Safari photography

[katielegg24]

IMO, my son-in-law achieved very decent images with a minimum of gear because he had contracted for an individual safari vehicle for him and his father to shoot from. This was expensive but went a long way to ensure that he could get decent images.

I have seen images of safari vehicles that are so crowded that IMO, even with top-line gear, if would be difficult to achieve top-line images. And it would be frustrating as heck for me to try that route.

If I can make an analogy: Here in California we have several ways to ocean fish. The least expensive is the party boat (often called a cattle boat) in which fishermen are lined up elbow to elbow along the rails.


This is IMO a terrible way to fish since many of our fish are relatively large and fight extremely well. This results in tangles and lost fish. Additionally, since the party boat is the cheapest way to fish the ocean, many of the fishermen aboard are inexperienced which increases the line tangles. A private boat or a six-pack (commercial boat with six passengers or less) is a far better (but more expensive) way to go...

I would assume that this would also be applicable for a safari photo tour. Riding in a vehicle with six to ten (or more) other photographers of various experience and shooting with P&S cameras and cell phones would be as frustrating to me as fishing on a "cattle boat". I would rather not fish than fish on a "cattle-boat" as I would rather not go on a safari if all I could afford would be a "cattle-vehicle".

Agreed. I was recently in California and went to the Farallon Islands and I kinda had that experience with the whales. 20ish people rushing to one side of the boat and unfortunately the whales didn't really perform so no one stepped back to enable others to share the experience. On this occasion I couldn't afford a smaller boat (and probably couldn't have tolerated anything smaller with the waves and sea sickness), but it's part of the reason I've grown to like Exodus - max 16 in the group (still a fair few) but normally less so they make a good experience for you

[katielegg24]

I just checked on U.K. lens rental

http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/search

The original 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS lens costs 55 pounds for 3 days while the version II costs 81 pounds for three days. Either of these rentals for the duration of a safari and transit time (plus a couple of days to practice) would be quite expensive.

I searched eBay U.K. for completed auctions on the original 100-400mm lens. Many have sold for between 500 and 600 pounds. I would expect that you could purchase a used 100-400mm lens from eBay, pay for it with PayPal and return and resell the lens before you ever needed to pay for the PayPal purchase. I would also expect that you could sell the lens for very close to what you would have paid for it. if you lost a bit of cash, I don't think that it would be as much as the rental cost for the lens over a safari duration of time.

That's really helpful advice so thanks I appreciate it! I guess also if I do get the non-curable out there and I've bought it, I can keep it!

[katielegg24]

My four days of experience of using an open vehicle comfortably sat ten people other than the driver. There were three bench-style seats that sat three people each. A chair next to the driver sat the tenth person. Each bench was higher than the bench immediately in front of it and the front bench was higher than the area where the driver and tenth guest sat. So, there was no problem being able to see the animals and general scenery.

That's so true that after having sat in every bench on the vehicle except the chair next to the driver, there is no way to know in advance which position will be the ideal position. That's partly because you don't know what you're going to see and when you're going to see it and partly because an effective driver will reposition the vehicle after awhile to ensure that a particular scene has been available to everyone before leaving.

The people ranged in photography experience from two people extremely experienced photographing safaris using DSLRs to children being on a safari the first time using their cell phone. And there was everything in between. I found every minute of every excursion extremely enjoyable both as a casual observer of the wild and as a serious photographer. The photographic experience of others in the vehicle neither enhanced nor hindered the success or enjoyment of my photography.

The only thing that would bother me is kids and they're not allowed on this one ;-)

[Manfred M]

The only thing that would bother me is kids and they're not allowed on this one ;-)

In my experience, they can be much better behaved than some of the adults.

[Shadowman]

Group dynamics usually don't veer towards the negative until leadership roles are either offered or questioned, would be interesting to photograph the behavior of humans as well as the animals.

[katielegg24]

In my experience, they can be much better behaved than some of the adults.

Touché

[rtbaum]

In my experience, they can be much better behaved than some of the adults.

I concur

[William W]

In THIS conversation the Group Dynamics are typical of the Generosity, Expertise and Collaborate Effort of CiC Membership.

I bet a Mars Bar that Katie Legg reckons she has received excellent value for her Membership Subscription.

WW

[Mike Buckley]

I bet a Mars Bar

It's always a good idea to acknowledge the really big spenders in our far-flung community.

[davidedric]

to like Exodus - max 16 in the group (still a fair few) but normally less so they make a good experience for you

Yes, and though I haven't travelled with Exodus and similar since their overland, fly-camping days, you are always likely to have travelling companions with similar interests.

Dave

[rpcrowe]

I am sure that people have had decent results from safari vehicles with multiple passengers. I think that it might just be the my reaction to relatively crowded shooting conditions.

Perhaps, having grown up in the crowded conditions of New York City, I hate groups of people. That is why I live in a semi rural area. I disliked traveling with a group in China as well as absolutely hating the cruise to the Greek Islands that my wife and I took a few years ago.

I'd like to make another analogy. My wife and I took an open topped bus trip around Istanbul. Unfortunately, it was crowded and all the seats were filled. I missed a lot of shots because they appeared on the opposite side of the bus from which I was sitting. OTOH, I took a open topped bus trip around Hong Kong and there were few people aboard. I was able to move around and shoot from either side. I was far more satisfied with the results in Hong Kong than I was with the Istanbul results. I did get a lot of nice shots in Istanbul but, I also missed a lot of nice ones too!

I think that since I cannot afford to hire my own safari vehicle, I will forgo an African trip and just take the "safari trip" around the San Diego Wild Animal Park...

[Shadowman]

I am sure that people have had decent results from safari vehicles with multiple passengers. I think that it might just be the my reaction to relatively crowded shooting conditions.

Perhaps, having grown up in the crowded conditions of New York City, I hate groups of people. That is why I live in a semi rural area. I disliked traveling with a group in China as well as absolutely hating the cruise to the Greek Islands that my wife and I took a few years ago.

I'd like to make another analogy. My wife and I took an open topped bus trip around Istanbul. Unfortunately, it was crowded and all the seats were filled. I missed a lot of shots because they appeared on the opposite side of the bus from which I was sitting. OTOH, I took a open topped bus trip around Hong Kong and there were few people aboard. I was able to move around and shoot from either side. I was far more satisfied with the results in Hong Kong than I was with the Istanbul results. I did get a lot of nice shots in Istanbul but, I also missed a lot of nice ones too!

I think that since I cannot afford to hire my own safari vehicle, I will forgo an African trip and just take the "safari trip" around the San Diego Wild Animal Park...

Those open topped buses are a challenge to shoot from, the best seat would be the front but it usually has a very greasy window.

[Mike Buckley]

I think that since I cannot afford to hire my own safari vehicle

Many of the safari parks in Africa allow you to go in your own vehicle such as a standard rental car.

The main disadvantages:

• It won't be an open vehicle.
• You'll be allowed only to travel on the road.
• You won't have a guide and his or her access to the other guides in the area spotting animals and letting all the guides know via radio where they are.
• There are fewer people spotting animals, making it more likely that you'll miss seeing animals that are within range.
• There may be restrictions about how early and late you can be in the area.

The main advantages:

• You'll be able to precisely position your automobile at will any time so long as you stay on the road or in a designated parking area.
• You'll have total control over who joins you in the automobile.
• You'll have total control over how long you stay in a particular area so long as you're not restricted by the last disadvantage listed above.

I have used my own rented automobile and have been in the groups that exceed no more than ten people mentioned in an earlier post. Both methods were equally enjoyable for different reasons. My wife and I are very glad we used both methods and feel that we would have missed out on some exceptionally enjoyable experiences if we had used only one method.

[davidedric]

I think that since I cannot afford to hire my own safari vehicle, I will forgo an African trip and just take the "safari trip" around the San Diego Wild Animal Park...

Honestly, Richard, you don't need to hire your own. I am not long back from a trip to Zambia (other countries are available!) where we stayed for a week, in each of two lodges, in two different National Parks.

The first gave you the same guide for every trip, and guaranteed that here would be only the two of you (or I guess your party) in the vehicle.

The second rotated the guides, and guaranteed that there would be at most four guests.

Both were good, but if I had to choose, I'd choose the second, because I take great pleasure in sharing the experience. These are not inexpensive holidays, but you really don't need to hire your own vehicle.

[rtbaum]

Having just returned from my first cruise, I think that researching the planned excursion is invaluable. I knew that many shots would be taken in a vehicle over which I had no control crammed with 15 other people. I adjusted with a longer lens to focus through the throng, for me that was a Nikon 70-200 f/4 IS at high shutter speed. There was a lot of cropping, cloning, and other magic in PP, but I made it happen.

My advice would be to become familiar with your kit and have realistic expectations of what to expect. Have a plan, and be prepared for opportunity as it arises.

[katielegg24]

In THIS conversation the Group Dynamics are typical of the Generosity, Expertise and Collaborate Effort of CiC Membership.

I bet a Mars Bar that Katie Legg reckons she has received excellent value for her Membership Subscription.

WW

Where would you like me to send the Mars Bar to?!

[katielegg24]

I am sure that people have had decent results from safari vehicles with multiple passengers. I think that it might just be the my reaction to relatively crowded shooting conditions.

Perhaps, having grown up in the crowded conditions of New York City, I hate groups of people. That is why I live in a semi rural area. I disliked traveling with a group in China as well as absolutely hating the cruise to the Greek Islands that my wife and I took a few years ago.

I'd like to make another analogy. My wife and I took an open topped bus trip around Istanbul. Unfortunately, it was crowded and all the seats were filled. I missed a lot of shots because they appeared on the opposite side of the bus from which I was sitting. OTOH, I took a open topped bus trip around Hong Kong and there were few people aboard. I was able to move around and shoot from either side. I was far more satisfied with the results in Hong Kong than I was with the Istanbul results. I did get a lot of nice shots in Istanbul but, I also missed a lot of nice ones too!

I think that since I cannot afford to hire my own safari vehicle, I will forgo an African trip and just take the "safari trip" around the San Diego Wild Animal Park...

Your experience of Istanbul echoes mine except substitute bus for boat. I'm 4ft 11 so either have to be cock sure and get up front or I prefer to find my own space. Made the mistake on this occasion of picking the other side of the boat and missed a lot! Got some good pics overall though

[Manfred M]

This was our safari vehicle in Namibia.




If we go back, I would do this again! Up high enough, relatively cost effective and no problems getting great shots whenever we wanted to stop.

[Markvetnz]

Simple ....... take as much lens as you can carry or afford. I use a Canon 200 to 400 with 1.4 converter and occasionally add another 1.4 converter on to that for birds. Effectively over 1000mm on a crop sensor... and I still moan about not being close enough. Madness? Ideally a 14 - 1200 f2.8 with IS.

[rtbaum]

Simple ....... take as much lens as you can carry or afford. I use a Canon 200 to 400 with 1.4 converter and occasionally add another 1.4 converter on to that for birds. Effectively over 1000mm on a crop sensor... and I still moan about not being close enough. Madness? Ideally a 14 - 1200 f2.8 with IS.

...and the trailer it goes with