AlisaAAM

Opening a can of worms here (hopefully in a good way!)...

My husband and I are planning a Botswana visit for July or August 2011. We are finally going to be upgrading our old film SLR with digital equipment in the next few months. I'm interested to know what general style of lenses (aperture and focal length) folks have found most helpful to have with them on safari. I HATE carrying around a ton of lenses and needing to swap them out constantly. Any advice?

Cateyes555

You could consider the relatively new mega zoom cameras, such as the Canon SX series (there are other brands/models as well). They are moderately priced ($400-500 USD) and zoom to the equivalent of a 500mm lens. While I don't think they are quite as good (for the very serious photographer) as a more expensive digital SLR and a variety of lenses, they strike a happy medium, both in cost and in not lugging around a lot of camera equipment.

ShayTay

I switched from a Canon Digital Rebel XT with interchangeable lenses to the Canon SX-10 IS last year. I also have a separate Sony HD video camera, although the Canon shoots video, as well. I was tired of lugging around all that weight, two camera bodies with lenses, etc. I've been pleased with the results, but had to get used to a couple of things. First, the eye-level viewfinder is in reality a small TV screen, so you're not looking through the lens. Second, was the lag time after taking a photo before I could shoot another one. I think I could have offset that by using the "Sport" setting, though. The newer version is the Canon SX-20 IS, which shoots HD video, has a 20X zoom lens (about the equivalent of the 560mm lens), and image stabilization, all important on safari. To me, videos are more fun on safari than still shots.

cary999

Re read what ShayTay says, she is right on and sums it up perfectly. The new cameras wither super zoom or digital SLR are a lot different than your film SLR. Spend time in a store playing with each type before you decide. You have time. What do I use? Some of each, really

regards - tom

AlisaAAM

Thanks for the advice. I never would have considered something like that, but in reading a few reviews, it definitely looks like it might work well for us, especially as a second, lighter weight, and easier to transport camera. We do a ton of backpacking as well, so that would be great for a setting like this. We currently been using a Nikon (always both been Nikon photographers!) DSLR that really belongs to the school newspaper that my husband advises, but we take it into custody for the summer months.

ld1

I ended up with a Canon SX1 IS to take to Botswana and I loved it! The HD video fooage and sound quality are amazing from what is essetially a fancy point and shoot camera. The
downside to the camera is that still photos at night are not great (video quality is better in low light than stills) and as the camera takes normal AA batteries I had to carry three sets of batteries on holiday. Generally though the battery life was ok, getting a full day of activities off one set of batteries.

mkhonzo

I recommend two lenses 1) 17 - 55 mm f2.8 2) 70 - 200 mm f2.8

Carry a body that takes 10 Mpixels and you are in good photographic shape. Challenge is going to be changing lenses without gathering dust on the prism and sensor.

Carry a sand bag.

ShayTay

AlisaAAM, I wouldn't have done it a few years ago, either, but the quality of the photos are just fine for me (perhaps even a bit better than what I had before.) I love having that 20x zoom; I had been shooting with a 300mm zoom lens on the Rebel XT. A pro photographer shooting RAW would no doubt want a regular DSLR, but I'm happy with this setup. Nikon makes a Coolpix P100, but the reviews have been lukewarm on the photo and video quality.

I took three sets of rechargeable batteries and rotated them. Just don't forget to charge 'em at night! I only did that once... I think I may take a set of regular AAs for backup this year. Id1, I don't think Canon is selling the SX1 any more; I assume that the SX-20 took the place of that one as well as the SX-10.

AKR1

See this thread here and my camera choice for Safari.
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...nia-safari.cfm

ld1

The sx1 is widely available in the uk. I only bought mine in dec and it's still available online. Its slightly more expensive than the sx20 but the spec is almost identical accept it shoots 4 frame per second instead of 1 for the sx20 and has a few extra techie things I don't understand. On safari I liked that the screen folds out and twists around for difficult angles. It's also useful that it's covered and so being bumped around in a jeep won't damage the screen. Rubbish lens cover though - i'd lost it by day two !

TC

Lots of discussion and information on this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...oom-a-must.cfm

atravelynn

I'm glad you have been persuaded to consider a high end P&S. Technology really has improved the average person's ability to take pictures. And you're probably way above average.

ld1's comment of "rubbish lens cover" is why you may wish to just get an extra or two at the outset. I did.

ld1

I think I'd have lost all spare covers as well! II ended up using a spectacles cleaning cloth and hair band as a cover and I'm going to stick with it as I managed not to lose it for the rest of the trip

ShayTay

You can use a lens cap leash, which you can get at any camera shop. You stick one end on the cap and put an elastic band around the lens... works well, I've found.