i really need someone to push me over the edge

[rice1]

<p>thx mike.<br>

done deal. we go tomorrow to put this to rest. you and the others have been very helpful.<br>

thx again.<br>

cr</p>

[michael_kuhne]

<p>I think your lens selection is great with the 2 f/4 lenses. Good compromise of higher quality without the weight of f/2.8 lenses. Much of the time the 24-105mm should suffice, while the 70-200mm will serve when longer reach is needed. But a 1.4x TC is also a good idea to take along for extra reach, and won't take up much more room. There will likely be times when you can't be, or don't wish to be, very close to your subject. The quality will be far better than a Tamron super zoom, although their 18-250mm is fairly good. </p>

[bobcossar]

<p>What an amazing thread this has been........</p>

[rice1]

<p>amazing thread, no doubt.<br>

this was the only way to get the best advice.<br>

if i am still married when she returns, i will share a pic or two.<br>

thank you.<br>

CR</p>

[steve_crist]

<p>You said she is not a photo enthusiast. Then get her something she will <strong>USE</strong> and will get the <strong>JOB DONE</strong>. 300mm lenses aren't quite long enough in Africa. I suggest a Canon Powershot SX10 camera. Its an SLR style camera but without interchangeable lenses. It comes with a 28-560mm effective (yes 560) 20X zoom lens with built image stabilization. She wouldn't have to change lenses, and it would have the reach and the speed required for a safari. Plus it would be light enough for her to carry and use. Two bodies with big zooms would not make her happy if she's not an enthusiast. A G10 doesn't have the speed or the reach to be effective. It doesn't have the outright quality or durability (I'm assuming) of a 5D or 1-series body, but would suffice for a one-time trip, and todays technology gives surprisingly good results. The camera only costs $370 so it could be a throw-away after the trip. </p>

[railphotog]

<p>I second the suggestion for a Canon SX10. Although I also have an XSi with six or so lenses, I'd opt for the smaller SX10 for a trip like this. All in one, terrific zoom range, built in flash, and a video mode, which can do some great video. The hassle of hauling around heavier gear is bad enough if you are an enthusiastic photographer, but if you're not, I can't imagine it being a whole lot of fun! There is also the thought of taking gear through airport security, fear of theft and loss, etc.</p>

<p> </p>

[sarah_fox]

<p>To throw a bit of perspective on things, these are a few of my own safari pictures...</p>

<p><img src="http://www.graphic-fusion.com/pn/lion01sm.jpg" alt="" width="307" height="460" /><br>

Elder Lion</p>

<p><img src="http://www.graphic-fusion.com/pn/gerenuk02sm.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Gerenuk</p>

<p><img src="http://www.graphic-fusion.com/pn/meerkat2sm.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Meerkat</p>

<p>I shot them on my once-in-a-lifetime (not) trip to the LA zoo. The photographic opportunities I would enjoy considerably more, on a trip to Africa, would be the land, the skies, the people, the villages, the culture, etc. You can go to any zoo and find African wildlife, and you'll need a long, heavy lens. For the other aspects of Africa that you can't photograph in LA, you can leave the long lenses at home.</p>

<p>This is my way of saying that the very best things to photograph are not necessarily the things everyone else photographs. I learned this once by burning up three rolls of film on a whale watching trip. Yes, I successfully got whale pictures. However, the few shots I took beforehand of the boats at dock were far more interesting.</p>

[photomandala]

<p>If she's already familiar with the Xsi, she's probably got some decent basic skills and enthusiasm. I think that the two-lens idea is a great one. The first few times I changed lenses, I felt like a pro. I wasn't one, but I caught the feeling.<br /> <br /> Another thought: the first time I carried two cameras, I felt like a rock star. You could always buy a used Xti that she could take as a backup. It would be familiar and lightweight, and not so expensive, good for unstable conditions (like hiking on slick rocks across creeks).<br /> <br /> And I agree with Sarah about shooting wildlife. I think that people often focus on safari animals when they plan their gear. There's so much more to capture in Africa. <br /> <br /> The lenses you're giving your wife will let her record the fact that she saw animals in the distance, and if she can get near enough, some good closeups. I imagine she'll also enjoy shooting portraits (posed or candid), as well as what's around her: the color and texture of cloth, strange spices, unusual landscapes. The people who are travelling with her. Those lenses give her a good range to work with.</p>

[images_in_light_north_west]

<p>Send her with a mono pod, I used a 2 lens system for 5 weeks in Africa like your doing but the mono pod really helps in the safari rig. the 70-200 will be a little short, but the 24-105 and the 70-200 are probably the best option and its not hard to change a lens on safari, I did it many times.<br>

Good Luck, Ross.</p>

 

[images_in_light_north_west]

<p>Send her with a mono pod, I used a 2 lens system for 5 weeks in Africa like your doing but the mono pod really helps in the safari rig. the 70-200 will be a little short, but the 24-105 and the 70-200 are probably the best option and its not hard to change a lens on safari, I did it many times.<br>

Good Luck, Ross.</p>

 

[saskphotog]

<p>Just one point about all this marvelous advice: if she says that you can make the decision for her, she doesn't really care. Everyone on this thread is more concerned about the problem than she is.</p>

<p>"we are considering a tamron 28-300 f3.5-5.6. is this smart? my gut says no, stick with what you know will work, but she is more comfortable not having to change lenses and being ready at all times for all ranges."<br>

<br /><br>

My advice is just let her take what she wants/has and leave her alone. Sounds to me like everyone here is just projecting personal biases onto some poor woman who will likely be taking pictures mostly because everyone thinks she should. If she is comfortable with a solution, that should be the solution.</p>

 

[rice1]

<p>thank you everybody for the continued responses.<br>

sarah, good point, and i agree.<br>

my wife does care, and she only lets me take charge because i am a control freak....no harm, just obsessive.<br>

she leaves in a day, and is very excited about the entire experience, not just the photo ops. if she comes home with one great pic it is a win. more importantly, she is doing what she has always wanted to do.<br>

i just bought the tamron 18-270, and it is perfect for her. no lens change, great range, small and light, fits her bag well, and.....most importantly, it will be her "everyday" lens when she returns. and it was cheap.<br>

now i can move on with buying lenses for myself......nice!<br>

thx<br>

CR</p>

[fixcinater]

<p>Great resolution. Sounds like the best option for her, and most like her.</p>

<p>Hope she enjoys her trip and comes back with fantastic memories, and some shots to help her remember the time spent there.</p>

[robert_turner]

<p>I apologize that this really doesn't add much to the thread, but on the off chance you're reconsidering... PLEASE don't go the G10 route. Not for this trip. Not for someone used to a XSI... Best of luck.</p>

[rob - atlanta, ga usa]

<p>I vote for the G10 PLUS a 100-400 IS or the 70-300 IS. Very versatile combo, imo. No lens changing needed, while still having adequate long telephoto reach and a small, light wide angle to short tele option.</p>

[mike_hitchen]

<p>Nice decision, Chris. it sounds like the a well-considered outcome.<br>

To be cheeky, you could get a 2x teleconverter for the safari parts of the trip but that may mean some gear changes which she wanted to avoid.</p>

<p>Have a great time!</p>

[squareframe]

<p>enjoy Africa without the camera. sometimes, especially as has been outlined, the camera will only detract from the experience and the results will not warrant these considerations.</p>

<p>just a thought ...</p>

<p>daniel taylor</p>