What to take on African safari?

Mike L · 12-21-2011, 04:48 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by sealonsf

Thanks for the tips. Just another item to deal with when planning a safari. I'm going to have to slow down on the number of photos I take. Pretend I'm shooting film. And, spend some time just observing with my nifty new binoculars.

Good idea, taking time to enjoy the scenary/action without constantly looking through a viewfinder will be more rewarding than having 10,000 photos. If you have a good driver you probably won't need the binoculars 99% of the time because you will get surprisingly close to most of the animals.

When I did my Tanzanian safari (Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti) five years ago now, I had a 28-300mm lens on a MZ50 and a digital Olympus P&S with a 28-110mm equivalent lens on it. That was a pretty good combination because it allowed us to go wide when animals were close or get in tight when they were a bit further away. Your DA55-300 on the K5 and a kit lens on your K1000d should cover most of your needs nicely.

Do not bother climbing a tree to get away from lions

Do not ask the elephants if they want a peanut

and always make sure there is a Canon shooter between you and the hippos/Nile crocs

**baro-nite** · 12-21-2011, 05:49 PM

Take a Lensbaby; you'll be guaranteed to get shots different from anyone else's.

Have fun, and enjoy your very wise plan of spending some time taking in the view away from the camera.

**Kerrowdown** · 12-22-2011, 01:49 AM

Originally posted by sealonsf

What to take on African safari?

I guess a fast jeep and a large gun isn't the right answer then.

KevinR · 12-22-2011, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by kerrowdown

I guess a fast jeep and a large gun isn't the right answer then.

With the rate that our Rhinos are being poached out of existence here in South Africa and several other countries to feed delusional Asian fetishes for snake-oil “aphrodisiacs”, that is a seriously uncool thing to even suggest.

But very asinine wit indeed..

sealonsf · 12-22-2011, 04:10 PM

Originally posted by Mike L

Do not bother climbing a tree to get away from lions

Wow. Love that photo!

Originally posted by Frogfish

A trip of a lifetime and you are going to slow down instead of just buying a couple more batteries and a few more cheap SD cards

Don't worry. I bought an extra battery when I bought the K-5 and before I go, I'll probably get another one or two. And I'll be armed to the teeth with SD cards. :-) I usually take a LOT of photos. Can go on a three week trip and come back with more than 5,000 photos to go through. I can't imagine what will happen when I'm faced with African wildlife. And now, I might go see Gorillas in Rwanda too (if I can stretch the funds far enough!).

Thanks again. I'll be back with photos!

**Clinton** · 12-22-2011, 05:07 PM

Originally posted by sealonsf

I usually take a LOT of photos. Can go on a three week trip and come back with more than 5,000 photos to go through. I can't imagine what will happen when I'm faced with African wildlife. And now, I might go see Gorillas in Rwanda too (if I can stretch the funds far enough!).

Thanks again. I'll be back with photos!

And just wait until you set the K-5 shutter for continuous shooting and simply hold it down to catch that lion on the run (read: spray and pray). Each opportunity can become 100 shots to sort through.

abacus07 · 12-22-2011, 08:41 PM

What about backup photo storage? I would be taking a netbook/tablet and a small external hard drive.

**savoche** · 12-23-2011, 01:21 AM

Originally posted by sealonsf

Wow. Love that photo!

Don't worry. I bought an extra battery when I bought the K-5 and before I go, I'll probably get another one or two. And I'll be armed to the teeth with SD cards. :-) I usually take a LOT of photos. Can go on a three week trip and come back with more than 5,000 photos to go through. I can't imagine what will happen when I'm faced with African wildlife. And now, I might go see Gorillas in Rwanda too (if I can stretch the funds far enough!).

Thanks again. I'll be back with photos!

Ooh, K-5 + DA40 would be perfect for the gorillas! It can be pretty dark in there, and expect to get close if you go. And do go if you have the chance - you won't be sorry!

sealonsf · 12-23-2011, 11:46 AM

Me again... is this a good idea? Rokinon 800mm mirror lens? Manual focus. Maybe just use it one day? Or use on my K-2000 and keep the 55-300 on the K-5? I'm also concerned with packing too much. I generally like to pack light.

Rokinon 800mm Mirror Lens for Pentax Mount | Overstock.com

eddie1960 · 12-23-2011, 12:05 PM

took a look at what you have on your profile, I'm with the camera crowd pick up a second body that will give better hi iso and allow you to keep 2 lenses mounted so less swapping (and therefore less dust issues) A good used KX likely costs the same as a TC and will give you the extra pixels for cropping and better hi iso for sunup/sundown

edit

oops just saw you bought a k5. you're covered have a blast

RioRico · 12-24-2011, 03:06 AM

For other gear you might want/need, see this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographic-technique/169139-when-more-t...ra-needed.html

Originally posted by Mike L

always make sure there is a Canon shooter between you and the hippos/Nile crocs

When you and a Canoneer are chased by anything, you need only outrun the Canoneer.

Originally posted by baro-nite

Take a Lensbaby; you'll be guaranteed to get shots different from anyone else's.

Don't forget the Holga.

Originally posted by abacus07

What about backup photo storage? I would be taking a netbook/tablet and a small external hard drive.

Mandatory!

jeverettfine · 02-02-2015, 03:58 PM

2014 updated opinion: Get a film camera, with 3 Fast lenses (35, 50, 135). You may already have the FF lenses you need. Buy a bunch of 400 ISO Fuji film (negative or slide, your choice). You will work more carefully, not spend a bunch of time looking at the replay screen and downloading your images to a computer (more stuff to carry). The resolution and color on the film will beat digital. Do this and you also won't need to worry about batteries for anything if it is a mechanical camera (Think LX or MX or K2 or KX). Most professional wildlife and landscape photographers still use film. I would worry about the battery thing the most.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Safari Lens	paulelescoces	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	23	09-11-2010 06:35 AM
Nature my trip to African Lion Safari	monching	Post Your Photos!	3	09-01-2010 05:54 PM
Macro Small Safari	Rense	Post Your Photos!	3	05-30-2010 04:07 AM
Nature African Safari	qtopplings	Post Your Photos!	11	11-21-2009 08:59 AM
African Lion Safari, Hamilton	manumon77	Post Your Photos!	6	08-20-2009 09:07 AM

12-21-2011, 04:48 PM - 1 Like	#31
Mike L Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,472	Originally posted by sealonsf Thanks for the tips. Just another item to deal with when planning a safari. I'm going to have to slow down on the number of photos I take. Pretend I'm shooting film. And, spend some time just observing with my nifty new binoculars. Good idea, taking time to enjoy the scenary/action without constantly looking through a viewfinder will be more rewarding than having 10,000 photos. If you have a good driver you probably won't need the binoculars 99% of the time because you will get surprisingly close to most of the animals. When I did my Tanzanian safari (Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti) five years ago now, I had a 28-300mm lens on a MZ50 and a digital Olympus P&S with a 28-110mm equivalent lens on it. That was a pretty good combination because it allowed us to go wide when animals were close or get in tight when they were a bit further away. Your DA55-300 on the K5 and a kit lens on your K1000d should cover most of your needs nicely. Do not bother climbing a tree to get away from lions Do not ask the elephants if they want a peanut and always make sure there is a Canon shooter between you and the hippos/Nile crocs

12-21-2011, 05:49 PM	#32
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	Take a Lensbaby; you'll be guaranteed to get shots different from anyone else's. Have fun, and enjoy your very wise plan of spending some time taking in the view away from the camera.

12-22-2011, 01:49 AM	#33
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,818	Originally posted by sealonsf What to take on African safari? I guess a fast jeep and a large gun isn't the right answer then.

12-22-2011, 09:17 AM	#34
KevinR Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 653	Originally posted by kerrowdown I guess a fast jeep and a large gun isn't the right answer then. With the rate that our Rhinos are being poached out of existence here in South Africa and several other countries to feed delusional Asian fetishes for snake-oil “aphrodisiacs”, that is a seriously uncool thing to even suggest. But very asinine wit indeed..

12-22-2011, 04:10 PM	#35
sealonsf Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Francisco Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,729 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mike L Do not bother climbing a tree to get away from lions Wow. Love that photo! Originally posted by Frogfish A trip of a lifetime and you are going to slow down instead of just buying a couple more batteries and a few more cheap SD cards Don't worry. I bought an extra battery when I bought the K-5 and before I go, I'll probably get another one or two. And I'll be armed to the teeth with SD cards. :-) I usually take a LOT of photos. Can go on a three week trip and come back with more than 5,000 photos to go through. I can't imagine what will happen when I'm faced with African wildlife. And now, I might go see Gorillas in Rwanda too (if I can stretch the funds far enough!). Thanks again. I'll be back with photos!

12-22-2011, 05:07 PM	#36
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,910	Originally posted by sealonsf I usually take a LOT of photos. Can go on a three week trip and come back with more than 5,000 photos to go through. I can't imagine what will happen when I'm faced with African wildlife. And now, I might go see Gorillas in Rwanda too (if I can stretch the funds far enough!). Thanks again. I'll be back with photos! And just wait until you set the K-5 shutter for continuous shooting and simply hold it down to catch that lion on the run (read: spray and pray). Each opportunity can become 100 shots to sort through.

12-22-2011, 08:41 PM	#37
abacus07 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Taiwan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,075	What about backup photo storage? I would be taking a netbook/tablet and a small external hard drive.

12-23-2011, 01:21 AM	#38
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by sealonsf Wow. Love that photo! Don't worry. I bought an extra battery when I bought the K-5 and before I go, I'll probably get another one or two. And I'll be armed to the teeth with SD cards. :-) I usually take a LOT of photos. Can go on a three week trip and come back with more than 5,000 photos to go through. I can't imagine what will happen when I'm faced with African wildlife. And now, I might go see Gorillas in Rwanda too (if I can stretch the funds far enough!). Thanks again. I'll be back with photos! Ooh, K-5 + DA40 would be perfect for the gorillas! It can be pretty dark in there, and expect to get close if you go. And do go if you have the chance - you won't be sorry!

12-23-2011, 11:46 AM	#39
sealonsf Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Francisco Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,729 Original Poster	Me again... is this a good idea? Rokinon 800mm mirror lens? Manual focus. Maybe just use it one day? Or use on my K-2000 and keep the 55-300 on the K-5? I'm also concerned with packing too much. I generally like to pack light. Rokinon 800mm Mirror Lens for Pentax Mount \| Overstock.com

12-23-2011, 12:05 PM	#40
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	took a look at what you have on your profile, I'm with the camera crowd pick up a second body that will give better hi iso and allow you to keep 2 lenses mounted so less swapping (and therefore less dust issues) A good used KX likely costs the same as a TC and will give you the extra pixels for cropping and better hi iso for sunup/sundown edit oops just saw you bought a k5. you're covered have a blast

12-24-2011, 03:06 AM	#41
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	For other gear you might want/need, see this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographic-technique/169139-when-more-t...ra-needed.html Originally posted by Mike L always make sure there is a Canon shooter between you and the hippos/Nile crocs When you and a Canoneer are chased by anything, you need only outrun the Canoneer. Originally posted by baro-nite Take a Lensbaby; you'll be guaranteed to get shots different from anyone else's. Don't forget the Holga. Originally posted by abacus07 What about backup photo storage? I would be taking a netbook/tablet and a small external hard drive. Mandatory!

02-02-2015, 03:58 PM	#42
jeverettfine Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Austin, Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 328	2014 updated opinion: Get a film camera, with 3 Fast lenses (35, 50, 135). You may already have the FF lenses you need. Buy a bunch of 400 ISO Fuji film (negative or slide, your choice). You will work more carefully, not spend a bunch of time looking at the replay screen and downloading your images to a computer (more stuff to carry). The resolution and color on the film will beat digital. Do this and you also won't need to worry about batteries for anything if it is a mechanical camera (Think LX or MX or K2 or KX). Most professional wildlife and landscape photographers still use film. I would worry about the battery thing the most.