When Peter Ndung’u, a Kenyan travel, documentary, and wildlife photographer and filmmaker, received the Canon EOS R5 Mark II before its official launch, he was ready to test the limits of creativity and storytelling. Peter’s journey is a unique blend of capturing untamed wildlife and documenting the beauty of far-off places—and the EOS R5 Mark II helped him bring his stories to life in ways he hadn’t imagined before.
His experience tells a compelling story not just of the camera’s capabilities but also of pushing the creative envelope to new heights.
The First Impression: Familiar Yet Full of Surprises “When I first held the EOS R5 Mark II, I knew right away that this was going to be a game-changer,” Peter said.
He immediately noticed the improvements in ergonomics and the enhanced viewfinder, which made a significant difference in capturing details.
“The camera felt familiar yet new, and the comfort during long field sessions was unmatched,” Peter added.
“One thing that stood out to me was the cooling system,” Peter noted. “I remember spending hours shooting both photos and videos with it, and the camera just kept going without any overheating issues. That reliability allowed me to focus entirely on my creative vision without worrying about technical setbacks.”
Austria: Between Serenity and Speed
The Austria trip was a shift from Peter’s usual filming environments. Instead of the familiar landscapes of Kenya, teeming with grazing animals and wide savannah skies, he found himself at the fast-paced Red Bull Ring, surrounded by roaring motorsport action. For Peter, this experience presented a unique creative challenge.
“I usually find myself waiting for the right moment in the wild—it’s all about patience,” Peter shared. “But in Austria, everything was about speed. It was an entirely different energy, and I had to adapt quickly.”
The EOS R5 Mark II’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system with deep learning AI allowed him to keep up with the dynamic environment, giving him the opportunity to push his creative boundaries.
“The autofocus was so responsive; it was like it knew exactly what I needed, even in the midst of all the fast-paced action,” Peter added.
A New Frontier: Combining Photography and Filmmaking
Peter has always balanced two worlds—photography and filmmaking. For him, these art forms are not separate but rather complementary ways to tell a deeper story.
The EOS R5 Mark II enabled Peter to effortlessly switch between capturing stills and video without compromising quality, allowing him to stay versatile in his storytelling.
The EOS R5 Mark II’s capability to shoot in 8K at 60 fps and 4K at up to 120 fps gave Peter the freedom to move seamlessly from filming a scene in incredible detail to capturing high-quality stills, all with the same body.
This versatility made his storytelling richer, especially when capturing the essence of a place.
Peter shared how, during the Austria shoot, he was able to seamlessly transition between shooting video and stills. “One minute I was filming the high-energy action on the racetrack, and the next I was capturing still shots—all with the same camera,” he explained. “The fact that I didn’t have to switch gear allowed me to stay in the creative flow. It made a huge difference in capturing the essence of the moment.”
The Art of Patience and Adaptation
One of the core lessons Peter has learned over the years is the importance of patience, whether he’s waiting for the perfect sunrise in Kenya or capturing a fleeting moment of action in Austria. Wildlife filmmaking often requires hours—sometimes days—of waiting for the right moment. But in Austria, Peter had to flip the script: it wasn’t about waiting but rather about reacting quickly to moments that came and went in seconds.
“In wildlife photography, it’s all about being prepared because the perfect moment can happen in a split second,” Peter emphasized. “The EOS R5 Mark II’s advanced autofocus with deep learning technology and pre-shooting capabilities gave me that edge. I didn’t have to worry about missing a shot because the camera was always ready before I was.”
The Path Forward: A Legacy of Impact
Reflecting on his career, Peter has evolved from simply wanting to capture beautiful images to wanting to tell impactful stories.
His focus now lies in using his craft to promote conservation and social awareness.
“Beautiful pictures are great, but if they aren’t making an impact or telling a story that matters, then there’s more you need to tap into,” Peter explained. “I want my work to inspire change, to show people why preserving the natural world is so important.”
With tools like the EOS R5 Mark II, Peter feels better equipped than ever to contribute to causes greater than himself.
He sees his work as part of a larger mission—one that encourages people to see the beauty of the natural world and understand the importance of preserving it.
“At Canon, we are deeply committed to empowering creators like Peter Ndung’u, whose work captures both the beauty and urgency of conservation,” said Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director, Canon Central & North Africa. “The EOS R5 Mark II was designed to inspire creativity and push the limits of what’s possible in photography and filmmaking. Seeing how Peter has seamlessly adapted this technology to tell such impactful stories reaffirms our mission to support storytellers as they bring important narratives to life.”
A Creative Journey, Elevated Peter Ndung’u’s experience with the EOS R5 Mark II has not only pushed his creative boundaries but also reaffirmed his belief in the power of technology to elevate storytelling.
From capturing the elegance of the Kenyan savannah to the high-octane thrill of Austria’s racetrack, the EOS R5 Mark II proved to be a versatile and reliable partner in every step of his journey. And for Peter, that journey is just beginning. “Every day I use my camera, I want to create something that moves people—something that lasts.”
