Nikon Z9 Wildlife – The Muskox Challenge

The Muskox (Ovibos Moschatus) is an arctic animal weighing between 200 to 400 kg, having a shoulder height of up to 1.5 m and a body length of about 2 to 2.5 m. It lived throughout Europe during the last ice age. It got extinct in Eurasia roughly at the time when the last mammoth vanished about 3000 to 4000 years ago. However, it survived in Greenland and parts of Canada. In Europe it can be only found high up in the mountains of Norway - the Dovrefjell where it was reintroduced after World War II with a current population of about 200-300 individuals. We were hiking frequently in the summer to see them. But somehow from a photography point of view one hast to photograph these animals in the winter and at best during a snowstorm connecting to the ice-age heritage of these amazing animals. So, we decided to reach out to this ice age relict in a photography trip withstanding cold weather, deep snow, and wind.

What is in the video:

Intro: 00:00
How to get to Dovrefjell: 00:40
Where to stay ?: 01:14
Hiking to the Muskoxen: 02:22
Meeting the Muskoxen: 04:28
Portraits of the Muskoxen: 5:58
Sunset with Muskoxen: 07:08
What was in the bag ? Lens Selection: 08:14
Thank You: 8:45

Hikes range somewhere to 20 km in the summer and 5-7 km in the winter covering typically a 300-400 m height difference. In view of that careful thoughts were needed to decide what goes into my new Atlas backpack for a hike in winter wonderland. From all the equipment I had with me – including the 500 F/4 prime – I found the following combination most useful. Nikon Z9 initially mounted with the Nikon Z180-600 + 1.4 Tc. Nikon Z6 mounted with the Nikon Z24-120 mm, and my most beloved Nikon AF-S 300 mm F/2.8 prime lens plus optional 1.4 Tc yielding a 420 mm F/4 when needed and a F/2.8 for low light. This way I had the best of both worlds. The zooms cover the landscape range and distant subjects. Since the recommended distances to the Muskoxen are 200 m, I expected the 840 mm to be important.

Most amazingly, as promised, and just for the sunset the storm suddenly disappeared as quickly as it did arrive, and we got great sunset shots of landscapes and the Muskox. Here the Z 24-120 and the 300 mm F/2.8 were wonderful to have and even though there was a point while hiking up the mountains when I was asking myself – why are you carrying this prime? I must say in the end of the day it was worth it! After spending 4 hours with the Muskoxen, we had to hike back using the remaining light to reach our parking.

We wish to declare that we paid ourselves for the complete trip and all associated costs.

Our Accommodation - Dovrefjell Lodge:
https://www.dovrefjell-lodge.no

Our guide - Kinge Røstad:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

Atlas Backpack:
https://atlaspacks.com

Best Nikon Z 180-600 review:
https://photographylife.com/reviews/n...

Best Nikon 300 mm VR II review:
https://photographylife.com/reviews/n...

resolution can be found here in lens comparison:
https://photographylife.com/reviews/s...

Link to the Nikon Z9:
https://www.nikon.de/de_DE/product/ca...