thirds and couldn't be happier. Brand new you can get a LUMIX G9 for about $1000 and a 100-300 (200-600 equiv) for about $600. So for $1600 new (or buy used like I did), you can get a pretty decent wildlife kit.

Very good and informative video. Nice photos too.

thank you

Great video and your images are amazing.

its a self discovery so very honest and nice advice..thanks...

your modety is refreshing. great video.

Just watched this again - really like this one.

wow thats one honest video. take my sub! good job!

Your images are incredible! I live near the Everglades and this inspired me to take bird photography more seriously 😀

Josh: A well prepared video describing your journey. Some of your advice is right on the money. Fast primes for wildlife are certainly a bonus. Learn how to process! Yes. I teach post processing and am a firm believer in good processing is a critical digital skill. Here's where I think you missed. I teach and lead workshops. The VAST majority of clients are 60+. Duh... That shouldn't surprise anyone. That is the demographic with the time and the money to go on workshops and do a fully immersive photographic adventure. The number one complaint by a factor of at least 100:1 is "my equipment is too big and too heavy, it's hard to travel with". Yep. I get it. As a result their images suffer because they can't get in the right position, they can't carry the gear to the location, they are too tired when they get there.... and so on. I'm always seeing people struggle with the size of equipment. Anyone who has never seen a full frame 600 f/4 and tried to deal with it is in for a rude awakening when they begin to see the challenges it presents. Yes, great lenses, but.... I've used nearly every format for wildlife. APS-C, Full Frame and now Micro 4/3. My full frame lens of choice was my 500 f/4 with a 1.4x. Fantastic image quality and a fantastic lens. My camera of choice today is my Micro 4/3 system. I challenge you to go to my website and figure out which images in any of the galleries are from APS-C, Full Frame or 4/3. Here's the major difference. My wildlife lens is the Olympus 300mm f/4. With the 2x crop factor the field of view is the same as your 600 f/4. It weighs 3.25 pounds. Easily accepts 1.4x or 2.0x converters. Oh... and a new one is $2900. Or, when I want to carry a zoom option I use my 40-150 f/2.8 with or without any of the converter options. $1500 and weighs 1.67 pounds. Oh sure, I know all the full frame youtubers who scoff at 4/3. They have never used the system. Frankly I don't give a damn what camera people use, but I'm always disappointed in the KZfaq mantra of you need full frame. Here's a link if you care to take on my challenge: www.keithbauerphotography.com

Best camera is the camera you enjoy using, Josh. Keep churning these great videos.

Great video. I am not a wildlife photographer, but I love looking at great photographs. Thanks for sharing. I’ve owned many Nikon dslrs from the D70 I purchased in 2004 to my D850 as well as a Z6 and what I have learned is great technique, composition and photo editing skills trump equipment every time. I recently put together a project I started in 2004 and finished in 2018 with images shot on a D70, D200, D300, D800 and D850 and I found my early crop sensor low megapixel images held up very well against my D800, D850 images. It was a real eye opener. Much like you showed in your video

Josh, I am truly enjoying all of your videos! The last time I was doing serious photography I was using a Nikon 8008s, a 500mm f4 manual focus lens and Provia 100iso FILM. Since I am looking to pick up photography again and the new world of mirrorless is overwhelming I greatly appreciate your down to earth thoughts on what works. I looked but could not find you on Patreon. You might think about starting up there....

The best information ℹ have found bar none many thanks a fantastic help to me .

Good advice. Another great video. Love my 200-600mm Sony lens!!!!!

We share your philosophy and as you comunicate is ahead of most YTubers. Your images tell how you are and feel doing what you love and represent many of us. Similar gear experiences, tried all brands and Nikon Z system is the most stable one and impress with the balance in image quality (Use Z6 and Z6 II + ZZ lenses: 14-24 2.8S, Z35 1.8S, Z50 1.8S, 70-200 2.8S and waiting for the Z zoom lens). Also Z differs much over others when you edit on 4K monitors, these are points that add up to final results. Salute from Uruguay!

Thanks for a great video. I'm a few paces behind you: I have a D810, which was a retirement present, but I'm about to buy some better glass - my lenses are previous generation D lenses - which were great in their day, but not designed for high resolution digital. In the last 18 months of lockdown I've been shooting a lot of macro in my backyard, but I've found some great bird-watching locations here in the centre of France, and I'm about to dive in. I loved your wisdom about learning the craft, and your images spoke for themselves. And thanks also for the low key music... Liked and subscribed!

Great vid! Very similar story.I was told by my mentor, when i started out, upgrade your skills before you upgrade your equipment. Starting out with that shorter reach lens certainly helped me hone my fieldcraft. Great point about the editing, too. You need a digital lightroom and it's a whole new discipline to use it, and use it well. Anyway, great stuff, I'll look back, as a new subscriber, at your other content....then look forward to some new. Take care.CB

Great advice, Josh. Like how you pitch your advice as a “friend”. In my experience, I found my old f2.8 300mm just not enough focal length. I went and purchased a second hand F4 600mm and haven’t looked back.

Watching you carry that rig made me happy I sold my FF and went M43. I agree agree agree that good glass is a game changer.

Good words.

Great video

Great video. I’m on early on in my progression. Started with Nikon d5600 crop sensor with the kit 300mm lense. Moved to a 150-600 Sigma 5.6 to 6.3 lense. Now with the z6ii and the same Sigma. Would love to go prime but will need to wait now till there’s a second hand prime z lense ! 100% agree that lense is 5he best investment. I would argue though, that a Crop sensor isn’t such a bad thing to start with, as it give you that extra reach for “free”… my sigma had an effective reach of 900mm on the D5600.

Great advice Josh!! I totally agree with you. Camera company's now days are trying to spec us to death, but the quality of the image isn't that much better. If the image already looks great with the camera you have, then it will look great 15 years from now.

well said

Awesome video. The D5600 was my first camera. Just like you with the 3100, I definitely noticed a difference when upgrading to the D7500. When I sold the D7500, I ended up getting the D500 which I feel is the best APS-C DSLR ever made across all brands, while my wife got the D810. Noticeable difference in image quality between our cameras. At the beginning of 2020, we got rid of our cameras and my wife opted for the Z6, while I ended up jumping over to Fujifilm with the X-T4. One bit of advice that you gave that I absolutely agree with is getting quality glass. That will outlive a lot of cameras. Sure cameras can help assist a photographer better, but studying composition and checking for backgrounds will definitely help photos. Look much more interesting. Awesome video and excellent photos. You’re doing an awesome job.

fantastic as usual

You have summed up perfectly my own journey into wildlife photography. I began with a d3100 and then upgraded to d7200 and now d500. I wish someone had told me to beging with a better body as I quickly discovered the limitations. Fieldcraft and editing are definitely ways of improving your images ten-fold. Patience is the most valuable tool in any photographers kit bag.

Thank you for the great advise! My equipment is starting to get old and with all the choices out there it can be a bit challenging finding the right items.

I'm just blown away, Your shots are remarkable! I think the way you started birding from D7xxx/300mm to Z/600mm and your great effort led to these awesome photos as most professional photographers did the same in the past. Most of them started with mid to pro crop DSLR and ended up with a modern high fps full-frame camera as well. High MP/fps full-frame camera with a f/4 super-telephoto prime is must have to get pro grade wildlife photography especially very difficult and challenging bird photography, even a slow full-frame camera like D750 leaves the mighty D500 in the dust with ISO performance, Image quality, Dynamic range and important blurry background in wildlife photography. Loved your video Josh, Good luck 🥂

Wow, content of this video is amazing!! I got my first ever camera (R5 and RF 100-500 L IS USM lens) about 8 months ago. I’m getting better with every photo I take.

Très intéressant! Merci 🙏 🎥🎥🎥

always good stuff Josh. i always enjoy your vids. Im a nikon guy, have been for a loooong time.. since about 2005 when i bought, from best buy the D70. now I shoot with the D500 but do lots of other things besides wildlife, like severe weather, some weddings and portraits. Looking to make that jump to the mirrorless at some point, just not in the cards right now. what I would love to see though, is some start to finish editing that you do. I struggle with it even still for some reason and just enjoy your work, id love to see how you edit today. thanks for your hard work!

Thanks for sharing sir. Great video. I heard your each and every word. I'm gonna buy z6ii in November. Although I'm a beginner hybrid shooter. Just love wildlife and birding. Just subscribed sir. God bless you ♥

Plainly said - I like your laid-back attitude to great bird photography. Like every other thing out there if you put your time into it you will get better! And, it doesn't hurt to have some good equipment too but you also need to know how to use them. Take care and be safe out there....

I started with the D7000 with 70-300 5.6 , little by little I upgraded to a D850 with the 24-70 2.8 ,,,, 70-200 2.8 and the 200-500 5.6 I really love them, I would love to get the 400 2.8 but that cost an arm and a leg, thanks for sharing your videos!