What else will I need for my photographic safari

The Camera itself

Welcome to the 2nd installment of the "How much am I going to cram in my bag" series. Last time we looked at lenses today we will continue in the mainstream camera gear theme.

Continuing with the obvious we will need a camera body or 2 to control the lenses we have selected to accompany us. The question is which bodies and how many? Should I take that compact with me.
Lets investigate further.

For the sake of clarity I will state right now that we at WildFocus Images shoot with Canon gear. The religious war over Canon or Nikon can wait for another day but I mention this because I will be referring to Canon equipment.

The majority of you will already have a DSLR of brand, if you don't make sure you do. While you can do a decent photo safari with a compact digital you are really selling your experience short. I think that we are all aware just how good the Pro series of bodies are from the top manufacturers and that these are the best equipped tools for the job. The !DMkIII is the perfect camera for an African safari.

Quickly lest look at why the 1DMkIII is the camera of choice. In a nutshell speed! Its blindly fast, not just in fps but in the area of most importance to us, auto focus. NOTE: at this point there is a lot of discussion on the web about some potential serious issues with the focusing of this model. At this point in time its still a new model and could have some teething problems, is this acceptable for a Pro body probably not but the features of this camera are worth the pain.

Anyway not everyone can afford or more importantly justify the expense of the 1D series so the next model down becomes the more likely choice. Any of the x0D series will be fine. By this I am talking either the 20D or 30D and probably later this year or early next the 40D. The 10D is fine but the better noise reduction on the later models is worth the upgrade. This range is robust enough for most people and has enough speed to do the job.

If you can afford it take a backup body. This provides you with some protection from failure but more importantly allows you to have 2 lenses ready to go. So what does this give us:

• A lack of dust! Every time you change the lens you will get dust on the sensor. Africa is dusty. So the less you have to do it the better, even if you do have sensor cleaning gear (which you should).
• The right lens on a body when you want it. No time lost swapping lenses.
• Two bodies means 2 flash cards on the go.

Do not despair if all you have is a xx0D series (300D, 350D, 400D) as they are still fine, you are most likely aware of the short comings of your camera and can therefore work around them where possible.

This leads to an important point: Know you camera before you go, DO NOT buy a new body a week before you go and expect decent shots while away. It takes time to learn the pros and cons of your new camera.

Do I take the compact?

If you have one, why not. While it may not give you the control of your DLSR they are good for quick grab shots.

• Good to hand to other tourists to get a shot of you in Africa. 
• If you do not have a wide angle lens they offer a wider point of view.
• Better ones have a video mode of some sort. Which forces you to take short bursts not mind numbing 30 min epics.

Ok ,in yet another long winded epic we have lightly covered the camera to take. Next I will look at camera related gear.

Until then keep planning that trip and then make it happen!