Cameras and Binoculars:
Having a good camera and pair of binoculars will make a world of
difference if you are intending on capturing quality wildlife images
and closely observing behavior of wildlife and birds whilst on safari.
A good digital SLR camera with a versatile lens is highly recommended.
With “my little experience” I highly recommend the Canon
EOS 30D digital with a Canon 100-400mm lens and a 17-85 wide-angle
lens. For those that are more familiar with Nikon cameras, the Nikon
D200 has similar capabilities. Digital point and shoot cameras have
also come a long way and those around the 6-7 million-pixel ranges
capture very good images. For binoculars I recommend the new Nikon
10x42 and for those that can afford or are looking to spoil themselves
with a top of the range pair, the Leica 10x42BN or the Swarovski
10 x 42EL are, good value all round binoculars that will give good
clarity in low light conditions. Night vision monocular and Binoculars
are becoming more popular on safaris and a pair or set between a
small group of travelers would offer a unique opportunity of following
the action on night activities. After all, life in Africa doesn’t
stop at sunset.
Digital versus Film:
The arrival and rapid development of digital technology in photography
has positively changed and added ease to the lives of many photographers.
The quality has fast caught up with film and slide and difficulty
is standard in trying to differentiate between digital and slide
shots even after they have been enlarged. Easy downloading, less
risk when going through the x-ray machines and harsh African temperatures
and being able to see your pictures without having to wait till you
get back home are amongst the advantages of digital cameras. For
those that are still shooting film I am more than happy to help you
ensure that your film is stored in the right conditions and temperatures
and is accessible when you need it. Please ensure you have more film
and batteries than you estimate to use on your safari, as good quality
film is hard to come by once we’re on safari.
