This question is as broad as safari options on the continent.
Camera bodies marketed with a huge pixel count, 96 000 focal points for auto-focus, this-and-this sensor with some kind of tracking you’ve never even heard of.
Then a lens with nitrogen filled glass systems, nano AR coating and an 11-blade circular diaphragm… is it all just designed to confuse you so you buy?
Maybe.
But choosing a camera is usually easier than you think, and doesn’t have to break the bank.
The first thing to remember, is that the best camera is always the one you have with you. No camera? No picture.
An iPhone can take great photos for memories (although they are limited in their capabilities, which we’ll get on to just now).
The main questions to consider when it comes to choosing a camera to buy (or to rent, as lots of lodges offer on-site rental options these days) is: what are you going to do with the pictures?
If you are simply going to be taking a few snaps to show your friends or send to them via Watsapp, or post on Instagram, then an iPhone – or Android – is probably more than enough to capture some memories (which is really the whole point).
But if you are going to look to print anything, make it your computer background, use it as a presentation, or anything that might require a slightly more professional approach, you’ll need to think beyond a simple phone.
The reality is that photography is about storytelling, and you need to consider how best to tell the story in front of you.
If you are sitting with a pride of lions, don’t try to get a photo of a single lioness, rather zoom out and capture the whole pride. That’ll give people a far better sense of your experience.
So what do we need for the wide-angle vs zoomed shot in terms of lens?
Well, versatility for one thing.
The most versatile lens we favour when starting out in safari photography is the Canon 28-300mm. It’s really the ultimate tool for photographers looking for the ultimate solution. Kind of like an all-in one shop. Sure there are lenses that allow you to shoot at a wider angle, or zooms that allow for a wider aperture (and more light), but for sheer number of options, there is no better than this beauty for starting out:
As one gets into more advanced photography, maybe a two lens setup (one wide-angle and one zoom) would be better, but when starting out, versatility is your friend.
Then in terms of camera bodies, you are essentially spoiled for choice.
Don’t be fooled by the big numbers presented to you in a camera’s specifications. You probably don’t want the 54 megapixels offered to you in the latest body to hit the shelves; your file size is going to be huge, you will need a bigger (and more expensive) memory card, the camera’s processor won’t be able to handle the files quite as quickly without a decent memory card, slowing your frame rate, and unless you are planning to print your photo to go on a billboard or to fill the size of a house, the megapixel count is completely unnecessary.
The camera picture below is the Canon R10. It’s a third of the price of the more professional bodies, but has more than enough processing power to get you the shots you need.
The beauty of most mirrorless cameras now (swiftly becoming the norm in photography circles) is that most of them offer a handy video component as well…
Stick around the 20 megapixel range for your first camera and you’ll be absolutely fine. Sure you might not be able to crop in as much when editing, but if you literally have to crop out half of your photo, you probably got something wrong whilst taking it in the first place.
A high frame rate can be handy when capturing action, but the difference between 11 fps (frames per second) and 20 is negligible when it comes to real-world situations. With 11 photos in one second, you will capture more than enough when there’s action happening, believe me!
Photography should be enjoyable, yet wildlife photography can be so frustrating, largely due to the unpredictability of the animals themselves. This is where a good guide comes in handy; he or she will understand behaviour to the point where they can position the vehicle in the right place in order to capture the moment, as well as being able to advise you on what settings to use when taking your pictures in what situations.
Whatever camera set-up you go for, remember to practice with it before going on safari,. You don’t want to be stuck fiddling with buttons and settings whilst the leopard is about to launch into the tree with its kill.
Any questions about photography, be sure to get hold of us at info@iconicafrica.com…
