Safari Tips

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Steveo_Hants

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Any of you guys been on a safari? Need some tips, have been looking on the web but only stuff I found was just common sense stuff, any useful tips that you might not think of before you have actually been on safari?

Only 5 days before I go now! :clap:
 
if you're going out at dusk/night
wrap up warm
night falls very quickly - as does the temperature!

try to avoid changing lenses as it gets incredibly dusty sometimes

take more memory

enjoy - and post when you get back!

where you going btw?
 
Hi Steve,

We went to Tanzania in 2006, fantastic! There is lots of advice I could give, but regarding photography I notice you have the D50 same as me but I also had a 70-300 lens, and there were times when 400 might have been better. I was new to the camera and used auto quite a lot, however some of the results were ok. Take lots and lots of memory, you just cannot have enough! Batteries too, recharging was a problem but I managed on a couple of rechargeables. Each morning going out, the excitment was incredible and it was, for me at least, a photographers paradise. Possible suggestion is to shoot in jpeg rather than RAW, I am told your camera processes the info quicker for the next shot so you do not miss anything, and things can happen very quickly.

I wish I was going. If there is anything else I can help with let me know - where are you going to BTW?

Happy Shooting!

Mark
 
Shooting from any vehicle can be tricky. A small beanbag to rest the camera/lens on rather than leaning on a rail or the side of the car reduces loads of the vibrations that can ruin your shots.
 
MGPhoto said:
Hi Steve,

We went to Tanzania in 2006, fantastic! There is lots of advice I could give, but regarding photography I notice you have the D50 same as me but I also had a 70-300 lens, and there were times when 400 might have been better. I was new to the camera and used auto quite a lot, however some of the results were ok. Take lots and lots of memory, you just cannot have enough! Batteries too, recharging was a problem but I managed on a couple of rechargeables. Each morning going out, the excitment was incredible and it was, for me at least, a photographers paradise. Possible suggestion is to shoot in jpeg rather than RAW, I am told your camera processes the info quicker for the next shot so you do not miss anything, and things can happen very quickly.

I wish I was going. If there is anything else I can help with let me know - where are you going to BTW?

Happy Shooting!

Mark
Click to expand...

I have the D50 as well as the D80, was going to put the 70-200 VR with the 1.7TC on the D80 and start off with my 18-70 on the D50, but might change that to the 10-20 for landscape stuff.

Going to South Africa. Its a business trip really, but I have 1 day spare so have arranged to spend the full day in Pilanesburg National Park. They have the big 5 there so hopefully will see them all!!!
 
Hi again

Just remembered, Dust! There is lots of it, keep lens changes to a minimum if possible, or use one of those bags to change lenses. There a couple of photos from Tanzania in my gallery, have a look. I look forward to your photos on here when you get back.

Have a good time.

Mark
 
Just back from Tanzania (well October actually) without a shadow of a doubt the best holiday of my life, good job as it was my honeymoon.

ALL the research and help was gained from people on here. Notch was a phenominal help to me and still haven't thanked him enough, here are a few invaluable tips he passed on to me:

1. Take more memory than you think you need and then double it, probably still won't be enough.
2. Beanbag for shooting from the jeep, pack empty and fill with sand when you get there!
3. Keep bodies with Lenses on if you have more then one. Keep in pillowcase to keep dust away and for quick and very easy access.
4. No need for the tripod, you just won't have time to set it up.
5. Spare batteries.
6. Take a cap.
7. At some point just put the camera down and watch!

Here are a few of my shots for you to look forward to !

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chewyuk/page2/

Have an amazing time.
 
Cheers everyone, just got to pack today then I am ready!
 
Worth noting that beanbags are not always appropriate in southern Africa where many of the vehicles don't have sides, windows or roofs. Monopod is a worthwhile consideration if you have one.

I'm hoping to fly out to Kenya again a week tomorrow (security situation permitting) and I am taking a tripod. I don't normally but I want to try some different stuff.

Paul
 
But just in case the message didn't come through loud and clear: dust, dust, dust, dust, dust.

We went on safari to Kenya a few years ago and I couldn't believe how dusty it was, even though I had been warned it would be dusty. The stuff gets absolutely everywhere. It took ages, and several washes, to get all the red dust out of our clothes, and there is still some dust down in the crevices at the bottom of my big rucksack.

I'd be very, very wary about changing lenses in that sort of environment.
 
I still haven't managed to get a beanbag, they are unheard of here! Been to a dozen photography shops and all know what I am talking about but none stock them!

So on the dust situation I think I will refrain from changing lenses, but that leaves the big question, obviously have the 70-200 and TC on my D80 but what shall I have on my D50? 10-20mm or 18-70mm?
 
I would plumb for the 18-70mm, but this personal preference. I did change lenses, but very carefully - you will find the driver-guide will stop, hopefully and there is plenty of time to change lenses just be careful!

Have a good trip - and promise to show us the friuits of your labours on this site!

Regards

Mark
 
Steveo_Hants said:
I still haven't managed to get a beanbag, they are unheard of here! Been to a dozen photography shops and all know what I am talking about but none stock them!

So on the dust situation I think I will refrain from changing lenses, but that leaves the big question, obviously have the 70-200 and TC on my D80 but what shall I have on my D50? 10-20mm or 18-70mm?
Click to expand...


Have a look at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pro-Camera-Sm...oryZ3325QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I haven't used them but was wondering about getting one myself, they do small, medium and large ones for a very similar price and they may be able to deliver before you leave.:)
 
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