Camera
 

Does anyone have advice on what camera to buy for our Kenya safari----probably in the entry level to mid level SLR?

I think primarily it would depend on your budget and sophistication as a camera user (i.e., do you need the more advanced features of a higher-end DSLR body). Keep in mind that you will want a pretty long lens for a safari, and my advice would be to make sure your budget puts most of your dollars into high-quality lenses-- it won't do you much good to buy a great camera if you don't have the appropriate lenses.

A popular combo for beginners is the Canon Digital Rebel XTi and EF100-400L lens, which is what I use. You can see our results with that combo at www.pbase.com/cwillis. If you prefer Nikon, a comparable setup would be the Nikon D40X or D80 and the Nikon 80-400VR lens. In either case you would also want a shorter lens for landscapes or people shots, like the Canon 17-85. There are lots of lens choices, but for a serious beginner I think the 100-400 or 80-400 are the best choices for a safari lens.

If you give us more detail about your budget and priorities you will get more helpful advice, I suspect. Camera and lens selection gets discussed on this forum a great deal, and doing a seach will find you many threads where several of us go on at great length about this issue.

Chris

Abbyo,
If you do a search above you'll find at least 10 long threads about cameras. When I was looking for one, that's what I did and learned a lot.

I went the easy option and bought a Cannon PowerShot S3IS. Auto everything and 12X Optical lens. It uses AA batteries and uses the same cards that my smaller pocket Cannon takes so anything I buy is interchangeable. It was perfect for me.

enjoy,
Duane

Cheaper SLR, Canon 400XTI with EF 70-300 f4/5.6 IS USM lens.

Mid range Canon 30D with 100-400L lens.

Both the above lenses are image stabilised so will be a big help.

You can also consider a used 20D which almost same quality and spec as a 30D with a smaller LCD. These can be picked at bargain prices today.

The 100-400L is high quality lens and will do well on the XTi also but a it pricey.

Canon also has much better high ISO performance which makes it much better for wildlife photography where often one is shooting in early morning and late evening low light conditions.

Nope, short answer, you want the new Canon S5, $500.
regards - tom

Hi

Canon S5 is a very good camera and the 4x opt zoom would give you a range of 35mm - 432mm zoom (in 35mm format), however it is not a SLR and lenses cannot be changed.

Granted, so why does it have to be an SLR and why do I have to change lenses? The 12x (not 4x) optical zoom covers just about any reasonable range for safari photos. (The exceptions being birds or wide angle landscapes).
regards - tom

Jim, who is a die-hard SLR fan, bought the Nikon DS70 last year - he LOVES it - he loves to change lenses, shoot on manual settings, etc.

When my trusty film camera broke on last year's safari, and I knew I had to bite the bullet and buy a digital, I chose - because of the great feedback from this board - the Panasonic FZ50 - and I LOVE it!

I had three things in mind when I bought it - a long lens with which to bring the lion into the van (Jim's brings the flies into the van....); easy to use (no fuss no bother with settings) and to fit in a purse. Well, the purse has to be a little bigger but, it fits!

It's a fabulous camera, and even Jim - who wanted me to buy a Nikon body so we could share lenses admitted even before we went on safari, it is a good versatile camera.

I didn't care to change lenses if I knew the one on it was a powerful enough one - and it is (12 x or equiv to 400 mm) (I think - don't quote me on that equivalent...)

Any advice for a non-DSLR camera, just a regular digital? I'm not a great photographer and the DSLRs are a bit too much for me...size and bulkiness and for teh $$, i'll never use it again.

I've looked at teh Nikon coolpix and Canon SD800, that's a wide angle, but would like to know if someone has used a regular digitial and been happy with their shots?

Thanks,

Heather

Problem with a "regular" digital is the time lag. If your subject moves at all...blur.

Heather, I hit post to quickly....

Cary's suggestion is probably a good one for you.

Btw, I have the Canon SD900, think that's the number, and while I love it for certain situations, I believe it would be useless on safari due to the time lag and the relatively miniscule zoom.

On our very first safari, September 2005, Carolyn and I both used the Canon S2 (predecessor to the S5). Here's just a few photos using that camera.
http://tinyurl.com/377m5w
Amazon has the Canon S3 for $304, no tax, free shipping.
regards - tom
ps - FWIW I no longer use the S2, use Nikon DSLRs but that is because I'm a photo geek.

Thanks for hte advice...i'm going to check out hte canon S2..its available at circuit city for $300.

Thanks,

Heather