A beginner’s experience in Costa Rica
Jan 21, 2025
I’ve never considered myself a wildlife photographer. Never aspired to it. The equipment seemed too specialized and expensive, and the techniques too complex. Wildlife photography required more dedication and investment than I felt I could muster.
After a week at a workshop in Costa Rica with Derrick Story and Rob Knighthowever, I’ve changed my attitude. Yes, this was billed as primarily a wildlife excursion, but the recommended equipment didn’t seem daunting: (1) a capable general-purpose camera, (2) a long telephoto lens, (3) a close-up (macro) lens, and (4) some sort of light for night photography, preferably a small LED panel rather than a flash. I had all that.
About half the participants showed up with what I brought: Micro Four Thirds (MFT) equipment. My OM-Systems OM-1 turned out to be the camera of choice for this part of the group. At roughly half the price of equivalent full-frame cameras, it has more useful functionality for wildlife than most full-frames. It is the high end of MFT.
MFT cameras have small sensors, which are not only relatively inexpensive, they’re great for telephoto work. Every lens gives you twice the magnification you would get on a full-frame camera. A 150mm lens on MFT is the same as a 300mm lens on a considerably more expensive Sony, Canon, or Nikon full-frame.
