First Safari Trip, Which Camera To take?

[Chrishazle]

Have just booked a week's safari in Kenya for June - first time ever! Special occasion - wife will no longer be 29 and holding!!

Anyway, can't make up my mind which still camera to take as "first choice".

Option 1 : Canon A640 10mp digital (3x optical zoom equivalent, I believe, to 35-105mm) with additional 3.5x zoom telephoto lens and 2 x 4gig memory cards.

Option 2 : Old but still lovely Canon Ftb 35mm SLR with Canon 35-105 and 70-210 zoom lenses.

I've used the A640 extensivly and get good results, but in the past the results from the Ftb (which I bought new in 1973!) have been mistaken for professional photos - due to the camera, not to my photographic "skills".

I will also be carrying a very good digital camcorder - Sony DCR17E - which gives near broadcast quality video.

Obviously I want good photos from this trip, would appreciate advice. Is the additional cost, weight, hassle etc of 35mm film worthwhile, or will the A640 give more than adequate results.

TIA for any advice and guidance.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

Having been and done that, I would take one with a large zoom, fast burst rate. Some of the newer SLR's even film in HD and this seems to be moving the way of pictures.

You basically film the 'picture' and then cut to the best part and use that as your image, your unlikely to miss anything that way. Obviously this would mean buying a new one though...not good.

What ever you decide take lots and lots and then some more flash cards, or film, as you WILL take a huge amount of photos, spare batterys etc


Have a great trip

 

[219]

I'm not overly familiar with either of the cameras you mention , but assuming the digital camera is either a 'point & shoot compact' or a 'bridge' camera , it will have a relatively small sensor and therefore not be a patch on 35mm film .

Whilst some of the current crop full frame or APSC DSLR's are now comparable with film , I have yet to see a compact which comes close .

Despite having several DSLR's , I still like to take a film camera on holiday and go through all the thought processes of using a manual camera - I bring back better shots as a result of having to make each one count , as you do with film as opposed to digital .

I know film and processing is relatively expensive these days , but you can be sure of the quality . If you haven't used the camera in a while , put a film through it and get it processed before you go , just to be sure it is still working properly .

 

[clegsr]

Definitely digital, plus a spare battery and twice as many memory cards as you imagine (they are cheap as chips now but difficult to buy when there)

Also must have a large zoom with anti-shake - I would buy one like this - Panasonic Lumix as it has both these things and is
"only" £250.

I dont think your digital has the zoom you will want, and the SLR hasn't got anti-shake.

You could always resell the camera on ebay afterwards if you wanted to save some cash but I dont think you would regret buying it.

 

[MD5]

If it fits in my pocket, I always have it with me! How much extra space would your 640 take? Too much to bring both? I always carry an Ixus 860is when on holiday (thinking of updating - Sony looks interesting, or anothet pocket Canon). I rarely take my DSLRs, but on Safari, that would be different. I used to own an FTB, btw!

 

[Chrishazle]

Shake on the Ftb is not a problem - it's quite a heavy camera, I used to have a Vivitar 70-210 zoom (big heavy lens) and a 3x teleconverter on the front of it and have hand held without shake at effectivly 630mm and 1/30th shutter speed - but I was a lot younger then! Equally I have not had a shake problem with the A640 at full zoom or using the digital zoom facility (recently).

I'm starting to think that taking both is possibly the option, especially as I've just found a camera bag I'd forgotten I had, it's big enough to take everything as a day bag during the game drives.

Will be interesting to see how the A640 works with the 3x tele lens that's en route from USA. It should give me the equivalent of 95-315mm lens on the camera, rather longer than the 210mm on the Ftb (I no longer have the teleconverter for that camera).

Thanks for the help guys - we're really looking forward to the trip, and I'm sure Kenya will be a lot nicer than 2 other African countries I've visited (Cameroon and Gabon).

 

[NormanC]

Definitely digital, plus a spare battery and twice as many memory cards as you imagine (they are cheap as chips now but difficult to buy when there)

Also must have a large zoom with anti-shake - I would buy one like this - Panasonic Lumix as it has both these things and is
"only" £250.

I dont think your digital has the zoom you will want, and the SLR hasn't got anti-shake.

You could always resell the camera on ebay afterwards if you wanted to save some cash but I dont think you would regret buying it.

+1

I have an earlier version and the 12x optical zoom (35mm to 420 mm in a Leica lens) means that there is no need for any other lenses. You're always ready to shoot and not constantly changing lenses.

 

[rossyl]

It all depends what you want to come back with, lasting memories of a chase/kil etc, a few scenic shots, a video of a kill/chase? Or all 3?


Camcorder
The trouble with a camcorder is that you end up viewing the whole thing through the camcorder as you take a long videos waiting for something to happen. But you could also grab an amazing kill or chase. But still you've watched it through a camcorder, which is distracting. However, the zoom available, and the fact that you can hit record means you aren't likely to miss much.

Camera's in general
You are far more likely to miss "that" photo unless you sit there like paparazzi waiting for the shot, and consequenly miss out on relaxing, looking around and taking your surroundings and the atmosphere in.

Film SLR
Camera shake on long distance shots could ruin a picture. Longs shots and a bouncing 4x4/car will result in shaky photos. You will use an obscene amount of film. Also it's heavy and not very convenient. But the photo quality will be excellent.

Digital
The zoom does not sound near enough for some, not all, of the shots.

 

[Chrishazle]

In other words, there's no easy answer!

The camcorder is good in that 1. it has a good viewing screen so I do not have to keep my eye glued to the eyepiece and 2. it has (now) a big enough battery for 2 hours of filming using the screen.

Film SLR - I've had the Ftb since 1973 and used it all round the world in all sorts of conditions, so am confident of getting good photos - but as has been said, it's a lump to cart around and expensive on film / developing / printing. Also my lens choice only reaches 210mm which may not be enough - although once the photos are developed I have a very good scanner.

Digital - don't know how good the "reach" will be with the new 3.5x telephoto lens that's on its way from USA. However, it's small so will almost certainly take the camera with us.

Overall I think I'll first, as suggested, run a film through the Ftb to make sure all is OK, if so I'll take all 3 with me.

Thanks for all your thoughts, much appreciated.

 

[219]

Don't forget there is a HUGE selection of manual focus lenses on eBay these days , or in the used lists of specialist camera shops like ffordes photographic : Main Index

 

[ChrisMc]

I dont know the A640 at all, but from my somewhat limited expertise with Camera's, and my own 30D SLR, i'd say trade them both in and get a DSLR and a couple of good lenses !
My wife's minute Canon Ixus is great for point&shoot stuff, recording events, general snaps etc, but if you want real drama and depth to your shots, an SLr is the only way to go.
I 'experimented with my Film SLR for quite a while when younger, but due to the costs involved for developing etc, I quickly tired of it.
Years later, I got a DSLR, and quite frankly, the learning curve is just sooooo much quicker as you can see the results immediately etc, it is fantastic.

A good DSLR, a good 70-200 lense, (Canon F4 L ), and a super little 50mm 1.8 and you have all that you wiull need to take photo's like these, even with my VERY limited experience......

So, sell your Grannie, and your MB, and get a DSLR before you go !

 

[Chrishazle]

Those are certainly stunning photos - and in an earlier life I would probably do as you suggest. Over the years I've spent a few bob on cameras - the Ftb was my first proper pay cheque after Uni - I still have the receipt for (from memory) £273 - which was a lot in late 1973! - and that was with just the standard 50mm f1.8 lens! So I added lenses, teleconverter, an 8mm movie camera in the late 70's, a variety of small point and shoot Olympus's, a Minolta 124 cartridge zoom SLR - then almost £1000 for the camcorder and a further couple of hundred for the decent battery and a widget so I could record back to it from PC - frightening when I tot it all up! Now I'm retired, I have to be a little more reticent - especially since the politics of jealousy mob messed up my retirement finances! - so there's no way I can justify spending hundreds on another camera! Anyway, having seen my son's Canon DSLR, it's got more knobs and whistles than I could ever get my head round!

On the stunning photography front, have a look at this 8 min video clip from the Kruger - a pride of lions, cape buffalo and calf being attacked, 2 large crocs - it's absolutely stunning!

YouTube - Battle at Kruger

 

[Mudster]

My in laws returned from South Africa four weeks ago, He really is point and shoot type and had an awful old snap camera.

I insisted He take my Lumix G1 (with zoom lens and wide lens), which he did reluctantly, after day 1 He'd left his own camera in the bag and managed 1500 shots with the G1, some of which are absolutely stunning considering the user lack of experience with DSLR type cameras.

I'm delighted I bought this camera, it really has made super quality photography accessible for the lazy (i.e. me!).

 

[Chattonmill]

Those really are some stunning pictures, I really need to get some lessons with mine!

 

[ChrisMc]

Thx for the kind comments, but I really are'nt that skilled !!

I bought a great book called "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Paterson, and its a fab read to give you a real understanding of what your lenses can give you.

The rest is just press & play, and see what you get. At least with Digital, it costs you nothing to try .

Throw in a little Photo Editing with Photoshop or iPhoto, and job's done

 

[RoseTattoo]

If you don't want to buy anything in addition take both. Use the small camera for landscapes. It should be adequate for at least A4 enlargements.
Nothing wrong with film and a good lens, especially if you know the kit. Consider a monopod though to reduce shake and also consider a 1.5 or 2 times multiplier. This latter is a compromise - it gets you closer but reduces the maximum f stop so even more reason for somehwere to rest.
You don't need to shoot in bursts; think, plan, compose and shoot but also in these conditions always be ready for the quick grab shot.
I am thinking of doing the same and have bene researching with friends who have done this. I will actually take recent model all digital but one will be a high spec rangefinder with a 35mm lens and teh other a high spec DSLR with 100 - 300 lens and I may take a multiplier. Ironically even though I have a monopod I actually prefer to find resting places.
Good luck, concentrate on the pics and not the equipment and you will do well.

 

[clegsr]

When we did our first Safari I thought my existing camera was fine (before I got there!) as I was very pleased with my previous photos but afterwards I did regret not forking out for a good high zoom Camera.

We took over 1,200 photos in a week- so how much would that be in film? - £150 plus processing? - you could buy a new camera for that....

Also some of the best shots were in the early morning or dusk game drives where the light was low hence my suggestion for anti-shake.

I just think you will not regret buying a new camera, but you may regret NOT upgrading....

 

[Chrishazle]

My thanks to all that have taken the time to contribute their thoughts and experience to this thread, it is much appreciated. I suspected there would be one or two who had been on safari and could thus speak from experience, as well as a few camera buffs!

I guess first off I have to run a film through the Ftb, get it developed and confirm that the camera still works as it should / used to. No reason why it should not as, although it's been unused for a few years, it's been carefully stored.

It will be another few days before I have hands on the 3.5 tele for the A640 and can play with that - both for the zoom capabilities and for low light use. My Canon 70-210 for the Ftb is only F4 so may not be too good for low light / long lens use.

I'm hoping all will be OK - as I don't fancy trying to explain to SWMBO that, despite all the camera gear we have, I need to buy a new one for this trip!

 

[Chrishazle]

Update Now The Bits Have Finally Arrived

Well, the 3.5x "telephoto zoom" and adaptor tube arrived from USA, and the fun started.

The adaptor tube (aluminium) was such a loose fit onto the front of my A640 - and the lens so heavy - I was not happy.

The lens itself is not a telephoto zoom - it is a front mounted teleconvertor. But, have to set the camera lens to fully zoomed - so effectivly the camera becomes fixed, lens equivalent about 360mm!! - if you zoom back out you get "tunnel vision" with a circular view area in the middle of a black border.

So, ordered a Canon adaptor tube from Pixmania - which took forever to arrive but finally got here this morning. It's plastic, the fit to the front of the camera is still not as tight as I would expect but it's a lot better than the aluminium one.

Still have the tunnel vision as above, but at least a small part of the zoom is useable - and I've read elsewhere that the adaptor tube makes a good lens hood - could be useful in Kenya!

So, USD69 for the lens and first adaptor tube, £20 for the Canon adaptor - best part of £70.

It's a "should have gone to Specsavers" conclusion - from what others said above I should have given the A640 to wife and bought another camera as was suggested.

We live and learn - hope my experience will assist others.

 

[renault12ts]

Take a wider shot if handheld and the subject is moving. Crop later.