Stavrosbbb
New member
My first time on safari in Botswana. I was there recently in the dry season with high daytime temperatures up to 38 degrees. This was a general non specialized trip not a guided photography tour.
I was in an open Toyota land cruiser with 5 others, several non photographers. The game drive conditions were very bumpy, often in 4 wheel drive off road in the dusty brush.. Holding onto 5 pounds of camera and lens along with binoculars was at times challenging with the very bumpy ride. At times water would enter the truck on the floor during stream crossings., so any camera bag on the floor had to be quickly lifted up.
As for the photography, the light changed from dawn to dusk with harsh overhead sun at midday. I had to contend with the harsh overhead sunlight reflected by white sand and dry grass. Many animals moved under the brush into the shade during the heat of the day. I had never used my Z8 in such testing circumstances before and working out the exposure became an interesting experience. Even while stationary there was often movement in the vehicle by non photographers when I was trying to get the shot. I often shot stationary animals at higher speed because of this.
My Z8 overheated several times during the day with "Hot Card"warnings and to top it off the door covering the memory cards opened several times a day. Dust was a constant enemy. The camera and lens received several knocks during off road travel. Avoiding sharp acacia thorns and branches entering the truck while off road was important too.
On a non photography general safari you do not choose the position you shoot from and leaves and branches or people's hats obstructing the view of an animal or bird was the norm. Non photographers were impatient to move on and often there was little time to get the image. Often the Z8 autofocus struggled to lock on bird and animal eyes. Many of the antelope and animals have black banding over the eyes. I used single point and manual assisted focus many times with good success to lock focus. I am sure that heat haze did not help with getting sharp images.
For me this was a hard trip, but inspite of all the difficulties posed by being on safari, the Z8 and 100-400 came through with some spectacular images, that exceeded my expectations. Traveling light proved to be the right way to go for this trip. I would like to hear from others who have also been on general safaris and the challenges they faced and overcame.
Next time would I choose a photography specific safari?.
I was in an open Toyota land cruiser with 5 others, several non photographers. The game drive conditions were very bumpy, often in 4 wheel drive off road in the dusty brush.. Holding onto 5 pounds of camera and lens along with binoculars was at times challenging with the very bumpy ride. At times water would enter the truck on the floor during stream crossings., so any camera bag on the floor had to be quickly lifted up.
As for the photography, the light changed from dawn to dusk with harsh overhead sun at midday. I had to contend with the harsh overhead sunlight reflected by white sand and dry grass. Many animals moved under the brush into the shade during the heat of the day. I had never used my Z8 in such testing circumstances before and working out the exposure became an interesting experience. Even while stationary there was often movement in the vehicle by non photographers when I was trying to get the shot. I often shot stationary animals at higher speed because of this.
My Z8 overheated several times during the day with "Hot Card"warnings and to top it off the door covering the memory cards opened several times a day. Dust was a constant enemy. The camera and lens received several knocks during off road travel. Avoiding sharp acacia thorns and branches entering the truck while off road was important too.
On a non photography general safari you do not choose the position you shoot from and leaves and branches or people's hats obstructing the view of an animal or bird was the norm. Non photographers were impatient to move on and often there was little time to get the image. Often the Z8 autofocus struggled to lock on bird and animal eyes. Many of the antelope and animals have black banding over the eyes. I used single point and manual assisted focus many times with good success to lock focus. I am sure that heat haze did not help with getting sharp images.
For me this was a hard trip, but inspite of all the difficulties posed by being on safari, the Z8 and 100-400 came through with some spectacular images, that exceeded my expectations. Traveling light proved to be the right way to go for this trip. I would like to hear from others who have also been on general safaris and the challenges they faced and overcame.
Next time would I choose a photography specific safari?.
