I know we'll need more batteries and probably cards, but I'm wondering about a ND filter or any others and what about a TC?
We love bird watching here.
This is a private safari - actually for my 50th which I turn today!
I didn't want to go during the tourist season, so postponed to the end of the dry season.
Any additional suggestions or "what to do's" would be greatly appreciated.
I've never been on an African "safari" but two pieces of equipment I would never leave behind for any photography trip are a tripod and polarizing filter, neither of which do I see on your list.
Thanks Richard,
I do have a polarizing (my mistake) and the previous posts said not to take the tripod due to the weight.
I wonder about an external flash?
Hi Lisa...
I envy you! I wish I could go to Africa this year too.... this is our origin and it is magic! I was there in 2006 (Tanzania) and 2007 (Kenya) private safaris. See portfolios at www.biophoto.net.
Anyway do bring a 1,7X converter as 400mm is far from enough especially for birds. Do also consider a "better beamer" condensor for your flash light to consentrate the light on the birds. The backgrund light is often heavy and you can easily end up with under-illuminating the object. See this link http://www.birdsasart.com/accs.html#BEAMER It is really a cheap and most convinient equipment on safari, especially for birds. One more thing.... be out in the field prior to sunrize! Stress this with the driver. Do not let them suggest 8 o'clock start - that is 2 hrs too late :) 6-11 and then 15-18.30 that is the clue for seeing actions.
Oh well.... best of luck! :
Alf J
bioquatic@biophoto.net
Posted by Dan Borzynski on August 9, 2008 at 3:06 PM
One thing I noted was that you have 10 gig in memory. Is that the only memory option you will be bringing? If it is, I can gaurantee that it is NOT(!!!!) enough. Carry a laptop, a portable drive like the Epson P-5000, a portable standalone cd/dvd burner, or a lot more memory cards.
The last thing you want to be doing is making editting decisions in the field as to what to keep or delete because you are running out of memory. Don't skimp here, even if it means buying something, using it for the trip and reselling at a 50% loss three weeks later.
Hi again... I fully agree with Dan... Epson P5000 is perfect. Also think about charging possibilities. We brought an inverter that we gave to the driver befor returning home. This gives you the possibility to charge in the car, which is nice if you do a full day safari. believe me power, storage and long lenses are musts out there..... :)
best
AJ
I have been to South Africa twice, and feel you will need at least a mono-pod to use with longer lenses. Normally, a tripod would be preferable, but you may not have the time to set one up. The nice thing about a mono-pod is that you can also use it to support your camera and lens in a vehicle.
The bean bags is also good, though I bought a 2 kilo bag of rice instead.
Have fun.
Posted by Kent Staubus on August 9, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Do not try putting a TC on the 100-400mm lenses. It won't work very well at al and would be money wasted. A flash is useful IF you know how to use it. An ND filter would likely be a waste of money but an ND grad or two is useful. Something like a HiTech "P" size 2-stop hard edged would probably come in handy, and a soft edge if you are in more moutainous or hilly territory. THey aren't hard to use but require some practice before you leave. A tripod would be useful only out of a vehicle. While that's something I never leave home without, for what you are doing it might be of very limited use. One thing you might consider is placing all lenses in individual ziploc bags. It gets very, very dust out there. A Rocket Bulb would be useful for blowing dust off of things.
I recommended a mono-pod above because it is a lot quicker to set up and use than a tripod. However, if the legs of a tripod are kept collapsed together, then it can be set up just as quick. But, it will be heavier with the head.
Either way, you need something to stabilize your camera and lens, even in a vehicle. I kept the mono-pod between my legs or between the seat and the vehicle door pointing out the window. It worked great. Instead of taking both a window mount and a mono or tripod, you can the latter work for both situations.
Discussion
9 replies30D
Xti
Canon lenses:
100-400
70-200 2.8
10-22
100mm
kit 18-55
Kinesis bean bag (1)
B&W F-Pro polarizing (1)
B&W F-Pro UV (1)
10 gig in CF cards
4 batteries
battery grip for xti
I know we'll need more batteries and probably cards, but I'm wondering about a ND filter or any others and what about a TC?
We love bird watching here.
This is a private safari - actually for my 50th which I turn today!
I didn't want to go during the tourist season, so postponed to the end of the dry season.
Any additional suggestions or "what to do's" would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Lisa
I do have a polarizing (my mistake) and the previous posts said not to take the tripod due to the weight.
I wonder about an external flash?
Lisa
I envy you! I wish I could go to Africa this year too.... this is our origin and it is magic! I was there in 2006 (Tanzania) and 2007 (Kenya) private safaris. See portfolios at www.biophoto.net.
Anyway do bring a 1,7X converter as 400mm is far from enough especially for birds. Do also consider a "better beamer" condensor for your flash light to consentrate the light on the birds. The backgrund light is often heavy and you can easily end up with under-illuminating the object. See this link http://www.birdsasart.com/accs.html#BEAMER It is really a cheap and most convinient equipment on safari, especially for birds. One more thing.... be out in the field prior to sunrize! Stress this with the driver. Do not let them suggest 8 o'clock start - that is 2 hrs too late :) 6-11 and then 15-18.30 that is the clue for seeing actions.
Oh well.... best of luck!
Alf J
bioquatic@biophoto.net
The last thing you want to be doing is making editting decisions in the field as to what to keep or delete because you are running out of memory. Don't skimp here, even if it means buying something, using it for the trip and reselling at a 50% loss three weeks later.
best
AJ
The bean bags is also good, though I bought a 2 kilo bag of rice instead.
Have fun.
Kent in SD
Either way, you need something to stabilize your camera and lens, even in a vehicle. I kept the mono-pod between my legs or between the seat and the vehicle door pointing out the window. It worked great. Instead of taking both a window mount and a mono or tripod, you can the latter work for both situations.