Just Digital

has anyone been on safari to Africa.

Am looking at going to Masai mara at the end of August - using up the Tesco clubcard vouchers - so going with Virgin holidays.

Any advice of places to go, equipment needed etc greatly appreciated.

Saz

I went three years ago just had a kodak compact camera back then but one guy on our tour had a 20d with a 100-400 lens on it hence why i bought mine but you will be ok perhaps just get a 2x converter for yours also take plenty of cleaning stuff as its very dusty out there. #I can tell you where we went just give us a shout i have loads of pics

Nick

Hi Nick,
Oh I would love to see all the photos and hear all about it. It has been a dream of mine for a few years - exagerated now by my new found camera obsession!

Vaughan wasnt keen but he agreed begrudgingly that in a few years we would go. So I thought I was going to have to wait until 2010 at least. However he has been invited on several stag doo's this year so he felt guilty and suggested I do something too. Fatal words - I plied him with beer the other night and talked him into letting me have our Tesco clubcard vouchers (quite alot of them!) to go on Safari! Hence the fact I'm going via Virgin holidays - and it wont dent the bank too much! (sneaky eh!!!)

I'm looking at Masai Explorer with Balloon trip. So 7 nights safari and a night in Nairobi on the return.

I guess I better look at buying a 2x converter? Hopefully get as good a deal as the 1.4x! I dont really want to buy a specific lens for it - not something I shall be doing very often (unless I get the safari bug!). But dont want to be upset that I missed the photo opps.

So can we go to Woburn to practice prior to August? (anyone up for it let me know).

Saz

just a taster

OMG - fantastic!

I would think about hiring a lens for the week as well. You don't want to spend out 3 grand odd on a really good lens but it's also something you don't do every year so you want to take some good pictures as well?

Sazzle ,I was thinking of going to nWoburn this morning but too much housework .So if any arrangements made and I`m free ,i`ll go. Also if you are thinking of getting rid of your 1.4 and it fir=ts 70-300 I would like to have an option of puchasing it from you.
Mike

just remember mike you will lose your auto focus if you put one on your 70-300 as soon as the F stop goes above 5.6

Hi,
Diane, I think your right - its not a lens I would use often so not going to re-mortgage - but I would like somehting with a good zoom range. Went to the Drift day at Silverstone today but was dissapointed by the lack of zoom - the full frame makes such a difference, I was used to the 350D range before.

I am tempted to take both cameras and take a hired (poss 300mm fixed), at least then I will have a goiod range and am wooried about dust on the sensors if needing to change lenses in the bush. Talking of which (a hands on tutorial of how to clean the snosor some time would be much appreciated) has been something I have been scared of - sure its just first time nerves though!

Woburn would be great. Sorry Mike but I got such a fab deal on the 1.4x (as Nick may remember?) an ebay coo I think! So sorry I'm hanging on to it. I'm not sure if I would need a 2x if I hire another lens - just need to consider the options I have and what I need. Got a couple of months to consider.

Will chat at thepub this Thursday.

PS the Caterham day was brill, didnt need panning skills in the end (thankfully!)
Saz

sazzle no prob ,enjoy your planning and anticipation
Mike

Wonderful Pics there Nick, you really feel like you're there

the detail in the first pic is great especially the teeth and tongue detail
Mike

thanks, looking through them again makes me want to go back, we did find you didn't need any more than 400mm as you get that close to them it unreal
Saz perhaps take your 350d with your 70-200 and a 2x converter on and your 5d with the 24-105 on to save you having to change lenses in all that dust.

Talking of dust i have noticed i do get a lot on the 5d so i have subscribed to a magazine and got one of those visable dust sensor brushes free to help keep some of it off, might be useful in africa.

Hey thanks for that. I was thinking of getting one, I havent been brave enough to clean the sensor on either camera yet, maybe you could show me how its done?!

I am definately taking both cameras, I wasnt sure which way round to do it ie like you said if I put the long lens on the 350D I will get even longer zoom.

Apparently the place I have booked the rangers are really keen on photography, and quite enthusiastic to help photographers get the best shots. www.madikwehills.com if anyone is interested in where I'm off. Its in a reserve called madikwe in the Kruger. Check out the ranger blog area it has photos that some of the rangers have taken.

I cant wait am sooooo excited. I will be planning a trip to Woburn sometime soon to get some practice in if anyone fancies it?

Saz

yeah count me in not bee to Wobourn since i was little, well when i was smaller i was never little lol

If It's a Sat/Sunday, I would love to come .....(can't get days of in the week

Cool,
It will definately be a weekend. Hopefully we can sort something out soon, just let me know when you can or cant etc. Unfortunately I wont be able to make this Thursday as I am working in Coventry this week and wont be back until late : ( but will def be there the following Thursday so we could make a decision maybe put a date in our diaries?
See you all soon.
Saz

me too if I`m off
Mike

Hopefully the trip to the wildlife park week Sat will be good practice too??