Upcoming South Africa Trip - Validate my gear

[Pioneer61]

I'm in the process of booking a 2 week trip to South Africa and Victoria Falls for the end of January 2009. Currently I plan to be in Cape Town for a few days, do the Garden Tour, then Kurger park and Victoria falls.

My gear will be a 5D MKII, 16-35/2.8, 24-70/2.8, and 100-400 IS. I've done extensive travel before (Australia, Greece, and many other places). But is there anything in particular I should plan for?

I will be doing a Safari in Kruger park, so I think my 100-400 IS should work well. My primary focus is landscape, but of course some animals and birds.

Any thoughts or suggestions on my gear? I could rent a lens if there was a compelling reason, but I think my range is covered pretty well.

I'll have two 16GB CFs along with my laptop to download the pictures.

Also, if anyone has suggestions on 'must see' sights, I'm all ears as well.

[NinetyEight]

Not that I've been to Africa, but for this sort of photographic trip a spare body might be advised. You can have a lens cr*p out and still use the others, but if you body goes faulty you are stuffed. It's all extra cost and weight though.

I have my old spare 20D which I sometimes take with me, particualrly if the shots are important or it's an unrepeatable shoot.

You have a nice setup although a fast prime might be useful IMO. (more money :lol:)

[DerekW]

Ditto, I was in the serengetti this year, it's dusty. I'd recommend another body. Maybe pick up a used 40D for the 100-400 (gives you 160-640mm) for the reach and put one of the other lenses on the 5d.
I do understand that you sometimes get closer to the animals in Kreuger, but I would think the 24-70 would be fine. The 16-35 would be great for landscapes, but most of your safri time is about the animals.

[DerekW]

Ditto, I was in the serengetti this year, it's dusty. I'd recommend another body. Maybe pick up a used 40D for the 100-400 (gives you 160-640mm) for the reach and put one of the other lenses on the 5d.
I do understand that you sometimes get closer to the animals in Kreuger, but I would think the 24-70 would be fine. The 16-35 would be great for landscapes, but most of your safri time is about the animals

[jgrussell]

I was in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe-Zambia at the Falls in June 2008. A second body -- even a high-end P&S -- is a must. I brought my S5 along with my dSLR, and there were times the smaller camera was just more convenient. But more than anything else, I needed the comfort of knowing that if one camera died, I had another. Make sure you bring power adapters as needed and something to charge your gear with from your safari truck.

For Victoria Falls, keep these things in mind: (1) in Zimbabwe, it's a cash-only economy, no credit cards accepted anywhere, and you'll want exact change for any fees for border crossings (the border officials will happily advise you they don't have change and keep whatever extra...); (2) it is TENSE in Zimbabwe, so you may prefer to stay in Zambia (we stayed in Zimbabwe this past June, and things were deteriorating at an alarming rate); (3) definitely do the Lion Walk if you get a chance -- you will get up close and personal with some lion cubs; and (4) definitely do the helicopter trip over the Falls (and make sure you do that from the Zambia side).

Photos from the trip are here (http://www.pbase.com/jgr/africa) if you want to take a look.

[EveryMilesAMemory]

Here are just a few things I always check before going over a gear list

I dont know if the 5DmkII is gripped, but if it's not, I'd bring a few back up batteries just in case. You can get the Sterlingtek ones for around $11 and they last longer than the stock Canon ones.

I've always been worried to only have two cards and especially large 16gig ones like that. Lets say worst cast scenario happens. You have two days worth of shooting on a card and it gets lost, stolen or corrupted ( I know, even typing it hurts!) But hey, that's a worst case scenario.

I'd bring 3 or 4 back up 4 or 8 gig cards, or a Epson P5000 or something similar to download them to right away and back them up onto the laptop. But that's just me and I'm very anal about stuff like that.

I'd agree on the extra body so you wouldnt have to change lenses so often, and brining the 16-35 and the 24-70 you have a bit of overlapping. Ever think about the 16-35 and the 24-105 just to get you in between or just the 24-105 and leave the other two at home. Then you only have the two bodies, one with a 24-105 (5dmkII) and the **D with the 100-400 on it. Throw in a 1.4 extender for the safari day incase you get some far away shots and that 640mm isnt enough and you have one hell of a combo do everything kit right there

Good luck, just wanted to throw out a few options to think about

[cjeff]

I wonder whether you will be able to handhold a 100-400 with a 1.4 extender on a game drive. Usually they concentrate on the early morning and evening so the light can be quite poor. Also you are in the middle of the rainy season so ensure that that you have kit to keep your camera bodies and lenses dry. I don't think that at this time of year you will have much problem with dust. Remember also that the rain forest at Victoria Falls is just that. It can get seriously wet there and you need something to keep your kit dry. Even then you will probably need lens clothes to dry your lens between shots.

In Zimbabwe take small US Dollar notes, ones, fives, tens and twenties. There is absolutely no change to be had anywhere. No point in using anything except US Dollars or possibly SA Rands - exchange rate is ten Rands to the US Dollar so they are quite useful as small change. If staying in Zimbabwe try and do sundowners at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, they have a great water hole there and you can get some great shots with a cold beer in your hand.

Have fun!

[IanC]

...My gear will be a 5D MKII, 16-35/2.8, 24-70/2.8, and 100-400 IS. I've done extensive travel before (Australia, Greece, and many other places). But is there anything in particular I should plan for?
....
I would have brought the same gears plus perhaps another 50mm 1.4 or 1.8 for the evening indoor shots. I found during our recent visit to Chitwan National Park, Nepal I have difficulty shooting indoors with the f/2.8 lenses unless I use flash or the highest ISO setting.

[paulbanton]

Although the thread ended in December 2008 and Pioneer61's trip was the end of January, I thought the following thread would be of interest to all.

Click here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=648591)

On the lens front, particularly for wildlife, the following are my thoughts

1. Sigma 120-300mm – Combine this with a 1.4x teleconverter and you have a versatile and quality option for a visit to the park. I used it recently on a trip to the Kruger, for the first time, and was amazed with the results. DOF was also excellent.

2. Canon 100-400mm – The lens provides versatility and range but, in my opinion, the results can often be soft; although I used it recently and was somewhat happy with the results. Coupled with a 1.4x teleconverter you may find a reduction in focusing speed, particularly in lower light conditions which can be the case for morning and late afternoon game drives.

3. Canon 300mm f2.8 - Combine this with a 1.4x teleconverter and you have one of the best lenses ever made by Canon.

4. Canon 500mm/600mm – Although bulky lenses the proof is in the quality that they delivery. Excellent choices for birding.

On the everyday front, you cannot go wrong with a Canon 24-105mm f4 IS. Use with an extra body for the large animals close up, e.g. elephants, which can often be the case...

Hope this is helpful.

Hope you enjoyed the trip...

[DerekW]

^^Insert shameless plug here ^^

[pamhilts]

South Africa is the largest and one of the most impressive countries of the African continent. There are many places to visit in South Africa ranging from game rich plains, rugged mountains, traditional villages, cosmopolitan cities and several unique architectural heritage sites. The country has a thriving tourist industry and offers an interesting and wide variety of activities to choose from. Wildlife safaris, hiking trails, fishing, scuba diving expeditions and gourmet extravaganzas, the country has it all. Some of the most exceptional and outstanding places to visit in South Africa are:
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[MCAsan]

We did a week around Kruger in May followed by a week in Cape Town (on business). We are planning to head back to Kruger in 2012 for at least 2 weeks.

At the time I did not have the 10-22 I have now. I would have taken it for the landscape shots around Cape Town: Table Rock, Cape of Good Hope...etc. For the wildlife we mostly used our 100-400s on 7Ds and we had rented 500f4s on site which we put on 40Ds. Our experience was that out in Kruger most shots were done with 100-400. At a local private game reserve, we mostly used our Tamron 18-270. We only used flash at Satara camp at night to shoot a honey badger. Give those badgers a wide berth....they are fierce!!!.