Three Nikon bodies for a safari
Apr 14, 2019 14:45:17 #
I took two bodies on my safari. Out in the wild, I kept my 70-200 on my D3, sometimes with a 1.7 extender, other times not, and on a D700, a Sigma 150-500. I did on occasion change lenses, but not often. Although it was dusty, I experienced no dust on the sensor that couldn't be removed with the spot healing brush in two or three clicks. I did however, put UV filters on all lenses, and I'm glad I did.
Apr 14, 2019 14:48:41 #
tripwest wrote:
Mark, br br I would keep it as simple as possibl... (show quote)
One word of warning about allowing your case to be taken and loaded as you get on the plane. I have seen this happen many times - your case is handed to a staff person standing by the plane door. He gets it loaded. Then, when you get off the plane all those cases are lined up along the gangway out to the main terminal. Nobody is checking if the right person is picking up the right case. if you are at the back of the plane, anybody could have simply picked up your case and run with it. The best way to handle photo equipment is to keep it to the minimum so you know it will fit in the overhead or under the seat. Some of the folks on this thread take a ridiculous amount of gear on their travels. Remember, the photography is in the eyes of the photographer, not a whole store full of gear!
Apr 14, 2019 14:57:35 #
Oops, I said Sigma 150-500, but I meant 50-500. It is a lens I no longer own, and one I would recommend to no one.
Apr 14, 2019 14:59:57 #
Apr 14, 2019 15:16:53 #
2 bodies with a long zoom on the D500 and a shorter zoom on the D850. I would also take a wide angle for night and early morning landscapes. I used the long zoom 90% of the time. Protect the gear from dust. I always keep the second body protected, undercover in the pack I carried.
3 bodies is too much in a van or land cruiser, let alone the weight factor on a small plane. 2 bodies with big lenses required significant patience from my friends in the vehicle as it was.
3 bodies is too much in a van or land cruiser, let alone the weight factor on a small plane. 2 bodies with big lenses required significant patience from my friends in the vehicle as it was.
Apr 14, 2019 15:44:14 #
markstjohn wrote:
I have the option of taking three Nikon bodies on an upcoming safari. I have a D850, D 810 and D500.
Should I take all three and match each of them with a lense I dont have to remove? If so, ideally what lense would you put on each body?
Thanks....
Should I take all three and match each of them with a lense I dont have to remove? If so, ideally what lense would you put on each body?
Thanks....
IMO, you will have mostly good light and need reach with, ideally, a smaller/lighter lens (for travel/ergonomics) this spells D500 with 200-500 or 80-400.
If you do not mind carrying a second body/lens, the 850 with a 70-200 f4 makes sense to me for closer/lower light stuff or even a 24-120. The 70 on full frame is actually quite wide by Africa standards ! The 850 can crop very well beyond 200mm if need be !
.
Apr 14, 2019 15:45:41 #
For a trip like this I would always take a "backup" camera body.... What would you do if you only had one camera body and it crapped out, was stolen, etc. You'd be SOL.
Apr 14, 2019 15:48:09 #
I'm a Nikon shooter also, my recommendation is the d500 with a 200-500mm Nikon lens & the d810 with a 2424-70mm Nikon lens & leave d850. My reason for this is you want to keep the lens attached the d500 have you covered for wildlife & auto focus, the d810 have you covered for landscapes & portraits & for extra measures a ultra wide angle lens the Nikon 14-24 lens the d810 will nice to shoot in manual for creative shots. If you were to take 1 body hands down d850.
Apr 14, 2019 16:07:02 #
appealnow
Loc: Dallas, Texas
Do not take three bodies. There's just not enough room in the Land Rovers. billnikon has good advice. I just returned from the Serengeti. For most shots I used a D5300 with 18-300 lens. I decided not to take my 200-500 nikkor F.5.6. Instead, I bought a P900, which gave me shots like this cheetah in the tree or giraffe from a distance. The 500 mm might do fine with the DX 500.
Apr 14, 2019 16:17:39 #
I was there during film days. I took 3 camera bodies in multiple lenses. All of the camera bodies use the same battery so I took extras of those. In this case since it is now digital I would take extra batteries and extra charges just to make sure. I'll see Carrie quite a few extra memory cards so you don't have to worry about downloading and losing information. I do not believe the Kodachrome ever had an a SA-200 Kodachrome was 25 and 64 exit from was 200 and 400. Have a wonderful time.
Apr 14, 2019 16:22:22 #
I agree with the "take two body posters." Your safari could quickly turn into a photo bummer if something happens to one body. Been on three safaris using two camera bodies. Last one I had a D810 body with a 24-120 mm lens usually which covered good shots of animals close to the vehicle and for scenics. The other body, a D 850 (top notch) had a 200-500 mm lens. Also carried an 70-200 lens which I used at times. Worked for me. And contrary to opinion you can change lenses. Just don't so it while the vehicle's moving or if its very windy while stopped. And the last trip our group flew several times in smallish planes, Cessna Caravans which are used frequently in Tanzania. Mine and other camera gear similar to mine, the weight was no problem but it's good to check beforehand with the tour operator.
Apr 14, 2019 16:48:56 #
kskarma
Loc: Topeka, KS
Please keep in mind that when we are on a safari...or other trip, we are "Guests" in other people's countries, so don't act like the Problem Visitor that too often are seen in foreign locations. An extra bit of courtesy, plenty of patience and good manners will go a long ways in helping to navigate situations that might not be 100% to your liking. Be sure to ask before pulling your huge camera/lens out and shooting tons of "Street Photos"...remember that in some places, there is a real taboo in allowing oneself to be photographed at all. Keep in mind the phrase, "On Africa Time"....which means that many schedules are, to say the least, flexible. A smile and pleasant conversation can really help break the ice, so even though the initial purpose of your trip is probably photography, take some time away from your camera to enjoy the many warm people and interesting places in Africa.
Apr 14, 2019 17:03:21 #
kskarma
Loc: Topeka, KS
[quote=JeffDavidson] "I do not believe the Kodachrome ever had an a SA-200 Kodachrome was 25 and 64 exit from was 200 and 400."
Jeff, Since I shot K200 for many years, I'm assigning "Expert Level" to myself..[G] You are correct that most Kodachrome was ASA 25 and 64...in fact, some of the very early Kodachrome stock was actually ASA 10. Thanks for bringing up this question as many people are not aware of the ASA 10 and 200 stocks.
Here is a Cut-N-Paste from the Kodak website that should help clear up the ASA 200 question.
"KODACHROME 200 Film features fine grain and extremely high sharpness. With its faster speed, the film is ideal for low-light situations and photo shoots requiring increased depth of field."
I was very happy with the 1700+ slides I shot using this film...especially because many of the photos were taken in a good amount of shade or later in the evening. No chance of just "Dialing an ISO of 1600 or more" to get the shot in those earlier days....!
Jeff, Since I shot K200 for many years, I'm assigning "Expert Level" to myself..[G] You are correct that most Kodachrome was ASA 25 and 64...in fact, some of the very early Kodachrome stock was actually ASA 10. Thanks for bringing up this question as many people are not aware of the ASA 10 and 200 stocks.
Here is a Cut-N-Paste from the Kodak website that should help clear up the ASA 200 question.
"KODACHROME 200 Film features fine grain and extremely high sharpness. With its faster speed, the film is ideal for low-light situations and photo shoots requiring increased depth of field."
I was very happy with the 1700+ slides I shot using this film...especially because many of the photos were taken in a good amount of shade or later in the evening. No chance of just "Dialing an ISO of 1600 or more" to get the shot in those earlier days....!
Apr 14, 2019 17:09:52 #
Apr 14, 2019 19:54:15 #
User ID wrote:
Goes well with the avatar
As someone above mentioned, on my safari with small plane transportation, we had a maximum weight of 30 pounds for all luggage, carry-ons, etc. It was carefully checked. Don't think your backpack won't be included.
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