dave_hutchinson1

<p>I don't think that you need a guide for a first time trip to the Parks that you mentioned with the exception of Monument Valley. I would suggest spending two nights there and doing both a sunrise and sunset shoot with and Indian guide. I have not been to Canyon de Chelly, but I have heard that an Indian guide is required there too.</p>

<p>Most travel insurance companies offer cancel for any reason insurance which will refund all of the money that you prepaid for your trip with the exception of the cost of the insurance. It will cost more than normal travel insurance, but it might be worth it.</p>

<p>I second Evan's response. Take the 80-200mm. You will need it for the stealth people shots.</p>

<p>I would carry a wide angle lens. Mine is the 12-24mm f4. Also, if you are going to take the boat ride on the Maid of the Mist be sure to take a plastic garbage bag or some type of waterproof cover to prevent your camera from getting soaked. You will get wet!!!</p>

<p>Re: Security and your new Nikon equipment. I think that the most important way to secure your gear is to be aware of where it is at all times. If possible, when traveling by air, try to store your camera bag under the seat in front of you...not in the overhead. Also, when leaving the plane don't forget your camera bag. In 2001 I was returning from Hong Kong with a camera bag with two cameras which were stored in a pack in the overhead compartment. I was pretty tired when I arrived in Minneapolis where I was to clear customs for my final connection home to Florida. I left the plane with my carry-on, but I forgot the camera bag! I realized this when I arrived in customs. I was allowed to return to the arrival gate, but was not allowed to go back on the plane to look for my cameras since customs and the cleaning crew (:g) had not completed their check. I never saw that photographic gear again! Fortunately , I was still shooting film at that time and I had stored all of my used film in my other carry on bag and only lost a day's film from Hong Kong.<br>

When I buy a new Nikon camera the first thing that I do is replace that beautiful, showy Nikon camera strap with one with no logos. I have some real nice, reasonable straps on both of my current Nikon SLRs (D200 and D300). A business card is attached to each strap.<br>

Of course, if you are traveling by car you should carry your camera gear in a locked trunk...or covered at the least obvious place if in an SUV.<br>

I hope that this is helpful Jessica. And, welcome to the wonderful world of Nikon!</p>

<p>I have been carrying an 814 CF Slik tripod with an Acratech head on my travels for about 5 years. the tripod is quite sturdy for everything except super telephoto lenses (500-600mm f4) and certainly compact enough to carry on your backpack. The only downfall with this tripod is that it has 4 leg extensions. I believe that the 714CF has only 3 which would add to its stability. <br>

Incidentally, I use exclusively 16 gig San Disk Extreme cards. I keep one in each of the bodies that I carry and two more in the backpack. I have (knock on wood) never had a failure with any of these cards. <br>

I think that you are fine with your equipment, but a teleconverter would really improve your opportunity to get good wildlife shots. I have done all of the Parks that you mentioned. Most recently my wife and I did Zion, Bryce Canyon, Rocky Mountain National Parks in October. The weather was perfect. See some of my photos at www.CrazyAboutTravel.com</p>

<p>I have photographed on safari three times in southern Africa over the last 5 years (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Kenya. Carrying the right equipment to Africa is always a challenge since you want the longest, fastest lens that you can afford for the animals yet you still need a wide angle for the people shots and photos around the camp. I don't think that the 70-300 is long enough or fast enough. For the animals I have taken my Nikon 80-400mm lens on all trips. Frankly, I don't think that this is the best lens for wildlife. It isn't very fast either, but I still managed to come home with some nice photos. Many of my photos are at my site, www.CrazyAboutTravel.com . For my close and wide angle shots I most recently took my Nikon 17-55mm 2.8 lens. This lens is wonderful for this type of photography. I don't own a Nikon 500mm f/4 which I think would be the ideal wildlife lens, but then again getting that lens on the plane would probably be impossible. More recently I have purchased a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 and a Nikon 200-400mm f/4. The 70-200mm might be great when used with a 1.4 - 2.0 teleconverter. Of course, the 200-400mm would be ideal, but weight gets in the way again. We are trying to put together a trip to Namibia in the next couple of years so I will be visiting this topic again. </p>

<p>No question on that topic...but it would definitely be two photographers.. My interest is in travel and nature photography. For travel photography my choice would be Bob Krist. I have atttended one of his seminars, have his DVDs on lighting and I am addicted to his Blog. Bob is the consumate prepared travel photographer. He always photographs with a plan and a mission.<br>

For nature photography I would love to intern with Colorado photographer Russ Burden. I attended a seminar in which Russ was one of the leaders. He showed me and others ideas for macro photography that I never would have thought of. Russ is really patient with his students, but his adrenalin level is high at the same time.</p>

<p>I always carry an empty bean bag to Africa with the idea that I will fill it when I get there. Either that just doesn't happen or the camps don't have beans, rice or whatever in bulk. This time (May..Kruger and Hluhluwe parks in S. Africa) I bought one of those airline things that go around your neck in Dulles Airport....the kind with light beans in the pillow, not the blow up kind. I tried using that as a bean bag..and surprisingly it came in handy to stabilize some of my shots from the safari vehicle.</p>

My wife and I an another couple did a safari in 2004 which included 3 days in Botswana at Little Vumbra camp. Absolutely wonderful, and the best game photography of the trip. We planned the trip through Africa Adventure Company in Ft. Lauderdale (http://www.africa-adventure.com. They were great. Their ground operator in Botswana was Wilderness Safaris. Dukes, our guide in Botswana was incredible and really was excellent at getting us into perfect light for our photo ops. Incidentally, we are returning to Africa for a week long safari tomorrow, Kenya this time. I will report on our tour operator.