Posts for: fromafar
Oct 25, 2021 11:05:47 #
Kencamera wrote:
I am 79 and we did a similar trip in 2018. I use Canon gear. My advice is to take one of your longest lenses for distant game and birds. I used a 7D Mark II (APS-C) with a 100-400mm lens and a 1.4 extender for 900mm. Sometimes the game gets very close and so you need a camera with a lens suitable for that. I took a full-frame 5D Mark III with a 24 to 105mm lens. The combination worked just fine. Enjoy your trip. Ken
definitely agree with Ken... we have traveled to Africa several times on 'photo safaris/game viewing safaris' and have found the combination Ken describes is well suited for all your needs. 2 cameral bodies with the pre-mounted lenses mentioned, eliminates the need to swap lenses out and possibly missing the 'great photo'. Take the photos but also take time away from the 'photography' to enjoy what you are seeing, especially the animal interactions....
Feb 24, 2020 10:00:24 #
definitely agree with CW Gordon and DBJazz. We have been on several safaris to Kenya, Zim/Zam, Tanzania, Botswana, etc. and without exception responsible guides always have had the animals welfare in mind. Yes, there are/maybe regulations governing night travel&photograpy of animals, depending upon the conservancy you may be in. The guides will very likely have lights, be they bright focus beam or infra-red, that will enable you to capture night photos of the animals. Again, check with your Safari provider/guides
Mar 5, 2018 19:00:32 #
definitely agree with DeanS & Old Timer! Regardless of lens considerations, I would take two camera bodies. I learned my lesson(s) in Kenya and Botswana the past two summers when I had only one Canon body and 3 lenses. I missed many great photo opportunities/shots while changing lenses out.
Dec 16, 2017 10:23:58 #
2016 Kenya & Tanzania in and about the Masai Mara for two fantastic weeks! Highly recommend Natural Habitat Adventures. They specialize in small group safaris, limit group size to no more than 12 travelers, typically 8 or less; our 2016 safari to the Masai Mara was a 'group' of 3, our Botswana Photo Safari was a group of 5! NatHab is affiliated with WWF. They specialize in safaris that take you off the 'beaten tourist path', the company is one of the few if only, that has special permissions/license to go off road in the Mara. Most tour/safari companies are not permitted to go off-road, thus the reason for the tour group crowding often seen.
NatHab uses only licensed, local guides who have a great knowledge of the land and animals. As example, our guide for the Masai Mara Kenya Safari, was Joe Charelson, who grew up as a child in So. Africa and whose father was 'hunter and guide in the day' of big game hunts. So he lived on the land quit often...had a vast repository of knowledge that he freely shared which added to the experience!
Is NatHab pricey, yes, a bit so, but well worth it. The company can make all arrangements, door-to-door! Here is there link: www.nathab.com
NatHab uses only licensed, local guides who have a great knowledge of the land and animals. As example, our guide for the Masai Mara Kenya Safari, was Joe Charelson, who grew up as a child in So. Africa and whose father was 'hunter and guide in the day' of big game hunts. So he lived on the land quit often...had a vast repository of knowledge that he freely shared which added to the experience!
Is NatHab pricey, yes, a bit so, but well worth it. The company can make all arrangements, door-to-door! Here is there link: www.nathab.com
Apr 19, 2017 07:25:53 #
great spur of the moment shot...since there have been many 'sunset' photos on the blog lately, I thought I would post one that I took over 6 years ago from the beach in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Took this photo with a point & shoot Canon SX-10 IS...before I had a 'real' camera...I call this photo 'Fire on the Water'
Valenta, you got a great photo by taking advantage of the moment; I sat on the beach for over 90 minutes that evening, taking a photo every minute or so, hoping to get the 'right' shot.
Valenta, you got a great photo by taking advantage of the moment; I sat on the beach for over 90 minutes that evening, taking a photo every minute or so, hoping to get the 'right' shot.
Apr 9, 2017 00:39:50 #
Barbara and I traveled Iceland for 12 days in July 2014. WOW! A land of incredible contrasts and raw beauty; glaciers, waterfalls, volcanoes, bubbling hot springs, lava fields, lush green pastures, water so clear and pure, and the Fiskisúpa, Iceland fish soup/stew....yummy!
We worked with Ingrid at Iceland Travels, who assisted us with our self-driving and for the most part, self-directed itinerary. The only regret we had was that we did not travel into the Western Peninsula, but that is for the next time! As others have posted, Iceland is 'expensive'; meals/food and petrol, but for our part, well worth it!
I have attached a file with our itinerary that may help you develop your travel plan.
Also, here is a link to our Shutterfly site where we have posted our photos under "Iceland 2014", https://notesfromthemiddlekingdom.shutterfly.com/
We worked with Ingrid at Iceland Travels, who assisted us with our self-driving and for the most part, self-directed itinerary. The only regret we had was that we did not travel into the Western Peninsula, but that is for the next time! As others have posted, Iceland is 'expensive'; meals/food and petrol, but for our part, well worth it!
I have attached a file with our itinerary that may help you develop your travel plan.
Also, here is a link to our Shutterfly site where we have posted our photos under "Iceland 2014", https://notesfromthemiddlekingdom.shutterfly.com/
Mar 25, 2017 22:02:24 #
We spent 12 days in Kenya/Tanzania last September, mostly in the Massai Mara Conservancy...amazing, fantastic, more than we had hoped for! We went through Natural Habitat Adventures: nathab.com. This company specializes in small group, 8 or less, 'in the bush" safaris. The staff are fantastic and the guides were not only seasoned with many years of guiding experience, but also, like our guide, Joe Charlelson, are expert photographers! Natural Habitat's focus, as they say, is "adventure travel and ecotourism". They are definitely worth the prices. Nat Hab can make 'all' the travel arrangements, flights, hotels, etc both inbound, in country, and outbound to return home.
An advantage we had by using Nat Hab, was that not only did we have our own guide and vehicle, but our guide(s) had the necessary permissions to go 'off road' in the Conservancy areas. Many, if not most, of the other travel/safari companies that we encountered in the areas did not. And, as others have noted, many conservancy areas/parks require that vehicles be out of an area by dark.
Yes, Natural Habitat was more expensive than other safari/tour companies we researched, but they were well worth it. We are headed back to Botswana & Namibia this August with Nat Hab...looking forward to it.
An advantage we had by using Nat Hab, was that not only did we have our own guide and vehicle, but our guide(s) had the necessary permissions to go 'off road' in the Conservancy areas. Many, if not most, of the other travel/safari companies that we encountered in the areas did not. And, as others have noted, many conservancy areas/parks require that vehicles be out of an area by dark.
Yes, Natural Habitat was more expensive than other safari/tour companies we researched, but they were well worth it. We are headed back to Botswana & Namibia this August with Nat Hab...looking forward to it.
Dec 16, 2016 08:45:55 #
Agree with 'mcveed' and Clemens, but you might also consider BNBs and some of the other funky 'home' based places to stay in Iceland.
We did a 15 day, self directed tour of Iceland, traveling the 'Ring Road' as our primary route but having a flexible itinerary that allowed us to travel far & wide off of Route 1 each day to many coastal and interior villages. Actually did not spend that much time on Route 1, more off. We stayed in places so isolated that even the Icelanders considered them remote :-).
Waterfalls, we were amazed, as you will be, at the sheer number of waterfalls you will see. Once outside of Reykjavik, waterfalls were seldom out of view. Many, however, are in the interior, such as GullFoss Falls.
Yes, camping is common, if you do choose to car camp/tent camp however, be aware that a 'pleasant summer day' in Iceland is quite often, cloudy, rainy/drizzle with temperatures ranging from the 50's to mid 60's F.
We did a 15 day, self directed tour of Iceland, traveling the 'Ring Road' as our primary route but having a flexible itinerary that allowed us to travel far & wide off of Route 1 each day to many coastal and interior villages. Actually did not spend that much time on Route 1, more off. We stayed in places so isolated that even the Icelanders considered them remote :-).
Waterfalls, we were amazed, as you will be, at the sheer number of waterfalls you will see. Once outside of Reykjavik, waterfalls were seldom out of view. Many, however, are in the interior, such as GullFoss Falls.
Yes, camping is common, if you do choose to car camp/tent camp however, be aware that a 'pleasant summer day' in Iceland is quite often, cloudy, rainy/drizzle with temperatures ranging from the 50's to mid 60's F.
Dec 14, 2016 08:06:30 #
Agree with tradio, billnikon, and wcuster. Just recently returned from 3 weeks in Kenya/Tanzania in the Massai Mara/Serengeti. I used a Canon EOS 60D with a Canon EF 70-200mm, f2.8L IS II USM w/a 2x converter, worked great!. I understand that many pho-togs want to get as close up a shot as possible, so lenses that can reach out, i.e., 600-800mm would make sense, but I personally want to capture the 'atmosphere' as well. So what I may have lost in close up detail, I gained by having the subject in the context of its surroundings...but, again, it is a personal preference...the equivalent focal length of 400mm (not accounting for the crop factor) worked well.
With that said, check with your safari company first to see what arrangements and equipment they have available. Many provide a 'full' photographers setup on their field vehicles, with camera/tripod mounts, long lenses, etc. Other safari companies may have arrangements where you can rent long lenses...check first, both for the equipment provided and weight/luggage restrictions. Most of all, enjoy.
With that said, check with your safari company first to see what arrangements and equipment they have available. Many provide a 'full' photographers setup on their field vehicles, with camera/tripod mounts, long lenses, etc. Other safari companies may have arrangements where you can rent long lenses...check first, both for the equipment provided and weight/luggage restrictions. Most of all, enjoy.
