Camera Query

Anybody had any experience using the 5D in Africa?

I am going in a month to the Kruger National Park and a few other smaller park. I have the 20D (owned for 18 months and love), Canon 100-400 IS, Canon 200mm F2.8 and Canon 17-85mm IS. I believe I have the right combinations in these.

I just realised that if something happened to my 20D, what would be the point of these lenses, so I need a back up camera. At the end of this month, I will be able to afford a 5D, (just and counting on the rebate to make this a £1500 camera in the end). However, its FF and only has 3fps, which in Africa (and this is my experience in terms of catching 'the moment'), will not be quick enough. But then again, I am an amateur and perhaps a little ignorant of why a 5D would be worth it. Otherwise, will but another 20d body, sure I can pick one up for £500-£600.

Would appreciate any feedback or advise for people who have used the 5D in a wildlife environment or just any advise.

Thanks

D

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Sir Fallot

There are those that read the small print and learn through knowledge, while others ignore the small print and learn through experience.

Otherwise you are unlikely to get many people reading your thread

Hi,

I am from South Africa and an amateur photographer. Have done quite a bit of wildlife photography with film D-SLR's (waiting for my 20D at the moment).

1st of all any camera is better than none.

2nd I have no experience with 1.6x Fovc but my FF film cameras have alway served me well out to 600mm.

The nice thing about Kruger Park is that there are many many very good roads, so if you are driving yourself you can get to a lot of places and be in a comfortable position to shoot from. Just beware that in holiday peak periods, and especially around wild cats (kills being the main attraction) that the traffic volume can be immense. Be patient, the animals are used to cars, and wait for an opportunity to get closer or into a better position.

At waterholes there are usually hides that are set up to allow you to sit for lengthy periods and wait for animals and birds to come to the water. One word of warning (be careful of getting too many photos of animals right at the water, was my beginners mistake).

Further I used to be a game ranger (not in Kruger Park), and know wild animals intimately. High fps rates should not be too much of an issue as animals, unless running in fear or pursuit tend to move calmly and relaxed.

The higher fps benefit is useful when shooting birds, but not really so.

My criteria would rather sit with good lenses that have a long reach, anything up to 800mm. And my preference, especially during mid summer and winter periods os to have a wide aperture lens to blur the background, as in winter we have lots of tan and brown colours, and in summer it gets vibrantly green.

Hope this helps to ease your fears!!
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--> Searching in Vain for the perfect shot that comes for free

delboysafa said:

and counting on the rebate to make this a £1500 camera in the end...

Click to expand...

£1500?! where?

A few only companies are selling them for £1700. Will come back to you on the sites shortly. Canon are offering a £200 rebate on 5D's bought before the 31st June.

Jessops in Kingston-Upon-Thames in London are doing a 10% off on digital SLR. 5D is £1910 - 10% - £200 rebate

Alex,

Thanks for your response. I too am from South Africa, East London. I am living in London and have been for the last 6 years, but I come home at least once a year and in the last 18 months or some I have got more into my photography.

In October spent a week at Addo with the elephants and also went to Shamwari and Impenkwezi in EL.

Really looking forward to the Kruger. I have never been as I spent most of my life growing up in EL and Cape Town, not exactly major wildlife park areas (except for Addo). Have recently bought my 100-400mm IS L and 200mm F2.8 L so looking forward to seeing what I will be able to obtain.

Thanks for your tips.

Howzit...

Nice to hear from ex pats (or traitors 8-> )

Hope you enjoy your trip back to sunny SA. Last time I was in Kruger was when I was knee high to a grasshopper. Did most of my wildlife photography in KZN - Umfolozi, St. Lucia, Ndumo.

Nice too see that you can afford L class lenses over there, man the stuff is just ridiculous in SA. Thankfully my brother in law is in London and gets me my stuff from there - I'll risk the warranty issue for a huge saving in expenses.

I hope to see Addo sometime in the future, I now spend most of my outdoor time fly fishing, and my photography is going to head in that direction too. So maybe a trip to Addo and the home via Rhodes?!

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--> Searching in Vain for the perfect shot that comes for free

Sounds pretty awesome to me

Your right about the price of Camera gear in S.A. I was in Cape Town in October and went to a camera shop there. It was in the V&A Waterfront (so add plenty of RRR's). Before I went over I was looking at the Sigma 80-400mm OS, which I could've bought from HK (DigitalRev) for £620. In the shop, the had it for R12500 (R11.40 at the time to the pound, so £1096). One of my cousins just bought the 20d for R20000, nearly £2000.

How is the flyfishing? Will be driving past Durbs on way to EL in April.