barnetda

I was in Zambia last week in the lower Zambezi.

We saw Leopards on every one of the 5 game drives we did.

Here is my favourite photo:

http://djbarnett.smugmug.com/gallery/1584115/1/86491225

afrigalah

Lovely shot, David. I wouldn't mind at all if this was mine. How close were you and what focal length were you using?

John

barnetda

Thanks for the kind words John.

We were i guess 25-35 feet away. We watched the leopard stalk 2 impalas and then leave them before climbing a tree above our vehicle and proceed to sleep for 45 mins!

The shot was taken at 1/60 at F6

ISO 1000

200mm focal length

nikon d2h with a 80-200 2.8 lens.

David

africaddict

Good shot AND good choice of cameras David, I have the D2Hs + 70-200 VR f/2.8. Will be taking this combo (+17-55 f/2.8 & 1.7 TC conv)with us to Zambia next Sept for 2 weeks in SLNP. Did you find you were needing any longer reach?

Cheers
Marc

afrigalah

David,

I'm impressed with what I've read about that camera (I'm a Canon person, still on film).

Handy distance for 300mm equiv with that size cat-- no cropping needed. I dislike cropping, though I'll do it if I need to.

John

barnetda

Africaaddict:
Thats a really nice set up.

I had the 80-200 2.8 and my 18-200 with me. I also used a 1.4 convertor for some shots.
I think if i had my time again i would buy either the 70-200 vr that you haveor the 80-400.
We idnt really need the extra reach but i would have liked to get close into the subject and get more detail.

Game viewing was exceptional , I am sure you will love it.

David

barnetda

afrigalah: I adislike cropping as well but sometimes its needed of course.

My big error was not taking my monopod or tripod with me. I didnt think about the low light situations nor did i think about camera shake during the day with my heavyish 80-200 2.8

Next time its a monopod for sure.

David

africaddict

David
Were your safaris in vehicles or walking?
Did you take or use a SB 600/800 with you?
I'm doing a combination of both and will take a bean bag + monopod for the walking safaris.
Cheers
Marc

barnetda

Marc

we werein the vehicle all the time.

I did use a sb600.

I just wish i had taken my monopod . I did manage tio borrow a beanbag for some shots.

afrigalah

David,

I'm never without my mono or a beanbag in or out of the vehicle, even with my IS lenses (prime and zoom)...especially important with slow film of course, but I sometimes wonder how important when you can rack up the ISO on a digital camera. Depends on both the light level and the weight of the lens I guess. My wife often sets high ISO with her digitals (EOS 1D II and 5D) and still uses a mono a lot of the time with long lenses.

John

barnetda

John:

you are totally right. I now think the monopod and bean bag are as important as the lens!