Camera & lenses

[twilly24]

What camera and lenses do you take with you. For wildlife pictures and landscape pictures. And of course pictures of you with your animals after the kill. Thanks.

 

[Ray B]

I use two sets of cameras. the majority of pictures are with the digital set. At present the main one is old in digital terms- a Nikon D40X, however I am considering getting a Nikon Df; but there have been rumors for more than a year that Nikon is going to upgrade it to a Df2. I like the Df & potentially the Df2 because it's organized like a film series Nikon, so operation is much more similar to operating an F2 but with a digital back. For serious photographs I use film cameras, the aforementioned Nikon F2 (with Nikkor 35 1.4; 50 1.4; 80-200 4; & 299-600 9.5; If I really care about the photograph quality I'll use a Hasselblad 500C 50; 80; 150; 250; 500. But all that almost needs a gun bearer to take it all, so if I'm hunting- with a rifle or shotgun, I generally just take the D40X with the 55-200 lens.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

I also took a D40X with the 55-200 lens, and a Samsung pocket digital camera. I carried the smaller one in my hip pocket and the DSLR in my Camelbak.
A few extra memory chips are prudent to carry while on safari. I took a good 1400 pictures

 

[twilly24]

I'm trying to decide if I want nikon d3400 or the d5500 with the 18-50mm kit lens. Then buying a second lens 55-200mm or the 70-300mm. Looks like both of you take the 200mm. Sounds for the advice.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

I want to say I also carried the 18-55 lens, but swapping with dust and dirt in the air I tried to avoid. Not nearly as bad as in Iraq though!

 

[wesheltonj]

I too am holding out for the Df2. I took a rented Df to Africa with me last year, nice camera. Much lighter then my F4s. Also looking at a Leica M10 for an everyday point and shoot. I spoke with an AP reporter that was at my work last week and he said Leica finally got everything you want into that camera, but to find one in stock is next to impossible unless you buy from one if their company stores.

But back to the Df2. IF, and thats a big IF, if it's really going to happen it will be be this year. Anniversary year.

 

[rinehart0050]

-Nikon D5300 w/ 18-55mm and 55-300mm stabilized lenses. Worked great, I primarily kept the 55-300 lens on, except for trophy photos.

 

[twilly24]

Thanks guys.

 

[Aaron N]

I'm trying to decide if I want nikon d3400 or the d5500 with the 18-50mm kit lens. Then buying a second lens 55-200mm or the 70-300mm. Looks like both of you take the 200mm. Sounds for the advice.

I took the d5200 and had a 70-300mm lens. I was quite happy with it.

 

[BRICKBURN]

-Nikon D5300 w/ 18-55mm and 55-300mm stabilized lenses. Worked great, I primarily kept the 55-300 lens on, except for trophy photos.

That should do the trick nicely.

 

[Nyati]

Canon Powershot SX50HS, 50X zoom in a compact package, or the new SX60HS.

And any of the smaller compact Canon which you will always always carry with you.

 

[thi9elsp]

I just use a pocket samsung which is good for most pictures. Ann brings along her Nikon DSLR but only one lense 70 - 210 (i think). 70 does fine on closes ups and with iphoto and other software if you have sufficient megapixels, you can zoom in if desired. Avoiding opening the camera to change lenses in a dusty environment was the reason for the single lens.

 

[AB2506]

I took two. For game viewing and touring, and for when I had the space and time to pull it out of it's case, a Panasonic DMC-FZ200. Awesome camera. I believe it is of a type that is called a "superzoom". Pretty much idiot proof. Leica lenses. The second camera, which stayed in my pocket for instant use, was Panasonic DMC-TS5. This is a weatherproof, ruggedized, pocket point and shoot camera. Leica lenses again.

I would take them both again in a heartbeat. If there is an upgrade on the TS5, I would buy it and give the TS5 to my wife. The photos she took with my old Pentax W50 were severely lacking (some operator error).

I've become a big fan of the Panasonic cameras. Thanks to Robinson Cameras in Calgary for recommending them!

 

[rnovi]

My experience with a camera on safari is that if it doesn't fit in my pocket it won't actually go on the stalks. DSLR type cameras are great in the Bakkie but lousy on a stalk - they just get in the way and bounce around.

My other preference is that they recharge off a USB style plug and 12v car charger.

My choice is the Olympus Tough TG4. Waterproof, shock proof, cold proof camera. It's a little let down by the lack of zoom but they do make a telephoto attachment.

For DSLR style I have an Oly OMD M5 MKII micro 4/3 with their 18-150 superzoom and 12-40 pancake lenses. The superzoom is also waterproof etc.

 

[mdwest]

subscribed...

currently looking at a new DSLR or possibly a mirrorless camera..

Ive got an old nikon d40 that has served me well for years.. but its about time for an upgrade..

 

[wesheltonj]

Cheap camera don't have good lens, but cheap lens licensed from good manufacturers of good lens. Of the less expensive camera, Nikon would be the route that I would go. This one in particular:

Error | Nikon USA

Shop the latest mirrorless & DSLR cameras and NIKKOR lenses from the official Nikon eCommerce site. Explore our innovations and photo equipment!

www.nikonusa.com

And this one in second:

Tough

www.getolympus.com

 

[Ray B]

An issue in selecting a camera is the size of the screen. The makers advertise the number of pixels but the more important issue is the dimensional size. For example Nikon has two sizes in their DSLR bodies, the Dx and the Fx. the Fx is considerably larger than the Dx and is the equivalent of going from a half-frame to a full frame in the old 35mm film cameras. I'm not familiar with the screen on most "smart phones" since I do not have one, but I'd guess that the screens are even smaller than a Dx. The size is an element of potential picture quality.

So in choosing a cheap camera I'd suggest you look for one that has as large as possible screen in your price range and is available with lenses that are at least poly-carbonate if not glass. I'd avoid plastic lenses.

One thing that you might consider is finding a quality used DSLR. Cameras are similar to cars in their depreciation and one that has seen only slight use can be purchased very reasonably. For example, I have a Nikon D40x that is about 10 years old. It is in very good condition but if I were to sell it, with it's lens I'd be lucky to get $150 for it. People have traded older DSLR cameras in on newer models so they are available.

 

[Bhfs300]

I took a couple Sony camera bodies and two lenses. 70-400 4-5.6 and a 24-70 2.8. I agree with a statement above you don’t want to be switching lenses because of the problem with dust. Most of my photo’s were close ups of animals but I did want to be able to get the sunset photo. If you are starting out then get the Sony 7-9 series they are smaller and have great quality in full frame photo’s.

I got a Sony 7ii to carry around and the 21 meg photo you get are amazing.
They are on sale now since they are up to a 7 4i now.

 

[Zambezi]

I always took my Canon DSLR with 55mm and 300mm lenses... Changed that VERY quickly on last trip to Kruger Park. If you wanted a close up you had the large lens on. If you wanted the reach you had the small lens on. Never again!

I bought a Nikon P600 bridge camera. It does it ALL and reach out with 60X zoom and digital zoom (think it's equivalent 1200mm). No more lens changes. No more grit and grime. No more missed shots. It does panoramic, macro, portrait, low light / night, HD video, etc etc...

Get a digital bridge camera and be done with it!

As for the actually hunt pics any half decent camera that can fit in your pocket works perfectly.

 

[Nyati]

+1 On the bridge camera, I have a Canon Powershot SX50HS that is 50x zoom.

I also carry a smaller Canon Powershot SX720HS 40x zoom and fits in a pocket.