POTN Great African Photo Safari IV 2011 - limited places available!

Nothing packed yet. Just got the prescription for the Lariam

Packed? Not even close to that yet.

The space limitation is not an issue as my wife and I camp and travel quite a bit, so have learned the old maxim: Half the clothes and twice the money!

My gear kit is a bit larger than Dave recommended above, so really looking at what will be used and when, and what can be "double dutied". I really want my 16-35 F2.8 for scenic which also means tripod and remote cable, but can I do a similar shot with the 24-105 F4 that will also be a good lens on the 5D for the watering hole video application? 70-200 2.8 IS and 400 5.6 non IS with 1.4X and 2X. 100 macro.
Computer, chargers, batteries, cards, pods, etc, etc, etc.

My injured shoulder is still not there yet, so this is a issue too. Though I'm starting to think that full recovery will just have to wait until I get back.

Really good gear combo there Jimbo

Do you think you'll be ok to drive with your shoulder? Can be hard going.

condyk wrote in post #12645739
Really good gear combo there Jimbo

Do you think you'll be ok to drive with your shoulder? Can be hard going.

Driving should be fine, there have been minor discomforts when I've been off-roading in the jeep. And some stiffness after. As long as I don't have to pull the vehicle out of a ditch with my bare hands, should be OK.

EDIT: The off-roading has been recent, after the therapist OK'd it

The problem is a heavy setup and panning, twisting to/from the left. Causes the tendon to really sing sometimes. Knowing that I will be twisting in the vehicle to shoot out the window. Since it is my right shoulder, it should be less an irritant from the driver's seat.
Carrying the gear for travel may be uncomfortable, and may have to look at a rolling bag. Manfrotto Pro IV is a possibility with a messenger bag or knapsack in the luggage for day trips. If I go with the Pro IV I'll use a smaller personal affects bag to compensate, and put more in the roller bag.

A lot better than it was, but still noticeable.

Now the time is really starting to fly by! I'm not packed (although Dave's handy suggested packing list is coming in handy). I just got my international driver's permit, so that's taken care of. I'm not taking a tripod, as I really don't have on that's light/travel friendly, but my red pod is on it's way.

I'm getting so excited!

phirefly wrote in post #12665943
Now the time is really starting to fly by! I'm not packed (although Dave's handy suggested packing list is coming in handy). I just got my international driver's permit, so that's taken care of. I'm not taking a tripod, as I really don't have on that's light/travel friendly, but my red pod is on it's way.

I'm getting so excited!

I'm not even going (this year, but hoping and praying there's another next year), and I'm as excited for you guys are you are for yourselves. I swear I'm counting the days with you.

eaglssong wrote in post #12665966
I'm not even going (this year, but hoping and praying there's another next year), and I'm as excited for you guys are you are for yourselves. I swear I'm counting the days with you.

Hey, thanks! I'm so busy at the moment barely time to think about it. Just need to organise cat sitter, travel to airport and poss international driving licence (may still have valid one). Plus I gotta open my new shop on Monday

condyk wrote in post #12689877
Hey, thanks! I'm so busy at the moment barely time to think about it. Just need to organise cat sitter, travel to airport and poss international driving licence (may still have valid one). Plus I gotta open my new shop on Monday

I know. You walk around with a red cape and a great big S on your shirt, right? Good luck with the shop!!

If he does, we are certain to get a photo of it!

So here it is near midnight (local) and I'm still working. My fourth 16 hour day in a row. So much for holiday weekends. Waiting for a conference call with people in New Zealand. Still have not touched all the work that must be done before I leave on the 18th.
REALLY looking forward to not having a working cell phone!!!!!!

Good news is Manfrotto delivered some new equipment to me last week. Roller bag, backpack, CF tripod and swivel head. In return, I will provide video and stills of the equipment in action. I will also post here. I have my son's HD video camera as well

Picked up a few more odds and sods like memory, heavy duty gorilla pod, straps and beaners. This should be it. Which is good, because clothing could still be an issue

Start vacation on the 15th, so a few days to decompress before the relaxing flights. 2 weeks from right now, finishing my first drink on the jet to London, and settling in for a long nap.

I could use that nap right now.

condyk wrote in post #12633122
might not take a camera this time so Bino's only for me.

Dave, I meant to say something earlier. I'll be bringing my spare body (canon 40D) just in case. You are most welcome to make use of it during our trip, as well as anything else spare I have.

Still waiting on my Red Pod. Unfortunately, I ordered it right when Canada went on postal strike. It was sent out on the 27th, but now I'm paranoid being sent airmail it won't make it to the US on time. Just in case it does not, does anyone have any last-ditch recommendations for something else I can get?

Two weeks!

phirefly wrote in post #12708367
Still waiting on my Red Pod. Unfortunately, I ordered it right when Canada went on postal strike. It was sent out on the 27th, but now I'm paranoid being sent airmail it won't make it to the US on time. Just in case it does not, does anyone have any last-ditch recommendations for something else I can get?

Two weeks!

That doesn't sound good. I have also ordered from Canada, and mine have to go to Europe. I could save half the price, by ordering from Canada instead for Sweden

Is any of you bringing a GPS unit for a Canon camera? I would like to have our recorded track to geotag my pictures

Nalle wrote in post #12708403
That doesn't sound good. I have also ordered from Canada, and mine have to go to Europe. I could save half the price, by ordering from Canada instead for Sweden

Is any of you bringing a GPS unit for a Canon camera? I would like to have our recorded track to geotag my pictures

I plan on bringing my Garmin GPS to record the tracks and you can get the data after the trip.

tommykjensen wrote in post #12708480
I plan on bringing my Garmin GPS to record the tracks and you can get the data after the trip.

Sounds great Tommy, then I can wait buying one. Can you also geotag you Raw files?

I am not sure what LR can do. On the first trips I used Downloader Pro to import my photos and that could sync up with the tracks. Unfortunately on both last trips I forgot to sync the time in my cameras with ths GPS so never got the files geotagged. I don't know if LR can do this or if I should get a seperate utitlity to geotag the files.