Hello All:

I just bought the Canon SX10 IS point and shoot with the 20x digital zoom for my upcoming safari to Botswana. When I bought it the folks at Best Buy said I could order a polarizing filter from Canon. Problem - Canon says they make no polarizing filter for that camera - no thread match. From reading the forums I thought a polarizing filter was pretty important. I do not want to hassle with an SLR. Is there another point and shoot with a great zoom and a polarizing filter? Or, is it best to stick with what I have and skip the polarizing filter. Not sure what to do. Help. Thanks.

Skip the polarizing filter - please. About the only time its useful is to take sky reflections away from water/lake surfaces. And for other special effects. Yes it will darken a blue sky - only if camera is 90 degrees perpendicular to the sun light direction. Landscape photographers use it. You don't need it on safari. Besides, a polarizer cuts down on the amount of light into the lens which is something you really don't want with this camera.

The SX10 is fine camera. We have used it parents the S2, S3, S5 for years. Here's a few Africa shots all taken with the S2. (No polarizer)
http://www.tomgraham.smugmug.com/gallery/2639469_bbCua
Practice a lot. Try its video capability, you might like it. Take lots of memory cards. A battery charger or lots of lithium AAs.

regards - tom

Thanks for the response - will skip polarizer. As for the batterys - I have the room in my bag, any reason not to take standard double AAs (just a lot of them)? I figure I will need a set a day (10 days 40 total). Will the Lithium do that much better?

Standard alkaline AA will get you maybe 50 shots, not sure, haven't used them in years. A set came with the camera, yes? Try them and let us know how many shots. You gotta play with that camera, here, now. So, yes, lithium AAs are much much better, probably 500 photos per set. Down side is the AA lithiums are around $10 per set of 4. I use, and most people use, rechargeable NiMH type. Will also cost about $10 per set and you need a recharger. Not all NiMH are the same. Get the Sanyo Eneloop if you go that route.

As for SD memory cards (since you didn't ask ), if you're doing only photos I'd use 2Gig cards. If also videos, 4Gigs. Best place I know to buy cards is on amazon.com, Kingston 2G cards $7 and 4G $12, sold by amazon (not another dealer), no sales tax, free shipping.

How many days until safari? (133 days for me)

regards - tom

I agree with Tom, don't bother with the polarising (British English spelling ) filter for wildlife. Focus on the animals and lighting.
Also, don't risk your ability to take photos by not having enough of the right sort of battery when you have spent so much time and money getting to Africa. I'd go with the lithium if you are not taking rechargable batteries. We also used 2 gb cards (stills only) and had lots of them so that if one died we didn't lose all our photos. We also backed up.

No days to count until planned safari!

Good Stuff - going to Amazon now. Will buy lithiums and experiment with regular AA - will get back to you. I have 57 days to go and this is my first trip - Botswana and Livingstone. Yahoo!

Laura