A few years ago we did the Arethusa Lodge/Resort in Sabi Sands. It was fantastic. We were able to see the big five close up.
I recommend visiting the Addo Elephant Park if you can. There hundreds of elephants are to be found. The park is just north of Port Elizabeth. I took my 200 with a 1.4x and was able to get some fantastic shots. I was able to get this shot.

In my opinion the best camera is the one that feels the best in your hand and makes what you consider good/great photos. Everything else is simply the endless question of which is better a Ford or a Chevrolet. Technology is simply a means to obtained the image you want, Great technology in the hands of bad photographer, will yield bad photos.

Gordon Parks took timeless photos with what today is ancient equipment.

Thanks after leaving Calgary, we are going to Lake Louise and Banff for four days.

Thank you all. I just purchased a Benro Carbon fiber monopod that can support 40kg. I also purchased a Wimberley monopod head to use with the 150-600, but am reluctant to carry it all within the arena. Given the weight of the lens, combined with the other equipment, I fear I may be spending too much effort just carrying equipment rather than shooting. But it does seem to be the best solution.

I will be visiting the Calgary Stampede this July. I shoot with a Canon 5D and was wondering what lenses to bring. We will be sitting in the grandstands during the day and I don't know how far that is from a cowboy action. Anyone have any thoughts as to what lens would be best?

I have a Tamron 150 to 600 but it gets heavy after a few minutes – (less stable) I'd rather use my 70 to 200 but I fear that it will not have the greater reach that I will need

We have been to 6 of the 7 continents But our trip to was Africa was the best. (that is after 12 journeys to France and Italy. If you can visit Monkeyland and Addo Elephant Park. SA is a magical place. The animals and the people are beyond belief. Imagine penguins in a land of lions and diamonds, but with great food. Capetown is well worth the visit, but get your tickets to Robbin Island now, don't wait until you arrive.

I decided to scan fifty years of photographs into my Lightroom catalog. For that purpose I purchased an Epson FF-680W photo scanner. Not only does it scan at 1 photo per second, it also restores the color and will eliminate any red-eye.

Most of my photographs have faded over the years. This device gives them new life. If I wish I can scan at 300, 600 or 1200 dpi and as a Tiff. This allows me the most control over any edits I wish to do. If you are looking for a photo scanner I strongly recommend the Epson.

[For my trip I made a sand bag that I could fill with local dirt, rocks, etc. I didn't use my tripod, but could have used a monopod (less weight). I would take the 100-400, a wide angle and a 50 mm prime. I wish I had taken my 150-600mm, but left it at home because of weight. Although we managed to get within 25 yards of the big 5, I could have used the 150-600 for birds, of which there are many.

Except for landscapes, you will find that the big lenses will stay on the camera. If need a 70-200 it took an F4. It is 1/2 the weight of a 2.8. The African sun combined with the relatively barren ground is very bright.

Sometimes that would require multiple posts, whereas a space on the photo entry would solve the problem. No doubt I am not the only one who seeks to learn were a photo was taken.

I enjoy viewing members photos. Sometimes, I would like to either visit the location of the photo, or take a similar shot. Other times, I would simply like to know where the photo was taken. But, most photos make no reference to the location.

I travel several times a year. It would make my trips, and no doubt others, more interesting if we knew about photo opportunities that are available where I visit. May I suggest that when posting a photo, the location be added.

When I went to South Africa I was surprised at how close we got to the animals. I didn't want to travel with the 150 - 600 because it is so large. Instead I took my 70-200 with a 1.4x extender. I have a 5dIII and was able to obtain photos so sharp that you can clearly see the whiskers on the leopard. I don't know that you need such a large lens based upon my experience. We were as close as 20 feet from lions, etc.

Both brands offer comparable technology. Although one may offer more today, the other will leap frog to more technology on their latest model. So, like a dog chasing its tail, you will never have the latest and best technology.

Instead, I would look for what feels best in your hands. I chose Canon, not because it was better then Nikon, but the ergonomics of the Canon felt better to me. Once you have selected the format, try each with a variety of lens. Is the focus ring in comfortable place? Is it easy to remove and replace the lens, etc?. Do the controls, or names of the controls make sense to you? In short, there really is little difference between the two brands, it is entirely up to your comfort. Remember, some of us buy Chevrolet over Toyota, or vis a versa, but they do so because the fit in the driver's seat, etc. not the technology.

I switched to Lightroom after Aperture was no longer supported. I did not want to use another Apple product, since they have a habit of dropping support with little notice. (I formerly used the Apple word processor until they dropped that too.)

I had a little trouble in making the conversion, but with the help of several Youtube videos I was able to work through it. It is much more powerful than Aperture ever was. I especially like Clarity and the lens correction feature.

I purchased the stand alone version, I hate monthly fees.

The principle focus, if you will, in a photograph is the composition. The better photographers, or at least the more experienced, look for a composition that directs the viewer to some aspect of the scene. Is a Monet painting of water lilies any less beautiful if the artist repainted the same water lily three times to bring out some aspect of the flower. I think not. That is the painter's form of post processing. But, if the bridge was not in scene with the light as it was, and lilies positioned where they are, would we will still think the painting was beautiful. I think not. Post processing to add something or to change a basis color or form is not photography in my opinion. But enhancing a scene to bring out the shadows or crop to direct the viewer's direction is more than acceptable. I understand the Ansel Adams spent much time in the dark room, (dodging, etc.) making is photographs more to his liking. Is he any less great??

I enjoyed the photos. But, next time, I suggest you either crop out or clone out the guy in the right. I found my eye looking toward him rather than the scenery.