POTN Safari around South/West Africa - we are baaack :-)

[eenorton]

I haven't chatted with him lately... Nor have I seen the officiaI

I GOT MY TICKETS post.

So, in a nutshell, I don't know. :confused:

[saravrose]

I chatted with him on Monday and he was elbow deep in purple paint and new carpetting.. he did get the number of the travel agent from me but, I haven't talked to him since... anybody try to spot him online?.. or maybe his new home isn't equipped with reliable internet yet?...

sari

[Becca]

I haven't seen him online in a while. I don't think he has internet access at his new house yet, so we may have to wait until he has a slow night at work. I'll keep a watch out for him on MSN.

[holland_patrick]

Yes I'm still coming..

no i haven't gotten my tickets yet.. And THERE is spotty internet at my house but for some reason my WIFI is out..

[condyk]

Yes I'm still coming.. no i haven't gotten my tickets yet.. And THERE is spotty internet at my house but for some reason my WIFI is out..

Well done ... and glad the house move is sorted.

In terms of tickets we need some idea of when you will get them. The worst situation is that there are none left for you on the correct flight and/or you have to bail out, then we can't get a replacement either; or we have to wait around for a couple of days in Windhoek for the next flight to arrive and lose the bookings we have for Etosha, etc. It is all balanced on people arriving together and sharing costs. Costs go up a lot if we take 5 and not six. So, you need to do it sooner rather than later to ensure all is well for the project as a whole.

[holland_patrick]

well I've left to messages and they have not called me back. I did call the other ajencey(travel spark because that is where i though i booked though first but they told me the correct place and the correct number, so i know i'm in the system for the flights just not paided upp yet I'm hoping to hear from them today or at least leave another message,.

[condyk]

Ok, thanks for following up. I guess you just have to try and catch them or book via another agency.

[saravrose]

Pat.. travel agency called me they need to get ahold of you.. she said your plane reservations may get cancelled, or go up in price if there not paid for by Dec. 18th... she would like you to give her a call sometime monday/tuesday... it's noreen.. at the same phone number.. she said it's not that big of a deal but she doesn't want you getting stuck with higher prices than the rest of us..

sari

[holland_patrick]

That's funny i left my number three times now... :(


I'll have to make the big push monday i guess..

[saravrose]

That's funny i left my number three times now... :(


I'll have to make the big push monday i guess..

yeah.. they are a little on the unorganized side I have to admit. Ask for Noreen.. nobody seems to know who I am when I call until she gets on the phone..

[eenorton]

Hey Sari! Chuck was asking for directions to Idaho.... http://images14.fotki.com/v363/photos/6/64353/3441401/lion01-vi.gif

[saravrose]

Hey Sari! Chuck was asking for directions to Idaho.... http://images14.fotki.com/v363/photos/6/64353/3441401/lion01-vi.gif

haha... depends on what direction he's coming from.. and chuck wouldn't be thrilled with my weather right now... and his eyes are making me nervous.. I have ten hours of liquor pouring in front of me.. and chuck is making me wonder. I have a long time before I actually face Chuck.... :confused: :confused:

[condyk]

haha... depends on what direction he's coming from.. and chuck wouldn't be thrilled with my weather right now... and his eyes are making me nervous.. I have ten hours of liquor pouring in front of me.. and chuck is making me wonder. I have a long time before I actually face Chuck.... :confused: :confused:

Don't forget that more die from Malaria in Africa that Lion attacks. You just looking for Chuck you may miss Buzz :p

[saravrose]

Don't forget that more die from Malaria in Africa that Lion attacks. You just looking for Chuck you may miss Buzz :p

:lol: :lol: .. we shall all take the medications to prevent malaria and be fine... my dear, dear friends trying to scare me... I will not be intimidated.. nope. I am going plane tickets purchased and all that jazz.. Come next August I'll be sitting next to everybody else with my camera on my lap driving through Namibia.. and no bugs, or lions are gonna stop me.. so there... :p :p :p ...

good morning dave, how is your day going?

[eenorton]

Don't forget that more die from Malaria in Africa that Lion attacks. You just looking for Chuck you may miss Buzz :p


Meet Buzz. Also searching for Sari.

http://images19.fotki.com/v35/photos/6/64353/3441401/bug5-vi.gif

[tommykjensen]

:lol:

[saravrose]

Meet Buzz. Also searching for Sari.

http://images19.fotki.com/v35/photos/6/64353/3441401/bug5-vi.gif

is this because i'm the youngest?.. come on folks.. no picking on me. be nice...

[saravrose]

:lol:


tommy.. i'm suprised at you.. Now, is anybody gonna be nice to me?..

[eenorton]

is this because i'm the youngest?.. come on folks.. no picking on me. be nice...

tommy.. i'm suprised at you.. Now, is anybody gonna be nice to me?..


Awwww..... Sorry! http://images20.fotki.com/v357/photos/6/64353/3441401/LO5Flower07HL-vi.gif

[saravrose]

Awwww..... Sorry! http://images20.fotki.com/v357/photos/6/64353/3441401/LO5Flower07HL-vi.gif

it's okay... :D

[tommykjensen]

is this because i'm the youngest?.. come on folks.. no picking on me. be nice...

tommy.. i'm suprised at you.. Now, is anybody gonna be nice to me?..

http://photo.klein-jensen.dk/smilies/sorry.gif

[condyk]

Man ... she bats her eyelids for a second and you both roll over. Now Sari, not sure about picking on you but Ticks we'll be picking off you :lol: :lol:

[saravrose]

Man ... she bats her eyelids for a second and you both roll over. Now Sari, not sure about picking on you but Ticks we'll be picking off you :lol: :lol:

I don't bat my eyelashes... truly, I don't... ;) :p :p

[eenorton]

http://images20.fotki.com/v360/photos/6/64353/3441401/Tiger_eyes-vi.gif

[saravrose]

http://images20.fotki.com/v360/photos/6/64353/3441401/Tiger_eyes-vi.gif

haha... :lol: :lol:

[holland_patrick]

Well done ... and glad the house move is sorted.

In terms of tickets we need some idea of when you will get them. The worst situation is that there are none left for you on the correct flight and/or you have to bail out, then we can't get a replacement either; or we have to wait around for a couple of days in Windhoek for the next flight to arrive and lose the bookings we have for Etosha, etc. It is all balanced on people arriving together and sharing costs. Costs go up a lot if we take 5 and not six. So, you need to do it sooner rather than later to ensure all is well for the project as a whole.


IT"S DONE......

All is right with the world...


The Fellowship of the L is complete.

[eenorton]

IT"S DONE......

All is right with the world...


The Fellowship of the L is complete.


http://images20.fotki.com/v357/photos/6/64353/3441401/EMOPOThumbsUp002HL1-vi.gif Alright Patrick!!!!!
Team Windhoek is set! :)

[condyk]

Well done Pat ...

[saravrose]

http://images20.fotki.com/v357/photos/6/64353/3441401/EMOPOThumbsUp002HL1-vi.gif Alright Patrick!!!!!
Team Windhoek is set! :)

team Windhoek I like that!!.. yeah!! Pat is set!... we are going!!.. let's pack our bags.... okay. so maybe not yet.. But, were all paid up!..:D :D

[saravrose]

my goodness folks our thread is way down here.. So, i'm moving it back up again.. hmm.. My birthcertificate is a few days away from me and after that it's a quick trip to Cascade to get a passport... How was Thanksgiving for everyone?..

sari

[tommykjensen]

No thanksgiving dinner traditions over in this part of the world.

So how was your dinner? Was the turkey good?

[wannasmaxx]

Is it too late to to express interrest? I really want to go, and have the means. Any open spots? Thanks

[condyk]

Is it too late to to express interrest? I really want to go, and have the means. Any open spots? Thanks

Shame, but we are all full up this time. I reckon we could have filled the trip twice, but a small group is better for this kind of thing to ensure we all have the best experience. There may be another Africa trip at some stage; certainly I would hope at least one a year.

Maybe there could also be an India or similar trip Jan/Feb 2008? There is some fantastic wildlife to be seen there and I have mainly missed it when I have been before. Lots more too of course and a real experience of a lifetime.

[Becca]

Hi folks! Been away from the forum for a few days visiting the family in Michigan for Thanksgiving.

Glad to hear you're all taken care of and ready to go, Patrick! Wouldn't have been the same without you!

Hope the rest of the US contingent had a good holiday and that our friends over the big blue are doing well!

[eenorton]

Hello all! I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. This was year 17 (I think) of a group of friends who started getting together in lieu of family that was out of town. There are six of us who have always been there and there are always others who are invited to join when we discover they have no plans. We eat ourselves silly and always go 'round the table expressing what we're grateful for that year.... and then we move on to a variety of games and laugh ourselves silly into the night. I look forward to this get together every year.

India in 2008? Not sure my finances could handle another trip that soon.... now 2009... :D

[saravrose]

No thanksgiving dinner traditions over in this part of the world.

So how was your dinner? Was the turkey good?

turkey was lovely.. for some strange reason my aunt wanted me to pay attention to the gravy preparation... she thought I could learn how to do it... (optomistic woman that she is).. but, all the children were there my cousin's two new stepkids are horrible hide and seek players so I spent about an hour pointing them in the right hiding places.. (you'd think an eight year old would know to hide in a bathtub?:confused: ;) ).. I miss family. More and more when I go home and It's just gets icky saying goodbye to the little ones..

Shame, but we are all full up this time. I reckon we could have filled the trip twice, but a small group is better for this kind of thing to ensure we all have the best experience. There may be another Africa trip at some stage; certainly I would hope at least one a year.

Maybe there could also be an India or similar trip Jan/Feb 2008? There is some fantastic wildlife to be seen there and I have mainly missed it when I have been before. Lots more too of course and a real experience of a lifetime.

raising hand!!! me!!... I like the idea of India.. or Spain, Or Greece... What about South America.. have you ever been?...

sari

[condyk]

raising hand!!! me!!... I like the idea of India.. or Spain, Or Greece... What about South America.. have you ever been?...


India would be tough for US people as is so far to go. Parts of South America could be an option. I have some friends just got bacl from Mexico and loved it. I have several South America places on my 50 things to do before I'm 50 list but can't remember which they are now.

[wannasmaxx]

No problem.. My employer laughed when I ask him today. It was a "you go, you're fired" kind of laugh, so maybe the India trip might work... who knows at this point.

[saravrose]

India would be tough for US people as is so far to go. Parts of South America could be an option. I have some friends just got bacl from Mexico and loved it. I have several South America places on my 50 things to do before I'm 50 list but can't remember which they are now.

South America holds an appeal for me.. I wouldn't be opposed to going to India.. (how much further is it really than Africa).. But, in all fairness I should probably get through this winter, Africa and my next move before I start planning another trip.. It seems i'm becoming somewhat of a gypsy... I still love the idea of Greece or Iceland though.... decisions. decisions...

when do you turn fifty?...;)

[condyk]

when do you turn fifty?...;)

When I've done my 50 things, they I die ;-)

[tommykjensen]

When I've done my 50 things, they I die ;-)

Hmm I think someone removed the birthyear in the profile :p

[saravrose]

million dollar question--- Who's older ? Dave or Tommy?..

[tommykjensen]

million dollar question--- Who's older ? Dave or Tommy?..

Hehe. Are you going to bring the million to Africa :lol: I know the answer :p

Actually one day I wanted to see what age the 6 of us were so noted all down. Except for Pat. His birthday or age is not in the profile.

[saravrose]

Hehe. Are you going to bring the million to Africa :lol: I know the answer :p

Actually one day I wanted to see what age the 6 of us were so noted all down. Except for Pat. His birthday or age is not in the profile.

soooo... who's the oldest?.. :D .. I already know i'm the baby of the group.. :rolleyes:

[tommykjensen]

Who's oldest depend on Pat's age

24,40,43,48,52,?

[saravrose]

Who's oldest depend on Pat's age

24,40,43,48,52,?

Pat is around 35'ish... If I remember correctly... So, that would make you 52?... Dave said there are a list of places he wants to go to before he turns 50 so that would make him either 43 or 48.. i'm leaning towards 43.. beth, I think is 40 and Becc'a is 48?... I might be wrong.. hmm...

sari

[tommykjensen]

:( noooo I am not 52 theres a loooong way until that.

[tommykjensen]

Hint, view user profile ;)

[saravrose]

:( noooo I am not 52 theres a loooong way until that.

oops..Sorry tommy.. see, I really don't know who's how old.. shutting up now.

[tommykjensen]

When we go we will be

24 Sari
? Pat (if your guess is right)
40 me
43 Becca
48 Dave
52 Beth

[condyk]

When we go we will be

24 Sari
? Pat (if your guess is right)
40 me
43 Becca
48 Dave
52 Beth

I think Pat is 32-34 ... man, me and Beth will have to be changing nappies for you kids :lol: :lol:

[saravrose]

I think Pat is 32-34 ... man, me and Beth will have to be changing nappies for you kids :lol: :lol:

fortunately I don't think anyone is going to need changing while were there.. ;) ;) .. Even the baby of the group has been out of diapers for quite a while...:lol:

sari

[Becca]

fortunately I don't think anyone is going to need changing while were there..

That might depend on if I see a snake anywhere near my tent.... :oops:

[eenorton]

:( noooo I am not 52 theres a loooong way until that.

You'll be surprised how quickly it sneaks up on you!! :D

That might depend on if I see a snake anywhere near my tent.... :oops:

LOL! I was thinking the same thing.

[saravrose]

I promise to not be the girl freaking out over bugs.. I will be cool, calm and collected with the bug element of africa.. snakes is up to debate.. but, as long as one doesn't touch me I should be reasonable.. (atleast in theory).. I do have one itty, bitty fear of rodents though... Even 'pet' rodents. One of my nieces got a hamster awhile back.. those things are just rounder rats without the tail...

sari

[condyk]

Not fond of them either. My first ever night in Bombay, which in itself is as big a culture shock as is possible, I looked down from my hotel window and saw Rats as big as Cats leaping over bags of rubbish outside. I never did eat in that place :confused:

[eenorton]

I think the only time I was ever really scared by a critter of any kind was when I was around 8 yrs old and we were camping and a big ol' beetle-like creature flew straight at me and landed on my nose! And those things grab on, too!! I guess if I didn't need my nappies changed on *that* particular occasion, I should be pretty safe in Africa. ;) As the senior member of the troupe, I'll take the responsibility of documenting any such occurrence. :lol:

[saravrose]

I have a new mantra.. "I will not be the girly-girl I will not be the girly-girl I will not be the girly-girl".. In all fairness the girliest I will probably get is not skipping my mascara.. I can pretty much roll with the punches..

sari

[holland_patrick]

yes i'm still alive and still kicking.. lot's of work going on...

i'm 34... and for the trip i'll be 35....

[condyk]

yes i'm still alive and still kicking.. lot's of work going on... i'm 34... and for the trip i'll be 35....

Well done junior :p You're sure earning enough to pay off that new house double quick and stock up on those L's eh?

[saravrose]

Well done junior :p You're sure earning enough to pay off that new house double quick and stock up on those L's eh?

L's who needs L's.. Hey dave are you gonna bring any of your antique manual focus treasures with you?...

[holland_patrick]

L's.. Humm those are nice but I'm like the tonkia's..

[condyk]

L's who needs L's.. Hey dave are you gonna bring any of your antique manual focus treasures with you?...

Well I was going to bring my Pentax 50mm 1.4 but if I keep my Sigma 30mm 1.4 I will bring that instead; fast and has AF. MF is fine if you don't want to spend out on modern stuff, but when you have a lens as good with AF then daft to use MF in my opinion. I can bring one or two if interested. The Zeiss 35mm and 135mm are very nice indeed and small but not the kinda range I'd use in Africa normally. You can still buy them for decent prices.

L's.. Humm those are nice but I'm like the tonkia's..

Tokina are very decent bang poer buck in my opinion. Usually ignored as they don't advertise much. Some of my best have been Tokina like the 20-35mm 2.8 and 12-24mm 4.0. The 80-400mm is also pretty decent for the price.

[holland_patrick]

I found my old pentax bodies.. and the lens i have is the 50 2.0. I was hoping you would bring yours so i could see the adapter..

i have yet to find one...

[condyk]

I'll bring the adapter and maybe a lens to play with. Your have a K1000 with K Mount I think you told once?

[holland_patrick]

yes that is correct

[saravrose]

I'll bring the adapter and maybe a lens to play with. Your have a K1000 with K Mount I think you told once?

soooo excited!!! :D :D :D .. can I play with them too?...

sari

[condyk]

Sure ... just get in the line that says 'photographers only' ;-)

[saravrose]

Sure ... just get in the line that says 'photographers only' ;-)

:confused: :confused: .. hmm... are we talking about Petey's theory that someday soon you will give up your soft and inexpensive tools for the sharp expensive ones and that as soon as you do you will turn into the photographer that you were born to be because you will now have the gear worthy of your talent?... or am I just really bad at following conversations today?...

sari

[condyk]

:confused: :confused: .. hmm... are we talking about Petey's theory that someday soon you will give up your soft and inexpensive tools for the sharp expensive ones and that as soon as you do you will turn into the photographer that you were born to be because you will now have the gear worthy of your talent?... or am I just really bad at following conversations today?...

sari

Nah, that is his canuke BS. My stuff is plenty sharp enough. Only reason I'd go L again is USM and weather sealing. Don't need that stuff at the moment so why throw good money away? I've had 5 L's after all, so not like I dunno what I'm supposed to be missing :rolleyes: Sharpness is more about exposure than glass! Anyone can prove that.

[holland_patrick]

tell you the truth right now i was beter with my old pentax then i am with my Nice and shiney digital..


Oh yes and i gathered another 36 hours of overtime this weekend..

[tommykjensen]

WUHUUUU I got my drivers license today


http://photo.klein-jensen.dk/smilies/0180.gif

[Becca]

Congratulations, Tommy!

[condyk]

tell you the truth right now i was beter with my old pentax then i am with my Nice and shiney digital. Oh yes and i gathered another 36 hours of overtime this weekend..

I have to say a nhumbe rof my favourite shots have been taken with my classic 'old rubbish'. The feel seems different, or maybe it's because I am more engaged with the camera and subject rather than point and shoot style!

WUHUUUU I got my drivers license today

Wow! First time passed. That is an achievement man. One of my staff just failed. She was a bit unhappy, but she did nearly hit a van and the tester had to grab the wheel :lol: :lol:

[condyk]

Check out Neilyb (search for recent threads he started) as he is posting shots in the wildlife section from around Okavango and Chobe. Worth a look.

[tommykjensen]

And check out this photo taken in Etosha

http://www.photosig.com/go/photos/view?id=1885470

This was taken by the danish photographer that promised to give me some feedback on his trip to Namibia when he returns in one week.

[condyk]

Yes, really lovely quality to those shots. 5D and 500mm 4.0 IS L is a killer combo. Shows the advantage of good length. I am guessing he used a CP?

[Becca]

I have to say a nhumbe rof ....

Have you been taking typing lessons from CDS? :D

[condyk]

Nah, just slipped in under my normal QA process ;-)

[saravrose]

Congratulations Tommy!! i'm thrilled for you!! now over here it was a tradition to take all of your friends on a Mcdonalds run to Ontario the day we got our license... something about having the ability to leave the state just because we could that we loved!!!!..

sari

[eenorton]

http://photo.klein-jensen.dk/smilies/0180.gif


Congratulations Tommy!!!

[holland_patrick]

EXCELLENT...

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_driving3.gif

[tommykjensen]

More photos from Namibia by Hans Kruse

http://www.pbase.com/hkruse/sossusvlei_2006

[condyk]

Very nice ... I like the pictures taken driving back through the Naukluft mountains on the way to Windhoek. I enjoyed the desert more than sossusvlei itself.

[eenorton]

I love the second to last shot on that page.

[saravrose]

the dunes take my breath away... just incredible.. thanks for sharing

sari

[tommykjensen]

Don't know if you already noticed but he also updated his gallery with photos from Etosha

http://www.pbase.com/hkruse/etosha_2006

[Becca]

Wow, those are great. I loved the shots from Etosha. Thanks for sharing them with us, Tommy!

[tommykjensen]

I got some good feedback from Hans which I will try and summarize here its primarely about Etosha.

Gates open at 6.10. And lighting would be bad around 9. Also afternoon he said the best lighting would be between 16.00 to 19.00. And the gates close at 19.10. Since he was there in november and we will be there in september I assume the times will be slightly different?

He also said that the light at the waterholes is bad for the photos and colors get washed out.

Further more he said he had no problems paying with credit card most places places and there were no need for a lot of cash.

They drove 12.500 km from Johannesbourg through Kgalagadi, Windhoek, Etosha, Skeleton Coast, Swakopsmund, Walvis Bay, Sossusvlei, Windhoek, Etosha, Pilanesberg and back to Johannesbourg.

He also mentioned that one of the partitipants were completely exhausted when they got to Windhoek on the return.

[condyk]

... primarely about Etosha. Gates open at 6.10. And lighting would be bad around 9. Also afternoon he said the best lighting would be between 16.00 to 19.00. And the gates close at 19.10. He also said that the light at the waterholes is bad for the photos and colors get washed out. Further more he said he had no problems paying with credit card most places places and there were no need for a lot of cash. He also mentioned that one of the partitipants were completely exhausted when they got to Windhoek on the return.

Useful ... good to hear CC's are now more commonplace. Times you are allowed out do change with time of year. Early morning and evening may be too dark to take shots one a drive but good for viewing as it's cooler and some of the animals get a bit more active. Light is bright and so washed out colours can be likely. Might have to think about a CP. It is easy to get tired but I think that is likely to be as much due to dehydration than anything else. You need to have the discipline to drink plenty of water. A routine helps a lot so you get enough sleep on a steady basis. Other than that no reason why it should be too exhausting. If people have trouble sleeping to the sounds of crickets and animals then they should bring earplugs. When we are camping in some areas, especially Moremi and Chobe, there may well be all sorts of animals walking through the camp at night.

[tommykjensen]

Another thing he told me surprised me somewhat and makes me reconsider bringing a laptop (I would have to buy one in that case). He came home with about 10.000 photos and he had already deleted about 5000 down there. He had a 5D and a 20D to shoot with.

[Becca]

I've worried about storage, too. Pat said that he is planning on bringing his laptop and we can use it to burn onto DVDs, but my home PC doesn't have a DVD reader so I'm not sure how I'm going to back things up to bring home.

[saravrose]

I'll bring my laptop and we can burn to cd on it... and i've already found the camera bag that will also have room for my laptop.

[tommykjensen]

I've worried about storage, too. Pat said that he is planning on bringing his laptop and we can use it to burn onto DVDs, but my home PC doesn't have a DVD reader so I'm not sure how I'm going to back things up to bring home.

An external DVD reader for your stationary pc is really cheap and easy to plugin a usb port.

[saravrose]

Which bag, Sari?

I spotted it at the store..it's a lowepro and basically looks like a little overnight bag.. I figure i'll bring my over the shoulder bag in my regular luggage so I can use it for walk-around and use the new lowepro for traveling..

[tommykjensen]

What model? I have just ordered a LowePro CompuTrekker Plus AW.

[condyk]

I just looked at that one Tommy. Looks like a great bag.

I had one of those when I had long lenses and really is a very well made bag.

As to how many shots one will shoot well it will depend on the person. I would view and delete all non-keepers and use my laptop to PP as we go if I can. Personally, I tend to view more than shoot. I shoot if I know I will get a good shot. I wouldn't expect more than 10-20 keepers a day at maximum. Someone could easily manage just burning to someone's rewritable CD unless they want to keep everything they take, in which case a laptop or storage device will be essential.

[tommykjensen]

I know I shoot alot and delete few. When I visit the local zoo for a couple hours I can easily shoot a couple hundred photos or more :oops:

[saravrose]

I had one of those when I had long lenses and really is a very well made bag.

As to how many shots one will shoot well it will depend on the person. I would view and delete all non-keepers and use my laptop to PP as we go if I can. Personally, I tend to view more than shoot. I shoot if I know I will get a good shot. I wouldn't expect more than 10-20 keepers a day at maximum. Someone could easily manage just burning to someone's rewritable CD unless they want to keep everything they take, in which case a laptop or storage device will be essential.

well I shoot more than that..but will maybe have twenty real keepers a day.. and if you think about it.. 20 keepers x 21 days is a pretty good ratio... I'm not sure what the model of the bag was.. My aunt said that she wanted to get it for me for christmas but we'll see.. I'm taking my laptop mostly for processing though.. I tend to wind down at the end of the day by PP.. I'm thinking of calling my camera guy and telling him what I need and just having him pick a bag out for me.. as strange as that sounds..

sari

[saravrose]

I'm somewhere in between dave and Tommy I think.. Six months ago it was nothing for me to go through a 2G card before I stopped for a break... Somehow switching to RAW has slowed me down.. Now, I'll go home with sixty shots and call it good... I still don't chimp or delete though... maybe by Africa i'll be better at reviewing and getting rid of shots..

sari

[Becca]

An external DVD reader for your stationary pc is really cheap and easy to plugin a usb port.

I've been looking at them, and they aren't very expensive. I just wonder how often I would use it after we got back? Its on my list of things to think about before we go! :lol: Boy, that list gets longer every day!

[saravrose]

I've been looking at them, and they aren't very expensive. I just wonder how often I would use it after we got back? Its on my list of things to think about before we go! :lol: Boy, that list gets longer every day!

tell me about it.. and then I think.. do I really need this stuff or just think i should have it?.. and then it get's taken off the list and a couple days later I come up with a scenario and it gets put back on again.... atleast we'll have all winter to debate what we need and what we don't need..

sari

[tommykjensen]

Hehe the only list I have started so far if you even can call it a list is what photogear I think I am going to bring. Everything else I am going to wait several months before starting to worry about.

[condyk]

tell me about it.. and then I think.. do I really need this stuff or just think i should have it?

This is a good point ... it's the difference between need and want. I am going to be as pragmatic as I can be because otherwise the trip goes from being a bargain opportunity to an opportunity to end up paying out what we could had we all gone on a luxury tour :confused: We touched on this way back if I remember and agreed was a good idea to try and pool some items. For example, how many USB card readers do we need, how many guide books, how many laptops, etc.

Is it worth starting a list of possible shared items? Or do people prefer to just get what they need themselves? I tend to be someone who will make sure I have what I need rather than rely on others (partly because I have it already), but I am also very happy to share if someone else doesn't want to spend out, or carry stuff.

[tommykjensen]

Yes I definately think it is a good idea to share items to keep it simple.

- books
- maps
- chargers for cameras.
- laptops
- lenses? If it can fit in my bag I don't mind bringing more of my lenses if I have one that any of you would like to try.
- what about flash?

what else?


The reason I am considering to buy a laptop myself is that if I end up shooting as much as Hans Kruse did on his trip I would need to get extra storage anyway as my 40 GB Epson would not be big enough. So I am looking at small ultra light laptops with a 12" screen which I think is big enough for sorting through the photos and delete the bad photos.

[condyk]

This is possible shared stuff that I am planning on bringing. The  means I have the item already.

Books

Namibia/Botswana (Lonely Planet) - due Feb. 07
Botswana (Bradt Travel Guide) - due March 07
Also have birds and wildlife spotters books 
Maps: Southern Africa road map  and Botswana and Namibia GPS maps (to be bought nearer time so as get latest versions)

Hardware

Swiss army knife or Leatherman (a good one is worth the money) 
Maglite AA mini torch, 4 rechargeable AA batteries/charger 
Small laptop with charger/mains adapter (doubles as music player) 
Small USB Mouse 
PDA with blutooth GPS and car charger 
Zip up bag for all cables, batteries, chargers, phone adapters, etc.
Several small velcro cable ties (to keep misc. cables tidy)
Cellphone (with roaming enabled) 
MP3 player/HD backup with headphones, USB and mains cable 
Mini-Power Inverter (Car 12V to 240V) 
Cigar lighter 3x extender 
2 Local plugs (buy in Windhoek)
Spare 8-socket lead for attaching to local plug

Optics

Binoculars 
Canon 30D with battery charger and 4 batteries 
4gb CF cards (1x 2gb plus 2x 1gb) 
Sigma 50-500mm EX DG 
The Pod (red) beanbag 
Sigma 17-70mm DC 
Canon 60mm 2.8 Macro 
Sigma 30mm 1.4 HSM 
Manfrotto Neotec Monopod 
Sensor blower 
Lens cleaning cloths

Would be useful if one of the US peeps gets a Mini-Power Inverter (Car 12V to 110V) so you can charge in the vehicle with your US style plugs when necessary.

[Becca]

This is possible shared stuff that I am planning on bringing. The  means I have the item already.

Books

Namibia/Botswana (Lonely Planet) - due Feb. 07
Botswana (Bradt Travel Guide) - due March 07
Also have birds and wildlife spotters books 
Maps: Southern Africa road map  and Botswana and Namibia GPS maps (to be bought nearer time so as get latest versions)

Hardware

Swiss army knife or Leatherman (a good one is worth the money) 
Maglite AA mini torch, 4 rechargeable AA batteries/charger 
Small laptop with charger/mains adapter (doubles as music player) 
Small USB Mouse 
PDA with blutooth GPS and car charger 
Zip up bag for all cables, batteries, chargers, phone adapters, etc.
Several small velcro cable ties (to keep misc. cables tidy)
Cellphone (with roaming enabled) 
MP3 player/HD backup with headphones, USB and mains cable 
Mini-Power Inverter (Car 12V to 240V) 
Cigar lighter 3x extender 
2 Local plugs (buy in Windhoek)
Spare 8-socket lead for attaching to local plug

Optics

Binoculars 
Canon 30D with battery charger and 4 batteries 
4gb CF cards (1x 2gb plus 2x 1gb) 
Sigma 50-500mm EX DG 
The Pod (red) beanbag 
Sigma 17-70mm DC 
Canon 60mm 2.8 Macro 
Sigma 30mm 1.4 HSM 
Manfrotto Neotec Monopod 
Sensor blower 
Lens cleaning cloths

Would be useful if one of the US peeps gets a Mini-Power Inverter (Car 12V to 110V) so you can charge in the vehicle with your US style plugs when necessary.

This is what is on my list so far:
Camera Equipment

XT
D300
Bigma
Nifty
Sigma 28-80
Wide Angle or Kit?
CF Cards (1x 1gb, 3x 2gb)
Flash
POD
Lens Cleaner
DVDs/CDs for burning?
DVD wallet?
TripodOther

Headlamp/Flashlight
Sewing kit
Paperback books
Lonely Planet Southern Africa
BinocularsI can take care of getting the converter for the US folks unless someone else has one?

[tommykjensen]

More photos by Hans Kruse

http://www.pbase.com/hkruse/kgalagadi_2006

[saravrose]

wow.. great photos Tommy... the lions are wonderful...

[condyk]

Yup ... and we'll see all that stuff when we're there ;-)

[saravrose]

My bestfriend asked me if I was getting scared at all... I think I may get a bit nervous at the airports.. But, I'll be too excited to be scared...

[Becca]

Wow, those are really something! Ok, so tell us the truth.... are the animals really that plentiful there? I'm really amazed at not only the number of animals, but the different species! Very very cool! I can't wait!

[eenorton]

More photos by Hans Kruse

http://www.pbase.com/hkruse/kgalagadi_2006

Wonderful! Thanks Tommy.

wow.. great photos Tommy... the lions are wonderful...

I've been debating whether or not to bring my 70-200 2.8, but after seeing that shot of the two lions at dusk, I think I'll have too. :D

Yup ... and we'll see all that stuff when we're there ;-)

http://images19.fotki.com/v26/photos/6/64353/3441401/jump-vi.gif Sorry. Just hadn't bounced for a while. :D

[Becca]

http://images19.fotki.com/v26/photos/6/64353/3441401/jump-vi.gif Sorry. Just hadn't bounced for a while. :D


You make me laugh, Beth!


I just had an idea, but I don't know how to make it work. Dave, did you say you were bringing a GPS? If so, does that mean that whenever we stopped on game drives we would be able to get an exact location (like lattitude and longitude degrees?).

Someone had posted something about linking pictures to Google Earth and I thought it might be really cool to create a "tour" when we get back to send to friends so they can see where we were and attach some of my pictures. Might be more work that I really want to dig into, but could be a fun project for the winter after we get back... just a thought!

[eenorton]

That *would* be cool, Becca! Do you use Opanda to view EXIF? There's a tab there for GPS, but I don't know how you get that info into the EXIF.

[Becca]

I don't know either, but I found a program thingie that if you can record your GPS positions as you drive, synchronize your camera time with the GPS time, then you can tell exactly where you were by the time stamp on your photos... or at least I THINK that's how it works. Here's a site (http://codex.gallery2.org/index.php/Gallery2:Modules:Gps)I found that kind of describes it. Looks pretty cool, but I'm not sure I want to put that much work into it! :)

[tommykjensen]

There are programs that can take a list of GPS positions and map it to the photos and create Google Earth links.

It is just a matter of having a GPS unit that can record the positions and export it.

[condyk]

My bestfriend asked me if I was getting scared at all... I think I may get a bit nervous at the airports.. But, I'll be too excited to be scared...

Well that sounds entirely normal ;)

Wow, those are really something! Ok, so tell us the truth.... are the animals really that plentiful there? I'm really amazed at not only the number of animals, but the different species! Very very cool! I can't wait!

Animals are plentiful when you see them, but then some are alone depending on the type and rarely seen. Overall we will see plenty. Lots are so plentiful you just ignore them pretty much after a while.

I've been debating whether or not to bring my 70-200 2.8, but after seeing that shot of the two lions at dusk, I think I'll have too. :D


Good idea to have a fast lens if you can afford to spend out or have it already ;-)

I just had an idea, but I don't know how to make it work. Dave, did you say you were bringing a GPS?

Someone had posted something about linking pictures to Google Earth and I thought it might be really cool to create a "tour" when we get back to send to friends so they can see where we were and attach some of my pictures. Might be more work that I really want to dig into, but could be a fun project for the winter after we get back... just a thought!

There are programs that can take a list of GPS positions and map it to the photos and create Google Earth links.

It is just a matter of having a GPS unit that can record the positions and export it.

My GPS will tell me where we are but not export position, so it is very much a backup in case we are badly lost anytime and data will relate to the GPS maps when I get them. Mostly useful as an essential safety backup. But there are units you can buy or hire that will do a great job in the way you say. In fact you can map the whole journey in advance and there are points of interest to download and the GPS helps you find them. A real added value if you want to research it. You can do it all via Google Earth and use T4A data (http://www.tracks4africa.co.za/) for points of interest. I haven't looked into it but most of the overlanders in that part of the world use it and find it totally essential. A nice project to take on if you want to. I dunno much about it.

[condyk]

Wow ... this would be a park worth visiting :-)

Green light for landmark African nature park

Melanie Gosling December 12 2006 at 04:43AM

Five southern African countries have signed an agreement to establish
the biggest conservation area in the world - a massive transfrontier
national park 14 times the size of the Kruger National Park and almost
as big as Italy.

The Peace Parks Foundation has described the move as the most
significant conservation effort undertaken in Africa in the last 100
years.

Called the Kavango-Zambezi trans-frontier conservation area, the park
will be situated in the Okavango and Zambezi river basins and will cover
an area of 287 132 square kilometres. It is likely to be formally
established in 2010.

The announcement was made on Monday by the Peace Parks Foundation. The
governments of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe signed the
memorandum of understanding at a ceremony at the Victoria Falls in which
they committed themselves to working together to establish the park.

'The main function of such a park is of course conservation'

Werner Myburgh, project manager of Peace Parks Foundation, said on
Monday: "From a conservation perspective, this is the most significant
effort in Africa in the last 100 years."

The park will link 36 national parks, game reserves, community
conservancies and game management areas. Some of the most notable of
these are the Caprivi Strip, the Chobe National Park, the Okavanga
Delta, which is the largest Ramsar site in the world, and the Victoria
Falls, a World Heritage Site and one of the seven natural wonders of the
world.

The park will have about 250 000 elephants, the largest elephant
population in the world, and may reduce the pressure to cull elephant
populations.

While the primary function of trans-frontier parks is conservation of
the natural environment, they also have spin-offs of tourism and job
creation.

"The main function of such a park is of course conservation, primarily
because it creates ecological linkages that cross international borders
and allows movement of wildlife across these barriers. It is vital to
secure these links. But if managed well, these parks can have major
tourist spin-offs.

'We already have a major potential donor'

"One of the reasons is that it allows freer movement of tourists between
game areas. For instance, if a tourist is in Zambia and wants to go the
Caprivi now, they will have to go through about four international
border posts, but once the Kavango-Zambezi is established, tourists
could move there freely," Myburgh said.

He said the establishment of the trans-frontier park may give elephant
culling "a breathing space".

"One research model says that if elephants move over large areas between
water points, there is a natural dying off of youngsters, which doesn't
happen now in the restricted areas. There are about 120 000 elephants in
Botswana alone, about 10 000 in Kafue, which is about twice the size of
Kruger and virtually none in Angola. Once the transfrontier park is
established, the elephants will be able to move from one country to
another.

But first the fences have to come down, the landmines removed and the
ribbon development of people along rivers and roads must stop.

"It is very challenging, but very exciting. We already have a major
potential donor in the form of the German Development Bank.

"This is unusual, as normally one has to have the product before one
gets the funding," Myburgh said.

This is one of 20 existing and potential trans-frontier parks in the
Southern African Development Community.

The SADC Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement of 1999
defines a trans-frontier park as a large ecological region that
straddles the boundaries of two or more countries, encompassing one or
more protected areas, as well as multiple resource areas.

The parks are also designed to lead to enhancement of socio-economic
development in the region through nature-based or wildlife tourism, and
to promote a culture of peace and regional co-operation.

[tommykjensen]

More photos from Hans Kruse

http://www.pbase.com/hkruse/pilanesberg_2006

[tommykjensen]

Hehe the postman was here today with small letter from the police :D

Yep it was my driver license :D

[Becca]

More great photos! And congratulations on the drivers license! I would have been a bit nervous to get a letter from the police! :)

[condyk]

Hehe the postman was here today with small letter from the police :D

Looks like they spelt Denmark wrong :rolleyes: :evil: :p

[tommykjensen]

Hehe.

Btw I moved 200+ posts to the archive thread. Sigh I gotta cleanup the thread a little more often. Having to click on 200 posts manually is a bit tiresome.

[saravrose]

Hehe the postman was here today with small letter from the police :D

Yep it was my driver license :D

130830

how exciting!! I remember my first drivers license.. I was soo excited I showed everybody :D :D ... Congratulations!! I hope you get out and driving and enjoy yourself!!

[holland_patrick]

HI ;)

I'm still alive just barely.. I've been sick all wekk.. but I've found the STOBIST...


oh how evil.

[Becca]

Hey Patrick! Sorry to hear you've been sick. Hope you're feeling better soon!

I just found this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=470560&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) and picked it up for the trip. I think it should be enough storage space (I figured 8mg per file, I should be able to get about 5000 photos on it... is that right??) Good deal at B&H, though, with the lastest discount code.

[::John::]

I have the Epson P-2000 which also has 40Gb - and I find it terrific when travelling. Keeping it's batteries charged was an issue for me but I am sure you, as a group, will find a way to get around that.

[condyk]

HI ;) I'm still alive just barely.. I've been sick all wekk.. but I've found the STOBIST... oh how evil.

I don't understand that ... what is stobist?


I just found this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=470560&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) and picked it up for the trip. I think it should be enough storage space (I figured 8mg per file, I should be able to get about 5000 photos on it... is that right??) Good deal at B&H, though, with the lastest discount code.

Useful ... so when you get back you will have 5000 shots to PP? :lol: :lol: You gonna be busy!

[Becca]

Useful ... so when you get back you will have 5000 shots to PP? :lol: :lol: You gonna be busy!

I think I'll be very lucky to get even a fraction of that many keepers! But if I do, it will keep me busy next winter! :D

[holland_patrick]

I'M SICK FORGIVE MY SPELING

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/


SOrry about the caps,

[condyk]

Ah, now I got it ;-)

Feeling rough myself this weekend, but it's that time of year.

[Becca]

Dave, when you were talking about power inverters... is this what you were talking about?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005LACE/ref=wl_it_dp/105-3283992-7248432?ie=UTF8&coliid=I25NZXUULCDH7G&colid=19ZOQMU91Q52I

[condyk]

Yes, assume they are US plug sockets showing there.

[condyk]

I just picked up what seems to be a bargain 400mm 5.6 L ... my 6th L so it may well go the way of the others, i.e. price/quality ratio isn't in the positive so it hits the buy and sell ;-) but I doubt I'll lose on the deal if I do sell. The shots taken by ex-owner with it are really excellent, so may do me for Africa ... tho' I think I'll miss the flexibility of a zoom. Be nice to play with meantime.

[holland_patrick]

you can always play with my l dave..

[saravrose]

I just picked up what seems to be a bargain 400mm 5.6 L ... my 6th L so it may well go the way of the others, i.e. price/quality ratio isn't in the positive so it hits the buy and sell ;-) but I doubt I'll lose on the deal if I do sell. The shots taken by ex-owner with it are really excellent, so may do me for Africa ... tho' I think I'll miss the flexibility of a zoom. Be nice to play with meantime.


congratulations!!! i'm soo pleased for you. and you can always keep it for Africa and then move on when you come home... ;)

[condyk]

you can always play with my l dave..

congratulations!!! i'm soo pleased for you. and you can always keep it for Africa and then move on when you come home... ;)

Cheers y'all ... I still think taking everything into account that the Bigma EX or 100-400mm IS L are better for the varied needs we'll have, i.e. shooting short and long, tho' the main problem with the prime is composition in the frame is less flexible and the minimum focusing distance if there is an animal close by. You can always adapt and frame in PP, or just do different kinds of shot, like head shots if they are a bit closer rather than full body. It's all swings and roundabouts: gain on IQ but lose of flexibility.

[tommykjensen]

Cheers y'all ... I still think taking everything into account that the Bigma EX or 100-400mm IS L are better for the varied needs we'll have, i.e. shooting short and long, tho' the main problem with the prime is composition in the frame is less flexible and the minimum focusing distance if there is an animal close by. You can always adapt and frame in PP, or just do different kinds of shot, like head shots if they are a bit closer rather than full body. It's all swings and roundabouts: gain on IQ but lose of flexibility.

Yes thats why I got the 100-400 at this point instead of the 400 prime. I want the prime but not for this trip. Only primes I may bring would be the short ones maybe the 85 1.8 and/or 28 1.8

[Becca]

Congratulations on the new lens, Dave!

[JaGWiRE]

Speaking of primes, nobody has interest in the 300 F4L IS for the trip? It does have close focus capabilities, although the focal length could become a problem.

[tommykjensen]

Speaking of primes, nobody has interest in the 300 F4L IS for the trip? It does have close focus capabilities, although the focal length could become a problem.

I have this lens but won't bring it on this trip. I will bring my 1 DMK INN and use my 100-400 on that and sometimes add my 1,4x extender. I will also bring my 5D and use a short zoom on that. Probably my 24-70 2.8. That will be my primary strategy.

[saravrose]

I have this lens but won't bring it on this trip. I will bring my 1 DMK INN and use my 100-400 on that and sometimes add my 1,4x extender. I will also bring my 5D and use a short zoom on that. Probably my 24-70 2.8. That will be my primary strategy.

sounds good to me.. I'm planning on picking up a 30D.. endless debate with myself it will be time for a new body, i'm going to wait until the price drops in six more months or so.. put a 100-400 on that and my Xt with Tammy, bring along the 70-200 for general walk around situations.. and pick up a short prime at some point.. pretty simple but it will be enough I think...

sari

[condyk]

http://www.voltagevalet.com/country/all.html#lamda

Plug socket types for Botswana and Namibia. If you pick up one of each plug and a small screwdriver you should be sorted for charging, etc in accommodation units. Or there are adaptors if you prefer that route.

[Olli]

http://www.voltagevalet.com/country/all.html#lamda
This is a great site - thanks. I have use for it in three weeks time in SAm.

[condyk]

This is a great site - thanks. I have use for it in three weeks time in SAm.

Where you heading chief and why?

[Olli]

Where you heading chief and why?I'll be staying mostly at the roots of Andies on Argentinan side. I have some family connections there.

[holland_patrick]

Guess that santa got for julia for Christmas???






































http://img.shopping.com/cctool/PrdImg/images/pr/177X150/00/01/61/21/ad/23142829.JPG

[saravrose]

Pat did you get her a camera?.. she's going to think she is very cool!!

[condyk]

Very nice ... the Holga is a triumph of marketing over everything the L Lovers so admire and yet they can still take some great photo's in the right hands. Very nice and cool gift. Lomography ;-)