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Camera to purchase for safari
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Oct 24, 2017 13:19:24   #
Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA
 
BAL wrote:
Heading out for Safari and have a very old film AE1 canon.
Want a digital camera and telephoto lens that won't break the bank. Any suggestions. Will later want to use for landscape, travel photography.
Any suggestions for new or used?
Thank you,
BAL


You'll get a lot of NiCan recommendations--especially because you have a Canon, but consider also Pentax DSLRs and Fuji MILC. Both are more rugged than the "prosumer" models of CaNik. You could also consider the a7 series of Sony which are also more rugged.

(Truth in Advertising: I shoot two Sonys, an a6000 and an a6300. I have never had a problem with either. The a6300 has gone to Death Valley to hunt wildflowers, to Mazatlan, MX beaches and cityscapes and lastly just got back from San Miguel de Allende and in the process of processing. BTW, I did not like SMA. Many tourist love it, so maybe its my curmudgeon factor, but I really did not find it all that wonderful. Too many "artists", too many expats, very picturesque cobblestone streets, but not much else.)

Get a good quality computer with at least 8gb of RAM, a solid state drive of 250-500 gb. Windows 10. An I7 late generation processor (I think they are now into generation 8, but maybe 7 will be more available and good enough.) I recommend DELL. I used to like HP, but HP has gone down the drain. If you buy at Costco, they give you two years of free tech support. The manufacturers support on computers has gone sour, so Costco created their own and trained them. I used to buy from BestBuy, but their support is really bad. Azus makes great computers, and they may have gotten better but they have a reputation for poor support.

I've been into computers since 1977, including three Apples and Macs. While some may swear by Apple, I have found myself more often swearing AT Apple. They are locked down and limited (As well as three times the price for comparable power.) And when there is a problem, you get to "make an appointment for next week," "Oh it's an emergency? How about day after tomorrow?"

BUT add a USB outboard hard drive--Western Digital or Seagate, and copy every image to both the internal and the external so you have at least a minimum backup. (Some Hogs have reported bad Seagate drives and the companies like Google that use thousands of hard drives have also remarked on them being less reliable.) Hard drives do go bad, so heed this warning. Two is better than one and three is even better. (I just had two hard drives fail in the last four months. One was a WD, about 3 yo and the other a Seagate, about 4 yo)

Consider trying out Affinity Photo instead of Photoshop. It will do everything you will want--and much of it better. (I wondered why it worked better, but then got confirmation that Photoshop is still the basic 1990s code with a lot of added pieces and polishing. Affinity is new code with more modern programming techniques.) Affinity does have a learning curve, but it is not that difficult to learn and lots of tutorials.

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Oct 24, 2017 13:46:10   #
Gregger Loc: Phoenix area
 
printer273 wrote:
Take a good hard look at the new Sony RX10IV or the RX10III 24-600 zoom lighter weight, worth a look.


I purchased the Sony RX10 III three weeks ago of of eBay. At $950 is was still expensive. I really like it. The RX10IV is out new and runs around $1600 or so. Since the IV has come out, the prices may have dropped on the III even more.

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Oct 24, 2017 13:48:33   #
ole sarg Loc: south florida
 
Remmington 308

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Oct 24, 2017 13:59:01   #
Gregger Loc: Phoenix area
 
ole sarg wrote:
Remmington 308


You should use that to kill the pythons in the everglades. I believe the state govt. give $25 per dead python. I read they almost ruined the everglades.

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Oct 24, 2017 14:03:43   #
londonfire Loc: NY to NC
 
2 quick thoughts. First, leave the tripod home.
And whenever I’ve checked into renting a lens, especially for weeks or more, it was as much as buying a used copy. You can always sell it on your return.

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Oct 24, 2017 14:03:54   #
mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)
 
More information on where your safari is would help with recommendations. In east Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) most safari vehicles are closed in with pop-up roofs, and a bean bag is the best way to steady your camera. In southern Africa most safaris are in open vehicles with tiered seating (higher in the back), and a monopod is the best way to steady your camera. In east Africa the distances are generally greater and a longer lens is required, in southern Africa (Kruger and private game reserves) the safari areas are generally more wooded and closed in and shorter lenses are adequate but faster lenses are recommended. I used a Nikon D7000 and a 80-400 lens (equiv 600mm) in Kenya four years ago and I used an Olympus E-M1 MkII with a 40-150 f 2.8 lens (equiv 80-300) for most of my photography in South Africa this past May. Both worked out OK. In South Africa I also had along a Panasonic 100-400 lens, specifically for birds. For ease of air travel and general convenience I would recommend the Olympus (micro 4/3 approach).

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Oct 24, 2017 14:47:30   #
cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast
 
My safari was 5 years ago, but the same general advice applies: Two camera bodies that use the same lenses. Don't change lenses in the bush because of the dust. A wide to long zoom for one body and a really long tele zoom for the other. I had a 18-270 zoom and a 150-500 zoom. Newer lenses have wider ranges. A monopod is OK, but unless you have shaky hands it will be awkward in the Land Rover. Tripod - Forget it! Using a higher ISO and faster shutter speeds works well. Buy and get familiar with all the gear you are taking well in advance and take the small camera manuals for when you forget). I had a great trip and the travel director bought a CD of my images and made a promotional video for his safaris from it. Have a great safari, it will be one of the best experiences you ever have.

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Oct 24, 2017 15:09:07   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Gregger wrote:
You should use that to kill the pythons in the everglades. I believe the state govt. give $25 per dead python. I read they almost ruined the everglades.


I use .44 mag.

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Oct 24, 2017 15:10:30   #
bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada
 
BAL wrote:
Heading out for Safari and have a very old film AE1 canon.
Want a digital camera and telephoto lens that won't break the bank. Any suggestions. Will later want to use for landscape, travel photography.
Any suggestions for new or used?
Thank you,
BAL

I'd suggest the Sony RX10 III with its excellent 24-600mm zoom.

bwa

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Oct 24, 2017 15:12:23   #
LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field
 
bwana wrote:
I'd suggest the Sony RX10 III with its excellent 24-600mm zoom.

bwa


In the context of the OP, that is an excellent choice--and I am not a Sony guy....


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Oct 24, 2017 15:18:57   #
whwiden
 
You should also give some thought to your camera bag. My personal preference is for a duffle bag style rather than a back pack so I can work out of it. Domke F6, F2, F1X style. Color--sand rather than black might be better. Not get so hot. Does not distract animals or attract certain types of pests. A liner to add a layer of dust and water protection inside the bag. See the Ciesta brand for a perfect Domke F2 fit. Rocket blower and brushes for cleaning. Extra smaller plastic bags to protect items not in use. Maybe a big garbage bag. Or a sleeping bag large nylon stuff sack. A small pair of binoculars for spotting.

A mosquito netting head covering and gloves depending on location and season. Beware of bug repellants which dissolve plastics.

Probably will not use a full tripod. Small table top style might be nice for star shots in camp. Monopod--maybe. Small piece of a foam swimming noodle to support resting camera on various car and boat parts.

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Oct 24, 2017 16:33:52   #
ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or
 
I have several students go on safaries recently. They all took Bridge Cameras with long Zooms. All manufactures make them. I personaly use a Canon SX50 (now superceeded by SX60). The studens all reported back that they got shots that the people with interchangeable lens cameras missed because they were trying to change lenses or outright fumbling with their 40lbs of gear. They also did not have to be concerned with dust getting on their sensor when they changed lenses. Dust is a huge problem on a safari. My advice is to go with a long zoom bridge camera. Go with a factory referbished one. Canon sells directly to the public their referbished units very reasoably. I understand that B&H and Adorama sell referbished Nikon and Sony. BTW my SX50 was only $250 from Canon a few years ago. I could never afford a decent zoom of 1200mm for that price. Forget a tripod or monopod. If you are on a group bus or van there is no room. By the time you got out (if they even let you get out) the animals would have moved on.
Practice, practice,and practice some more. Practice shooting moveing cars, birds, anything that moves. You need to be able to pull up the camera, zoom in, and shoot without fumbling for the controles. I drove my students around a park and the practiced shooting on command from haveing the camera in their laps. They all said that that practice really paid off. Happy Shooting

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Oct 24, 2017 16:39:26   #
Dsrapa Loc: Outside of nyc
 
I’ve done 3 safaris with various equipment. I would urge one bridge camera with a long lens. My last safari trip I used the canon sx50. There are many comparable cameras by all brands but changinging
Lenses and keeping everything clean is a challenge. You need speedy reaction times and quick shots.
My back up camera Was an Olympus tough 4. Good For rainy days, dusty roads, and wide angles.
Have a great trip!

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Oct 24, 2017 17:05:18   #
SharpShooter Loc: NorCal
 
I suggest you buy postcards and just have a good time!!!
SS

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Oct 24, 2017 18:07:04   #
fecraly
 
I have been on 2 safaris: to South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe; then recently to Kenya and Tanzania. I used a Nikon D80 with Nikon 28-300. Also had a backup Panasonic Lumix Z6 to get back some wide angle capability and as emergency back-up. On both safaris, I wish I had a longer reach, out to at least 500mm. Lots of good advice on earlier responses. But I will add 2 I have not seen posted. Also, depending on the safari company, you may be SEVERELY weight limited. On my first trip, it was 44 pounds; last trip in 2016 was 33 pounds. Pack and weigh well ahead of departure so you have time to shed.
1. Take a voltage converter in case your charger does not work on local 240 volts
2. Take a set of split ND filters. These are essential for any sunrise/sunset photos
Keep your tent/cabin locked; the baboons are clever, almost tame and know how to open doors--hate to see them wearing your undies around camp!!
Have a great trip!!!

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