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 p.19 #3 · African safari talk...recommendations? | |
artsupreme wrote:
This thread has turned into a great resource for those going on their first Safari, thanks for your feedback. What I have learned since starting this thread and then going on my first Safari is a few key bits of information are needed to note for those looking for gear suggestions:
1. Are you going to National Parks or Private Conservancies? I saw this being asked quite a bit earlier in this thread before I went and IMO it's the most important question because ideal gear selections can differ greatly between the two experiences. For example, Mort2k said he is so glad he had his 600 to get close to the big cats without cropping in South Africa. That experience is the complete opposite of mine in East Africa, maybe because I was in the conservancies where were could drive right up to anything we wanted to. My 400 was often way too long for big cats when we parked very close to them. And when they walked toward our vehicle and rubbed against it or even pee'd on it, the 70-200 was even too long. I was originally planning on bringing a 600 but glad I didn't because it would have been too long for most everything I shot. I do not crop other than slight leveling. With my 400, I often had to shoot tight portrait style shots because the animals were too close and extending out of the frame. I believe this is the benefit of a prime as it forces you to really focus on framing and creativity. This goes for my experience with lions, cheetahs, and leopards and the rest of the big game.
2. What are you shooting, birds or the big five? This is obvious, if you want to shoot birds then 600mm + would be ideal, even in a conservancy. I shot a few birds that were very close to the vehicle but if all my attention was on birds or small critters then i would have brought my 600 instead of the 400
3. What region are you visiting? It sounds like you might need more focal length in South Africa due to having more bush/vegetation that prevents you from getting close to the animals? Someone who's been to both regions can confirm if this is correct. But I know Kenya and Tanzania are wide open in most places and you can drive anywhere off-road unless it's an NP. From what I've seen of SA it seems more like dirt roads through denser vegetation that limits your access. Maybe this is why Mort2k liked having his 600 in the South?
4. Do you crop often? I don't, but if this is your thing then you can obviously get away with shorter focal lengths
5. What is your aperture preference? If you like shooting large apertures, then bring a nice fast prime to compliment your slow 100-500 zoom. I could have probably done just as well with my 300 2.8 and 135/2 for the low light stuff considering the action was very close in the conservancies.
6. What time of the year? If it's hot and dry then heat shimmer can be a big problem even at shorter focal lengths. If wet, not much of an issue with long focal lengths other than the occasional down pour. I love the dry season look whereas others like the green wet look. This is definitely something to think about when planning your trip.
I might be missing something else, but figured I would point this out for anyone who's racking their brain on what gear to bring on their first Safari. ...Show more →
I agree completely, different strokes depending upon where you are going and when. Most importantly how crucial are birds for you. If you are into birding at all, then you need maximum reach even in the conservancies. Otherwise, in East Africa, especially in the conservancies, 400 is adequate and sometimes even that is too much.
I did another trip to Kenya in September taking my wife's brother and his wife who are not photographers, but wanted to do a safari. This was their first experience with wildlife anywhere and they were blown away. We did the Mara (triangle), Kicheche Bush, Amboseli and Tsavo West in that order. They saw everything, all the Big5 within the first two days in the mara. Incredible experience for them and in the end for me as well, since I got my first cheetah hunt as posted above.
Since it was family, even though there were five of us in the vehicle, it did not feel crowded at all. However, even with family you cannot get the stability you require for good work - there was constant chatter and of course movement all the time making the vehicle shake so much. Still, it was perhaps the most enjoyable trip of mine because again, it was family.
I do have one question for the folks here. What do most of you do with your pictures in the end? If you are not a professional that is. or even if you are, do you sell prints, make books to sell or simply take them to showcase your portfolio for prospective clients to take on workshops with you?
Fascinating thread, this.
Pradeep
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