Ladies and Gentlemen,

During the old days, when film was king, we used to make sure one of us had a camera to record the highlights of the hunting trip.

One had to make plans on how many films to take along, and when we got back I had the job of printing them, then ciculate them among the hunting party members, so they can choose which one they wish to have copies of.

This used to take quite a long time to finish.

Nowadays everyone has a digital camera, and at the end of each hunting day, I collect all the cameras and download their photos onto a computer.

Once I have enough to fill a DVD I burn one for each member of our party, and one each for the PH.

By the time we ar at the end of our hunt, everyone has photos of every photo taken on the hunt.

Here is a selection of the cameras being taken to Tanzania this year.

A Nikon D2X and a Nikon D200 SLR cameras, with the following lenses:
80-400mm VR
24-200mm VR
105mm Macro
28-300mm

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 - 8MP, 12X zoom with image stabilizer.
Panasonic Lumix FX01 - 6MP, 4x zoom with image stabilizer.

Canon Powershot S3 IS, 6MP, 12X zoom and image stabilizer.
Canon Powershot S800 IS, 6MP, 4x zoom and image stabilizer.

We have discovered that we have specialist photographers amongst our friends.

Horst take great photos, and likes taking photos of insects. But, he avoids taking ANY photos of Walter!!

Walter hardly ever takes any photos, despite teh fact he is the one who does nothing useful. He seems to be far too busy annoying everyone, especially Roy and myself!

Dwight has an incredible knack of taking wonky photos. Some have the heads chopped off, some have half teh trophy showing, some are of top of the trees and the sky - he claims he is being artistic!

The trouble is everyone else jumped on this "artistic" bandwagon too. As peoiple puposely take photos "Dwight style" or as Walter puts it "this photo has been Dwighted"

DCResources - digital camera reviews

Saeed,

I'm taking the older S1 IS that you recommended several years ago, as is Canuck. The 10x optical zoom is pretty nice, and the intermediate size makes it easy to pack.

I'd get the S3 IS if I was buying again.

I too bought my Canon S1 IS in large part due to Saeed's recommendations.

I'm very satisfied! Like Don, I'd buy the upgraded S3 IS if I was buying now -- and that is a high recommendation!

Thanks for the previous advice Saeed.

John

Gentlemen,

I just wanted to remind those taking a digital camera on their hunt, without taking a computer as well, to take plenty of extra memory cards.

Also, I recommend you set your camera on its highest resolution. Those photos are pricelss once you are back, and one can enjoy looking at them for years to come.

I have a lot of photo taken in the past with films cameras. They hardly ever get looked at now.

So after we come back from our hunt this year, my plan is to get a scanner, and turn all those photos into digital. Once that is done I can enjoy looking at them any time I wish.

With modern computers, one has an endless storage capacity - I just saw a review of a 750 GB hard disk. And one can have as many as 12 of these in a desktop computer!

I always pack two cameras, my Nikon P1 Coolpix 8.0 mega-pixel, great camera to carry on those long walks, fits in my pocket.

Second camera, Nikon F100 with all the lens, Marco 2 different Zooms lens and a wide angle lens.

The F100. yes it is a film camera, to good a camera not to use it. I take a lot of pic's with it, after returning home all the film is developed and put on CD's. this way I can pick what I want to print.

Can't forget the video camera, Sony.

Saeed,

I also bought the Canon S1 IS based on your recommendation, and have been very satisfied with it.

I don't have the budget available to some ... but the pictures are SO important. Have been a Nikon user for many, many years. I acquired a 10.2 mp D200 and two zoom lenses (18-70 and 55-200mm) for the trip. Will take 5 gb of cards, two batteries, and an holder to use AAs for it.

The image quality is wonderful and the capability of the camera is a lot more like the D2X than the D100 ... nice compromise of price versus options. A very substantial camera but handier than a motor driven F2.

Have been taking lots of pics to make sure I am reasonably familiar with it.

I took a film camera and a 2MP digital, Konica KD-200Z. on my trip to Namibia. Wow! Even a 2MP produces some great shots, frankly as good or better than the film camera and without the hassel of film. I purchased Canon S2 and will bring it along next time, along with the Konica. I like the smaller camera because it fits into my pocket and is always on hand.

I might offer a suggestion that you bring cameras that all use the same type of memory card. Both the Cannon and the Konica use the same card. Recently 1 and 2 GB cards have become available here and I really like the idea of seeing that I have 250 more high resolution shots to go before I have to put in a new card. I have a feeling my next trip will involve K's rather than 100's of images that need sorting. Tough work but somehow I'll wade through it.

I have the Canon S2 IS. Since the S3 is now out you can find the S2 for under $350. It's an awesome 5MP camera that takes great short videos to boot (DVD quality). But get a big card for videos, at least 1G.

There is a neat function with that camera which allows you to bypass the flash card and shoot pictures directly onto a connected laptops hard drive. You can even operate the shutter and focus from the laptop. Too bad you can't shoot video that way. It would be awesome.

I just got the adapter and telephoto for the S2 IS camera and it takes excellent photos at 48X with this adapter. An important note is the image stabilization in this camera is good enough to allow you to shoot freehand at 48X. For under $200 this adapter is certainly worth it. This adapter also fits the S3 so I can keep the upgrade if I upgrade the Camera. But honestly I don't know if the S3 is a worthwhile upgrade yet.

Suggestion for Saeed and others distributing photos to a large group. You can also zip all your photos into one file (files up to 1GB in size are free!), and then upload it to yousendit.com They will give you a temporary url folks can download the photos from themselves. Just email everyone the url and let them have at it. The url is only good for 7 Days. So explain to them in the email to get off their butts and do it

quote:

don't have the budget available to some ... but the pictures are SO important. Have been a Nikon user for many, many years. I acquired a 10.2 mp D200 and two zoom lenses (18-70 and 55-200mm) for the trip. Will take 5 gb of cards, two batteries, and an holder to use AAs for it.

Great choice Mike! NIKON

I'd like to hear how that D200 worked out for you............

Nikon makes GREAT SLR cameras. But, my own experience with their other digital cameras has not been very good.

I tried both the Nikon 8800 and 8400. Both take great photos. but, they are sooo SLOW.

One has to wait quite a long time from the instant one photo is taken to be able to take another.

That really put me off them.

Panasonic has some and i have a Lumix dmc-f25 which i like very much. Its more of a regular camera,but it has good programs for sport,party, scenery ,night photo and others, and it has Leica optic ,and that is quality at a good price. i bought last year for 4-500 us and for me its a super camera

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Nikon makes GREAT SLR cameras. But, my own experience with their other digital cameras has been very good.

I tried both the Nikon 8800 and 8400. Both take great photos. but, they are sooo SLOW.

One has to wait quite a long time from the instant one photo is taken to be able to take another.

That really put me off them.

Saeed is right -- I used to be a huge Nikon fan, but in the digital arena, Canon's vastly greater expertise shows with their faster focussing lenses, flexibility in light metering patterns, image capture and (most importantly) image stabilization.

Several of my friends who were former Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, etc. fans have reached the same conclusion when they were shopping for real top of the line digital cameras (which I have not yet done).

There are lots of good cameras at the low end, but anybody who is buying really top end should examine Canon carefully before purchasing (and Canon's low and middle cameras are very good value too).

John

quote:

Originally posted by HunterMontana:
Even a 2MP produces some great shots, frankly as good or better than the film camera and without the hassel of film.

Huh??

A camera with 2 MP is "better" than film??

Maybe for computer display, but actual prints will be nowhere close to film. There is a HUGE difference in a computer monitor and a fine quality print.

Heck, I shoot a D1X, and I am still convinced that film is better for absolute quality.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Dwight has an incredible knack of taking wonky photos. Some have the heads chopped off, some have half teh trophy showing, some are of top of the trees and the sky - he claims he is being artistic!

The trouble is everyone else jumped on this "artistic" bandwagon too. As peoiple puposely take photos "Dwight style" or as Walter puts it "this photo has been Dwighted"

Unfortunately, I seemed to have attended the Dwight Institute of Photography, and my pictures didn't turn out anywhere near as well as I was hoping. Before I go back, I'm going to have to actually learn how to take nice images.

While we're on the subject of digital cameras.

Good post processing software is invaluable. Canon's stitch program is great for scenic panorama's. Their editing software is pretty basic however. Adobe's photoshop elements is a great upgrade.

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by HunterMontana:
Even a 2MP produces some great shots, frankly as good or better than the film camera and without the hassel of film.


Posted by Cold bore:

Huh??

A camera with 2 MP is "better" than film??

Maybe for computer display, but actual prints will be nowhere close to film. There is a HUGE difference in a computer monitor and a fine quality print.

Heck, I shoot a D1X, and I am still convinced that film is better for absolute quality.

Agree 100% with you Cold Bore!

That's why I still have my F100,m and take alot of photo's with it.


HunterMontana,

I never found film to be a hassle!

I take 60 to 80 rolls over with me every year!

Widowmaker good to hear I'll let you carry the cameras for me

Big Guy,

So specifically, what 4X lens did you buy?

Where, what, how much, etc.

Thanks.

I really like my new compact ~5.5oz Olympus Stylus 720SW. Waterproof (took it whitewater rafting, and it is indeed) and shockproof, will be accompanying me to the NWT on a Dall backpack hunt.

Takes very sharp landscape pictures (greens and browns), easy to use, big LCD screen, powers up VERY quick, 7MP, plenty of macro modes, and long battery life even w/flash. Only a 3x optical zoom and not a replacement for a standard size camera w/better zoom, but I was finding that with my larger Olympus I didn't always have it with me. This is small enough to take in the pocket and I plan to use it in Africa in the future along with the larger, slower (but awesome quality) digital Olympus (both use the same XD memory card).

Stylus 720 SW

Those larger camera bodies are great as are the lens for them. But is it me or does anyone else always happen upon the perfect picutre opt and the big rig is sitting back in the truck? I do afterall go to hunt as my first priority.
I use a Nikon Cool Pix S4 with a 10X zoom that pivots. It is approx. the size of my Nikon rangefinder and easily slips into a vest pocket from which I pull it at any pic opt.

I'm off to Tanzania in 40 days. I think I'll leave the SLR at home. Nice camera but too damn big and I don't feel like screwing with film. Fact is, I hardly ever use it anymore. I'll take my little Powershot A620 and some memory cards.

I'm giving thought to picking up a Sony camcorder that records directly to a dvd. Any of you have experience with these?

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
Big Guy,

So specifically, what 4X lens did you buy?

Where, what, how much, etc.

Thanks.

The telephoto adapter is only a 1.5X Since this is a set in front lense the camera still does all the focusing under the adapter. I tried it out to 48x and it makes a BIG difference. Much more than you would expect from just 1.5X. You won't be able to use it for close in subjects because you pick up the inside of the adapter at low zoom settings.

Canon makes both the adapter LAH-DC20 and the lense TC-DC58B. You can purchase both from Norman Camera for cheaper than Canon's E-store.

Norman Camera

Grand total from them $177.70 shipped.

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Hunter:
I'm off to Tanzania in 40 days. I think I'll leave the SLR at home. Nice camera but too damn big and I don't feel like screwing with film. Fact is, I hardly ever use it anymore. I'll take my little Powershot A620 and some memory cards.

I'm giving thought to picking up a Sony camcorder that records directly to a dvd. Any of you have experience with these?

Yes I have a Sony mini DVD/camera combo. The camera shots are low end but not real low end, good enough in a pinch. Like when your running the DVD but want a still too. Just flip the switch and hit the button for the pic (it has it's own memory card) I use mine as a back up for my regular digital camera in the event that one takes a crap while on a trip.
The DVD is sweet and no need to transfer anything like the mini video tapes did.

Big Guy,

I assume that the S3 is 12X optical. How in the world do you get 48X out of a 1.5X adapter? 18X?

Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
Big Guy,

I assume that the S3 is 12X optical. How in the world do you get 48X out of a 1.5X adapter? 18X?

Thanks.

Yep 12X Optical Only. You are absolutely correct. Above 12X the camera is digital zoom only to 48X. Without the adapter you can imagine digital zoom is pretty crappy. But the adapter does does help the images alot even on digital zoom.

I took this picture of a deer about 70yds away. I used the CANON S2 IS and the 1.5x adapter. I zoomed the camera to 48x (in the digital range). This photo is uncropped. I just resized it for web posting. The result is substantially better than 48X without the adapter. I suspect it would have been sharper if I had used a tripod and not freehanded the shot. But I don't think the deer would have cooperated.

I don't have an explanation why it improves digitally zoomed photos, other than the optical zoom range is obviously increased. But it does a much better job than I thought it would.

Gentlemen,

I took these photos of a cat earlier this year in France with the Panasonic DMC-FZ30 DIGITAL CAMERA. This has an 8 MP sensor, and a 12X optical zoom, as well as the options of 2X and 4X digital zoom.



This was taken with the a 12X optical zoom.



This was taken with 12X optical zoom, plus 2X digital zoom, for a total of 24X zoom.



This was taken with a 12X optical zoom, and a 4X digital zoom, for a total of 48X zoom.

I cropped the photos to the same size.

We take two Canon Digital Rebel XT. The two lenses we have are 24-105, and a 70-300. One on each camera so we don't have to change lenses so much. We also will carry a 100-400 and a 16-35 to cover most applications. Being THERE is most of the fun, but, remembering through pictures will last a lifetime.

Saeed,

I am very interested in the performance of your cameras on safari this year. When you have time, would you mind sharing your thoughts about the various cameras and how they performed?

Like some of you I still like to use my film cameras, a Nikon F100 and an F3. There is a new film which is getting rave reviews, the Fuji Provia 400X. It is a slide film with the same general capabilities in terms of quality and sharpness as what used to be considered good in a 100 ASA film, but at 400 ASA. If you shoot slide film developing costs are minimal and you have them burn a CD at the same time. I think this is a pretty good combination. Using slide film doesn't mean you can't have digital images to work with afterword. And you don't have to spend several thousand dollars on new camera equipment which will not have the following: no extreme wide angles for most digital cameras (and I love the perspectives from 20mm and wider lenses), immediate start up (no waiting for all the electronics to boot), immediate shutter response, almost perfect framing (WYSIWYG in the viewfinder), no problems with white balance, less weight, more rugged, etc., etc.

Does anyone know where in the states one could get slides burned on a CD?

Thanks.

Doesn't your average film developer offer burning a CD at the same time as film development for a reasonable rate in US? It's fairly common practice here in antiquated Europe. I'll bet a little time with Google will find you one. Here's an expensive one:

http://www.slidescanning.com/services/slides_to_CD.htm

Here's another:

http://www.plastictreesstudio.com/ptfilmscanning.html

Saeed,

If you start scanning negatives, be prepared to stock up on hard drives. I have scanned about 1,000 images (combined slides and negatives) on a Nikon Coolscan V in the last 10 months. If you scan on the highest resolution of 4,000 ppi, your file size is 125 to 135 megabytes per image. You won't need nearly that much resolution for printing pics or looking at them on the PC.

It also can take quite a bit of time unless you have all your negatives in rolls vs. strips.

My goal is to convert all my negatives and slides to digital, but it might take the rest of my natural life (if my wife doesn't shorten my life for spending all my time scanning film on the computer).

I just checked out Larsen's "inexpensive" slide scans at .34 ea for quantity, which is about equal to what the film and processing originally was for most of my 36-exp. K64 slides.

If I have them do about 75,000 of those in my stock files, it will only be $28,141.44.

Fortunately, I already own a quality scanner. -TONY

Saeed,

The pix below was taken handheld at 10X with the Olympus 2100 UZ, which is only a 2.1 mp camera. It does have an IS lens, however.

I used a Sony Cyber Shot DSC T-9 on my recent safari and loved it. It is 6 MP and very compact. I simply strapped it on my ammo belt in a camera case and it was always handy when I needed it. I found that having it on my belt, being so convenient, resulted in me taking more pictures and being able to take pictures in situations where I would not have been able to dig the camera out of the pack. While I was limited to a 3X zoom, the convenience of the small package more than offset that limitation.

Need Just One Mre Gun, how much does a Nikon Coolscan V cost in the USA? Does it have a strip loader so you can scan a length of negatives or slides (or do slides have to be mounted)? I would think that for anybody with a large amount of negatives and slides accumulated over the years it would be a good investment. Still, have any of you enquired as to how much an old fashioned film developer will charge you to scan your negative strip or slide strip when you get them developed?

I sometimes get the impression that some posters believe I am arguing against digital. I'm not, it's great. But I think that if someone has high quality, tried and true film cameras and lenses, he/she doesn't have to abandon them to have the in-computer advantages of digital. Nor do they necessarily have to invest in a whole new set of camera equipment.

The only bad thing about digital cameras is that they were not around when I started hunting.

Just got the Canon S3 SI yesterday in the mail, along with an after-market 2X add-on lens. Passing my S1 SI onto my daughter.

Hope to get a few pics of the couple remaining hummingbirds before all the cold weather runs them out of here.

Saeed,
Would you tell us what video cameras you used? Thanks. Kudude

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
The only bad thing about digital cameras is that they were not around when I started hunting.

Just got the Canon S3 SI yesterday in the mail, along with an after-market 2X add-on lens. Passing my S1 SI onto my daughter.

Hope to get a few pics of the couple remaining hummingbirds before all the cold weather runs them out of here.

You'll be very happy with that Camera. My recent pictures were all taken with the S3.

I have an S2 as well but the CCD tanked on it 1 week before I left. It was still at Canon getting repaired while I was in Africa. The S3 was a panic purchase to bring a good camera. The S2 was still under warranty and was repaired for free.