Back from Safari with M Reichmann and A Biggs

Erik Grossman · Jan 18, 2004

Thanks Taz. The memories will last a life time. Truly a life changing experience. Andy Biggs and Michael Reichmann both contributed to a first class trip. The safari is done through Thomson Safaris (another first class operator). I would definitely recommend Andy for any Safari to Tanzania (he goes 6 times a year).

Taz said:
Erik Grossman said:

Had a fantastic time in Tanzania with Michael and Andy and made a
bunch of new friends. Took a long a 1D and 10D, together with
17-40L, 70-200L 2.8 IS, 300L/4 IS, 1.4X and 2X extenders.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the report Erik. I'm sure you'll treasure not only the
captures, but the associated memories as well.

Going on one of Andy's safari trips has been a dream of mine for
sometime. I know that he runs a first class operation, and from
his posts, seems to be quite a nice fellow. I've previously given
the thought of going on one of his trips some serious
consideration, and when I see a post like yours it sets me to
thinking/dreaming all over again.

Thanks again for sharing the information and pictures,

-Taz

(BTW, Andy...if you read this...I'm curious to find out how your
300mm f/2.8L IS worked out for you. I came that close to
purchasing that particular lens, but decided at the last minute to
let it go. The seller later told me it went to you. -Thanks)

--
More photos at http://photos.grossman.biz

Velu · Jan 18, 2004

Just love those pictures and the compositions.
For example the three cheeta bros...
The wildebeesten at ngoro.... looks like a painting.

VERY nice!

I'll be reurinin to kenya this year, however, it will be the first time I'll take a digital camera with me.
Seems that the 70-2002.8 IS is doing a good job !?

Did you use both the extenders (1.4 and 2) on the 70-200, and do you recall which picture for example you took with it ?

Regards and thanks for sharing

Velu

Erik Grossman · Jan 18, 2004

If you click on the photo properties link of any photo it will tell you what the focal length is. The longest shot was of the leopard where I used a 500/4 (borrowed from another photographer) together with my 2x on a 10D (1.6x crop) for total of 1600mm!

In the Serengeti I used the 300mm and 70-200 equally as much and didn't really use extenders much. In Kenya (since I believe you can go off road) I don't think you will need as long a lens.

I purchased my 300/4 IS on Ebay second hand for the trip and just sold it again at the same price. To borrow (and slightly twist) a well known expression (you can never be too rich or too thin) you can never have a long enough lens!

Velu said:
Just love those pictures and the compositions.
For example the three cheeta bros...
The wildebeesten at ngoro.... looks like a painting.

VERY nice!

I'll be reurinin to kenya this year, however, it will be the first
time I'll take a digital camera with me.
Seems that the 70-2002.8 IS is doing a good job !?
Did you use both the extenders (1.4 and 2) on the 70-200, and do
you recall which picture for example you took with it ?

Regards and thanks for sharing

Velu

--
More photos at http://photos.grossman.biz

Nelson Ricciardi · Jan 18, 2004

Nice picture Erik. Thanks for sharing.

Let´s consider, for a moment, that I still don´t have any glass. What would you suggest me to buy and take on a trip like that?

A 400mm? Is 300mm with 1.4 enough?

Any help appreciated.

Erik Grossman said:
Had a fantastic time in Tanzania with Michael and Andy and made a
bunch of new friends. Took a long a 1D and 10D, together with
17-40L, 70-200L 2.8 IS, 300L/4 IS, 1.4X and 2X extenders.

My gallery from the trip is at http://photos.grossman.biz

Jon Ragnarsson · Jan 18, 2004

Some of those are National Geographic material! Can't go wrong with African wildlife.

I wander if Reicmann needs a second guide for his trips to Iceland this summer?

J.

Erik Grossman said:
Had a fantastic time in Tanzania with Michael and Andy and made a
bunch of new friends. Took a long a 1D and 10D, together with
17-40L, 70-200L 2.8 IS, 300L/4 IS, 1.4X and 2X extenders.

My gallery from the trip is at http://photos.grossman.biz

--
http://jonr.beecee.org/

baruth · Jan 18, 2004

They were wonderful pictures. You yourself did it. Not to be rude, but I wonder why you have to tag along both Bigg and Reichman and pay for them? I post here so that other know they don't need to pay that :

I and my wife had 17 days in Kenya and Tanzania. We had one vehicle and a driver all for two of us. Yes only two of us in one safari vehicle! We stayed in Serena(one of the best) all the time. The cost? not even half much!

Sorry, I don't want to spoil the party and make you feel bad. But I think some one takes advantage of 15 of you. Andy Biggs is the veteran in East Africa,. I understand why he is there. But why Reichman?

Erik Grossman said:
Stephen Jones said:

Erik Grossman said:

Had a fantastic time in Tanzania with Michael and Andy and made a
bunch of new friends. Took a long a 1D and 10D, together with
17-40L, 70-200L 2.8 IS, 300L/4 IS, 1.4X and 2X extenders.

My gallery from the trip is at http://photos.grossman.biz

Click to expand...

So many great photos, but my Favourite ,I like the break of day
over ther crater

Hate to be rude . How may days? Cost?

Click to expand...

--
More photos at http://photos.grossman.biz

--
baruth

billtoo · Jan 18, 2004

who thinks the images look flat? I don't mean to rain on your parade I'd just like someone to support my observation or explain why I'm wrong. They just don't seem to have any pop.

Sorry Erik, your composition is great and I'd love to have been with you even without a camera (you actually enjoy yourself more without one).

billtoo

Erik Grossman said:
Had a fantastic time in Tanzania with Michael and Andy and made a
bunch of new friends. Took a long a 1D and 10D, together with
17-40L, 70-200L 2.8 IS, 300L/4 IS, 1.4X and 2X extenders.

My gallery from the trip is at http://photos.grossman.biz

--
billtoo
http://www.pbase.com/billtoo

Lecter · Jan 19, 2004

we're doing Botswana, Namibia and Zambia this year.....

Kruger last year.....

and on the theme of Cheetahs......

REDSKEETER said:
DavidP said:

Just curious if anybody was able to use monopods or tripods?

What were the biggest lenses used?

Did any carry two bodies with a different lens one each one?

I think my favorite shots are of the lion cubs, of the lion
"asserting his dominance" while mating, and of the wildebeast.
That last one looks more like a painting, though.

--
http://www.outboundmusic.com
Your link to independent music!

Click to expand...

I've been lucky enough to go on two trips, 3 weeks each and have
hit Kenya, SA, Tanzania and Botswana. In Kenya, you need sandbags
(fill with beans); elsewhere a tripod bungee-corded to the side of
the land rovers works great. But, those bean bags are really good,
so even if you take the pod, take the bag - and make them about
5H"X12L"x6W".

Oh, the warning? It's true, if you ever get the dust of Africa in
your blood, you'll never get it out.

Great pix, keep sharing!

--
-------------------------------------
Off Topic ? ? ? Tell someone who cares.
Get a life!

Lecter · Jan 19, 2004

I took a 400/2.8 and 600/4 . . .

which were too short...

had to use the 2x . . . .

Erik Grossman said:
Had a fantastic time in Tanzania with Michael and Andy and made a
bunch of new friends. Took a long a 1D and 10D, together with
17-40L, 70-200L 2.8 IS, 300L/4 IS, 1.4X and 2X extenders.

My gallery from the trip is at http://photos.grossman.biz

--
-------------------------------------
Off Topic ? ? ? Tell someone who cares.
Get a life!

Lecter · Jan 19, 2004

it's real hard to do better. Saturate them some more perhaps. But the harsh light and the fact that you are on a Safari, with guides etc. Makes for more difficulty. Even doing it yourself, you're restricted by the rules (off road , gate closing tiomes etc.) which make you hurry up a lot.

This Safari certainly looks like it was in a Private Park... Erik, was it?

I personally loved your shots, having the empathy of a fellow shooter that's been in that sort of environment (albeit only once so I am no expert)

Even the shot on MR's LL home page is flat looking, it's the territory.....

Some come out OK . . .

billtoo said:
Sorry Erik, your composition is great and I'd love to have been
with you even without a camera (you actually enjoy yourself more
without one).

billtoo

Erik Grossman said:

Had a fantastic time in Tanzania with Michael and Andy and made a
bunch of new friends. Took a long a 1D and 10D, together with
17-40L, 70-200L 2.8 IS, 300L/4 IS, 1.4X and 2X extenders.

My gallery from the trip is at http://photos.grossman.biz

Click to expand...

--
billtoo
http://www.pbase.com/billtoo

--
-------------------------------------
Off Topic ? ? ? Tell someone who cares.
Get a life!

Erik Grossman · Jan 19, 2004

Assuming that money (within reason) is no object then (when I go back) these are the lenses I will bring with me:

16-35L/2.8
70-200L/2.8 IS
300/2.8 IS
1x and 2x extenders

A 1D (not 1Ds it's too slow) and another camera (ideally another 1D, but it could be a 10D).

I found that my 300/4 IS is a great prime lens but suffers badly with extenders. I used Andy Biggs' 300/2.8 IS and was blown away. It' a rocket ship when focusing and I couldn't see the difference in terms of image quality with 1.4x extender and 2x extender images are very useable.

I brough 3 1GB Microdrives and a 1GB Sandisk Ultra which was the right amount of storage since I was shooting about 500 images a day. At the end of each day I would back up the images to my Apple 1.25Ghz Powerbook (I don't like portable Image Storage devices).

Hope this helps.

Nelson Ricciardi said:
Let´s consider, for a moment, that I still don´t have any glass.
What would you suggest me to buy and take on a trip like that?

A 400mm? Is 300mm with 1.4 enough?

Any help appreciated.

Erik Grossman said:

Had a fantastic time in Tanzania with Michael and Andy and made a
bunch of new friends. Took a long a 1D and 10D, together with
17-40L, 70-200L 2.8 IS, 300L/4 IS, 1.4X and 2X extenders.

My gallery from the trip is at http://photos.grossman.biz

Click to expand...

--
More photos at http://photos.grossman.biz

Erik Grossman · Jan 19, 2004

Thanks for the kind words Jon. Michael's greatest gift (IMHO) is his ability to quickly frame a shot. He sees great pictures in scenese where others see nothing.

Erik Grossman · Jan 19, 2004

Baruth

This was a workshop organized by Reichmann and Biggs. Not only did I find the help and advice from the two of them to be invaluable, but they organized a group of people that were fun to be around and made the whole experience a great deal of fun. We stayed exclusively at Serena hotels (the best in East Africa) during our stay as well. We could have saved money by using fewer vehicles and guides but they kept the number of photographers down to 2 or 3 per vehicle (depending on whether it was a stretch Land Rover) which made photographing much easier. All food & beverage was also included.

No regrets here.

Erik

baruth said:
Erik Grossman said:

Stephen Jones said:

Erik Grossman said:

Had a fantastic time in Tanzania with Michael and Andy and made a
bunch of new friends. Took a long a 1D and 10D, together with
17-40L, 70-200L 2.8 IS, 300L/4 IS, 1.4X and 2X extenders.

My gallery from the trip is at http://photos.grossman.biz

Click to expand...

So many great photos, but my Favourite ,I like the break of day
over ther crater

Hate to be rude . How may days? Cost?

Click to expand...

--
More photos at http://photos.grossman.biz

Click to expand...

--
baruth

--
More photos at http://photos.grossman.biz

Erik Grossman · Jan 19, 2004

Bill

I use Capture One to process the pictures and keep as much of the dynamic range in my pictures (I think it looks more realistic). I could (If I wanted to, clip the shadow and highlights) for more "pop" but that is a personal preference. The last photo in the gallery of the Wilidebeest migration is a little flat because of the mist and the rain!

Erik

billtoo said:
Sorry Erik, your composition is great and I'd love to have been
with you even without a camera (you actually enjoy yourself more
without one).

billtoo

Erik Grossman said:

Had a fantastic time in Tanzania with Michael and Andy and made a
bunch of new friends. Took a long a 1D and 10D, together with
17-40L, 70-200L 2.8 IS, 300L/4 IS, 1.4X and 2X extenders.

My gallery from the trip is at http://photos.grossman.biz

Click to expand...

--
billtoo
http://www.pbase.com/billtoo

--
More photos at http://photos.grossman.biz

Erik Grossman · Jan 19, 2004

The NgoroNgoro Crater, Arusha Nat'l Park, Manyara Park and the Serengeti are all private reserves to protect the wildlife. The animals are not managed or interfered with (except perhaps the Rhinos... there are only 26... and they are watched extremely closely). All of the animals are wild.

Erik Grossman · Jan 19, 2004

If you are photographing birds primarily then I agree these are the lenses to take. If you are photographing larger animals, then I stand by my recommendations in Tanzania.

Lecter said:
I took a 400/2.8 and 600/4 . . .

which were too short...

had to use the 2x . . . .

Erik Grossman · Jan 19, 2004

The way I like it:

More "pop":

Paul Pope · Jan 19, 2004

Andy and Michael are GREAT people ...forget photography .....
GREAT people are always great to be around...

Glad you enjoyed your trip .....and you took some fantastic photos ....next year I'm going for sure .....

Erik Grossman said:
Had a fantastic time in Tanzania with Michael and Andy and made a
bunch of new friends. Took a long a 1D and 10D, together with
17-40L, 70-200L 2.8 IS, 300L/4 IS, 1.4X and 2X extenders.

My gallery from the trip is at http://photos.grossman.biz

--
Gallery at http://www.dphoto.us/forumphotos/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=73
'Stop it now or you will go blind'

Andy Biggs · Jan 19, 2004

I just got back from Africa, after a week stay in the UK post-safari.

Anyway, Baruth, I understand your cost comments, but I think they are laced with a tad too much of cynicism. Let me set some things straight. There is a difference between setting up your own trip, and going on a workshop trip. Vastly different goals and costs associated. If you look at other people who are running African safari photo workshops, you will notice that my trips are actually near the bottom of that price range. And this trip was actually $5500, not $6500. I also paid for all alcoholic drinks as well. As far as 'taking advantage' of my 15 travelers, that comment is way out of line. I hesitated posting in this thread, but this comment leaves me speechless.

Buzz off and shut up.

baruth said:
Erik Grossman said:

Stephen Jones said:

Erik Grossman said:

Had a fantastic time in Tanzania with Michael and Andy and made a
bunch of new friends. Took a long a 1D and 10D, together with
17-40L, 70-200L 2.8 IS, 300L/4 IS, 1.4X and 2X extenders.

My gallery from the trip is at http://photos.grossman.biz

Click to expand...

So many great photos, but my Favourite ,I like the break of day
over ther crater

Hate to be rude . How may days? Cost?

Click to expand...

--
More photos at http://photos.grossman.biz

Click to expand...

--
baruth

--
Andy Biggs
http://www.safariphototours.com
http://www.andybiggs.com
Africa Photo Workshops ~ Photo Safaris ~ Fine Art Prints

Nelson Ricciardi · Jan 19, 2004

Erik Grossman wrote:

Back from Safari with M Reichmann and A Biggs

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