one2travel

Hi all...

I'm finalizing a trip to Botswana and Zambia in May 2008 visiting some of the Kwando camps.

I'm curious about the type of equipment you take to Africa. I'm not asking about brand specifics but media type - video and digital.

When I went to Tanzania in 2002, I was still using a film camera. I have since gone to a digital SLR.

That said, I'm curious to find out what percentage of you also take a video camera. There is a good deal right now on a Canon ZR830 (@$200) and I was wondering if it was wise to have a video camera just in case. Note I am going solo so don't know how well the logistics will work out.

As you can imagine I'm concerned because there is a weight limit on the transfers between Kwando camps.

I would appreciate any tips including how you handle recharging batteries, how many batteries do you have with you while on safari, do you charge at home so you are ready to go when you get to Africa, media storage tips. Any help is most appreciated....

Thanks a lot.

Deb

napamatt

I was on safari with a solo traveller who had both, including a lot of DSLT kit. He would primarily use the SLR, then switch to video to record action, sounds etc, once he'd got stills. Video batteries generally last for a long time and most camps can recharge them while you are out. I dont know this camera, I tote a pretty big Sony with three batteries, each has 10 hours of life, its rare that I even switch to a second battery, let alone a third. So two batteries, a charger and you're good.

Matt

jenbertoni

Dear napmatt,

i too have a sony and am wondering about the 10 hour batter you have. I just purchased one and it has yet to arrive so i dont know how well it will work (its not sony brand). Would you mind posting the brand and batter number when you get a chance? Thanks!

And one2travel, i have not gone on my trip yet, but you better believe im bringin both. Most of my weight allowance will go to my electronics. hey, id rather pack less clothes and be able to capture the memories! Even if i dont use one or the other much, i know ill be glad to have it. or you could always just bring tons of memory or a memory storage device and use your digi for video as well.

cary999

I take/use both DSLR and video camera. I prefer to take photos but family and friends would rather see video IF of decent quality and edited (and I do mean edited a lot !!!!)

regards - tom

mistadobalina

A lot of digital cameras have built-in video capability. It's obviously not as good as having a dedicated video camera, but I was pleasantly surprised at the quality.

The major advantage of this is not only less equipment (and thus less weight), but also ease of taking video. On my recent trip, all I had to do in switching from stills to video was hit a little red button on my camera to start, and hit it again to stop. Given that I was already holding the camera, this was a piece of cake.

If you want to get an idea of quality, I have some of my videos embedded in my travel diary here:

http://www.justinandcrystal.com/Africa/

I think the statistics are 640x480 at 30 frames per second. In TV lingo, this translates to 480i, or the quality of standard definition television (regular DVDs being 480p, HD being 720p or 1080i, and HD-DVD and Blu-Ray being 1080p).

ShayTay

Definitely take a video camera! I use both my still camera and video camera while on safari. Yes, you can do both.

TravlinFool

I used a camera with built in video capability. I was pretty disappointed with the quality of the photographs I took, but the videos turned out great. They captured the experience much better than my lame photography. Even with the extra weight, I think you'll be happy to have a video camera.

MisterAviator

Definitely go with the video camera. Those very affordable Canon models are quite good. I used a Canon ZR video camera to shoot the following video on my safari last year to Namibia. Here's a brief sample:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZGkEwRnhM0

basingstoke2

Some of the non SLR digital camera video is quite good and will allow you choose a frame(s) from the video as a still. Built-in super zoom is also available. While not quite as good as a dedicated video or some of the DSLRs, they are cheap and easy to carry and have their advantages. For example, the Kodak Z812 can be found for under $250, has 12X optical zoom with IS that can be used in the movie mode, captures video in an MPEG format at 1024x720 @ 30fps, and "stereo" sound.

nyc_caniche

mistadobalina,
I loved the link to your photos and videos. They are amazing. If mine come out half as good when I go to Tanzania in March 08 I will be very pleased.

Could you please tell me what kind of camera you were using?

Thank you again for sharing your trip, photos and videos.
Roberta

mistadobalina

Roberta,

Thanks for the kind words. I had a Canon S2 and S3, and my wife had a Canon A710. All are point and shoot, and cost less than $300. So it was just more proximity and volume (you're seeing only the good photos) than skill (much as I'd like to take credit).

Have fun in Tanzania!

Fabio

definitely take both !!

pics are nice but nothing can be compared to a 4 lions roar in the night and 2 lion cubs playing together among the sand !