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Camera / film choices for safari


neil_lupin

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I'm hoping to go on safari in a couple of weeks - 10 day organised

tour through Okavanga Delta, Moremi and Chobe National Parks in

Botswana.

 

I have an F80 with a 70-200 f/2.8 and 2x converter giving me 400mm at

f/5.6

 

Do people think this is enough to get away with if I'm prepared to

crop and zoom my slides? Not in a position to hire a 300mm 2.8 to lug

around too!!!

 

Do those of you who've been on safari think I can get away with

shooting mainly Velvia at 5.6? Would prefer to use this. If not,

what's the most saturated slide I can use at ISO 100 - Kodak Extra

Colour or the VS version? How does saturation compare to Provia?

(which I find a little muted)

 

All thoughts will help guys!

 

Cheers

 

Neil

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Keep in mind that most game runs on organized tours occur early morning (before dawn) and near dusk, when the animials are more active. While you are generally shooting from the tops of open Land Rovers, using beanbags for support, good stuff may happen in dim light, so you may need to push both 50 ISO and 100 ISO film. Velvia would not be my choise in the middle of the day in harsh sunlight. I'm not a fan of VS because it has higher grain than 100 ISO Fuji slide films. Perhapes the latest Kodak 100 ISO slide film may be appropriate. I would just take Provia F (at 100 and 200 ISO) and print film for low light (like NPZ).
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The short answer is Joe McDonald's "Photographing on Safari". I know that it is out of print, but copies regularly appear on Amazon.Com.

 

I would suggest having a separate 400 f/5.6 rather than screwing around with a 2X TC (which will also slow down your AF). Some years ago I spent considerable time in Kenya with various cameras and lenses. I used my 70-210 the most, but there were times when only the 400 would do the job: Leopards in trees, Cheetahs which are often distant, close-ups of an animal's face, Birds on large animals or in trees, etc. The Sigma APO 400 was the one I used at the time and I was pleased with the results. (If I were to go back today I would take a 500. You can never have too long a lens!) Don't forget to take a wide angle for those African vistas and sunsets.

 

Velvia will probably be too slow for most safari photography. A few rolls, perhaps, but Provia 100 and 400 would be my choices today, especially if you expect to use a polarizer. Bring lots and lots of film!

 

Also read Shun Cheung's Safari article in Photo.net

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I am a safari guide and have a fairly good idea of what you are really wanting the answers to.

You need two Camera bodies

For long term quality always use Slides film.

Fuji Velvia is an ideal (full saturated) film for asa 50 or Provia if you are there in the rains.

The Kodak range are great but have a colour bias, again suited either for rains or dry season, find out in advance.

 

Body 1 Mornings and evenings with the low light 200 asa this also helps a bit with the telephoto over 135mm or at the most use 400 asa

 

Body 2 Bright light and wide angle lenses Use 50 asa.

Warning never confuse bodies particularly when changing lenses.

 

Lenses: Taking a whole bag full on a tour group safari is demented but would be ideal which is why I run a Professional photographic safari with one person per vehicle.

For the best options look into getting a 28 - 300mm lens from Sigma or Tamron. and have a second 50mm as a portrait shot.

Use a tripod (small on roof hatch) or long in open cars find out first and minimise camera shake: length of lens = minimum speed.

 

Actual film storage... the fridge thing only works provided that the temperature is below 10C and stays that way for the entire trip and should not be exposed to higher temps for more than 24 hours. nearly Impossible but good luck. I have my films develpoed for clients prior to departure so there is no xray problems (if they wish) 3 hour service Do not store film in sealed plastic bags in the african heat.

 

remember to take compressed air to clean, and filters: polariser, warm up Graduate ND dark and (always) skylight

Battery grip and spare batteries necessary.

You will need at least 1 film per day if you are not bracketing.

No seriously! as a minimum

Take spares batteries, silica gel, filters, film more film and put them into a bag that bounces nicely, lowepro rucksac style (Small) or pelican case

Too many clients have made mistakes with wrong lenses and too many of this or that. Keep it simple things happen fast.

 

Safari njema

 

G

P.S. Beware of elephants on bright backgrounds, my nightmare.

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Neil:

 

I did the same trip last year. I took a 60-300 on a MF body and a Sigma 170-500 on a AF body. (I also had a 28-105 for people pictures). I found most of the time I used the 170-500 at somewhere around 400 mm, but the autofocus sometimes went crazy especially with bird pictures. One of the people on the trip had a 1.4 X adapter, and it would have been quite handy to have one on occasion, especially if you are interested in birds.

 

I like to shoot with the lens at about 2 stops down from maximum amperature (widest that is), this is usually the best optical point. Try not to shoot wide open.

 

I shot 400 ASA Sensia in the MF body and 100 ASA Sensia in the AF body. (I shoot 100 Sensia at 160 ASA this helps with the saturation). Take lots of film, you will use it. I didn't have any problems with x-rays, but I didn't put any film in the baggage either.

 

I took a tripod head and a Manfoto multiclamp which I could clamp to the top of the Safari vehicles. Worked out quite well as long as the vehicle was stopped and people were not moving around in it. I took a gunstock as well, but was advised not to use it. I also found that most tour guides do have bean bags available if you ask at the lodge before starting out.

 

I found that most guides there do have some photo savy as well, you can ask them to move a couple of feet forward or back, or even move around where the light is better and they won't get upset.

 

By the way, when you go through the army post at the Okavanga Delta, best to temporarly put your camera with the big lens back in your bag or cover it with your jacket, it will save you some time explaining to them exactly what you are taking pictures of.

 

Have a good time.

 

Glenn

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