# Equipment

# Bird recording equipment setup

[![new-bird-recording-equipment-setup.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/new-bird-recording-equipment-setup.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/new-bird-recording-equipment-setup.jpeg)

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-my-complete-bird-rec" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-width: 1px; background-color: #ecf0f1;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px;">My complete bird recording gear setup.</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

### **Equipment summary**

This is the current equipment setup I am using with my shotgun microphone. The basic idea of components remains the same regardless of specific equipment.

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-component-equipment-" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 276px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 33.333333%;"></col><col style="width: 33.333333%;"></col><col style="width: 33.333333%;"></col></colgroup><thead><tr style="height: 35px;"><th style="height: 35px;">**Component**

</th><th style="height: 35px;">**Equipment**

</th><th style="height: 35px;">**Notes**

</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr style="height: 45px;"><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); height: 45px;">**Microphone**</th><td style="height: 45px;">Sennheiser ME67, ME66</td><td style="height: 45px;">*No longer available. Consider MKE600 or look on eBay*</td></tr><tr style="height: 35px;"><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); height: 35px;">**Recorder**

</th><td style="height: 35px;">MixPre-3 II, Zoom H4N Pro</td><td style="height: 35px;"> </td></tr><tr style="height: 45px;"><th rowspan="5" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); height: 161px;">**Peripherals**</th><td style="height: 45px;">K6 Power Module</td><td style="height: 45px;">*Optional but saves battery draw on* the *recorder*</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="height: 29px;">Rycote Shock Mount Grip</td><td style="height: 29px;"> </td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="height: 29px;">Rycote Softie Windscreen</td><td style="height: 29px;">*The fuzzier the better*</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="height: 29px;">Over-the-ear headphones</td><td style="height: 29px;">*Optional with this kind of microphone*</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="height: 29px;">Angled XLR cable</td><td style="height: 29px;"> </td></tr></tbody></table>

---

### **Microphone**  


I originally selected this shotgun microphone after reading a guide from Audubon on recording bird songs. They have a fleet of these microphones in use. I like it for its directional sensitivity. It does a good job of filtering out ambient noise but not so much that a pair of headphones are required. The microphone can be powered by phantom draw (taking power from the recorder) or by using a K6 Power Module.

#### **Shotgun microphone**  


[![1fb7aec6-8ed4-466c-8907-5b283ec8c5a4-2.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/1fb7aec6-8ed4-466c-8907-5b283ec8c5a4-2.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/1fb7aec6-8ed4-466c-8907-5b283ec8c5a4-2.jpeg)

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-sennheiser-me67-and-" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);"><figure class="image"><figcaption>Sennheiser ME67 and K6 power module</figcaption></figure></td></tr></tbody></table>

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-type-shotgun-brand-s" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 50%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 49.876543%;"></col><col style="width: 49.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th>**Type**</th><td>Shotgun</td></tr><tr><th>**Brand**</th><td>Sennheiser</td></tr><tr><th>**Model**</th><td>ME67</td></tr><tr><th>**Accessory**</th><td>K6 Power Module</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

### **Recorder**  


#### **Dedicated recorder**

##### **Sound Devices MixPre-3 II (a 32-bit float recorder)**

This MixPre-3 II recorder by Sound Devices is an amazing piece of technology. Its ability to record in a format called 32-bit float allows you to not have to set gain levels while recording and prevents bird song audio files from clipping if they are unexpectedly loud.[![sound_devices_mixpre_3 II.jpg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/sound-devices-mixpre-3-ii.jpg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/sound-devices-mixpre-3-ii.jpg)[  ](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/sound-devices-mixpre-3-ii.jpg)

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-type-omnidirectional" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 50%; height: 87px; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"></col><col style="width: 50%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 29px;"><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">**Type**</th><td style="height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">Dedicated recorder</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">**Brand**</th><td style="height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">Sound Devices</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">**Model**</th><td style="height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">MixPre-3 II</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### **Handheld recorder**  


##### **Zoom H4N Pro**

[![zoom-h4n-pro.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/zoom-h4n-pro.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/zoom-h4n-pro.jpeg)

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-zoom-h4n-pro-handhel" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);"><figure class="image"><figcaption>Zoom H4N Pro handheld recorder</figcaption></figure></td></tr></tbody></table>

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-type-omnidirectional-1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 50%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"></col><col style="width: 50%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Type**</th><td style="border-width: 1px;">Omnidirectional handheld</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Brand**</th><td style="border-width: 1px;">Zoom</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Model**</th><td style="border-width: 1px;">H4N Pro</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

### **Peripherals**  


#### **Windscreen**

This windscreen does a great job of reducing wind noise during recordings. It has a foam core with a faux fur exterior and slips over the shotgun microphone.

[![810nY9EHl2L._AC_SL1500_-2.jpg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/810ny9ehl2l-ac-sl1500-2.jpg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/810ny9ehl2l-ac-sl1500-2.jpg)

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-brand-auray-model-ws" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 50%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"></col><col style="width: 50%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Brand**</th><td style="border-width: 1px;">Auray</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Model**</th><td style="border-width: 1px;">WSS-2014 Professional Windshield - (14cm)</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Wind noise reduction**</th><td style="border-width: 1px;">up to 25dB</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### **Shock mount grip**

This shock mount has a pistol grip handle and holds the microphone in a way that eliminates handling noise.

[![rycote_shock_mount_pistol_grip.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/rycote-shock-mount-pistol-grip.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/rycote-shock-mount-pistol-grip.jpeg)

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-brand-rycote-model-%C2%A0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 50%; height: 58px; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"></col><col style="width: 50%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 29px;"><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">**Brand**</th><td style="height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">Rycote</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">**Model**</th><td style="height: 29px; border-width: 1px;"> Rycote Lyre Pistol Grip Shock Mount</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### **Cables**

This angled cable enables the cable to flow a logical direction from the microphone into the shock mount.

[![angled-xlr-cable.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/angled-xlr-cable.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/angled-xlr-cable.jpeg)

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-type-xlr-m-to-angled" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 50%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"></col><col style="width: 50%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Type**</th><td style="border-width: 1px;">XLR M to Angled XLR</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Length**</th><td style="border-width: 1px;">1.5’</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### **Headphones**

Headphones are used in my setup, but any over-the-ear ones should do. It will help you hear the bird better and ensure you are aiming decently enough.

---

### **Links**

Below are links to find the products used in this recording setup. These are Amazon and eBay Partner affiliate links that help support my birding hobby at no cost to you.

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-component-equipment--1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 75%; height: 232px; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 26.666667%;"></col><col style="width: 73.333333%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 29px;"><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Component**

</th><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Equipment**

</th></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Microphone**</th><td style="border-width: 1px;">[Sennheiser ME67](https://ebay.us/cr5e1C), [Sennheiser ME66 (now MKE600)](https://amzn.to/3vbG3vC)</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Recorder**</th><td style="border-width: 1px;">[MixPre-3 II](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1503266-REG/sound_devices_sound_devices_mixpre_3_ii.html), [Zoom H4N Pro](https://amzn.to/3c2Qgj6)</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><th rowspan="5" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); vertical-align: middle; border-width: 1px;">**Peripherals**</th><td style="border-width: 1px;">K6 Power Module</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="border-width: 1px;">[Rycote Shock Mount Grip](https://amzn.to/2Foo92b)</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="border-width: 1px;">[Auray Windscreen](https://amzn.to/2H4j9jE)</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="border-width: 1px;">[Over-the-ear headphones](https://amzn.to/35BCu61)</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="border-width: 1px;">[Angled XLR cable](https://amzn.to/2Rsonrp)</td></tr></tbody></table>

# Bird photography equipment setup

[![webpc-passthru.php-2.webp](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/webpc-passthru-php-2.webp)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/webpc-passthru-php-2.webp)

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-my-complete-bird-rec" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-width: 1px; background-color: #ecf0f1;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px;">My complete bird photography gear setup.</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

### **Equipment summary**

I spent my first nine years as a hobby photographer with my original Canon camera setup: a Rebel T5i and EF 400mm lens. In 2022, I upgraded my equipment to Canon’s mirrorless lineup and RF lens line. I‘m not a spec expert, but I’ll share why I selected each piece and what I appreciate.

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-component-equipment-" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 279px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"></col><col style="width: 50%;"></col></colgroup><thead><tr style="height: 35px;"><td>**Camera**</td><td>[Canon EOS R6](https://amzn.to/3sGmycL)</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr style="height: 45px;"><td>**Lens**</td><td>[RF 100 – 500mm F4.5-7.1 L is USM](https://amzn.to/3sIMBAf)</td></tr><tr style="height: 38px;"><td>**Teleconverter**</td><td>[RF 1.4x Extender Teleconverter](https://amzn.to/3sFCA6O)</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

### **The camera body**

#### **Canon EOS R6**  


[![webpc-passthru.php-3.webp](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/webpc-passthru-php-3.webp)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/webpc-passthru-php-3.webp)

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-type-shotgun-brand-s" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 50%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 49.876543%;"></col><col style="width: 49.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">**Type**</th><td>Mirrorless</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">**Brand**</th><td>Canon</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">**Model**</th><td>R6</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Why I chose it**

In Canon’s mirrorless lineup, I chose the R6 because I didn’t need the added megapixels offered by the pricier R5.

**Favorite features**

- Animal Eye Autofocus – The camera has a mode that detects animals and locks the focus on the subject’s eye. It works amazingly well.
- Focus anywhere – I love not being limited to specific focal targets on the viewfinder
- Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) – This mirrorless camera has a small OLED screen in the viewfinder. The benefit of this over a DSLR is that what you see in the viewfinder is what the image captured will look like. This enables you to adjust camera settings and see the results in real-time.
- In-body Stabilization – Helps reduce shake and improve sharpness.

---

### **Lens**  


#### **RF 100-500mm**[![webpc-passthru.php-4.webp](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/webpc-passthru-php-4.webp)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/webpc-passthru-php-4.webp)[  ](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/sound-devices-mixpre-3-ii.jpg)

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-type-omnidirectional" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 50%; height: 87px; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"></col><col style="width: 50%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 29px;"><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">**Type**</th><td style="height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">Telephoto</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">**Brand**</th><td style="height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">Canon</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">**Model**</th><td style="height: 29px; border-width: 1px;">RF 100-500mm</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Why I chose it**

Coming from a 400mm prime EF lens, I was looking for a bit more reach and versatility. The 100-500mm RF lens hits the sweet spot. One of the reasons I chose it, other than the superior image quality, is the in-body stabilization. This works in concert with the stabilization in the R6 camera body. I love this for video and when shooting on the wide end of the zoom.

**Favorite features**

- Customizable function ring that can be assigned to various settings
- Sharpness across the entire zoom range
- In-body stabilization

---

### **Teleconverter**  


#### **RF 1.4 Extender Teleconverter**

[![webpc-passthru.php-5.webp](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/webpc-passthru-php-5.webp)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/webpc-passthru-php-5.webp)

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-zoom-h4n-pro-handhel" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);"><figure class="image"><figcaption>Zoom H4N Pro handheld recorder</figcaption></figure></td></tr></tbody></table>

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-type-omnidirectional-1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 50%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"></col><col style="width: 50%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Type**</th><td style="border-width: 1px;">Teleconverter</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Brand**</th><td style="border-width: 1px;">Canon</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px;">**Model**</th><td style="border-width: 1px;">RF 1.4x</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Why I chose it**

Birds are almost always small and far away. This recent addition to my setup gives 40% further zoom to every shot. It has the downside of letting less light into the camera and restricting the zoom range of the camera. It’s easy enough to pop on and off as needed.

**Favorite features**

- No learning curve or large adjustment needed to benefit
- Passively enlarges your shots
- Compact and easy to add or remove

---

### **Links**

Below are links to find the products used in this recording setup. These are Amazon affiliate links that help support my birding hobby at no cost to you.

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-component-equipment--1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 75%; height: 162px; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 26.644737%;"></col><col style="width: 73.190789%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 35px;"><td style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px; height: 35px; vertical-align: middle;">**Component**

</td><td style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px; height: 35px; vertical-align: middle;">**Equipment**

</td></tr><tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px; height: 43px; vertical-align: middle;">**Camera**</td><td style="border-width: 1px; height: 43px; vertical-align: middle;">[Canon EOS R6](https://amzn.to/3sGmycL)</td></tr><tr style="height: 42px;"><td style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-width: 1px; height: 42px; vertical-align: middle;">**Lens**</td><td style="border-width: 1px; height: 42px; vertical-align: middle;">[RF 100 – 500mm F4.5-7.1 L is USM](https://amzn.to/3sIMBAf)</td></tr><tr style="height: 42px;"><td style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); vertical-align: middle; border-width: 1px; height: 42px;">**Peripheral**</td><td style="border-width: 1px; height: 42px; vertical-align: middle;">[RF 1.4x Extender Teleconverter](https://amzn.to/3sFCA6O)</td></tr></tbody></table>