craneman

In 3 weeks my wife and I are going on a photo safari to South Africa. I am taking a Nikon D7500 with a 70-300 zoom lens and a Nikon P1000 for close and very far shots. My question is, how do I sweet talk my wife into packing one of the cameras?

Quixdraw Loc: x

Only you can know the answer to that! But if you haven't come across it this may be interesting. Link https://www.bythom.com/photographic-travel/africa/index.html

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Oh, maybe a new Jag F-Pace should work wonders.😎

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

If you are saying like "packing in luggage" I have a simple solution. If meaning packing around for the safari, good luck on that. Leave the D7500, 70-300 at home, already have that range & much more covered with P1000.

JohnR Loc: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

I think you could be fighting a losing battle here

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

If you’re going on a photo safari, won’t she have her own camera(s) and lenses, too?

bikerguy

You probably cannot accomplish your goal. However, when we went to Southern Africa there was a weight limit, take less clothing to offset the "excess" camera weight. Use a camera backpack to get your gear there and do not plan on bringing the pack into the safari vehicle.

However, most importantly, during the trip occasionally put down the camera and enjoy the animals, people and landscape.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Man how goes to bed with problem on mind, wakes up with solution in hand.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

I think that the question is how you travel and what kind of safari you are on. If you fly into Joburg and then rent a car weight should not be a problem. I just spent two weeks in Kenya, with two camera bodies. I traveled with a friend in a private car from Nairobi, and everything went well--I came back with great pictures.

If you take a small plane to fly to a national park you might have weight limits and limits on hand luggage there. Also if you travel in a safari vehicle provided by a tour operator you may have some weight limits. The limited space in safari vehicles may make having more than one camera body impractical. Furthermore, changing lenses in the field is often impractical because safaris are a dusty affair. Sometimes you want to take a landscape shot so having one body with a 70-300mm lens is too limiting. If you have a tour operator organizing the safari check with them on limitations.

Everything points to your Nikon P1000. I am sure that you will be able to negotiate taking one camera on this trip. I mean you cannot go on a safari without bringing a camera. Good luck, and enjoy your trip!

Bayou

Agreed.

craneman

Although this post was a lighthearted attempt at humor, I thank you all for your replies. My wife will only take her cell phone for a camera. I will put the D7500 on a tripod for shots around the lodge. I will put the P1000 on a monopod while in a vehicle. I am strictly an amateur but hope to get some awesome photos.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If "sweet talking" is required, probably not.

Gear -
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-473761-1.html
https://fstoppers.com/animal/essential-camera-features-and-settings-safari-photography-176678
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/8065882473/gearing-up-for-an-african-safari
http://www.bythom.com/photographic-travel/africa/how-to-think-about-equipmen.html
http://www.elliottneep.com/#!/p/gear-guide-safari
https://luminous-landscape.com/digital-safari-equipment-tips/

Photography -
https://www.safaribookings.com/blog/15-african-safari-photography-tips
https://digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/lists/activities/photography-tips-africa-safari/
https://www.porini.com/blog/essential-photography-tips-african-safari/
https://www.gadventures.com/blog/tips-photos-african-safari/
https://www.tripsavvy.com/taking-great-photos-on-safari-1454103

Barbonbrown

By giving it to her as a present.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Tell her how slimming, attractive and younger she looks with the camera around her neck....and then run as fast as you can.😜

nikon123 Loc: Toronto, Canada

I realize that your request had some part humour and some part search for the right formula. On such a trip, it is wise to carry two cameras but you have selected two ‘behemoths’. I believe that a good point and shoot would be a great addition. It can either be a fixed 23mm lens camera or one that has some telescopic feature; but not something ridiculous as 18 to 6,000 or something. The next camera sounds as if the Coolpix is the right choice. You don’t need both a monopod and a tripod. Ditch the tripod. It will get in everyone’s way. In my opinion, you may not need the monopod. Bump the ISO for shots taken while on safari. The monopod will get in everyone’s way also. As well, the vehicle stops for you to take shots. The coolpix has vibration reduction. Shoot more wide open than not. Shoot in aperture priority and use exposure compensation where required.