What is the best camera to take on an African Safari Tour?
May 14, 2019 14:17:41 #
Sony RX10. is a great, smallish camera with an excellent Zeiss lens that zooms to 600. Sony has produced 4 of these models and I have owned 3 of them, all of which are good. They are not inexpensive, about $1,600.00, but I believe worth it. DPR gives them high marks. It is light weight and it's powerful zoom would be great for a safari. One final suggestion, I would bring another camera as well, if not three, in case something goes wrong.
Good luck and enjoy! What an opportunity! We had a presentation at our camera club last month and afterwards I was ready to run out and book a safari the next day!
Eugene, Durham, NC
Good luck and enjoy! What an opportunity! We had a presentation at our camera club last month and afterwards I was ready to run out and book a safari the next day!
Eugene, Durham, NC
May 14, 2019 14:28:01 #
ORpilot wrote:
I have had a half dozen students of mine go on saf... (show quote)
I have an older SX50 HS I use when I want long focal lengths and light weight. Whatever you choose, get one with a viewfinder. It is very helpful in bright sunlight.
May 14, 2019 14:30:43 #
I was lucky. I did a safari in Botswana with CNP Safaries and the supplied a Nikon Long Lens and camera so I just needed to bring smaller lenses and a camera body
May 14, 2019 16:10:23 #
rvduffy wrote:
Can anyone recommend a camera to take on a Scenic ... (show quote)
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To be able to be sure you can cover any focal range you might need and also avoid need to change lenses, I'd go with the Nikon P1000. It will shoot in RAW and with the 3000mm optical zoom nothing would be too far off.
May 14, 2019 18:03:51 #
dick ranez wrote:
Someone must make a 100-400 for Nikon. The Canon lens in excellent, a little heavy but manageable. Teamed with a 1.4 converter it more than covers any reach considerations on a safari tour. If you have to buy a lens, look at some of the more popular bridge cameras with incredibly long reach and "reasonable" prices - nikon, panasonic and sony models come to mind.
Nikon makes a superb 80-400mm. I shot it for 10-15 years. Today I use Lumix cameras and the reach we get from the telephotos is hard to believe. The Leica 100-400mm on a Lumix body is equivalent to a 200-800 zoom. I'm also fond of the Olympus 300mm F/4 that on my Lumix cameras is equivalent to 600mm F/4. Basically the same view as I used to get with my Nikon 600mm F/4.
May 14, 2019 18:51:35 #
The camera not to take is one you purchase especially for the trip, unless you have the time and opportunity to become very familiar with the camera before the trip. You need to be thoroughly familiar with the controls and settings. You need to know the characteristics of your camera. For example, which bracketing setting work best or which exposure adjustments are best for a given situation.
May 14, 2019 20:12:36 #
Can't say as to which Nikon lens to use (sony guy here), but I'd look at lens rental. Just rent what you want. If you like it, buy one later on.
May 14, 2019 20:31:19 #
Here's what I took on a safari (non hunting) to Tanzania: A Canon SL1 with a Tamron 18-400 lens (APSc) and it worked extremely well. I have also taken it to Israel and Jordan and a lot of places in between. The SL1 is light and counterbalances the 18-400 lens which was a bit on the heavy side. Look at the images below. I wouldn't buy a longer lens because of its bulk. If you shoot JPEG + RAW you'll have plenty of material to work with. The SL1 handles both formats.
I have since bought an SL2 from Canon, not because it is a whiz-bang better camera but because of its Wi-Fi capabilities which allowed me to transfer the photos I want to post on line while in the field. BH Photo Video is the place to go for best price and service. I've been dealing with them for almost 40 years.
I have since bought an SL2 from Canon, not because it is a whiz-bang better camera but because of its Wi-Fi capabilities which allowed me to transfer the photos I want to post on line while in the field. BH Photo Video is the place to go for best price and service. I've been dealing with them for almost 40 years.
May 14, 2019 20:43:36 #
I’m connected with a great guide in Serengeti mainly. We own a Land Cruiser he uses. There is more than just the camera, but I would say getting the 500 lens. It’s a pain to carry the gear — I switched to Fuji XT3, though lenses are still substantial. The safari may be a lesser part of the trip, but good likelihood it may be the most unique. Much depends on where you go, though Serengeti is unbeatable. Bring a shorter lens, but you’ll be wanting the reach most of the time. Strongly recommend open too — not open side vehicle. 3 people in Vehicle is fine, more makes photo work much harder. If you would like more specifics, feel free to email me amaizn_blu@yahoo.com
May 14, 2019 20:54:15 #
May 14, 2019 22:28:49 #
mikedent
Loc: Florida
We used d7100 with Tamron 100-400, 150-600 with the crop factor. Gave good results, filled the screen, but difficult in early am or later pm game drives due to poor or fading light. Need to crank up iso. Second body was d810 with 24-105 for closer shots. All worked well but the big zooms just aren't as crisp as primes, but much handier. Use a high iso for a better shutter speed to avoid movement. No room to use a tripod on the game drive vehicles. Use a bean bag or bath towel from the hotel to help steady the lens. I now would take the 150-600 tamron or sigma and use with a crop body for the better reach. The animals do not mind if you use flash. I did rent 200-500 in the past and found it too heavy and bulky for me, but it is a great lens. My wife used Lumix fz2500 large zoom range, Leica lens, with good results. Much less bulky that the dslr items.
May 15, 2019 09:50:22 #
Many African tours don’t allow tripod or monopods, so figure out how to have a bean bag with you in the safari vehicle. And make sure the other passengers in your Rover or Jeep sit STILL while you are shooting.... just a thought!
May 15, 2019 10:53:49 #
mikedent
Loc: Florida
You can ask the driver to turn off the engine for better stability. Ours did that often without asking.
May 15, 2019 11:42:13 #
What country are you doing safari in? I've been on several safaris in different countries, and access can be quite different in Tanzania/Kenya than in southern Africa countries like South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, etc.
I ALWAYS take 2 camera bodies (in my case Nikon D7100 and D500), one with longer zoom and one for animals very close up. No tripods or monopods, a bean bag might be helpful but I usually just go handheld.
I'd be glad to give you more recommendations...message me if you're interested.
I ALWAYS take 2 camera bodies (in my case Nikon D7100 and D500), one with longer zoom and one for animals very close up. No tripods or monopods, a bean bag might be helpful but I usually just go handheld.
I'd be glad to give you more recommendations...message me if you're interested.
May 15, 2019 12:00:27 #
Tomcat5133
Loc: Gladwyne PA
Go with the Sony RX10 24- 600 it works well for stills and video. For a bridge camera
the zeiss lens is amazing. The video so amazing. I have the RX10 III and use it for
sports or just about anything like a seminar on a stage. Good luck.
the zeiss lens is amazing. The video so amazing. I have the RX10 III and use it for
sports or just about anything like a seminar on a stage. Good luck.
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