Discussion
I am off on safari in a little over 2 weeks. Have the nikon d80, originally on 18-135mm, and have just bought the nikon 70-300 (I am hping this will be enough, as was in budget!)
Lens also came with a polarising and UV filter
A little new to all this, and obviously want to make the most of any photos so I was wondering if anyone could offer advice on what filters to use, and so on, or may be point in the right direction for a website with all the advice already there?
Thanks
Lens also came with a polarising and UV filter
A little new to all this, and obviously want to make the most of any photos so I was wondering if anyone could offer advice on what filters to use, and so on, or may be point in the right direction for a website with all the advice already there?
Thanks
Well you've got fairly good kit in the most part. The best advice I can say is buy a head torch for the dark nights! And try and do a walking / cycling or horse back safari. You feel far more "in the environment rather than framing it through the windows of a defender. Don't spend ALL your time taking photos, allow you self time to soak it up.
Where you going? Should be Wildebeest migration through East Africa if you are round that way - an amasing spectacle. Prepare for fairly cold nights - esp. if you're going to southern africa and staying under canvas (It's coming into winter).
And don't forget to GET UP EARLY!
Seriously, you have to to get the most activity and morning light. This won't be too bad as it goes dark early.
Photography wise, keep the aperture fairly open (esp if the light levels are low in the morning) and take a bean bag or similar to rest on top of the roof of the vehicle and lean the lens on for support. Always ask the driver to turn the engine off to stop vibrations (they are usually pretty good at this), and get a driver who doesn't play beyonce really loud / shout at his mates in other jeeps / have an annoying ring tone etc etc (have had this before). Don't always shoot from the roof of the vehicle, try and shoot out the side windows - far too many amateur pics are ruined by pointing down ontop of the animals head! Take a rocket blower or similar to keep the dust off the lenses and sensor.
Where you going? Should be Wildebeest migration through East Africa if you are round that way - an amasing spectacle. Prepare for fairly cold nights - esp. if you're going to southern africa and staying under canvas (It's coming into winter).
And don't forget to GET UP EARLY!
Seriously, you have to to get the most activity and morning light. This won't be too bad as it goes dark early.
Photography wise, keep the aperture fairly open (esp if the light levels are low in the morning) and take a bean bag or similar to rest on top of the roof of the vehicle and lean the lens on for support. Always ask the driver to turn the engine off to stop vibrations (they are usually pretty good at this), and get a driver who doesn't play beyonce really loud / shout at his mates in other jeeps / have an annoying ring tone etc etc (have had this before). Don't always shoot from the roof of the vehicle, try and shoot out the side windows - far too many amateur pics are ruined by pointing down ontop of the animals head! Take a rocket blower or similar to keep the dust off the lenses and sensor.
Thanks for that - found a few sites and they have all mentioned bean bags. To me, a bean bag is a big bugger, so I guess you mean just a small probably hand held one?
Going to sala's camp in the masai. I think its a little pre migration but it was the only time we could make it, but hopefully we will still see our fair share of sights!
Going to sala's camp in the masai. I think its a little pre migration but it was the only time we could make it, but hopefully we will still see our fair share of sights!
Yup, small hand held one, about the size of a jiffy bag you might send a CD in. If you don't want the size / weight carrying it out there you can always take a smal fabric pocket / sock / pretty much anything and fill it lentils / rice etc when you get out there. It's a good excuse to visit an African Supermarket! Guard with AK47 on the door, lots of crazy stuff inside!
You might be okay on the migration - I saw it in June in the Serengeti a couple of years ago, though don't think it was the full shebang. IIRC it starts north and works south?
You might be okay on the migration - I saw it in June in the Serengeti a couple of years ago, though don't think it was the full shebang. IIRC it starts north and works south?
With the 70-300 if you use the polariser, at 300mm you will probably lose autofocus capability. This is because the autofocus requires more than f/8 "worth" of light getting through the lens which you wont get with an f/5.6 lens + polariser.
At least this was the case on my old D70 - I don't know the specifics of the D80 but I suspect this is still true...
It's not a big deal but can catch you out when you find you suddenly can't focus but don't know why!
At least this was the case on my old D70 - I don't know the specifics of the D80 but I suspect this is still true...
It's not a big deal but can catch you out when you find you suddenly can't focus but don't know why!
For the Masi Mara do watch out for cheetahs. You can normally get close as they really do not seem to mind the vehicles. A good driver is worth their weight in gold.
Also do not forget to take the 18-125 and polariser with you during the day. Some of the landscapes you can get are great because it's such a vast wide open space.
Your guides will tell you what is out and about and if you are hittign one of the migration times. if so do try and get to the river which is near the border of Kenya and Tanzania as this is a popular wildebeest crossing / crocodile area.
Lots of the guides think all you are interested in is the Big 5 but if you want to also looks at the vultures and other raptors or bee eaters don't be afraid to say so as they guys really want you to enjoy yourselves and thereby earn good tips.
Final tip, take lots of memory space, you'll shoot way more than you think you will
Chris
Also do not forget to take the 18-125 and polariser with you during the day. Some of the landscapes you can get are great because it's such a vast wide open space.
Your guides will tell you what is out and about and if you are hittign one of the migration times. if so do try and get to the river which is near the border of Kenya and Tanzania as this is a popular wildebeest crossing / crocodile area.
Lots of the guides think all you are interested in is the Big 5 but if you want to also looks at the vultures and other raptors or bee eaters don't be afraid to say so as they guys really want you to enjoy yourselves and thereby earn good tips.
Final tip, take lots of memory space, you'll shoot way more than you think you will
Chris
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