Safari lenses for M240?

[masjah]

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Just a further update with regard to the above table. During the production of the ROM version of the180/2.8 Apo Elmarit R, the design was modified to enable it to be used with the 1.4X extender as well as the 2X extender. The earlier ROM version of this lens (which can not be used with the 1.4 extender) is 11273, and the later ROM version (which can be used with the 1.4X extender) is 11357.

[woorob]

John is correct -- my later model 180 2.8 APO works perfectly with my 1.4 APO extender and provides superb image quality. But I still wouldn't use it on an M while on safari. This is where full frame DSLRs from Nikon and Canon excel IMO.

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

In my experience a monopod is not very practical in a vehicle, as it catches on projections in the interior,on your fellow passengers feet, and generally restricts movement.

But the worst thing is that a vehicle is a sprung, unstable platform that will transfer movement and vibration to the camera through the monopod/tripod.

Beanbag and freehand technique work far better

I have a monopod that doubles as a walking stick for trekking in the bush, ( by Novoflex) which works fine..

 

Indeed many National parks do not allow off road throughout Africa, although they will have a finely networked road infrastructure that allow you to come reasonably close. For that reason private concessions and game reserves are preferable. And the nicest thing is to have a private vehicle/guide.

I have a monopod that doubles as a walking stick for trekking in the bush, ( by Novoflex) which works fine..

Jaaaap I remember seeing a video on how to shoot on a safari and for the big lenses they have a gimbal mounted on the van/jeep but with engine OFF when they want to shoot or like you said the vibrations will travel up the monopod and cause camera shake

[jaapv]

You’ll have a 160-200 8.0. That seems slow, but in the tropics light is bright. For dusk and dawn you are unlikely to get good results with very long focal lengths anyway. For night drives with a spotlight you need shorter focal lengths with higher speeds. I found the results of using flash unsatisfactory and it may spook animals like antelope and elephant.

Although longer lengths may be fine:

 

Agfa APXii spotlight, beanbag, Apo-Telyt 280/4.0

 

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DMR, Vario-Elmar 105-280, spotlight

 

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Ah! How much is the airline fare for your donkey?

 

There are hand luggage limits, and all light aircraft transfers to and in the Safari areas will have a luggage limit of 12 to 15 kg including camera gear. - and they weigh the passenger.

The pilots are lenient but also safety-concious and when the Cessna is full the limits will be enforced and you will have to purchase a separate seat for your camera bag on another plane flying in - if available.

Jaaap its all taken care of mate.............camera gear weighs 17kg that is 7.5 kg each we will be flying business class on the international flights. On the internal flights we will be under the 15kg limit as we will be traveling light .............clothes wise

Thats the plan up to now, just cant make our mind up where to go but we have narroed it down to "The Governers Place" Kenya or "Amakhala" South Africa

[jaapv]

Governors Camp you mean. Large and rather nice but in the overrun part of the Mara. It must be25 years ago that I stayed there. It sure has changed

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

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Governors Camp you mean. Large and rather nice but in the overrun part of the Mara. It must be25 years ago that I stayed there. It sure has changed

Yea thats the place Jaaap..............one of my buddies stayed there last year and had a fantastic time. A wee Bitty pricey but its a once in a lifetime experiance so what the hell. I also fancy doing thje Masa Mari village trip so Kenya looks like the place to go

[jaapv]

Ask for a tent next to the manager’s cottage overlooking the plains in Governor’s main camp. What other camps are you looking at in Kenia?

[zlatkob]

As for a Canikon DSLR, consider this: The vehicle will be full of tourists using the same Nikon (Canon appears to have fallen from grace in the Safari Circuit) with the same lens shooting the same sleeping Lion. The results will by pretty good technically, and back home Uncle Harry will have a slideshow to prove he saw The Big Five.

My comment : Pretty good stuff for a holiday album, but intrinsically boring.

 

Now using a camera that requires a different approach from the photographer will make you consider your surroundings, your plane of focus and cause you to engage (mentally!) with your subject matter as you have to anticipate.

Maybe fewer, but certainly better shots.

 

Good photographers engage mentally, consider surroundings and plane of focus, and anticipate no matter which brand or system they are using. Using one brand or another doesn't make for intrinsically boring (or exciting) pictures.

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Ask for a tent next to the manager’s cottage overlooking the plains in Governor’s main camp. What other camps are you looking at in Kenia?

Just the Governers camp and the one camp in South Africa..............I was told I can do the Masa Mari from the Governers camp

[jaapv]

You can “do” the Masai Mara in one morning or five years - it is the size of a small country.

[nameBrandon]

Just the Governers camp and the one camp in South Africa..............I was told I can do the Masa Mari from the Governers camp

 

 

You can, I did it in 2011. Governor's Camp is fantastic, pretty decent food too.

 

 

I'd suggest the dSLR advice as well, I had a 5D / T2i + 100-400L / 135L and a 24-70. Animal shots were 99% 100-400, and most of that was 300-400 range.

 

I admire you for wanting to take the rangefinder route, but I'd encourage you to consider the SLR, even if it is a backup. I actually bought the 100-400L used and sold it for about $10 loss after I used it on the trip. Not a bad rental fee.

 

 

Here's a few from Governor's Camp (except the Giraffe. That was still Kenya, just a different area).

 

 

 

 

 

I've got albums for people and landscapes, but you can see the full animal album here. I tried to put the locations there so you can get a feel for what you'll get out of Governor's Camp.

 

 

If you get the option, definitely do the hot-air balloon trip, that was amazing from a landscape perspective.

 

EDIT - Oh, and as far as the tripod/monopod/etc.. I didn't bring a tripod. I did get a bean-bag type device.

 

This is what I used (very similar to the red dot!). http://www.thepod.ca/red%20pod%20page.html

 

I would mount the camera (or lens) on this, and then place the bag on the window-sill of the range rover. It was very light, so if we did get out the range rover (not very frequently did that happen!) it was light and didn't get in the way.

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

You can “do” the Masai Mara in one morning or five years - it is the size of a small country.

Only there for to weeks so will have to wait to get the other 4 year plus

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

I've got albums for people and landscapes, but you can see the full animal album here. I tried to put the locations there so you can get a feel for what you'll get out of Governor's Camp.

 

 

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You got some fantastic pictures there........thanks for sharing.

 

Would like to add that using a rangfinder for wildlife photography is "using the wrong tool for the job". I love my M and my leica lenses but they do not fit into a Safari trip for shooting wildlife.

I am also going to take in the Masa Mari in there villages and the Leica M plus Noctilux will be fantastic for that if I can get the kids to sit still long enough to grab a picture, and if not then the D800e can catch them on the move.

[nameBrandon]

You got some fantastic pictures there........thanks for sharing.

 

Would like to add that using a rangfinder for wildlife photography is "using the wrong tool for the job". I love my M and my leica lenses but they do not fit into a Safari trip for shooting wildlife.

I am also going to take in the Masa Mari in there villages and the Leica M plus Noctilux will be fantastic for that if I can get the kids to sit still long enough to grab a picture, and if not then the D800e can catch them on the move.

 

Thanks for looking, glad you enjoyed them!

 

I agree, rangefinder for wildlife is tough. I wouldn't want to do it, but I'm sure it can be done.

 

I didn't have a rangefinder at the time, but I have plenty of shots of children and people in general that would've been fantastic with a 35/50 summilux. Perhaps I'll have to go back.

 

If you're planning shooting the Masai tribe, err on the side of wide® angle. They're a tall bunch for the most part, and have this thing with jumping up and down quite a lot..

[jaapv]

Just remember one thing: the whole point of going on a Safari is to experience the feeling of being in the bush in Africa, something that resonates on an emotional level in the deepest layers of our mind. This is where we came from, and many of us retain that genetic memory.

Don’t waste your time changing lenses and looking for focus points, whilst others are storing the memories of a lifetime on that ultimate memory card in their brain.

Photographically less is really more.

 

I take one lens into the bush ,the VarioElmar 105-280 and an1.4x extender and the X1 (will be a T with the Summicron 40 /2.0 in the future), maybe drop a 28 into my pocket and that is it. I never felt the need for anything more.

 

As for AF: this is one of my anti-AF shots. Telyt 280-V on Visoflex iii and M9. Try and get that with your AF DSLR:

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[DMJ]

jaapv is right. Safari is about the experience at the time not later when looking through your top notch photos. Only been once myself back in November 2001. Met some fantastic people & saw some amazing sights (balloon rides are a must) & took some so so photos. These are precious now not because of their technical (bragging) abilities but as memory triggers to a fantastic 11 days in Kenya & Tanzania.

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

jaapv is right. Safari is about the experience at the time not later when looking through your top notch photos. Only been once myself back in November 2001. Met some fantastic people & saw some amazing sights (balloon rides are a must) & took some so so photos. These are precious now not because of their technical (bragging) abilities but as memory triggers to a fantastic 11 days in Kenya & Tanzania.

 

I beg to differ..if you are going for a touchy feeling thing leave the camera at home.

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

 

As for AF: this is one of my anti-AF shots. Telyt 280-V on Visoflex iii and M9. Try and get that with your AF DSLR:

 

Fantastic picture Jaaaap remember a DSLR can shoot in manual too

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[jaapv]

I beg to differ..if you are going for a touchy feeling thing leave the camera at home.

Possibly leaving the camera home is indeed the way to have a Safari of a lifetime. I love wildlife and nature photography, but often I just leave the camera be in order to enjoy the experience. The worst thing to do is to is to see your safari through a viewfinder only.