South African Safari equipment check!

PLC3 · 07-11-2013, 11:17 AM

That one won't work in South Africa, it doesnt have the big round plugs (see pic above), but adapters are available in any supermarket in South Africa for around R20 (euro-plug -> SA)

TenZ.NL · 07-11-2013, 12:14 PM

Originally posted by PLC3

That one won't work in South Africa, it doesnt have the big round plugs (see pic above), but adapters are available in any supermarket in South Africa for around R20 (euro-plug -> SA)

Hmm, I was afraid of that. Thanks for the intel, I`ll go get the right one.

PLC3 · 07-11-2013, 12:25 PM

I doubt you'll find that one in Europe, havent seen it anywhere, but the exchange rate is quite in our favour at the moment anyway

**savoche** · 07-11-2013, 12:44 PM

I'd say you're all set to go. The sx50 should cover all 300+ needs should they arise. As others have said, unless you're a birder I doubt you'll need more than 300.

IMO one of the huge pros for the 55-300 is its size and weight. Indispensable especially on walking safaris.

I'm going to the Hluhluwe iSimangaliso area in October, really looking forward to it

WA-surfer · 07-11-2013, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by savoche

I'd say you're all set to go. The sx50 should cover all 300+ needs should they arise. As others have said, unless you're a birder I doubt you'll need more than 300.

IMO one of the huge pros for the 55-300 is its size and weight. Indispensable especially on walking safaris.

I'm going to the Hluhluwe iSimangaliso area in October, really looking forward to it

Thanks. I'm feeling pretty comfortable now with my selection and looking forward to it.

I will definitely put together a write up when I get back with photos so that others like yourself can see what worked well and what didn't based on my experiences.

carrrlangas · 07-11-2013, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by WA-surfer

I will definitely put together a write up when I get back with photos so that others like yourself can see what worked well and what didn't based on my experiences.

Look forward to it.

Onthemove · 07-11-2013, 05:54 PM

A few months ago I spent a few days in South Africa (near Kruger) with my 55-300 - I was pleased with what I could get.
The beanbag was also a help.
Some of the pics from the weekend are here - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/225089-nature-not-your-t...ar-kruger.html
with more in my album ("The Wild")

WA-surfer · 07-11-2013, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by Onthemove

A few months ago I spent a few days in South Africa (near Kruger) with my 55-300 - I was pleased with what I could get.
The beanbag was also a help.
Some of the pics from the weekend are here - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/225089-nature-not-your-t...ar-kruger.html
with more in my album ("The Wild")

Thankyou for sharing your link. What a fantastic event and some great shots there with your 55-300.
I have the beanbag ready to go so good to see that you found it useful. I'll have a tripod and monopod with me as well.
What body did you have the 55-300 on?
Did you find the speed of the 55-300 restrictive in low light or was the lighting OK? I've read that the light soon after sunrise and just before sunset is still very good.

**savoche** · 07-13-2013, 06:36 AM

Originally posted by WA-surfer

Did you find the speed of the 55-300 restrictive in low light or was the lighting OK? I've read that the light soon after sunrise and just before sunset is still very good.

I find the high ISO performance of my K-5 compensate well for the slowish 55-300. The K30 is just as good, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Generally I try to stay below 1600 ISO, but I'm never afraid of letting it fly if that's needed to get the picture. The leopard picture in this set was taken at 20,000 ISO and came out pretty well, I think.

Zambia - a set on Flickr

carrrlangas · 07-13-2013, 11:14 AM

Originally posted by savoche

Generally I try to stay below 1600 ISO, but I'm never afraid of letting it fly if that's needed to get the picture. The leopard picture in this set was taken at 20,000 ISO and came out pretty well, I think.

It certainly did! I´ve tried shooting at higher than ISO1600 but didn´t got good results yet.

MarkJerling · 07-14-2013, 02:36 AM

As for power leads. Take a cheap multiboard with you and buy a South African 3-pin in any supermarket as soon as you land. Blue = Neutral, Brown = Live and Green/Yellow = Earth.

WA-surfer · 07-14-2013, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by MarkJerling

As for power leads. Take a cheap multiboard with you and buy a South African 3-pin in any supermarket as soon as you land. Blue = Neutral, Brown = Live and Green/Yellow = Earth.

Thanks, but I'm already one step ahead of you. I already have the 3-pin adapter and have packed a 4-socket multiboard to charge up all of my gear....

07-13-2013, 06:36 AM	#39
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by WA-surfer Did you find the speed of the 55-300 restrictive in low light or was the lighting OK? I've read that the light soon after sunrise and just before sunset is still very good. I find the high ISO performance of my K-5 compensate well for the slowish 55-300. The K30 is just as good, so I wouldn't worry about it. Generally I try to stay below 1600 ISO, but I'm never afraid of letting it fly if that's needed to get the picture. The leopard picture in this set was taken at 20,000 ISO and came out pretty well, I think. Zambia - a set on Flickr Last edited by savoche; 07-13-2013 at 06:36 AM. Reason: Typo.

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07-11-2013, 11:17 AM	#31
PLC3 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Berlin Posts: 54	That one won't work in South Africa, it doesnt have the big round plugs (see pic above), but adapters are available in any supermarket in South Africa for around R20 (euro-plug -> SA)

07-11-2013, 12:14 PM	#32
TenZ.NL Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Below sealevel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,100	Originally posted by PLC3 That one won't work in South Africa, it doesnt have the big round plugs (see pic above), but adapters are available in any supermarket in South Africa for around R20 (euro-plug -> SA) Hmm, I was afraid of that. Thanks for the intel, I`ll go get the right one.

07-11-2013, 12:25 PM	#33
PLC3 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Berlin Posts: 54	I doubt you'll find that one in Europe, havent seen it anywhere, but the exchange rate is quite in our favour at the moment anyway

07-11-2013, 12:44 PM	#34
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	I'd say you're all set to go. The sx50 should cover all 300+ needs should they arise. As others have said, unless you're a birder I doubt you'll need more than 300. IMO one of the huge pros for the 55-300 is its size and weight. Indispensable especially on walking safaris. I'm going to the Hluhluwe iSimangaliso area in October, really looking forward to it

07-11-2013, 05:21 PM	#35
WA-surfer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 118 Original Poster	Originally posted by savoche I'd say you're all set to go. The sx50 should cover all 300+ needs should they arise. As others have said, unless you're a birder I doubt you'll need more than 300. IMO one of the huge pros for the 55-300 is its size and weight. Indispensable especially on walking safaris. I'm going to the Hluhluwe iSimangaliso area in October, really looking forward to it Thanks. I'm feeling pretty comfortable now with my selection and looking forward to it. I will definitely put together a write up when I get back with photos so that others like yourself can see what worked well and what didn't based on my experiences.

07-11-2013, 05:32 PM	#36
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	Originally posted by WA-surfer I will definitely put together a write up when I get back with photos so that others like yourself can see what worked well and what didn't based on my experiences. Look forward to it.

07-11-2013, 05:54 PM	#37
Onthemove New Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Currently living in Nairobi Photos: Albums Posts: 13	A few months ago I spent a few days in South Africa (near Kruger) with my 55-300 - I was pleased with what I could get. The beanbag was also a help. Some of the pics from the weekend are here - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/225089-nature-not-your-t...ar-kruger.html with more in my album ("The Wild")

07-11-2013, 08:06 PM	#38
WA-surfer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 118 Original Poster	Originally posted by Onthemove A few months ago I spent a few days in South Africa (near Kruger) with my 55-300 - I was pleased with what I could get. The beanbag was also a help. Some of the pics from the weekend are here - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/225089-nature-not-your-t...ar-kruger.html with more in my album ("The Wild") Thankyou for sharing your link. What a fantastic event and some great shots there with your 55-300. I have the beanbag ready to go so good to see that you found it useful. I'll have a tripod and monopod with me as well. What body did you have the 55-300 on? Did you find the speed of the 55-300 restrictive in low light or was the lighting OK? I've read that the light soon after sunrise and just before sunset is still very good.

07-13-2013, 11:14 AM	#40
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	Originally posted by savoche Generally I try to stay below 1600 ISO, but I'm never afraid of letting it fly if that's needed to get the picture. The leopard picture in this set was taken at 20,000 ISO and came out pretty well, I think. It certainly did! I´ve tried shooting at higher than ISO1600 but didn´t got good results yet.

07-14-2013, 02:36 AM	#41
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	As for power leads. Take a cheap multiboard with you and buy a South African 3-pin in any supermarket as soon as you land. Blue = Neutral, Brown = Live and Green/Yellow = Earth.

07-14-2013, 04:44 PM	#42
WA-surfer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 118 Original Poster	Originally posted by MarkJerling As for power leads. Take a cheap multiboard with you and buy a South African 3-pin in any supermarket as soon as you land. Blue = Neutral, Brown = Live and Green/Yellow = Earth. Thanks, but I'm already one step ahead of you. I already have the 3-pin adapter and have packed a 4-socket multiboard to charge up all of my gear....