The last time I did this kind of thing I
didn't have enough bodies with the right
lenses on them to hand when they were
needed. It was much easier when I used
guns ... mea culpa. Take as much as you
can and then get someone to help carry
it at the other end.
Long lenses are essential. I did get
some good results on 6x6 ... by
accident. Expect that all your cameras
will be absolutely full of dust. Perhaps
you shouldn't take the lens off your
*ist D at all if you're taking one. In
Nairobi things get stolen ... fast.
Don't put you camera bags down anywhere
... hang on to them. Also don't forget
your prophylactic medication. And
remember the Malaria parasite is now
resistant to many of the anti-malarials
that were effective a decade ago. Drink
bottled water or beer.
Aaaaargh! Do really want to do this?
Don
Jon Paul Schelter wrote:
PDML,
I was off-line for a while, but I'm back, with a query:
I'm planning a last minute trip to Kenya and Tanzania, (I found a KLM
seat sale from Toronto to Nairobi, for 1300$CDN taxes in) and was
wondering if any of you have good advice both on the subject of things
to do, and how best to get around, as well as on photographic
techniques/equipment.
We're leaving in a week, for 3 or 4 weeks, and I'm most interested in
seeing and photographing wildlife, and doing a bit of treking, possibly
diving in Zanzibar. It'll probably be into the small rains when we get
there, and we're looking into a safari of some sort in either or both of
the Rift Valley + Masai Mara (Kenya) or Ngorongoro Gorge + Serengeti NP
(Tanzania). (this looks like a good toor company:
http://www.intoafrica.co.uk/comexpken.htm ) I have a friend who's
travelling seperately, and is looking to climb kilimanjaro while we're
down there, so that 's also an option. I want to pack as light as
possible, since I'll be carrying everything on my back.
My equipment: ist DS, 1G SD card, FA35/2, A50/2, DA18-55 kit lens,
Tamron 70-300/5.6-6.3, a decent tripod, a couple smallish camera bags.
I need: spare batteries, charger, 1 or 2 spare 1G SD cards. something to
store more pictures on (iPod, portable HD)?
My wish list: a bigger camera bag, a wide lens (DA16-45, DA14), a faster
long lens ( would the DA 50-200 be long enough? ), a monopod (instead of
the tripod)?
The 16-45+50-200 would be a decent minimalist kit, covering most of what
I'd need, but not giving me much in terms of lower-light ability.
I don't think I can afford or carry anything like a pentax or sigma
200/2.8 or 300/2.8.
I'd like to spend as much of my money as possible doing things, rather
than buying gear, but I don't want to be kicking myself because I'm
missing something critical.
Any advice you can offer would be much appreciated.
JP
--
Dr E D F Williams
_______________________________
http://personal.inet.fi/cool/don.williams
See feature: The Cement Company from Hell
Updated: Photomicro Link -- 18 05 2005
