Vacation to South Africa

[FA_Productions]

I am traveling to South Africa in a few weeks. I will not be able to take a tripod due to size. I was looking at a "bean bag" item as a substitue. Any other ideas?

I have a 20D with a 17-40, 24-105, 1.4EX, 580, and a 70-200 2.8 along with a G5 and video. Do I need anything else?

Thanks

[ScottE]

You did not say what you are going to be photographing. Most game viewing in SA is done from open vehicles so a bean bag is often not very useful. In East Africa they often use closed vehicles where you shoot out a window or an opening in the roof, both of which are good for using bean bags. It is difficult to find something to rest your camera on in an open vehicle, but a folded tripod or monopod can be used if you can get your driver to turn off the engine. IS is your friend in these situations.

I usually rent my own vehicle and build a window-pod that mounts on the vehicle window for good results.

You will need an adapter plug to plug your battery charger into the SA wall sockets. Most chargers can handle the 220-240 volts if you have an adapter. I also carry a charger that can work off the 12v cigarette lighter outlet in a car or truck. If you are camping or staying in some remote chalets there may not be an outlet for charging.

I assume you already have a sensor cleaning kit, spare batteries, spare CF cards and something to store photos on.

I take two camera bags. One is a large one that will allow me to keep my long lens with lens hood mounted when travelling. The other is a small one that I use for my shorter camera and two shorter lenses for hiking or walking about town. The one I am not using stores equipment I am not using at any given time.

You might consider getting a 2x converter for you 70-200 if you want to take pictures of birds and small animals and lizards.

I hope your are getting excited. I am. In September I am doing a trip through Swaziland, Kwazulu Natal and Lesotho.

[FA_Productions]

Thanks for the info. I will be in Kruger four days maybe five. We will be staying at Lion Sands River Lodge and taking photos of the animals from an open vehicle, a morning drive and one just before sunset.

The beanbag is for sunrises and sunsets. I think that I can handhold while in the truck. I will have IS with my 24-105

I am going to purchase an adapter once I get there. I will have a charger that will work off the 12v cigarette lighter outlet in a car.

I will have to get a sensor cleaning kit. I have everything else.

I am taking two camera bags. One large and one small.

I have a 1.4X that will have to do.

I am very excited.

You have a great trip. I will post pictures when I get back. I will also be in Paris for three days before returning home. I expect to see pics of your trip soon.

Thanks,

Jay

[ScottE]

Kruger is great, especially if this is your introduction to Africa. We visited it several years ago. On her first visit to Africa my daughter saw three of the "Big Five" in her first few hours in Africa. We saw lion, cape buffalo and elephant, as well as many other species, on the drive from Skukuzu where we landed and picked up a vehicle and Lower Sabi camp where we had a chalet.

We drive right by Kruger this time, but decided not to stop because of time limitations. It was very tempting though.

Scott

[mellowd]

Any chance you going to visit any of our cities? You simply cannot miss out on Cape Town :)

[FA_Productions]

Sorry, we are not getting to Cape Town this trip. We are flying into Johannesburg for the night. Then flying to Durban and spending three days. Then off to Nelspruit for a few days. Four days at Lion Sands then off to Pretoria for a few days and then fly out of Johannesburg to Paris for a three days, then home to Atlanta.

[mellowd]

you missing out on the best city :p

[ScottE]

Any chance you going to visit any of our cities? You simply cannot miss out on Cape Town :)

Cape Town is a beautiful city, but I found that it is not a good idea to pick up a car downtown and have to negotiate the traffic circles before your brain has converted from driving on the right side of the road. Cape Town drivers are not exactly sympathetic to confused tourists. I did like the "Look right" painted on the curb at the crossing outside the hotel. Next time I land in Cape Town I think I will book a winery tour the first day and pick up a car after I have adjusted a bit.

This year I get to visit one of my wife's high school chums from Rhodesia in Durban and my in-laws in Port Elizabeth.

[Jane Emery]

Thanks for the info. I will be in Kruger four days maybe five. We will be staying at Lion Sands River Lodge and taking photos of the animals from an open vehicle, a morning drive and one just before sunset.

The beanbag is for sunrises and sunsets. I think that I can handhold while in the truck. I will have IS with my 24-105

I am going to purchase an adapter once I get there. I will have a charger that will work off the 12v cigarette lighter outlet in a car.

I will have to get a sensor cleaning kit. I have everything else.

I am taking two camera bags. One large and one small.

I have a 1.4X that will have to do.

I am very excited.

You have a great trip. I will post pictures when I get back. I will also be in Paris for three days before returning home. I expect to see pics of your trip soon.

Thanks,

Jay


Hi Jay,

I was at Lion Sands River Lodge in June this year and you will love it. We were there three nights after spending four nights at Simbambili in the north. We saw plenty of lions and the rest of the big five in the first two days. While in Simbambili we also saw cheetahs, which was a rare treat.

As for equipment. I took my 20d and 17-40L, 100mm macro and 75-300IS lenses. I also took an Artic Butterfly sensor cleaner, 580 flash, Zig View (unused!) and micro trekker bag. I also managed to squeeze into my hold luggage (wrapped in clothes) a Manfrotto 190MF4 tripod - my Neotec was not taken as it was too long and heavy. From the vehicles I never had a problem as the IS on the lens allowed for hand holding. The only time I used the tripod was for evening and sunset shots when we were stopped for our 'sundowners'. One time I could have done with the tripod was when, after sunset, we saw a pride of lions kill a buffalo but then I just upped the ISO to 1600 and with the tracker's spotlight managed to get some usable shots. I also took a bean bag filled with polystyrene balls but didn't use that either. I must say that at Sabi Sands the wildlife were so close at times that my 75-300 lens was too long and I missed several shots. Take plenty of CF cards though, on the day we saw the cheetahs I took over 200 shots. Luckily I had taken a lap top to download them to each evening. It did help that I had an assistant (my daughter) who did carry a little of my kit on the flight.

I am really envious of you going there, I am aiming to go back again very soon.

Have a great trip. :)

[mellowd]

Cape Town is a beautiful city, but I found that it is not a good idea to pick up a car downtown and have to negotiate the traffic circles before your brain has converted from driving on the right side of the road. Cape Town drivers are not exactly sympathetic to confused tourists. I did like the "Look right" painted on the curb at the crossing outside the hotel. Next time I land in Cape Town I think I will book a winery tour the first day and pick up a car after I have adjusted a bit.

This year I get to visit one of my wife's high school chums from Rhodesia in Durban and my in-laws in Port Elizabeth.

Ah, the tropical city and the windy city. To be honest I've only been to Durban once when I was a kid. PE is nice, although a little quiet, though you are going on holiday so it makes sense. I think we are sympathetic drivers, unfortuantely there are just too many people on the roads who are bad drivers :(

[FA_Productions]

Hi Jay,

I was at Lion Sands River Lodge in June this year and you will love it. We were there three nights after spending four nights at Simbambili in the north. We saw plenty of lions and the rest of the big five in the first two days. While in Simbambili we also saw cheetahs, which was a rare treat.

As for equipment. I took my 20d and 17-40L, 100mm macro and 75-300IS lenses. I also took an Artic Butterfly sensor cleaner, 580 flash, Zig View (unused!) and micro trekker bag. I also managed to squeeze into my hold luggage (wrapped in clothes) a Manfrotto 190MF4 tripod - my Neotec was not taken as it was too long and heavy. From the vehicles I never had a problem as the IS on the lens allowed for hand holding. The only time I used the tripod was for evening and sunset shots when we were stopped for our 'sundowners'. One time I could have done with the tripod was when, after sunset, we saw a pride of lions kill a buffalo but then I just upped the ISO to 1600 and with the tracker's spotlight managed to get some usable shots. I also took a bean bag filled with polystyrene balls but didn't use that either. I must say that at Sabi Sands the wildlife were so close at times that my 75-300 lens was too long and I missed several shots. Take plenty of CF cards though, on the day we saw the cheetahs I took over 200 shots. Luckily I had taken a lap top to download them to each evening. It did help that I had an assistant (my daughter) who did carry a little of my kit on the flight.

I am really envious of you going there, I am aiming to go back again very soon.

Have a great trip. :)

Jane,

Thanks for the information. I think that the three lenses that I am taking should work great. I was looking at purchasing a 100-400 but saw how close the animals were and went for the 24-105 instead. As for a tripod, i am not going to be able to take one with me. we are not going to check any bags. I was going to get a bean bag just to have as a substitue. I was going to get a monopod for the game drives. Do I need it?

As for memory, I will have 8GB of cards and my laptop with me.

How old was your daughter? My assistant will be 10 and shooting with her G5. The wife will be shooting video.

Thanks,

Jay

[karien]

Hi Jay, I am staying in Pretoria. The best city in South Africa!!!

If I read a post like yours I am proud to be a South African. I hope you enjoy your stay in our beautyful country.

Where are you going to stay in Pretoria.

[keithvr]

You can see from my site http://www.rawimages.co.za that I spend a lot of time in the Kruger. Have also spent a lot of time at Lion sands, Which one are you visiting, River lodge, or Ivory lodge, Ivory lodge is very upmarket.
A bean bag will work fine to rest on the rail in front of you. I use a manfrotto fluid head on a manfrotto G clamp. The 24-105 is far to short although you do get close to the animals. A 100-400 is ideal and I would suggest you get something with that length. I see you have a 70-200, add a 1.4 converot and you should be fine.
If you need any info what so ever pls feel free to pm me or e-mail me.

[Jane Emery]

Jane,

Thanks for the information. I think that the three lenses that I am taking should work great. I was looking at purchasing a 100-400 but saw how close the animals were and went for the 24-105 instead. As for a tripod, i am not going to be able to take one with me. we are not going to check any bags. I was going to get a bean bag just to have as a substitue. I was going to get a monopod for the game drives. Do I need it?

As for memory, I will have 8GB of cards and my laptop with me.

How old was your daughter? My assistant will be 10 and shooting with her G5. The wife will be shooting video.

Thanks,

Jay


Jay,

I debated taking a monopod but as I said I had no trouble at all and because most of the photos were taken when we were not moving I could rest the camera on my bag on the side of the vehicle if necessary. I didn't need to do that very often.

My daugher is 20 and this trip was her treat for getting a first class honours in marine biology and a PPL this year. She really, really wanted to see cheetahs so you can imagine how pleased we were that the guide went out of his way and way past his boundary to find some! She took an Ixus and also a camcorder and has made her first ever video and posted it on YouTube. Her photos were not too bad either, and she was using a point and shoot!

Have a great trip, I am sure you will fall in love with Africa.

Jane

[FA_Productions]

Hi Jay, I am staying in Pretoria. The best city in South Africa!!!

If I read a post like yours I am proud to be a South African. I hope you enjoy your stay in our beautyful country.

Where are you going to stay in Pretoria.

We do not know yet. Do you have any suggestions? 2 adults and 1 child.

[FA_Productions]

Jane,

Thanks for the info. Do you have any of the pictures from your trip online? How can I see the video on YouTube?

[FA_Productions]

You can see from my site http://www.rawimages.co.za that I spend a lot of time in the Kruger. Have also spent a lot of time at Lion sands, Which one are you visiting, River lodge, or Ivory lodge, Ivory lodge is very upmarket.
A bean bag will work fine to rest on the rail in front of you. I use a manfrotto fluid head on a manfrotto G clamp. The 24-105 is far to short although you do get close to the animals. A 100-400 is ideal and I would suggest you get something with that length. I see you have a 70-200, add a 1.4 converot and you should be fine.
If you need any info what so ever pls feel free to pm me or e-mail me.

Thanks for the information. We will be at The River Lodge. The 100-400 is no longer and option as nice as it would be. I still need to have a little money left to pay for the trip.

What great pictures. I can't come close to that quality. I am still very new to photography.

Jay

[karien]

How many days are you going to be in Pretoria? I can give you some names of Hotels ect.

[mellowd]

Pretty much the only thing I liked in Pretoria is Unisa. It looks pretty cool at night

[FA_Productions]

How many days are you going to be in Pretoria? I can give you some names of Hotels ect.

I think one day maybe two.

Thanks,

Jay

[Jane Emery]

Jane,

Thanks for the info. Do you have any of the pictures from your trip online? How can I see the video on YouTube?

Hi Jay,

The video is called 'Caitlin's African Safari', knowing nothing about YouTube I don't know how to send a link to you but if you do a search on this title it comes up (I have just checked).

I have also posted some photos on my web site www.janenemery.co.uk (http://www.janenemery.co.uk) but please be kind because I am no professional!

Jane

[FA_Productions]

Jane,

Great shots, I would be thrilled if I can get shots like that.

The video is also great. I can't wait, two weeks to go.

Jay

[Jane Emery]

Jay,

Glad you liked the photos and video, you can't fail to get great photos in Kruger! The morning game drives were most productive for us, the late afternoon ones were much more in darkness and photography was more of a problem. The sun rises are beautiful and you could be lucky and find a pride of lions lit by the first rays of the sun then any photo becomes very good!

Just a thought though, do dress warmly, it is very cold out on these early and late drives. We had hot water bottles and blankets (supplied by River Lodge) but also layers of fleece and wind proof jackets. We thought that balaclavas would have been good too, and gloves, but we didn't have either.

Please let us know your thoughts when you get back home. You will be bitten by the Africa bug just like we were. Have a fantastic time.

Jane

[FA_Productions]

Jane,

We are taking jackets, but it looks like it is starting to warm up there and we are planning of some great weather.

I rented a 100-400, $150 for three weeks, last night after looking at everybodys closeups. I just did not want to be there and miss a great shot.

Thanks

Jay

[keithvr]

Weather warming now so apart from jacket and jeans, you should be fine, no more need for beenies or gloves. If needed fleece jackets and beenies can be purchased cheaply from lion sands lodge.
Good move on the 100-400. You will find that it will be the lens most used.

[FA_Productions]

Keith,

Thanks for the weather update.

I am not bringing a tripod due to size limits. Do you think that I should get monopod?

Also, what do you know about Hartbeespoort Dam? We are thinking about staying there for a night to see some of the local attractions.

Thanks,

Jay

[keithvr]

Nice quaint little town with a fair amount to do around it if you are the arty type. Personally I would if I could spend the time in Cape Town rather as much more to see and do.

[Az2Africa]

The 100-400 is my most used lens in Africa. If you don;t plan to get it, consider getting the 1.4 converter for your 70-200. Even if the animals are quite close they don't appear that large on a photograph. Try to fill the frame as much as you can for really good shots.
This was from a 100-400 at about 12 meters.

200546

[FA_Productions]

Nice quaint little town with a fair amount to do around it if you are the arty type. Personally I would if I could spend the time in Cape Town rather as much more to see and do.

Cape Town wold be great, but we will not have the time. Maybe next trip.

I got mt rental 100-400 today. I will need to get one of these for myself soon. Will I need the 2.8 of my 70-200 or will the 100-400 be all that I need?

I will be on the plane this Sunday.

Thanks,

Jay

[mellowd]

I will be on the plane this Sunday.

Thanks,

Jay

So jealous. I'd say I hope you'll enjoy your trip but I know you will

[FA_Productions]

The 100-400 is my most used lens in Africa. If you don;t plan to get it, consider getting the 1.4 converter for your 70-200. Even if the animals are quite close they don't appear that large on a photograph. Try to fill the frame as much as you can for really good shots.
This was from a 100-400 at about 12 meters.

200546

What a great shot, can we see more?

I have rented a 100-400 after hearing that it was the lens of choice.

I also have a 1.4 converter.

Do I still need to bring my 70-200 2.8?

I am bringing my 24-105L for the close in stuff.

Thanks,

Jay

[ScottE]

Cape Town wold be great, but we will not have the time. Maybe next trip.

I got mt rental 100-400 today. I will need to get one of these for myself soon. Will I need the 2.8 of my 70-200 or will the 100-400 be all that I need?

I will be on the plane this Sunday.

Thanks,

Jay

It depends on where you will be shooting. I took my 70-200/2.8 and Sigma 50-500 to Uganda last year. Most of my shots from game drives from a vehicle were taken with the 50-500, so your 100-400 should serve a similar purpose. We took a few hikes into more dense jungle looking for chimpanzees and mountain gorillas and I needed the f/2.8 to get enough shutter speed in the low light. I could also have used f/2.8 for some early morning or late evening shots, but these were mostly from locations where I wanted longer focal length and could use a tripod or window pod.

This year I am going to South Africa where I am less likely to be in dense jungle. I am taking a 70-300 DO for the hiking trips and leaving the 70-200 f/2.8 at home. This is my first effort at that, so I could regret it before I get home.

Scott

[sebr]

Jay,
I am in South Africa today and will be in Kruger on Thursday night, hoping to take a game drive in the morning. My job takes me to a place close to the Punda Maria gate and I try to visit Kruger every time I am here.
Weather is good now, although it may still be cold at night. I have a 70-300 IS with me for the shots. I have used a 28-135 in a past trip and it actually worked fine although I would have like more reached for some shots.
I don't think you will need the 70-200 except if you plan to go on a sunset drive or shoot at night.
Hope you have a good trip!

[FA_Productions]

Jay,
I am in South Africa today and will be in Kruger on Thursday night, hoping to take a game drive in the morning. My job takes me to a place close to the Punda Maria gate and I try to visit Kruger every time I am here.
Weather is good now, although it may still be cold at night. I have a 70-300 IS with me for the shots. I have used a 28-135 in a past trip and it actually worked fine although I would have like more reached for some shots.
I don't think you will need the 70-200 except if you plan to go on a sunset drive or shoot at night.
Hope you have a good trip!

Thanks for the info. I am packing now. With you there, what should I plan on during the day, long pants or shorts while in Kruger.

I will see how much room I have for the 70-200. I would like to have it just incase.

Thanks,

Jay

[Az2Africa]

Cape Town wold be great, but we will not have the time. Maybe next trip.

I got mt rental 100-400 today. I will need to get one of these for myself soon. Will I need the 2.8 of my 70-200 or will the 100-400 be all that I need?

I will be on the plane this Sunday.

Thanks,

Jay

I would take both. I am leaving for a walking Safari in Zambi's Luangwa River Valley on Sept 29th and I'm taking the 100-400, 70-200f2.8, 24-105 and 1.4 converter. That covers everything for me. I would love to take a 500 or 600, but they are just too cumbersome for my kind of travel. Have fun on your trip.
Terry

[keithvr]

Remember that you loose AF on the 100-400 with a 1.4 convertor except on the 1D cameras.

[Az2Africa]

Remember that you loose AF on the 100-400 with a 1.4 convertor except on the 1D cameras.

True, but in most wildlife situations in Africa except for birds in flight you have time to focus manually.

[FA_Productions]

I just wanted to thank everybody for their input. My vacation to South Africa was the Trip of a lifetime. I shot 4000 and ended up with about 2000 keepers, 50 or so GREAT shots. The 100-400 is a MUST for any trip like this. You can see some of my shots here: http://www.jwtphoto.com . I have not done any post processing yet. Almost all was shot raw and just converted to jpeg and uploaded. More to come.

Jay

[karien]

I am glad that the trip was a success. Your photos are STUNNING!!! You’re wife and daughter is beautiful.

What did you think of the people of South Africa?

[FA_Productions]

I am glad that the trip was a success. Your photos are STUNNING!!! You’re wife and daughter is beautiful.

What did you think of the people of South Africa?

Karien,

Thanks for the kind words.

Everybody was friendly and happy to have us visiting South Africa. We had a great time and are looking forward to a return trip.

Hartsbeespoort Dam was great. We stayed at a great B&B and wished that we had more time.

Jay