Safari Equipment - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/11/2007 09:48:32 AM · #1

My girlfriends mom is heading to Africa in February for a Safari. She does not want to carry a SLR camera (trying to convince her to take one) because of the weight and hassle. Has anyone gone on something like this with a P&S? Any suggestions of a camera? If you have taken a trip like this, do you have any example pictures I could show her of what the camera (if you used a P&S) would capture?

Thanks in advance for the help.
Matt

SamDoe1

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

07/11/2007 09:53:29 AM · #2

Panasonic FZ series (preferably the FZXX, not FZX): 430mm image stabilized Leica lens, some are constant f/2.8 as well.

Canon S3/S5 IS: Same deal, 430ish mm image stablized lens, not sure if they are f/2.8 or not.

Those would be my two choices. Both offer a good deal of manual control but suffer from the same problems as most point and shoot cameras with noise.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/11/2007 10:05:25 AM · #3

300mm is a minimum I'd say. Although you very often get quite close to the animals and the 70-200mm range is sufficient. But for those closeups the longer the better.

Examples HERE, most were taken with the 500mm on a 1D and the others with the 70-200mm on a 300D

P & S's like the Panasonic are good choices. What kind of P & S does she have? The pocket-sized P & S's will NOT be adequate for sure.

Message edited by author 2007-07-11 10:07:28.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

07/11/2007 10:17:07 AM · #4

She is going to buy a new camera for the trip....I already convinced her the pocket-size P & S will not work. I told her we need to get out to the store and see what she is comfortable with, but I wanted to get some opinions from here first. I will send her your link so she see want she can get with the right camera (nice pictures) :)

Thanks
Matt

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

07/11/2007 10:22:57 AM · #5

300mm is a minimum to look for.

Most of the images I took were with the 100-400 on the 10D so the max was 640.

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SamDoe1

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/11/2007 10:52:13 AM · #6

Oh, here's a bunch I took with my old Panasonic. All in this gallery, except for the last two images, were taken with the Panasonic FZ4.

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/11/2007 10:56:28 AM · #7

Think if I had to take a point and shoot I'd just take a camcorder instead. Tiny images of animals in the distance aren't that interesting. At least if they were live motion there'd be something to look at.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

07/11/2007 11:28:15 AM · #8

YOu may be able to persuade her to go DSLR if you show her the new Olympus bodies: E-410 and E-510. The 410 is very small and lightweight but I would emphasize the advantages of image stablization that exists on the E-510 for those longer focal length shots. Also, the Olympus cams have other advantages for a trip like that as the system's got a 2X focal length multiplier for added reach. By the time she goes on her trip the new Zuiko 70-300 lens will have been out giving her a 35mm equivalent of 140-600mm. It won't be an expensive lens either, probably around $400 USD, and she'd only have to take one other lens, probably the Zuiko 14-42 for moderate wide angle shots. Olympus also has a dust removal system that really works, a big advantage on a safari.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/11/2007 11:39:39 AM · #9

Originally posted by routerguy666:

Most of the long-zoom "SLR-like" P&S cameras like the Canon S3 take pretty high-quality video as well.

What I haven't seen anyone mention yet is taking along additional storage -- the camera cards will fill rapidly, especially with video.

ellamay

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

07/11/2007 12:18:14 PM · #10

I agree the panasonic FZ series is great, reasonable price and has 400mm equivalent lens in a P&S I know a few folks who really like them

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/11/2007 09:12:09 PM · #11

She is looking at the Canon S3 and S5. They appear just about the same. Will the ISO 1600 be that important over there? Would she be ok with the 800 ISO for the morning and evening shots?

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

07/11/2007 10:13:28 PM · #12

Originally posted by mngolfer:

She is looking at the Canon S3 and S5. They appear just about the same. Will the ISO 1600 be that important over there? Would she be ok with the 800 ISO for the morning and evening shots?

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/11/2007 10:56:44 PM · #13

The real question will be whether either ISO 800 or 1600 will be useable due to noise -- the biggest disadvantage this type of camera has vs. a dSLR is that the smaller sensors are pretty noisy. The S5 also has more MP and a bigger LCD, and both use standard AA batteries, which I consider a big advantage when traveling, when recharging a proprietaruy battery may be impractical. [/quote]

I have tried to talk her into taking a DSLR...but that is not going to happen. I think the only time she might need to go that high (800 or 1600) will be early in the morning or early evening. Hopefully she can use a tripod in those situations. I think during the day she will be fine with the S3 and ISO's closer to 200.

Thank you all for your great advice and knowledge....now if I could just take pictures like you all I would be very happy :)

Thanks
Matt

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

07/11/2007 11:33:43 PM · #14

Originally posted by mngolfer:

I think during the day she will be fine with the S3 and ISO's closer to 200.

This was taken with an S3 at ISO 200, 1/250 sec in indirect sunlight.

Stiger

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/11/2007 11:50:24 PM · #15

I'll have to throw in a vote for Canon's S3 or S5. I had the S2 and loved it. Nice long zoom, image stabilization, sharp images.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

07/12/2007 02:22:34 AM · #16

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by mngolfer:
She is looking at the Canon S3 and S5. They appear just about the same. Will the ISO 1600 be that important over there? Would she be ok with the 800 ISO for the morning and evening shots?

The real question will be whether either ISO 800 or 1600 will be useable due to noise -- the biggest disadvantage this type of camera has vs. a dSLR is that the smaller sensors are pretty noisy. The S5 also has more MP and a bigger LCD, and both use standard AA batteries, which I consider a big advantage when traveling, when recharging a proprietaruy battery may be impractical.

I have to ask whether high ISO will really be a consideration on a safari. I would expect it to be reasonably bright. I'm open to correction, though.

07/12/2007 08:14:07 AM · #17

I agree that it will be reasonably bright. The only time I would be worried is when they go out early in the morning. The guide had mentioned to her that they will be heading out early to see lions after their hunt. I think she will be fine all other times.

Thanks again. LOVE THIS SITE!!!
Matt

Trinity_12_12