Bring a tripod to African safari?
Jan 20, 2023 06:58:18 #
OldSchool-WI wrote:
_______________________________(reply) br If you d... (show quote)
The light tripod and camera setup was mostly used to photograph ourselves.
I have a video of posted here where those group shots can be seen as well as the tripod being used as a selfie stick.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlEUFA5VINw
Jan 20, 2023 07:47:27 #
I recommend a monopod with a tilt head that gets short. Buy a fishing rod belt and put the end of the tripod in there. Your body will absorb vehicle vibration and it will be very stable.
Jan 20, 2023 08:03:57 #
Two safari weeklong trips - did not see need for tripod except for nighttime use with long shutter speed to catch stars- no room in vehicles which you cant leave - also space and weight considerations-two cameras with diff focal lengths -Dont change lens when out- monopod could work- have fun!!
My pictures on my website tomshelburne.smugmug.com
My pictures on my website tomshelburne.smugmug.com
Jan 20, 2023 08:23:03 #
Jan 20, 2023 09:55:05 #
Been on two photo safaris in Africa. The bean bag is the best choice. Both the tripod and monopod are cumbersome in the close quarters of a vehicle (your travel companions will appreciate it). Since many of the subjects that you wish to photograph will be moving, it is much easier to hand hold or use the bean bag.
Jan 20, 2023 10:21:52 #
agillot wrote:
Just to keep the lions at bay .beside that no .
Ha ha. I dont think that would suffice but call me crazy, I brought a folding knife on our trip thinking that would matter too ha ha.
Jan 20, 2023 10:32:40 #
mikegreenwald
Loc: Illinois
Multiple trips to Africa, Antartica, Arctic Canada and Alaska. Pre image stabilization and digital cameras, tripods or beanbags very helpful. Since then, tripods just get in the way.
Jan 20, 2023 11:38:46 #
Thomas Coulter
Loc: Maryville, Tennessee
I have been on two safaris - Mara Masai and Amboseli. I took a tripod the first time and never took it out of the case. It is rare to be able to get out of a safari vehicle, and a tripod is useless inside most vehicles. I took a monopod on the second trip, and I used it some, but I would have been as well off without it. Beanbags are helpful.
Jan 20, 2023 13:04:09 #
cahale
Loc: San Angelo, TX
jeffy wrote:
Hello fellow photographers! br I have a question f... (show quote)
Bring a tripod when you go to the bathroom. OK, maybe an exaggeration. But remember the AmEX ad of yesteryear. Never leave home without it.
Jan 20, 2023 13:49:51 #
With a longer lens - or low light I have never heard anyone say “I wish I didn’t have a tripod” - and the more you use it the easier it gets
Jan 20, 2023 19:16:01 #
stan0301 wrote:
With a longer lens - or low light I have never heard anyone say “I wish I didn’t have a tripod” - and the more you use it the easier it gets
Good point!
Jan 20, 2023 19:17:06 #
cahale wrote:
Bring a tripod when you go to the bathroom. OK, maybe an exaggeration. But remember the AmEX ad of yesteryear. Never leave home without it.
A monopod works better in the bathroom. 😀
Jan 20, 2023 19:17:47 #
Thomas Coulter wrote:
I have been on two safaris - Mara Masai and Amboseli. I took a tripod the first time and never took it out of the case. It is rare to be able to get out of a safari vehicle, and a tripod is useless inside most vehicles. I took a monopod on the second trip, and I used it some, but I would have been as well off without it. Beanbags are helpful.
Thanks for the feedback.
Jan 20, 2023 19:18:25 #
Wallen wrote:
Ha ha. I dont think that would suffice but call me crazy, I brought a folding knife on our trip thinking that would matter too ha ha.
Nice!
Jan 20, 2023 19:19:51 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
jeffy wrote:
Hello fellow photographers! br I have a question f... (show quote)
If you have a 4/3rds system, you could get away without a tripod. Even though I have a 4/3rds system, I would pack my under 18" collapsed / under 2.5# carbon fiber tripod. Astrophotography will require a relatively fast wide angle lens and a tripod even with 4/3rds. Since I am guessing you own a system probably bigger than 4/3rds, the answer to a tripod is yes. You will need the sturdiness tripod that is as small and light as possible. Your best bet is an expensive carbon fiber tripod. Foregoing the tripod would mean missing some types of shots on a likely "once-in-a-lifetime" trip.
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