camera question

H

Hornin Hong Kong

1,000+ Posts
im going on a horseback safari in africa and want a camera.

I currently have one of those canon cameras like the size of a deck of cards which is nice but want something better for the safari and for the future with like, lenses etc.

I need something reasonably compact that can bounce around a bit. Any ideas?
 
I've been happy with Nikon D80. D200 is basically same camera with sturdier body, might be worth it to you if you bouncing it around alot.
 
This is Hornin we're talking about, of course he can afford it!
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I have that lens and the same NIkon mentioned earlier...it went through luggage check by accident in my backpack one time and came out without a scratch.

The VR feature really is great, I've taken pic in a car going 70 and the pictures still came out in focus and sharp. It's a really great do it all lens.
 
I would also check out the Sony Alpha series of cameras. The VR is built into the body not the lenses so that adds flexibility in choosing lenses. Also, it was built off of minoltas old lines so a lot of the old Minolta AF lenses work which also gives you a lot of choices in good lenses for a good price.

I know there are die hard Nikon vs Canon camps, but Sony is upcoming.
 
There are a lot of considerations: you can afford it, so get a Canon or Nikon. There is more choice of good lenses. I like Canon.
You will be getting a body and one or more lenses. How heavy a weight are you willing to carry? The top of the line bodies are heavy, made for professional journalists, and can survive a fair amount of abuse-dropping, etc. They may also have more features which require some time to master.
Image stabilization lenses used to sap batteries fairly rapidly, a consideration if you are out in the middle of nowhere.
Good glass-the picture is made with good lenses, and animals may not be as close as you would like-a good telephoto, like a Canon 400 2.8 would be nice out there, and you could have a 2x multiplier and a 1.4 multiplier to get really long range shots (you lose one or two f stops of light gathering ability with a multiplier, which is a factor in dim light conditions).
Another consideration is theft-out in the field, with a $2000 camera body, a $6000 lens, and a few hundred in accessories, that is a lot of equipment that thieves might find very attractive. Think about that as well. I go bird watching down on the border, and illegals are often seen traipsing through the nature preserves. Some photographers are carrying more than $10k in equipment out there. Somewhat scary at times.
Or you might compromise on one lens only, like a good zoom lens, but might consider 28-300 for out in the field.
Check the weight, ask about the battery life, make sure you have the time and inclination to master all the settings.
You might be happier with a Canon Rebel setup. Good camera which would do the job.
 
while the 400 2.8 is a damn sweet lens, it's going to be very impractical on the back of a horse. it weighs about 11 lbs. i'm a nikon user, but sometimes wish i started with canon (i've used a canon in studio shoots and i enjoyed it). i bought my first slr when i was going to costa rica. i used an 18-200 lens that was a real POS. i was still able to come out with some good pics, and it was a great learning experience.

whether you go with canon or nikon, pony up for the lens. you'll be glad you did. nikon makes an 70-200 and 70-300. they weigh in the ball park of 3lbs and should be easy to maneuver on the back of a horse. i'm sure canon makes similar lenses. i'm assuming you're going to be taking pics in the distant for the majority. i'd also get a 24-70 or 24-85 as an "always" lens.

be sure to get the camera as soon as you make a decision so you can start learning the ins and outs and get some good practice in. get a big file card and take pics in RAW format.

good luck!
 
To get good wildlife shots you are gonna want to be able to go up to 300, so probably the 70-300, and a wide angle lens for the big landscape shots. Also always but your subject matter off center in your viewfinder and your pictures will instantly become better and more interesting.

I am hoping that eventually I will end up with my Dad's compact 500 Nikon lens.... that thing is SWEEEEEEET!
 
That's why it's all a compromise-I assume not all photos will be taken from the back of a horse. The horse can carry an extra lens, and can handle the weight. So a 400 might be possible to take. I want one for birds, but won't be affording one any time soon.
It just depends how much you will be toting the equipment, and the other factors.
 
yeah, i agree with that. i really want a 400 for sports photography, but don't see that in my budget anytime soon.

i'm all about carrying multiple lenses around. never know what's going to happen!
 
Ok, thanks for the responses. Leet me set some parameters and then please have a camara geekfight over it and tell me what I need to buy - I really appreciate it.

If you ever need a computer building geekfight I will happily be one of the geeks in repaymaent. Or a backpacking gear geekfight as well.

Ok parameters:

- Must be usable on horse in dusty environment

- don't want to have to change lenses.

- Prefer lighter weight - I will probably keep it in a backack while I ride, maybe around my neck who knows and would welcome suggestions .

- I will likely be very very close to many of the animals -almost abe to touch them but certainly within 30 yards. The long shot requirement is of lesser importance than I think many of you originally thought however I'd like to be able to do some reasonably long range shots.

- How about this D200 package?:

The Link

Or about this D80 Package?

The Link

979 bucks vs 1119 - the 200 package has 6 gb vs 4gb card too.

Also what else will I need?

re: 80 vs 200 - how much heavier will the 200 seem?

Oh nevermind photo dynasty is a scam shop
The Link

Still any advice appreciated.
 
Thanks - how about this:
The Link

1509.95$ for a D90 Nikon and the VR Lens

Now there is a whole bunch of crap for sale below it - does it come with a memory card or an batteries etc or do i have to buy a bunch of extra stuff too?
 
Honestly, a horseback safari isn't really the time when you want to start learning about SLRs and interchangeable lenses. I'd buy a nice relatively cheap superzoom "SLR-Like" camera like a Panasonic FZ-28 for this trip and then get into the SLR later as you have more time. Getting a decent lens for something like a safari means you'd need at least a 300mm lens on the long end but you'd also probably want a wide lens for scenic shots. I have an SLR and I'm about to upgrade to a 5D MkII, but if I were going on a safari I'd probably buy the FZ-28 and use that most of the time.

Or if you do buy an SLR and requisite lenses, consider picking up a superzoom AIO camera to go with it as your backup.
 
You can go with the one lens and keep it on during a given safari (or whatever you are doing). Just find the one that will get you the best shot. I took my D90 hiking up Camelback before the game in Phoenix and it traveled very well. Relatively light. But if you are looking for a little hand-held (fit in the size of your palm), then this is not your camera.
 
that d90 package should be good for you. the d200 is discontinued, so stay away from that. you get a lot of bang for your buck with the d90. i think that lens will work.

as for accessories, i'd get a big memory card (4gb+), depending on your trip length, might get 2 (just incase). i would also buy 1 extra battery (again, just in case). you can find a bag to put the camera in and just keep the charged extra battery and the extra memory in there. these also come with a pretty comfortable strap. don't hang it on your neck. hang it across your body. you'll have enough slack to pull it up and shoot and it takes the weight off your neck.
 
Yes, definitely get a good neckstrap. I have one with a soft leather section and it's awesome. The original Canon one that came with my camera feels like a saw blade compared to the leather neckstrap. If you can get close to the animals I'd go with one of the new 18-200ish lenses. You might want to get one with image stabilization since you'll be on an animal when you take a number of the shots. The good thing about SLRs is that the batteries last so much longer than in PnS cameras (unless you buy an SLR with LIveView and use it a lot). I've never run out of battery on my 30D including some 700 shot days.
 
Thanks for your help guys. I am getting the d90 package.

On horse safari the animals think youare just another food animal so you can get right next to giraffes, zebras etc.

Hopefully i can get some shots - what does this thing come with - no memory card right? But it does have abattery?
 
Get a 'nice' camera as discussed- and, you also may want to pick up a Pentax Optio W60 as a backup- that's waterproof, dustproof and all-weather. I have a W30 that I've beat the heck out of- on the river, in the ocean, in the mountains- great little camera.
 
Guys, I checked the xpat classifieds and found some gret deals on used gear.

I ended up buying -

1) Nikon D300 body - 2933 shots taken, 11 months old
2) Nikkor 18-200mm VR lens, 11 onths old
3) 17-55 mm, f/2.8G Nikon wide angle lens - 5 months old - with new case
4) Extra D300 Battery and 2 GB memory card

for 2200 USD.

Seems like a deal no? Now I just need to figur out how to use it.
 
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