Latest Advice on Gorilla Photo Gear?
 

HI,
I have read all of the olderposts on photo gear used for shooting Gorillas. I am wondering if there is any new info. I use a Canon 30D with a 10D as back up and have a 70- 200 f2.8 IS lens and a 24 - 105 f4 IS lens. Am I okay with these? Also, I was th inking of getting a P & S as lastyear there were times when I would have like a less obtrusive camera and am thi ning about one of the little Canons. which woudl one choose for best all around use? and what about a video cam? Any input will be most welcome. I am not going til next august but want to get myself "more than ready" ....Ha! thanks for your help...again!
rhoda

I have no experience with photographing Gorilla's, but I think 200mm can be a little short.
Since your lens is F2.8 you could use an extender to increase tele..

Hi-- I've had great results in Rwanda with the Canon 70-200 2.8 L IS. On cloudy rainy Virunga days, shooting can be problematic with anything but a 2.8. If I were you I would get a 2.8 for your shorter range lens as well. The gorillas are generally close-- sometimes VERY close-- so a very long lens is really not needed. Carry 2 camera bodies if possible, each shielded with a rain cover. If you feel the need for a longer focal length, take the 100-400 5.6 L IS-- I have used it on gorillas treks on bright overcast and sunny days with great results. Good solid waterproof boots are a must-- get the best you can afford and make sure that they are comfortable and padded for trekking. Take as many CF cards as you can afford, preferably no higher than 2GB per card-- in case a card goes bad on you, you have lost less info. I use the Extreme III cards and haven't had a problem yet. I back everything up on DVD via the Delkin DVD Burnaway and also backed up all files on the nifty Flashtrax XT ( 80 gb)portable hard drive with pop up viewing screen. The flashtrax saves your laptop from too much work on safari-- pamper your laptop at all times in the field and use it sparingly ( I use it to make sure that all of my DVDs are burned properly-- I don't do much editing in the field.) Make sure that you have all necessary adapters and allow yourself plenty of time in the evening for workflow as it can be time consuming. Most of all-- have fun!!

I should add-- be sure to hire a porter when you arrive at the starting point of your trek ( local village). The money spent is well worth it as a lot of gear can get awfully heavy at altitude-- the porters never seem to be the least bit fatigued or out of breath. I paid mine $15 per trek.

Hire your own driver/vehicle if possible-- the side trips after the treks are as fascinating as the gorillas ( well, almost). My driver Ammon via Volcanoes Safaris (www.volcanoessafaris.com )was flawless.

Be sure to catch the dancing of the Intore at some point-- wonderful photos ops. And do a golden monkey trek if you get a chance-- a great opportunity to see this rare Virunga endemic.

Stay at the spectacular Virunga Lodge if possible-- I did and had a marvelous time. Everything was first rate with wonderful food, service, and room ( private banda.) The view is one of the most awe-inspiring in Africa-- with a 360 degree view of volcanos Muhabura, Gahinga, Sabinyo, Bisoke, and Karasimbe-- plus the volcanic lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. There is a dancing school for the Intore on the grounds and the performances are fantastic!

I had the same questions prior to my treks in PNV (we were there over Christmas) and ended up having a 70-200 on one and a 24-120 VR on the other. We also brought a point and shoot for taking quick pictures on the trail (didn't want the SLRs out of our packs during the main trek) and also because it's difficult to give a complicated camera to someone else for "here, take a picture of me with the gorillas in the background" shots. We also used the point and shoot for video (and capturing audio).

We got good pictures from both cameras, but the 70-200 lens is far superior. We shot about 2500 images, using an Epson P2000 to back up cards each night (and look at the images we shot that day). I've posted a few images here

http://tinyurl.com/y5c4m8

When we've been to Kenya and Tanzania we've used an 80-400 and the 70-200 with a 2x teleconverter. These worked great when offroading was permitted, but when confined to the road they sometimes fell short.

I'll second the recommendation for good boots - and over the ankle kind. I splurged (Asolo Stynger's) and it was money well spent. Also don't forget to protect yourself from the nettles - long sleeves, something other than nylon pants, and gardening gloves.

My last piece of advice is to do more than one trek if possible. We booked two thinking "what if it rains one day" or worse, "what if we don't see them one one of the days". As it turned out, it didn't rain and we saw two different groups, and the experience was just as thrilling (and unique) if not more so on the second day.

I posted this to another thread, but I can't remember which one. I think it's been said already but here's my hint about photographing the great apes:

I just returned from 5 gorilla trackings in late December 2006. I tracked the Amahoro and Hirwa groups at VNP, Rwanda and the Nkuringo group from Mgahinga Lodge and the Habinyanja and Rushegura groups at Bwindi, Uganda. You're supposed to keep a 7 meter distance, but the gorillas came within inches from us many times. You don't need a big lens. However, the lighting can be difficult. One group was hidden inside a sort of enclosure surrounded by thick bamboo, another hidden in the trees by branches and leaves. When the sun comes through the jungle it's very bright in spots, but only where it can penetrate the foliage. However, with 5 trackings as insurance I got many good shots. I use a Lumix FZ30, which to me is the perfect solution. It's very easy to switch internal lenses as needed. People with all their lenses missed many good opportunities fiddling with these things. The porters cannot go to the gorillas with you, but stay behind with your packs when you meet up with the trackers, who take you to the gorillas. You cannot take a backpack when seeing the gorillas. I think people with pocket cameras got better shots. It's all you need. The gorillas tend to be higher in the trees during the dry season when the fruit is ripe. Right now when it's wet they eat bamboo and "salad" which grows on the ground. We saw them in the trees too, but they weren't very high up and also sitting on top of low growing bushes.
The chimps however were high up in the trees eating iron-wood seeds and there you would need a long lens. The lighting offered similar challenges to the gorillas. Are you also tracking chimps? I saw them at Chambura aka Kyambura Gorge and also in the Kaniyo Pabidi in the Budongo Forest, both in Uganda. I hope this helps.

Great pictures Toshi

<i>My last piece of advice is to do more than one trek if possible. </i>

Definitely agreed. The first day you may be more worried about pics, video, etc. the second day you can relax and enjoy. And with 2 different groups the experience will be completely different

I agree--2 treks if at all possible. With nature I don't like having only one shot at something.

My 70-200 was perfect. The 300 lens was often too much in my opinion.

I like your idea of the P&amp;S. I went to one with 12x zoom and image stabilization and am very happy with it.

As my hubby is sitting here trying to find out info about lenses he is firing a few questions at me that I might ask here! I have been telling him what lenses are mentioned here but he asks what camera as the sensor size will change what zoom that lens &quot;really&quot; is. Also I thought I read somewhere about a monopod but can't find it again. Any thoughts on whether or not this is a feesable thing. We will have 2 treks in Rwanda in Feb.

Thanks J

I have a monopod walking stick, it looks like a ski pole, that I brought along. You're not supposed to take any walking sticks with you to the gorillas, but when I showed the guide it was my monopod and I really needed the support, he let me take it along. Honestly, it was a hindrance not a help, as the terraine was so steep that I couldn't really manage with it. REI sells these monopod walking sticks. They are the telescoping kind and you can pack them in your duffel for the flight.

Wow! thqanks for all the food info. I will be doing 3 treks in august 2007. I will get the good boots and rain covers for my camera gear. what does anyone suggst for the best little point and shot camera. I have a 30D &amp; 10D with lenses and onverter bnut will need to get the snappy happy camera. and what about video? any thoughts?
I am supposed to satay the Gov's Camp new lodge (Silverback Lodge) at the foot of the Virunga's but so far don't know exactly whent it is opening. I have a car and driver getting me up to Rhuhengeri the dqay before. do you think I should just hire a car and driver for the entire 4 - 5 days? What side trips did anyone take after treking? I am so excited I can't stand it. And what are the best nettle proof clothes to wear?