another thought have you considered the sigma 120-300 f2.8 OS? the previous non S version is quite cheap now and still amazing optically. much more budget friendly than the canon 300 2.8.
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Headed on safari, need some advice
- Thread starter Chisox2335
- Start date
The 5D2 is at least a stop better than the 60D, and the 5D3 is supposed to be about a stop better than the 5D2...Chisox2335 said:Lloyd said:
I'm similar Lloyd. I have used my 60d at a couple hockey games with average low light success. I would expect much improvement from a 5d mkiii vs the 60d.
You sound like you've been talking to my fiancé with that last comment
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wickidwombat said:
I think at this point the 70-200 will be my longest f2.8. There is a sigma 120-300 f2.8 on b&h for $2500 but I already own the 100-400. Even if I sold the 100-400 the extra $1500 is out of the remaining budget if I plan to buy a 5d mkiii
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philmoz said:
Bean bag is on the list of things to buy. I looked at the pod. You're a fan? What color for the lenses I'm thinking?
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Chisox2335 said:
The main advantage over a plain bean bag is the attachment to the camera or lens - it makes it very easy to move around without remembering to pick up the bag all the time.
I used the red one with the 70-300L attached to the lens tripod ring (camera was a 7D).
I've also used it occasionally with the 100-400L.
According to their web site this is not a recommended configuration; but I've had no problems. I got the red one to keep the weight and size down.
Phil.
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philmoz said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/774087-REG
This is the one I had been looking at. Was going to get a ball mount so I could keep quick release plates on my cameras so I could keep them in my bags during the driving to reduce dust
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Chisox2335 said:
If you've got the room, then it looks like a more versatile option than 'the pod'.
Some of the vehicles I was travelling in had fairly high roofs, and since I'm not very tall (167cm), I occasionally had to stretch to get the camera positioned out the top of the vehicle. Adding an extra ball head would not have worked as well for me.
Also, keep in mind if you're travelling with a group, that you may not have much room in the vehicle for your gear.
Phil.
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philmoz said:
Agreed. I very well may have to modify depending on who is with us. Hopefully it won't be too busy.
Going to bring it empty, reserve I'm staying at already agreed to provide beans or rice to fill it.
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6D and 7D. I have been extensively in Africa.
Ask yourself these questions seriously:
1. Since you are on your honeymoon, how many real low light situations will you actually encounter? Hint: 7D has good focus and good IQ in bright light. The crop sensor will be very helpful.
2. How many action shots would you actually witness? Most wildlife and especially lions will not require blazing auto focus. Hint: 6D is just fine.
Enjoy the trip.
Ask yourself these questions seriously:
1. Since you are on your honeymoon, how many real low light situations will you actually encounter? Hint: 7D has good focus and good IQ in bright light. The crop sensor will be very helpful.
2. How many action shots would you actually witness? Most wildlife and especially lions will not require blazing auto focus. Hint: 6D is just fine.
Enjoy the trip.
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sanj said:
Thanks for the input sanj. I have actually been in touch with a wildlife photographer who teaches at two of the three reserves he specifically recommended a beanbag. The towel is an interesting consideration though.
With regards to your other post, we will be doing dusk and dawn game drives daily based on my discussions with the reserves. With that said, I don't think I'll be doing low light BIF photography. I was previously leaning towards the 6D and 70D (from everything I've read the 70D is slightly better than the 7D in most regards build and FPS being the exceptions). If I did that though I'd have three bodies with me. I might find that the 60D stays in camp most of the time and would strictly be a backup at that point.
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Based on my trip to Tanzania last year, I would recommend getting a beanbag, but I would recommend getting a fairly simple one. Especially, if you do not know right now exactly what type of vehicle you will have or how many people will be in your vehicle. From my experience, sometimes I was shooting sitting down out of a window and sometimes I was standing up shooting out through the pop top. When the vehicle was stopped, I was moving constantly from window level to pop top level. I would not have wanted a heavy beanbag attached to my camera, but that's just me. And if you fill it with beans in Africa, like I did, it can get very heavy. Sometimes you will want to use the beanbag, and it can be a godsend, and sometimes you'll find that it's not very useful at all. Whatever you get, be sure that there is someway to fasten it to the vehicle so you don't lose it. This is the one I bought: http://www.kgear.com/store/r420.html
As for the dust, I will echo what others have said and strongly encourage you to change lenses only in your hotel room.
I can't say enough good things about B+ W's filters with nano coatings. The nano coating literally makes the dust slide off the filter.
I did not take a computer and I am really glad I left it at home. I just kept all the files on the disks and used two think tank card wallets to keep them organized.
One item that hasn't been mentioned, but I highly recommend you bring, is one or more small extension cords--the kind you can plug two or three things into. This greatly facilitates the recharging of all of your electronic devices.
By the way, I took my Canon 6D and T1i. I generally had my 24-105 lens attached to the 6D and my 70-300 L attached to the T1i. I also took a couple of other lenses and a point-and-shoot. During regular daylight hours, the T1i worked beautifully. However, it did not do so well in the very early hours of dawn. I would also say that about 99% of the time, the animals were either sitting fairly still or moving fairly slowly. So I would not worry about a high frame per second rate. As such, the 6D, with its exceptional lowlight capabilities would likely be more than sufficient if you wish to go the full frame route.
As for the dust, I will echo what others have said and strongly encourage you to change lenses only in your hotel room.
I can't say enough good things about B+ W's filters with nano coatings. The nano coating literally makes the dust slide off the filter.
I did not take a computer and I am really glad I left it at home. I just kept all the files on the disks and used two think tank card wallets to keep them organized.
One item that hasn't been mentioned, but I highly recommend you bring, is one or more small extension cords--the kind you can plug two or three things into. This greatly facilitates the recharging of all of your electronic devices.
By the way, I took my Canon 6D and T1i. I generally had my 24-105 lens attached to the 6D and my 70-300 L attached to the T1i. I also took a couple of other lenses and a point-and-shoot. During regular daylight hours, the T1i worked beautifully. However, it did not do so well in the very early hours of dawn. I would also say that about 99% of the time, the animals were either sitting fairly still or moving fairly slowly. So I would not worry about a high frame per second rate. As such, the 6D, with its exceptional lowlight capabilities would likely be more than sufficient if you wish to go the full frame route.
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Vivid Color said:
Great input thanks. I will definitely not be changing lenses on truck. From everything I've been able to gather the reserves I'll be at are all jeeps no pop tops.
I think what it will end up coming down to is how good of a deal I can get on the cameras. I have a few months before I need to buy them so I can wait and see where pricing and new announcements go.
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I didn't see it mentioned yet (I could have missed it). I can't stress enough that you need to bring some good dust covers. Depending on the rain (which you can't really count on day to day), it can be incredibly dusty! Incredibly.
As for beanbags, you don't have to bring a full bean bag, most places (camps, lodges) will have beans for you to fill up.
As for lenses, we brought 300 2.8 and tele, and 400 2.8. In the Crater, you won't need anything more than that as most of the creatures will be close by. In the lands between the Crater and the Serengeti, you'll be able to get close enough. In the Serengeti proper, you'll need the longest reach you can get a hold of and carry on to airplanes to get the cats.
I've seen some commentary about shooting from the top of the land rover. The lower you can get, the closer to eye to eye you can get will provide a much better backdrop. If you're shooting down, the grass and dirt right behind the subjects will end up being a little too sharp and distracting.
As for beanbags, you don't have to bring a full bean bag, most places (camps, lodges) will have beans for you to fill up.
As for lenses, we brought 300 2.8 and tele, and 400 2.8. In the Crater, you won't need anything more than that as most of the creatures will be close by. In the lands between the Crater and the Serengeti, you'll be able to get close enough. In the Serengeti proper, you'll need the longest reach you can get a hold of and carry on to airplanes to get the cats.
I've seen some commentary about shooting from the top of the land rover. The lower you can get, the closer to eye to eye you can get will provide a much better backdrop. If you're shooting down, the grass and dirt right behind the subjects will end up being a little too sharp and distracting.
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We have been to Zambia, SA and Botswana a number of times on safari and there couple of things that you might need to bear in mind.
If you are travelling between camps using light aircraft there is usually a weight limit on bags. I know that recently Proflight in Zambia introduced a strict weight limit on their internal flights. A couple of bodies plus lenses, battery packs etc. soon build up the weight. worth checking with your travel agent.
I wouldn't bring a tripod, prefer a monopod. If you are sharing a vehicle with up to 6 guests, space is limited and tripods take up a lot of room. I find the monpod easier to use, especially if the jeep, land rover etc. is bouncing around. No tarmac roads I'm afread. A lot of the good lodges will supply bean bags.
If you can avoid changing lenses during the game drive then do so. Apart from the dust aspect it's much easier to have two bodies set up with different lenses so that you can swap at a moments notice. I have the 100-400 and find it only of use in good light and would tend to use my 70-200 f2.8 for the early dawn and dusk shots.
The light drops quite dramatically, especially on the equator.
If you are travelling between camps using light aircraft there is usually a weight limit on bags. I know that recently Proflight in Zambia introduced a strict weight limit on their internal flights. A couple of bodies plus lenses, battery packs etc. soon build up the weight. worth checking with your travel agent.
I wouldn't bring a tripod, prefer a monopod. If you are sharing a vehicle with up to 6 guests, space is limited and tripods take up a lot of room. I find the monpod easier to use, especially if the jeep, land rover etc. is bouncing around. No tarmac roads I'm afread. A lot of the good lodges will supply bean bags.
If you can avoid changing lenses during the game drive then do so. Apart from the dust aspect it's much easier to have two bodies set up with different lenses so that you can swap at a moments notice. I have the 100-400 and find it only of use in good light and would tend to use my 70-200 f2.8 for the early dawn and dusk shots.
The light drops quite dramatically, especially on the equator.
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Oh, sorry. And if you get a chance to see a cheetah hunt, put the camera down. We were given this advice, and I've never had a more awesome 10 second wildlife experience in my life and we've been lucky to see a lot. The evolution of the cheetah into a speed machine is incredible. You just won't believe how fast the move across a broken landscape. If you're looking though your lens, you'll never keep up and you'll miss it.
We hooked up with a couple of South African fellow shooting high speed camera gear I'd never seen before, they had been in the field for weeks and were still complaining that they hadn't managed to catch the 'chase' and 'knock-down'. These guys were pros, serious pros.
We hooked up with a couple of South African fellow shooting high speed camera gear I'd never seen before, they had been in the field for weeks and were still complaining that they hadn't managed to catch the 'chase' and 'knock-down'. These guys were pros, serious pros.
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watchman48 said:
Plan is to use the 70-200 during those times 100-400 in good light as you mentioned. I will be bringing a monopod or bean bag for the truck and a tripod for astro shots. We only take one inter country flight and it's on a decent size sa airways flight. All other transfers are by car.
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TrabimanUK
In the words of Brian Johnson - "Shoot to thrill!"
Chisox2335 said:
Be aware that SA ailines have an 8kg hand luggage allowance. It's a bit on the low side and you might have to be clever in your packing. If your wife / girlfriend is going, then load her handbag, as women get the 8kg hand luggage limit PLUS a handbag.
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