Leica X1 & Digiscoping: Safari alternative?

[ezc203]

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Fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to go on a Safari trip this sumer with my family. And here is the problem:

 

I'm really reluctant to carry my 5D mark II and a plethora of telephoto zoom lenses on a trip that is supposed to be focused on enjoying the sights/sounds and the lovely company of my family. That said, I will be bringing at least 1 camera to document this trip for a quick snap here and there.

 

My first instinct was to bring my trust M8, 24 Lux, and 90 Cron.

 

BUT, I happened upon this by chance.

 

Anyone have any experience with this? I see it as a viable alternative to my original plan.

 

The X1's 36mm can we used to most regular purposes (family, portraits, landscape) and then digiscoping can we used to stalk the animals.

 

Don't know, just kind of thinking out loud here. Feel free to chime in.

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[rudistumpf]

Hi Eddie,

 

I think practically the Digiscoping solution is going to be difficult. I'm not sure whether you are going on a walking safari specifically, but if not, most game viewing is done from an open vehicle, and for this, a scope with camera adaptor is not practical. Also, you will find that you need to move the camera around a lot when taking pictures of the animals.

 

I think the Digiscoping solution is a great alternative for bird photography, but not sure about the quality.

 

I live in South Africa and go on 3-4 Safari's a year. My standard kit is my M9 with 28 and 50mm lenses and then I take a DSLR with one lens with reach, preferably up to 400mm. I use the DSLR exlusively on the game drives and the M9 for everything else.

[spylaw4]

I really would not recommend a digiscope for a safari. It is large and high magnification so works best on a tripod (even essential).

[JeTexas]

I've seen some really amazing wildlife documentaries on PBS shot with a digiscope.

 

If you went that route, I'd suggest a monopod, so that you can stabilize it without taking up much space in the vehicle.

[pharyngula]

I think using an X1 to digiscope with a Televid for this purpose would be an exercise in futility for a number of reasons. First, it is very difficult to focus the scope using the X1 LCD, both its low pixel count and need for a hood/loupe in broad daylight ensure this. Second, there will be vignetting at corners at lowest zoom powers. Third, there is no easy way to point the scope at your target quickly and accurately - it will take some skill. There is a spotting index mark on the lens hood (i.e., align one nobbin of plastic between two others while looking at target) but it takes a lot of practice to get it to work reliably. Fourth, as already mentioned, ideally you will need a good tripod and head that can be positioned quickly and that is steady. A monopod might work in bright light but I use two hands to operate camera and focus scope - unless you have a third hand to hold the monopod you are going to have a large problem with gravity. There is a gun stock shoulder type thingy for spotting scopes but I think it would represent a similar problem. Plus, given the magnifications involved I don't think you'd be able to hold the scope steady enough to image with such devices. As it is you will probably also need a 3rd party cable release solution. By the way, there are car window mounts for spotting scopes that work well and could be more suitable for digiscoping.

 

I'm certainly not against digiscoping with an X1 and Televid, in fact I own such a set-up and have been using it for birds in my backyard. I'm on the steep learning curve at present but despite the occasional frustration, I find it fun to use. However, I just don't think it is the right rig to take on safari.

 

A Televid is remarkable though, I wouldn't hesitate to take one along for visual use especially if the animals are likely to be beyond meaningful binocular distances. How close do they get with the vehicles anyway?

[Solar B]

I would have to agree with all that Doug "pharyngula" has said as you are embarking into Telescope territory , here the slightest tremble or breath will spoil the picture , and if Doug an experienced astronomer is not finding it straight forward using a X1/Televid then you can be sure that the rest of us would find it even more of a challange.

 

Brian

[ezc203]

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Thanks for all the comments thus far guys. I appreciate the pointers. I guess I'll have to abandon this endeavor of curiosity?

[ezc203]

pharyngula - Depending on the trip and which animals, I've been told that we can actually get very close (within tens of meters) in which case a 50mm or 75mm will suffice.

[pharyngula]

Eddie, I thought that might be true - you'll be pretty close to some big beautiful animals. While the Televid focuses close, 25x-50x magnification would let you see details of a fly on a lion's nose but you'd sometimes "miss the forest for the trees", as the saying goes. I was watching a female mosquito on the side of my house about 20 feet away last night and I could make out the polygonal shapes and veins on the wings at dusk! These Televids are amazing, and I only have the 65 mm version - magic Leitz coatings and fluoride objectives I guess? So I certainly wouldn't dissuade you from getting one if so inclined - but they are best for either far away objects or up close details of small subjects like birds and butterflies.

 

In any event, I guess the point is that if you are in a vehicle with a fixed focal length scope and even the lowest mag on the zoom can't frame your subject as you'd like, you can't exactly step back to get your subject in. It seems like a high quality 70-200mm and full frame dSLR would probably be the way to go. If it were me and I was also with family, I'd be thinking of easy to use high-performance gear (i.e., versatile fast glass with reasonable reach, low noise at high ISO, responsive and accurate autofocus, possibility to hand hold etc.) so I could focus my attention on the experience and not get bogged down by the imaging. If I were on my own I might approach it differently.

 

Brian's generous assessment of my skills behind a telescope notwithstanding, you can definitely get great results with the X1 and Televid but so far for me it has been hit or miss. As in, one keeper for every 10-20 shots! I'm hoping my ratio will improve with time. But from what I've read, even the talented and experienced digiscopers out there end up trashing a lot of shots.

[ezc203]

pharyngula - Thank you for taking the time to get back to me on this. I suppose an M8 with a 90 Cron (eff. 120mm) will suffice for reach? Or maybe just the 5Dii with the 16-35 and 70-200.

[mrware]

This is where I think micro 4/3rds shines - travel photography. You get an image approaching dslr at lower iso levels and you get a much smaller lighter system. The olympus 14-150mm lens gives you 28-300mm in 35 mm terms. It's $500 dollars and works on the Olympus an Panasonic m4/3rds cameras. Grab one of the Panasonics G series bodies, preferrably with the built in viewfinder and you'd have a great travel/safari setup. See the G series here Products - Lumix Lifestyle - Share the experience

[jimleicam3]

Hate to say this...but... bring your Canon. I used a 20D with a 100-400 lens, it is all you need. Your X1 will be great to take photos of the people in your group. there is no time to be setting up a scope. The added weight is not as much of a problem in that you will be riding in a truck most of the day. The big concern is dust!!! seal everything in zip-lock bags. have a great time!! And bring extra batteries.

[ezc203]

I'm not sold on the quality of images of micro 4/3 (in large prints), so haven't not really ventured into that arena.

 

But yes, it seems like the Canon will be a must. Sigh... Oh well

[JeTexas]

Why would he shoot micro 4/3 when he already has two APS-C Cameras with better sensors? Micro 4/3 cameras are neat, but if I'm paying for a safari, I'm sure going to attempt to get the absolute highest quality photos possible. Not only that, but why would you switch to a camera you're completely unfamiliar with right before a trip like that? I sure wouldn't want to miss shots of a lion eating a wildebeest because I can't figure out how to change my f-stop.

 

Don't forget, you can also rent a really nice lens for the trip for just a couple hundred dollars if you need a super telephoto.

 

I noticed that borrowlenses.com just started carrying the M9 and a few Leica lenses. I'm going to write them to see if they'd consider adding Leica spotting scopes to their lineup. All this talk has me wanting to try one.

[mrware]

Why would he shoot micro 4/3 when he already has two APS-C Cameras with better sensors? .

 

I read this in the OP's post "I'm really reluctant to carry my 5D mark II and a plethora of telephoto zoom lenses on a trip that is supposed to be focused on enjoying the sights/sounds and the lovely company of my family" To me that says, hey I want to have fun, take some images, but photography is not my number one concern. Enjoying the experience with my family rather than schleping a heavy camera and glass is the goal.

 

So based on that, m4/3rds would be a nice choice. Are the images as good as a dslr? No. Digiscoping would be a new skill as well, so think with that or m4/3rds there is some practice required.

 

Where in the post does he state he has any aps-c bodies, let alone two? He has the full frame 5dmkii. Long glass for that is heavy.

 

An aps-c body would be better due to the crop factor getting you reach with smaller glass. 4/3rds gets you smaller gear and more reach again and seems to satisfy his required "bringing at least 1 camera to document this trip for a quick snap here and there. "

[ezc203]

No need to get snappy guys. All advice is appreciated. I think the micro 4/3rd is a viable alternative, perhaps not for me, but for someone in a similar situation, I can see them picking up a Lumix G2 or something.

 

JeTexas means well, I'm sure he's not deliberately trying to provoke (unless you are )

 

Oddly enough I actually do have 2 APS-C bodies. A 7D and the X1, but I don't think that was mentioned... Anyhow, probably gonna bring a Canon. And some lenses. Since we will be on a truck (as someone mentioned) I can just leave it in a corner and use it if I *really* need to

[Liu]

You realy don't need any camera for that , just take binoculars and enjoy the wild life

 

Don't even think of scopes you will waste the time for setting up the scope spotting is about the staying in one place and taking the time, but never on the car.

 

 

Best regards,

 

Liu

[BLeventhal]

I have been on safari on two occasions and do this type of travel to participate in my passions... photography, natural history, and eco-exploration. During my first safari I participated in a photo-only excursion. My wife and I packed all the gear and traveled for 16 days throughout Tanzania. In 2010 I returned to Africa and went on a second safari... this time it was Kenya. I was so excited about Africa that I wanted to share it with my mother and sisters. In the end, Tamy (my wife) and my mother joined me.

 

Now here's the point... on both occasions I was photographer and traveler. We all enjoyed each others company, enjoyed the wildlife viewing, and enjoyed the photography. To be a photographer on safari without the appropriate gear would be torture.

 

So... bring the X1 and shoot the family and landscapes with it.... but also bring your 7D and the longest lens you have and be a participant in the experience. Leaving the right camera home will haunt you when you see all of those missed photo opportunities.

 

Visit my blog and search the archives to see some of our work in Africa: The Way We See It

 

cheers,

bruce

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[jaapv]

Wise advice. I have been doing safaris for over twenty years now - A few things, some mutually contradictory:

 

1. Bring a long telezoom ( preferably in the 300 mm range)- you will be shooting from a fixed point (hide, vehicle or hiding place when walking) and need to be able to compose - changing primes is a hassle. A 1.4x converter is a good substitute for an extra long lens.

Leave the big cannons like 500mm 2.8 lenses to the pros and the geeks. You don't need them for 98% of your shots. And you need to carry a heavy tripod as well (see next)

 

2. A tripod is a pain in the behind - for yourself and for the people around you. In a vehicle it is too unwieldy, walking again it is hassle. It will work in a hide. In a vehicle use a beanbag - a window clamp will transfer the movement of fellow guests to your camera and slow you down The Novoflex walking stick - monopod can be highly recommended.

You can drop a light travel tripod in the checked luggage - it can be useful in hides and photographs of a moonrise.

 

3. Be redundant - you must be able to back up your gear because there are no repair facilities nor shops. I solve this by bringing a standard zoom for my DSLR and a Viso-Telyt 280 for my M9 in the checked luggage.

 

4. Back up your SD cards on a portable harddrive which you keep separate from your SD cards - no use bringing a laptop - your wife will grumble and you will prefer sitting around the campfire with a G&T. SD cards do get pilfered!

 

5. Limit your gear as much as you can - it will be hot and there is a luggage limit on light aircraft, usually 12 or 15 Kg total per person (Not that it is enforced severely on photo gear. (Usually))

 

6. All safari camps and lodges have battery charging facilities. However, you will always use more batteries than at home. Do bring a spare charger!!!

 

7. Buy your wife a video camera - photo and video do not mix on safari (basically never).

 

8. Carry your camera gear as handluggage in a locked photo backpack. Only selected items go into the checked luggage. In camp, only take what you need on a game activity. Keep the rest in camp in your tent. Although pilfering can happen, major theft is virtually unknown, despite the lack of doorlocks.

 

9. Enjoy yourself - you are there to experience the bush and the animals, not to get published in National Geographic!