matthew_green

Michael.

 

Can you tell me i fyou have a outfitter or guide service already? The Hallo Bay area is a large area, are you going to specifically Hallo Bay or the Hallo Bat costal Katmai area? I would first check with you guide service and see if they offfer the equipment most have some supply but I always suggest bring your own as it is far better to be prepared. If you need a service, I have been to that area alot. The guide service I recommen all depends what you want to do. It depends if you want to be land based or boat based and traveling to different parts along the coast. I can only think of one land based operator and it is Hallo Bay (www.hallobay.com). I have been there and it is a great spot and one that allows you to really get some amazing stuff.

 

You can also use a boat based operator and live on the boat, usually a converted tug, and travel to different bays and areas only the Katmai coast and then take a zodiac into the land to photograph. I would recommend the M/V waters. John Rogers(katmaibears@alaska.net) owns and operates it and I know one of thier bear guides Brad Jospehs and he is a great guy and excellent at what he does.

 

Well, let me know if your interested in these two as I know both Client (Hallo Bay) and John (Katmai Bears) and could help you more then just this basic email.

 

All the best,

 

Matt

Hey Outdoor Guy,

 

I wanted to clarify which you were talking about Hallo Bay the camp or Hallo Bay the actual bay and your on one of the boats doing the trips. I have been to Hallo BAy the Camp located just north of the acutal Hallo Bay. It is a great spot adn depending when you go will determine the number of bears and the behaviors that you will see. Client is the owner as usually has a good operation there.

Brooks which I go to is a great place as you know and from what I read you must have gone atthe peak times as your were "cycled through" the platforms. If you go in September when I go, there is still a great number of bears they have awesoem coats as they have almost finished hyperphasia (spell?) and you can stay on the platforms all day if you want.

I will probabaly be going back to Hallo Bay again as I loved just being in that environment. It is a great place. Anyways. I think the equipment is a good choice if that is waht you can afford. I took a 400, 2.8 eith me to Hallo Bay and extenders as I wanted a fast lens in low light as the weather adn light can change quick. I will probably bring my 600 this time as the longest glass is the best in shooting bears you never know what you will find. I usually also have my 100-400 on a camera and then have with me my 70-200 and then soem other small lens. A good wide such as your 16-35 will be great some form landscapes, if you choose Hallo Bay. PLease feel free to contact me and I can share more about Hallo Bay with you.

 

All the best,

 

Matt

Arthur,

 

I have been to that area alot. It depends what you want to do. As Tom mentioned there are a few great ones. It depends if you want to be land based or boat based and traveling to different parts along the coast. I can only think of one land based operator and it is Hallo Bay (www.hallobay.com). I have been there and it is a great spot and one that allows you to really get some amazing stuff.

 

You can also use a boat based operator and live on the boat, usually a converted tug, and travel to different bays and areas only the Katmai coast and then take a zodiac into the land to photograph. I would recommend the M/V waters. John Rogers(katmaibears@alaska.net) owns and operates it and I know one of thier bear guides Brad Jospehs and he is a great guy and excellent at what he does.

 

Well, let me know if your interested in these two as I know both Client (Hallo Bay) and John (Katmai Bears) and could help you more then just this basic email.

 

All the best,

 

Matt

 

Matt Green

 

www.matt-green.com

Chris,

 

Jean Keene was grandfathered in to the city ordinance and she is allowed to continue feeding the eagles until 2010. I am not sure if she has chosen to continue. I assume she is, but as Mark pointed out, she is getting older at 82 I am not sure if she still is.

 

All the best,

 

Matt

Well, like the subject says I am looking to buy a used Lowepro Super Trekker AW

the ones that came in green and black. I am not looking at buying the new AW II

series. I like the old green ones. I have a Pro Trekker and want to get a Super

Trekker.

 

If you have one I would love to buy it from you and if you don't but know of

where I can find one I would appreciate an email.

 

All the best,

 

Matt

Mark,

 

Glazer's Camera in Seattle has a full line of equipment to rent. There website is: http://www.glazerscamera.com

 

I hope that helps.

Chuck,

 

I am not taking about sitting at a park in your neighborhood and shooting kids playing in a park. I will be documenting indigenous people in all types of weather and not always in bright light, hopefully not that at all. I want to create a mood with my portraits. I am them to be very Nat. Geo in style with the way they are composed. So this is not a controlled environment is what I mean to you.

 

A lot of you mention to me about the 200 not sure if that is to far for me. I like to have a little more interaction with my subject then what a 200 can give for a portrait composition. I like the 135 idea and am still set on the 85 idea. I went to a local camera store today and played with the 50 1.2 the new one and it is sweet glass, but I think to close for what I am looking for.

 

Thanks.

Any other thoughts or advice would be welcome. I am still thinking about which lens.

Hey Guys,

 

Thanks for the comments. I am not in a indoor setting for these. I will be in different lighting settings and am looking to take portraits of the Maasi and Berbers for example or Hagahai of Papua New Guinea. Itis not for stuff at a park or wedding stuff. This is for remote different lighting situations.

 

Thanks.

Hey Guys,

 

Thanks for all the feedback. To answer some questions. I am a Canon shooter. I shoot slide, call me old, but I have not switched to digital yet. So I shot with a 1V and and EOS3. I have a 17-35 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 300 F4, 100-400 and some other small cheap lens I don't use any more. I am wanting a lens I can get close but not to close with people that are use to others and are not needing a telephoto, or at least I think.

 

So I woudl love to hear any more feedback from y'all about this as now I have explained myself better with my equipment I currently have.

 

Thanks.

I have looked at both lenses, the 85 1.2 II and the 50 1.2. I am confused as to

which is better suited for my needs. I am a nature photographer that wants a

portrait lens for African tribe stuff along with other indigenous peoples and

some other stuff. I am not sure of the focusing distance on the 85 I think it

is pretty far and I like to be close when doing portraits, but would like y?all

input.

 

Thanks.

Mark,

 

I agree with you about Treadwell. He was in his own little world and was protecting bears in Katmai one of the greatest preserves for brown bears. So he was not in any way in touch with reality.

 

I got alittle hot and bothered when you were going that direction with me and Treadwell. I think we have the same mission and mean the same thing just say it differently.

 

But all in all bears should be respected and humans need to do that and be accountable and take proper procedures in camping and hiking in bear country. That's all.

 

Thanks Mark.

 

Matt

Mark,

 

I like you man, but are you that big of an idiot, to make a statement about me being like the crazy guy who made videos and was not in touch with reality. He understood bear behavior, BUT did the exact opposite as to what you should be doing.

I am a trained professional and worked in a Zoological environment and also traveled around teaching people how to interpret bear behavior and understand it, so folks do not get in a situation which will result in a bluff charge or worse an attack. I never said I talk to bears or understand them all. As I stated in my first email, they are powerful animals, yes wild animals that can attack. So bear stray is good, if your not one of the thousands of idiots out there that comes in from a big city buys the spray at REI in Anchorage and thinks their ready to go with out ever learning about the environment they are coming into or the animals they may encounter.

But I guess your right I am just a nut that doesn't know what he is talking about, so go buy your .357 and be an ignorant not respectful human, you will fit in just fine in the world. I just people would think of us coming into an environment and not always thinking we are the dominate being. Maybe one day people will get it.

 

All the best,

 

Matt

Hans,

 

I would like you to share with me your operators as I work with the best and am curious to know yours. I am mostly referring to East Africa not South Africa as prices are rising there. It woudl be great to know more about your trips and operators. Also It is much easier to get one rover for you and your wife as appose to organizing a whole trip for 12 people or more with 4 rovers and guides along with a 14 day safari. Thanks for your comments.

 

All the best,

 

Matt

Folks,

 

Y'all are all over reacting to browns bears and black bears, never mind polar bears. These awesome creatures are very smart and are very powerful. With that being said they should be respected. Kimberly, your comments were great and right on. Frank, I have seen first hand that 3.3 million scoville heat units of red hot pepper works every time, if used correctly. Most people do not know how to read bears and that is thier first problem, I do not recommend people using it if they don't know how to use it or know when to use it.

Bears are more affraid of you and if you are a smart and proper hiker in the wild you will make noise and look for signs of bears and will avoid most likely ever seeing a bear.

You might ask if I know what I am talking about. I have spent several years photographying bears in the wild without spray and have been fine. I have raised black bears for educational reason ans have worked with Kodiaks and Brown bears with free contact and also worked at a zoo before. So I know what I am talking about.

Donald,

 

I am confused by your post. "October+ is rainy season in southern Africa, so November+ is best time for Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Masai Mara" I think you mean East Africa and the end of October really November is when the rainy season starts. But as you know the weather is different and it has had hard rains in July.

 

Also, when you said that there are only a few lodges in the Serengeti I guess that is technically correct, lodges, but there are alot of tnent semi permeant camps and I know operators that have permits to have mobil tented camps in the Serengeti including off road permits.

 

Just wanted to clear that up.

Hans,

 

I am not sure what operators you are using. All my contact are over that for a 14 day safari using rovers not mini buses and designed in tented camps witha photographer overall agenda. Sorry, I don't get your comments at all.

 

Also Mats I sent you about a 2 page letter answering all your questions and have not heard from you.

I guess everyone knows by now that Canon released the new EF 50mm f/1.2L USM. I am not sure if y'all know about this.

 

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=152&modelid=14259

Mats,

 

Do you want to go in 2007 or 2008? Your budget is not totally realistic. How long do you want to be gone for? There are alot of operators out there and a few really good ones. You can be crammed in a mini bus with 6 others or worse 8 other all trying to get a shot and then van just will not stay still. This is not what you want. You need to have an operator that understands photographers and the needs we have. Email me and I will help you out with alot of your questions and some tips on operators.

 

All the best,

 

Matt

Ron,

 

Not sure if you have gone already on your trip, but your shooting with a compact zoom, 75-300 IS. These bags are used for alittle longer lens. You would rest the lens on the bag for support. I don't think that a bag of any sort will help you. It would only cause difficulty trying to rest a small zoom lens on a bag. I would use the bag only for support of your arms and elbows while you take a shot.

 

Matt

I will be in Denali (Wonder Lake and that area) I will also be in Katmai National Park, Brooks Falls camp ground. I will not be in high elevation.

I will be in Denali National Park for the first week in September. I

wanted to know if anyone who has been there this time of year has any

advice on the type of tent? I ask because I have a Mountain Hardwear

Trango 2 (four-season tent). I am concerned for wind and weather

issues(snow) Just did not know if that was to much and could use a

three-season tent.

Thanks for your responses. I will be using the 600 F4 IS. I also have in my pack a 16-35 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 300 F4 and both 1.4 and 2x extenders. I think that should work. Thanks for the advice and tips on Brooks Camp. I will let y'all know how it goes.

I will be traveling to Brooks Falls in September and I have heard the

debate before about lens selection. I just want to get some advice. I

have been to Katmai before but never to Brooks Camp and the falls. I

used a 400 2.8 IS lens before and liked the 2.8. I will also be going

to Denali and doing some other stuff down on Turnagain Arm. So a good

pro friend of mine told me to bring the 600. I just am wondering if

the 600 is too tight for the bears at the falls and in the general

area of the falls and camp. I want to get the famous shots but also

want to get the nice tight stuff to. I just want to have a variety. I

would like to hear from folks that have been to the falls and the

camp only and have experience. Thanks so much and I look forward to

hearing from you all.

Louie,

 

My friend is doing a trip like this to cover teh migration as well. It is a fantastic event that I woudl love to cover with him. He plans on bring two rafts which will allow for more gear. But that should like a great opportunity and good time. I would totally take advantage of that and go.

 

Matt