Hello! I am planning a 2025 African Safari. I am interested in large game (lions, gorilla's, elephants, etc. It is a bucket list vacation.

I just purchased the OM Solutions 150-600mm lens (300-1200mm 35mm equivalent), but is is not weather sealed. I have web pages that detail, by month, the overall weather for each month.

It appears that it is BEST to go when it is dry and dusty for that is when large game gather around shrinking waterholes.

If I do go then, what type of precautions should I take to protect the lens from dust? Has anybody been on an African safari who can tell me anything that they learned? Is the lens only good for borders, for which I don't have the skill set.

Anything I forgot to ask that I should know? Many thanks in advance! Linda

I see some people only posting landscapes. Or only birds. Some only post street photography.
Is it normal for a photographer to gravitate towards just one type of photography over time as one gets more experience?

Also, about styles. Some people seem to prefer natural-looking pictures. Even when light modifiers are used. As long as the final result is as if no additional equipment was involved. But others seem to like producing pics that have strobes with "wrong" color temperature. Or overpowering the ambient. Or reflectors that almost completely eliminate shadows.

I'm not talking about HDR or post-processing. More about different styles. Realistic vs. artistic. Do photographers generally stick to one style? Or should a good photographer be able to adopt any style they need?

My entire photograpy inventory needs to be moved. Cameras, lenses and flashes, are packed in SKB 3i-2011-7dz cases. This is the case with the removable Think Tank zippered case within it. It is an airline approved case for carry on but limited to 1 per passenger. I have 4 cases packed.
Does anyone have advise on how to ship these? My concern is theft in-transit, and damage. It is a long haul
cross country move.
All my gear is insured but the hassle of having to deal with a claim is not something I wish to experience.
Getting here was only 2 cases. One as carry on, 1 checked but now my equipment inventory has doubled. Does anyone have experience with this situation? How did you handle it?
Any suggestions anyone may have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

I ordered 2 Sd Cards, a standard card and a Mini SD card. It arrived exactly when they said it would by Fedex, but how it arrived surprised me. I thought it would be in a padded envelope, but instead, it arrived in a 3X12X9" box, wrapped in two layers of bubble wrap!!! I've ordered semi fragile items from some companies, where the items weren't wrapped as well.
B&H has an incredible service and shipping department, and it's no wonder why they enjoy such a great reputation.
I'm wondering, though, why they didn't send it in a padded envelope, which would be less expensive for them. Oh well, I guess they figure overkill is better than taking a chance of it being damaged during shipping. It's great store, great people, and incredible selection. Every time, I go into the city, it's my first stop, every time!

I am trying to find a way to see the distance to subject using LightRoom Classic 13.2. I'll swear it used to be posted in the Exif data in the Library tab in the Exif panel on the right hand of the screen. Does anyone know what happened to that datum, or how I can get a reasonable value for this?

I would be happy to get an app for this if LR no longer provides this. I am running a iMac - Sonoma 13.2 and using a 4/3 Olympus with a 100-400 lens.

Any help would be much appreciated.

All the best and keep on shoot'n !
Bill A.

...well sure I have, I've owned a Z9 pretty much from the beginning and I'm plenty happy with it. I've *learned* it. There are many many pros shooting Z9, and if there's one thing they, and me, have in common is that constant battle to get better...not just images but operating the equipment. You've made a choice and have stuck with it, and it seems like you're firmly away from Nikon. Bravo. Your work is fine and I've commented on that fact before. But this is a *Z9* thread, eh? AFA your side-by-side comparison that's anecdotal at best. I feel quite sure you'd LIKE operating a Z9 and master it quickly, much more quickly than those you're rubbing elbows with.