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My next trip will start at the Kariba dam, floating the Zambezi River through Mana Pools and continuing on until essentially the Mozambique border, then hunting from there. Being able to take high-quality photos from a floating platform (zoom, image stabilization) is critical. Unfortunately I’m not a photographer, and I don’t presently have the time to become proficient in all the factors and tweaks required to consistently produce great photos. My current camera is a Nikon D5100 with a 18-200mm lens. Sometimes I get great photos, many (most) times I don’t. 90% of the time I just shot in auto mode. I doubt this camera will make another trip. It’s been dragged around and abused for several years. What camera and lens combination would be recommended for this type of trip, considering the “photographer” will likely be shooting the vast majority of the photos in “auto” or some preset mode, but would very much like to get some great photos? JEB Katy, TX Already I was beginning to fall into the African way of thinking: That if you properly respect what you are after, and shoot it cleanly and on the animal's terrain, if you imprison in your mind all the wonder of the day from sky to smell to breeze to flowers—then you have not merely killed an animal. You have lent immortality to a beast you have killed because you loved him and wanted him forever so that you could always recapture the day - Robert Ruark DSC Life Member NRA Life Member | ||
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I am currently using a SONY RX10 MK 3 bridge camera. Pictures are stunning, and it takes video up to 4K. It has a 600mm lens and everything is just about the size of an SLR with a standard lens. I have given up using an SLR, because these cameras now had reached such a fantastic level of quality, and shoot extremely good video too. | |||
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Saeed, is the Sony replacing your P900 Nikon? ___________________ Just Remember, We ALL Told You So. | |||
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The Nikon P900 is a bloody awful general purpose camera, and does not eve come close to others. But, it has that 83X zoom, which comes in handy sometime. If any of you on on WhatsApp and would like to see some sample photos, send me your number on a PM and I will be happy to send you some. For a small pocket camera, I carry the Panasonic TZ80. | |||
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Pretty much my experience as well. Was disappointed with the P900. You can only take so many moon shots... ___________________ Just Remember, We ALL Told You So. | |||
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I have taken many very good pictures with the Nikkor 18-200mm lens, on lower megapixel cameras like the D90 and the D300s. DSLRs are in fact complex imaging computers, not film cameras, meaning that knowing how to use the tool is essential. Some suggested reading: http://www.bythom.com/magicsettings.htm If there's no desire to learn how to use the camera, the question sounds like "what camera do I need if I don't want to learn how to use it". Most of the really good pictures you see are taken by people who spend a lot of time learning how to use their equipment. If you don't invest a little in learning/training you'll almost always be disappointed. Same thing with shooting a rifle/pistol/bow, etc. I don't have one and have never used one, but the Sony RX10 III seems to get rave reviews as the "best" long-lens bridge camera with excellent jpegs right out of the camera. It's the one Saeed mentions above. https://www.dpreview.com/revie...er-shot-dsc-rx10-iii _________________________________ AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim. | |||
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I've had a D300 for a while now. The one thing I noticed about it over smaller cameras is the D300 have a dedicated button for everything I need. White balance ISO Exposure comp. Focus point. There is also a dedicated switch for area or spot meter. These are the only buttons I need 90% of the time. | |||
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The Nikon D300 is a classic! I used that camera for years, and loved it! | |||
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Saeed, How is the "connectivity" on this camera? Can you download pictures with its WiFi to a portable phone or iPad? _________________________________ AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim. | |||
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Frankly I am not sure, but do not think it has. It is not one of the features I look for - I have other cameras that have it but I hardly ever use it. I like to reduce the resolution of the photos on my computer before putting them on an iphone. If you would like to see some sample pictures, Give your WhatsApp number on a PM and I will be happy to send you some. I am at Zurich airport right now waiting for our flight home. | |||
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Appreciate the comments. Maybe a bridge camera is best for me. On the other hand, if I were to decide to become more proficient with a SLR, and I chose to stick with Nikon, I had convinced myself to try a D750. I'm presently sitting a volleyball tournament and the guy beside me is shooting a D750. He claims the latest recommendations for that class is to go with a D500 - smaller sensor and DX, but better AF and faster. Any comments or opinions regarding these two models (or any other for that matter)? JEB Katy, TX Already I was beginning to fall into the African way of thinking: That if you properly respect what you are after, and shoot it cleanly and on the animal's terrain, if you imprison in your mind all the wonder of the day from sky to smell to breeze to flowers—then you have not merely killed an animal. You have lent immortality to a beast you have killed because you loved him and wanted him forever so that you could always recapture the day - Robert Ruark DSC Life Member NRA Life Member | |||
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There are a ton of reviews on the D500 out there, but I like the reviews done on the Photography Life web site (Nassim Mansurov) and the bythom web site (Tom Hogan) but there are many more. Those who use it say it is the best sports and wildlife DSLR you can buy. _________________________________ AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim. | |||
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Wink - since this is a DX, are there any issues using FX lenses if I go that route? For shooting wildlife photos from a drifting pontoon boat on the Zambezi, what lens (or lenses) would you recommend with a D500? Thanks JEB Katy, TX Already I was beginning to fall into the African way of thinking: That if you properly respect what you are after, and shoot it cleanly and on the animal's terrain, if you imprison in your mind all the wonder of the day from sky to smell to breeze to flowers—then you have not merely killed an animal. You have lent immortality to a beast you have killed because you loved him and wanted him forever so that you could always recapture the day - Robert Ruark DSC Life Member NRA Life Member | |||
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The FX lens can be used on a DX camera and is preferred but they cost 2-3 times the DX lens. For some of us the cost does matter. I guess when it comes to the lens choice it all depends what you want. Go to www.kenrockwell.com to see a great many lens and a great review of them. Hope this helps. Samm  | |||
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I don't know what your budget is but you might want to take a look at Sony's A7RII. It doesn't get much better, and with adapters you can use all kinds of different lenses. | |||
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I'm getting back to you a little late on this, but there aren't really any issues when it comes to using telephoto lenses on a DX sensor camera. You of course get the benefit of 1.5 X reach (a 200mm lens on a DX has an equivalent field of view of a 300mm lens on an FX), which for wildlife is a good thing. The 70-200mm f/4 Nikkor is an excellent lens, and will act like a 105-300mm zoom on the D500. If you want to use a monopod or tripod I would suggest buying the Kirk tripod lens collar rather than the Nikon offer. If you want to be able to take bird pictures, than you will need a lot more reach, meaning the 200-500mm Nikkor is a very good option. It's big but still hand-holdable (I don't own one but have tried one out). I do own the 70-200mm f/4 and get very good results, and it's a lot less expensive and less heavy than the f/2.8 version. You don't have as many options for wide angle with a DX sensor. If you want to cover all bases? A 10-24mm DX Nikkor zoom, a 35mm f/1.8 DX prime lens (inexpensive and very useful) and a 70-200mm f/4 FX Nikkor. I like the ultra-wide option. If you don't shoot a lot of ultra-wide, then I would recommend the 16-80mm DX Nikkor and the 70-200 f/4 FX Nikkor. Now, it is possible to go less expensive (and a lot more expensive too!) with two zooms, but I would want to take advantage of the D500's speed and sensor with the best glass you can afford, that's still reasonable for travel in terms of size and weight. Whatever you end up with, practice with it before going. _________________________________ AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim. | |||
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A large heavy DSLR is not a fun way to take pictures on a trip. As all the very helpful people have posted there are small cameras and even camera phones that do great. Wink said it best....practice reguardless of what you buy. | |||
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You don't have to buy something exotic and expensive to use something exotic and expensive. https://www.lensrentals.com/ This said, if you rent you would want to know exactly what you need and know how to use it. High performance DSLRs really are complex tools and, I believe, require a certain amount of passion and commitment to become a knowledgeable user. The severely addicted would think having a 600mm f/4 Nikkor to lug around as the price to pay for "fun". _________________________________ AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim. | |||
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You'll get no argument from me. Like they say about handguns, the one you have with you is the best one. But for wildlife photography I would want some telephoto reach (and I wouldn't go pronghorn hunting with a handgun either). It's always about compromises (and weight and bulkiness are certainly major considerations), just don't let money be the determining factor for the kind of trip that is rare, exotic, and already costs a lot. The marginal cost of decent equipment is easily justifiable. Sort of like arguments about the cost of ammo on an African safari. _________________________________ AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim. | |||
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I HAVE BEEN USING A NIKON D7100, MOSTLY WITH THE 18 - 55 LENS. GOOD RESULTS, BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT COMPARABLE CANONS ARE SLIGHTLY BETTER AT SHARPNESS AND COLOUR QUALITY. | |||
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Nikon JPGs have a default setting of pretty much zero sharpening. This can be changed in the Picture Controls, as can any aspect of color you might want to play with. Sharpness can also be a problem of lens autofocus tuning: https://photographylife.com/how-to-calibrate-lenses/ In the event you are not aware of it, there are many custom image profiles that can be added to either Nikon post-processing software, or, even added to the Picture Controls in your camera. I particularly like the Tri-X B&W. See here: https://nikonpc.com/ This is useful only if you take jpgs with your Nikon camera, or use Nikon post-processing software like Capture NX2 or Capture NX-D (the latter being free of charge) if you take primarily NEF files but want the picture control settings to be legible, which can only be read by Nikon software. _________________________________ AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim. | |||
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