jaapv Posted April 11, 2014 Share #21 Posted April 11, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Very nice indeed. The problem with shooting in an “exotic” area like sub-Saharan Africa is that it is so easy to get beautiful shots that it is all too easy to slip from the iconic into the cliché, especially when you throw colour into the mix. ( I plead guilty, M’Lud:() Especially on Safari where the bandwidth of subject matter is limited, but the opportunities rife. Like these sunsets. One can shoot those in multiples each day. I post them with an apology To use a hyperbole, even a blind photographer is bound to come home with stunning shots. I think the OP is right to try to escape from this problem by avoiding the trodden path. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 11, 2014 Posted April 11, 2014 Hi jaapv, Take a look here Afrika Safari with Monochrom? Please advise!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jpk Posted April 11, 2014 Author Share #22 Posted April 11, 2014 Thanks for the opinions and also for the references to the articles which I enjoyed very much! Generally I feel not limited by the Monochrom, and I do not desperately need to take the typical close up head shots of lions etc., but I wonder if the Mono with 28-50-90 is up to take some impressions of animals in their context such as shown for example in Bundestrainers Namibia shots of giraffes... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bundestrainer Posted April 11, 2014 Share #23 Posted April 11, 2014 Thanks for the opinions and also for the references to the articles which I enjoyed very much! Generally I feel not limited by the Monochrom, and I do not desperately need to take the typical close up head shots of lions etc., but I wonder if the Mono with 28-50-90 is up to take some impressions of animals in their context such as shown for example in Bundestrainers Namibia shots of giraffes... The giraffes were FOV 50mm, the elephant was 75mm and the springbok was 24, 35 or 50mm FOV. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmark Posted April 13, 2014 Share #24 Posted April 13, 2014 Hi jpk, Do not expect much of wildlife during walking safari (not within 90mm reach), focus on everything else. I'd highly recommend going there with second camera like m4/3 with long tele lens or Nikon 1 with recently announced 100-800 (equivalent) lens. During drive you should get some wildlife even with 50mm (lions resting in shade of a car for example), although in Kenya drivers aren't allowed to off road so you will probably miss most interesting action. Enjoy your trip! Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaknight Posted April 14, 2014 Share #25 Posted April 14, 2014 I am not in the same league as many of our colleagues here, but I have been on safari many times in East and Southern Africa. I am particularly interested in wildlife and would normally take a a fast DSLR (and spare) with lenses including a telephoto such as the 200-400 and teleconverter: However, on one safari a few years ago I decided to take only a M6 with 35, 50 and 90mm lenses. Although I did not get many close-ups of birds and mammals, I did get some of my most memorable images of wild Africa: its geology, landscape, trees and habitats, larger mammals and of course, it people. they were a very different set to those i would normally have taken, and I will do the same again. So, I would definitely consider taking your Leica, and travel light so long as close-ups of wildlife are not your main interest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulev Posted April 17, 2014 Share #26 Posted April 17, 2014 I am not in the same league as many of our colleagues here, but I have been on safari many times in East and Southern Africa. I am particularly interested in wildlife and would normally take a a fast DSLR (and spare) with lenses including a telephoto such as the 200-400 and teleconverter: However, on one safari a few years ago I decided to take only a M6 with 35, 50 and 90mm lenses. Although I did not get many close-ups of birds and mammals, I did get some of my most memorable images of wild Africa: its geology, landscape, trees and habitats, larger mammals and of course, it people. they were a very different set to those i would normally have taken, and I will do the same again. So, I would definitely consider taking your Leica, and travel light so long as close-ups of wildlife are not your main interest. +1 For certain images you NEED a DSLR, 300mm, converter ... Myselve I'm more interested in people, in socializing, so I avoid long glass. On the other hand, closeups of animals are great as well, but maybe I'd go for a quality zoo for those ones !? I'd consider toroughly what kind of pictures you'd like to bring home. Not exactly the same, but I saw a serie of pictures taken at Lake Como, Italy. Using a Canon 5D with a 35 1.4. I left my 70-200, 300 ... at home ... looking at those pictures, I don't miss them at all. It kinda "forced" me into situations. So maybe you could concentrate on landscapes, people ... and stuff that happends around you and bring along some binoculars to enjoy the wildlife as a viewer, not as a photographer. Regardless, you'll need a backup, if you choose a DSLR, you'll need a second body, preferably using the same kind of batteries, memory cards ... Before you'll know it, you'll be dragging around a LOT of gear/weight. Mixing systems is a PITA. Depending on the kind of safari that might be ok, but for a walking safari ? In case of taking the Monochrom I'd consider an M8, M9 as a backup. Remeber ... dust is your enemy ! Take along some stuff to clean your sensor, avoid lens changes as much as possible and don't forget (enough) memory cards and batteries !! Enjoy Velu Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitalpowershot Posted April 17, 2014 Share #27 Posted April 17, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Africa is full of colour! (...) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
howard_cummer Posted April 18, 2014 Share #28 Posted April 18, 2014 I am just back from Ndutu Conservancy - next to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, and I shot with a Fuji XT 1 and the 55 - 200 zoom. It was adequate in terms of reach most of the time - but my wife shooting the Olympus E - M1 with the panasonic 100 - 300 zoom achieved more close ups with greater impact. I wouldn't just take a Mono and "short" Leica lens up to 90mm if it were me because I know I would be frustrated with the lack of reach for some animal subjects. Some of my safari pictures can be viewed here if you would like to have a look. These were all taken with the Fuji. My wife is still editing hers. <http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Howard+Cummer/Tanza2014/> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted April 24, 2014 Share #29 Posted April 24, 2014 A MM in Africa, great idea! I might bring a few filters, red comes to mind. I would take one wide, one normal, one short tele. Depending on how the transportation works I might bring my Visoflex III, and a couple of long telyt lenses. Novoflex made a nice 400mm and a 2x adapter. I think you have a good idea, to stay away from cliche photos, and one way is to stay away from cliche gear. My favorite combo is 28/75/135. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted April 24, 2014 Share #30 Posted April 24, 2014 Exactly what I did, and I can recommend it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpk Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share #31 Posted July 23, 2014 Just came back, great experience! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/224949-afrika-safari-with-monochrom-please-advise/?do=findComment&comment=2636216'>More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 24, 2014 Share #32 Posted July 24, 2014 Well done ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted July 24, 2014 Share #33 Posted July 24, 2014 It has been done before. Henri in Africa — The Leica Monochrom as a Travel Camera | THEME . Great article, strange I never came across before. And that Jaap guy, whoever he is , sure likes Central Africa. My parents are South African and I have been extensively around that country but wanted to venture north. Was thinking of Namibia but now you have made me think ..... Best Rgds Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted July 24, 2014 Share #34 Posted July 24, 2014 Safari is all about animals and they need to be in color. Africa has some beautiful landscapes and they are best shown in color. Monochrome is a nice camera for some things, but it is too specialized for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted July 24, 2014 Share #35 Posted July 24, 2014 It has been done before. Henri in Africa — The Leica Monochrom as a Travel Camera | THEME ... From the link - ...The People To photograph in Africa is easy. People, in general, love to have their photograph taken, one can shoot any number of children without any eyebrows raised, and the subjects are endless... I find it ironic but unsuprising that the supposed "unwashed savages" of Africa are much more friendly to photographers than many of the supposed "sophisticated, evolved" people of modern western societies... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 24, 2014 Share #36 Posted July 24, 2014 Safari is all about animals and they need to be in color. Africa has some beautiful landscapes and they are best shown in color. Monochrome is a nice camera for some things, but it is too specialized for me. I disagree completely. The subject determines the choice, not the continent. Landscape in colour? Often it gets too picture-postcardy. Animals in colour? Often they get drowned in the surroundings Each image has its choice and the photographer will choose. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 24, 2014 Share #37 Posted July 24, 2014 From the link - I find it ironic but unsuprising that the supposed "unwashed savages" of Africa are much more friendly to photographers than many of the supposed "sophisticated, evolved" people of modern western societies... African rural people are far more socially sophisticated than our dehumanised society... This goes for most developing nations in my experience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted July 24, 2014 Share #38 Posted July 24, 2014 Perhaps it's better to say that rurally located people are generally friendlier then city people in any country. That's certainly my experience and makes no difference whether you are in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd estate ..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted July 24, 2014 Share #39 Posted July 24, 2014 African rural people are far more socially sophisticated than our dehumanised society...This goes for most developing nations in my experience. Dehumanization seems to be the goal of those who run western societies; breaking the human spirit makes people easier to control. This is a sad and sick commentary on our western world. It is not a course of action to be emulated by developing nations IMHO... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted July 28, 2014 Share #40 Posted July 28, 2014 I am planning to do a walking safari tour this summer in Kenya, but my gear is totally different from what usually is recommended for safari: I have a Monochrom with 21/F3.4, 28/F2.0, 35/F2.5, 50/F2.0, 75/F1.4, 90/F4.0 (without macro adapter). I sold my DSLR and AF-lenses some time ago, and I am very happy with the mono and generally don't miss color or AF. But I am not sure if I will regret to take no DSLR/tele(zoom) on the safari. What do you think?You will regret it.........wrong tool for the job....................African Safari are so colofull and fast moving you need a DSLR and fast AF lenses..............keep the Monochrom for another day/tripHave a great holiday Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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