Marc

I will be on a short safari in Botswana and was wondering what photography equipment would be best. <BR><BR>I'm not much of a photographer and currently only own a point-and-shoot 35mm camera (albeit a good one with a 140mm zoom).<BR><BR>I have a couple of questions:<BR>1. Is it foolish not to bring an SLR camera with zoom lens, etc.? <BR><BR>2. Does bringing a digital camcorder make sense, to capture everything in moving detail, as opposed to just picture format?<BR><BR>3. Is there any significant advantage in at least bring a digital camera, instead of my 35mm? By this I mean does the safari aspect lend itself to using a digital vs. analog camera?<BR><BR><BR>Thanks,<BR><BR>Marc.

kavey

Can I recommend you look through the answers on the following thread:<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=4&amp;tid=34383831&amp;numrespo nses=13&amp;start=0&amp;searchText=camera<BR><BR>A nd then if you have any additional questions I am sure many of us here would be happy to try and help.<BR><BR>As for digicam - we took both. I took my SLR for the stills and my husband took a new digital camcorder which we bought for the trip to Africa. We'd bought it sufficiently in advance to practice on an earlier trip to Madeira so he was confident in its use.<BR><BR>Whilst I'd admit to not watching it regularly or stuff I can't tell you how pleased I am to have that footage.<BR><BR>Kavey

Marc

Thank you for your reply. <BR><BR>However, the thread you mentioned didn't really address my concerns which I described in my original post.<BR><BR><BR>

kavey

No not entirely but as I said it would have given you a lot on SLRs.<BR><BR>Only you can decide whether, having read those comments about SLRS, you feel you should take one or stick with your compact.<BR><BR>Regarding digital - if you go for digital you need a camera which can still cope with low light situations, and can save at high resolution - if you do capture the special photo you will want to blow it up and frame it. Well maybe you will. I did.<BR><BR>Already answered the bit about the digital camcorder, above.<BR><BR>I don't know that a safari lends itself to either film or digital.<BR><BR>Advantages of film - no recharge of batteries each night (though this is easy to do in most lodges) and no emptying of storage cards onto another storage device (either that or buy LOADS of large size cards). <BR><BR>Disadvantages of film - dust can get in when changing films. Hard to decide what ISO to use (can be changed on whim on digital).<BR><BR>Does that help?

ellen

Definitely take the SLR and a 300mm lens would be terrific if you can afford one. I had only my point and shoot and wished I had taken the SLR with the long lens. My roomate and all those with the long lenses got fabulous pictures. The animals are close, but not that close especially the birds. I have no experience with digital, but from what I know you would have to have the really high resolution to get good enlargements. ASA 200 is fine depending on the lens brghtness. Beware of dust.