Okay, I'm about to shell out a bunch of cash on a safari, and (unfortunately) not so much on mounted trophies. So, that means I need a bunch of good pictures to hang in the gun room. I'm equipped with a Canon EOS Rebel Ti, that is to be mated with a Sigma Zoom Telephoto 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Zoom Macro Super II Autofocus Lens and a 420EX Speedlite flash and a nice compact tripod of some sort. To round this out, I'll need lotsa good film. What brand and speed do you pros recommend for good all-purpose photography under hunting/outdoors conditions? I'm partial to Kodak, but will certainly entertain all options and input. Thanks.

I am partial to Fuji but any high quality film does the trick.
A couple questions:
Are you going straight from the airport to the hunting location? Might your PH be able to pick up film for you?
Reason You won't have to go through the hassle of the airport x-ray machine. Second is the cost .... factor the exchange rate. Also if you are going to have a couple extra days at the end Have you photos developed over there. Again cost. We developed 20 some rolls AND had them burned to CD for what I paid to have 6 rolls done here a couple years ago. (The exchange rate was better but you still will get 8 or 9 done here for the same rate as 20 over there) Again so you don't have to carry them through the x-ray machine.
If you are going to carry the file MAKE SURE to pack it in the camera bag in clear plastic bag and out of the film containers and ask for a hand inspection. You may or may not get it as we had some they required to put through the machine and other visually inspected it.

Film speeds? Since you have a nice camera I'd take everything from 200 through 1600 with the most being equal 400 and 800 speed.
We were over for 15 days and took 26 rolls that my wife thought would last We baught more are 7 days and ended up shooting close to 35 rolls total.
Hope this helps

Ok, where to begin?

A pro would not be going for pictures for their home. They would be concerned with marketing the pictures later to a stock photography house. This means that only slide film is acceptable. They would tend towards something like Fuji Provia.

If they were to go to the trouble of going to Africa, they would bring along a medium format camera as well as several 35mm's. I would also want as many prime lens as possible. While a zoom is nice, a prime beats it every time in every way. That is why you have multiple camera bodies along. Each with a different length prime on it.

I would not recommend that you go out to buy dozens of rolls of slide film and jump on the plane. It simply does not handle the same contrast range as negative film. It takes some getting used to.

If it were me and I was not there to shoot stock. Then I would be happy with 2 35mm's and Kodak in both 200 and 400 asa. I would also be ready to push the 400 to 800 when the need arose. A second back up lens would be good insurance as well.

Your flash is only going to be useful with about 50 feet. Not sure what you intend to shoot, but most game will be further away than that.

Hope this helps some.

Pete

Quail Wing,

I am interrested in why you recommend 200 and 400 speed. When I went to a professional camera shop the head guy took some time to ask questions of who what and where, then suggested 100 Fuji Superia. Still looking for guidance!!!

Dulcinea

A little clarification is in order: I'm hardly a pro, and realize that I cannot expect professional results with my gear and limited experience/ability. What I'd like to do is equip myself as best as I can for my intended job - which is taking pictures of 1) dead animals with me or my dad behind them , 2) live animals if/when the opportunity arises, 3) the local countryside, people, and sights.

With this in mind, what speed and brand of film would most likely serve me best?

I will have a day or two in country, and was seriously considering picking up all my film in Windhoek before setting out. However, I'm uncertain as to whether I should count on being able to get the quantity and quality I need. Is there a Kodak/Fuji-stocked Wal-Mart in Windhoek ? I also like the idea of getting it developed there and burned to a CD. The cost savings and convenience seem worth it. I'll have to sound this out with the PH.

Another issue: I only have the one camera (and my digital), so I was a little concerned about taking multiple speeds of film. I don't really understand the inner Voodoo magic of film speeds, so switching back and forth is probably not wise (at least for me). Nor is it economical if you're half-way through a roll of 200 and suddenly "need" 800, though I don't know when/how/why to switch film speeds.

As you can tell, I'm a relative novice seeking some instruction. I appreciate all the feedback you're providing.

Africa is noted for it's magic hour. About an hour before sundown, the light turns a wonderful golden. With a higher speed film, you are less likely to end up with an underexposed subject. In other words, the background is well lite, but the subject is murky.



Whatever film you use, practice with it first for a few rolls. Take outdoor pictures at various times of day and under different lighting subjects. The best teacher is experience. The other thing I would recommend under these conditions, is bracket, bracket, bracket. Take a shot, then adjust the camera to take 1 stop darker, then 1 stop lighter. These are insurance shots that should cover you no matter what film you use. In the end, c41, color print film is relatively forgiving.



Why the guy in the camera store recommended the film he did? I have no clue. I doubt you will be able see much difference between the major brands.



Hope this helps.



Pete

When we were there the film came from a camera store and was AFGA. A brand we can get here in the states in Pro levels of 35mm. Good Film.
Here are some pictures my wife took while we were there.
Our 2002 African Trip Photos

These were taken with a Pentax 35 and mostly a Tokina 80-400 zoom lens or the Pentaz 35-80 that came with the camera.



Some Extra Pictures

I have recently switched to Kodak Professional in my Nikon F5. This is color print film and I am really pleased with the results.

I use Kodak Portra VC 160,400 and 800 with excellent result.

I would buy a 50mm canon lense for your camera, probably cost around a 100$, and use 100 speed film and tripod for your trophy photos.

The longer lense will be ok, but not very sharp if you are picky.

Jad