Kenya, monopod, Sigma 150-500 and backpack
Discussion
I just finished my trip to Kenya and being slightly bored in the hotel, I thought I'll share some thoughts and photos from it.
Shooting animals is my bread and butter but the LIFE I'm used to is less WILD
First lesson was that no lens is too long for Africa. I bought Sigma 150-500 especially for this trip and it was very useful over my longest 70-200mm.
I'm generally pleased with the image quality, especially considering that it's only around £600. I think it's a great value for money lens. I did have to change my mindset from easily handheld 70-200mm f/2.8 to 500mm at f/6.3 though. It does require much more work to get the shot.
I knew I will need some sort of support, carrying a massive tripod was out of question for me so I settled on a monopod, again I never had the need for one before.
I bought a travel carbon fibre one from Manfrotto with 498RC2 Large head, but I think I would be ok with the medium size one. I tried to shoot from a car whenever I could during safaris but I learnt that at 500mm even engine vibrations make the difference so it's always better to get out and use a monopod when possible.
One more thing re gear: I needed something bigger to carry my gear than my beloved Hadley Pro Large so I went shopping few days before leaving and found an amazing snowboarding rucksack from Quicksilver reduced to £39 from £150! The insert from Hadley bag fits ok at the bottom of the rucksack allowing me to store and carry comfortably either:
1DX with 150-500mm attached WITH hood and 5D with 70-200mm with hood for shooting time, very easily accessible from the top, just open the zip and pull out whichever camera necessary with lens cap off and hood already attached
or in hand luggage mode I managed to squeeze in there: 1DX with 150-500mm (hoods inverted this time of course), 5D with 70-200mm, Sigma 35mm, Canon 8-15mm, 15" Macbook Pro, Sony Action Cam, Canon S120, 5d charger, macbook charger, sunglasses, passport, credit cards, business cards, headphones, big packet of M&Ms and a copy of Evening Standard
WoofSnap Photography-768 by WoofSnap, on Flickr
WoofSnap Photography-776 by WoofSnap, on Flickr
(luckily Kenya Airways doesn't limit the weight of carry on! My checked in luggage was probably lighter!)
And now for the photos, it's like choosing your favourite child so best just see the whole set on Flickr:
Kenya by WoofSnap, on Flickr
Kenya by WoofSnap, on Flickr
Kenya by WoofSnap, on Flickr 
Kenya by WoofSnap, on Flickr
Kenya by WoofSnap, on Flickr
Kenya by WoofSnap, on Flickr
Kenya by WoofSnap, on Flickr
Kenya by WoofSnap, on Flickr
Kenya by WoofSnap, on Flickr
Kenya by WoofSnap, on Flickr
Kenya by WoofSnap, on Flickr
Kenya by WoofSnap, on Flickr
Shooting animals is my bread and butter but the LIFE I'm used to is less WILD
First lesson was that no lens is too long for Africa. I bought Sigma 150-500 especially for this trip and it was very useful over my longest 70-200mm.
I'm generally pleased with the image quality, especially considering that it's only around £600. I think it's a great value for money lens. I did have to change my mindset from easily handheld 70-200mm f/2.8 to 500mm at f/6.3 though. It does require much more work to get the shot.
I knew I will need some sort of support, carrying a massive tripod was out of question for me so I settled on a monopod, again I never had the need for one before.
I bought a travel carbon fibre one from Manfrotto with 498RC2 Large head, but I think I would be ok with the medium size one. I tried to shoot from a car whenever I could during safaris but I learnt that at 500mm even engine vibrations make the difference so it's always better to get out and use a monopod when possible.
One more thing re gear: I needed something bigger to carry my gear than my beloved Hadley Pro Large so I went shopping few days before leaving and found an amazing snowboarding rucksack from Quicksilver reduced to £39 from £150! The insert from Hadley bag fits ok at the bottom of the rucksack allowing me to store and carry comfortably either:
1DX with 150-500mm attached WITH hood and 5D with 70-200mm with hood for shooting time, very easily accessible from the top, just open the zip and pull out whichever camera necessary with lens cap off and hood already attached
or in hand luggage mode I managed to squeeze in there: 1DX with 150-500mm (hoods inverted this time of course), 5D with 70-200mm, Sigma 35mm, Canon 8-15mm, 15" Macbook Pro, Sony Action Cam, Canon S120, 5d charger, macbook charger, sunglasses, passport, credit cards, business cards, headphones, big packet of M&Ms and a copy of Evening Standard
WoofSnap Photography-768 by WoofSnap, on FlickrWoofSnap Photography-776 by WoofSnap, on Flickr(luckily Kenya Airways doesn't limit the weight of carry on! My checked in luggage was probably lighter!)
And now for the photos, it's like choosing your favourite child so best just see the whole set on Flickr:
Kenya by WoofSnap, on FlickrKenya by WoofSnap, on FlickrKenya by WoofSnap, on Flickr Kenya by WoofSnap, on FlickrKenya by WoofSnap, on FlickrKenya by WoofSnap, on FlickrKenya by WoofSnap, on FlickrKenya by WoofSnap, on FlickrKenya by WoofSnap, on FlickrKenya by WoofSnap, on FlickrKenya by WoofSnap, on FlickrKenya by WoofSnap, on FlickrRobDickinson said:
Wow ace series will come back for a proper look on the PC later.
Is the monopod head a monopod specific one? They are aparently Better
Thanks Is the monopod head a monopod specific one? They are aparently Better
No idea re the head, that's what they recommended for a monopod/1dx/150-500mm combo. It did the job fine but I still find using Manfrotto quick release plate one handedly on a monopod while holding a big camera with a big lens a PITA.
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