What To Take

Cameras: The photo opportunities on any holidays could easily prove a once in a life chance, so its worth making the effort to obtain as good a photographic record as possible. The choice of cameras available today is vast. For really successful results a top of the range 35mm Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera with interchangeable lenses would be ideal. Most will also offer an auto focus facility, which is a great asset, saving valuable seconds and helping to secure pictures that may have been missed with manual focus equipment. As a safeguard it is worth considering taking two identical SLR’s If you are interested in underwater photography, it is possible to get underwater housings for some models or if you are really keen there are some dedicated underwater SLR cameras available. For the really keen photographer the use of medium format equipment is well worth considering. These cameras use 120 and 220 film and produce either slides or negatives two to three times bigger than 35mm.

Compact cameras have either a fixed or a zoom lens, are quick and easy to use and ideal for those visitors wanting just a photographic record. It is also possible to get underwater compacts and this is a cheap way of getting into underwater photography. As most of these underwater compacts are not pressurised, they are only operational to depths of just over one meter.

Most digital cameras are similar to compact cameras in size and operation but have the added advantage of instant replay, either through a small built in monitor or computer link. Images are recorded on an internal memory, flash card or floppy disc, so pictures can be quickly sorted, saved or deleted, to make space for more photography. An increasing number of Digital video records have a stills option and these have the added advantage of being able to record hours of action.

Camera Accessories: A cable release is an excellent way of reducing camera shake and your camera should accept either an electronic or mechanical type. A wide camera strap with some degree of elasticity will help distribute camera and lens weight. A small hot shoe spirit level for checking horizons can be a great aid to landscape work. Don’t forget to take lots of spare camera batteries but please don’t dump the old ones in where they might damage the environment..

Lenses: If you have chosen the SLR option you will need to think about what interchangeable lenses to take with you. The manufacturer of your camera will have an excellent range of lenses to choose from. In edition, independent lenses makers will be able to offer competitive prices and some different lens combinations. A long telephoto lens of around 500mm would be very useful for bird and mammal photography. A medium zoom, something between 70 and 300mm and a short zoom 28 to 135mm will cover most other photo opportunities. For the more adventurous it would be worth looking at lenses that are wider than 28mm, some very dramatic pictures can be taken with a 14mm lens. A macro lens would be very useful for insects, plants and pattern photography. One camera manufacturer even offers image stabilizer lenses. These use a vibration gyro which detects shaking and then counter balances the movement with a magnet and coil driven optical compensation system. These particular lenses are very useful for handholding situations such as from a boat. Almost all new lenses will have auto focus and this will offer you three options, firstly, by switching it off, you can manually focus, secondly, using single shot auto focus the camera will lock onto what ever you are pointing at, but will need activating again if the subject moves. Thirdly, servo focus can be selected where the auto focus is constantly up dating the focus point, this is ideal for moving subjects.

Lens Accessories: Tele-converters increase the lenses magnification by a factor of either 1.4x or 2x and some zoom lenses are designed pacifically to work with them. Extension tubes and close-up filter attachments are another way of increasing magnification. A UV or skylight filter on each lens offers extra protection from accidental damage to the front lens element. A polarising filter is well worth taking, it will help control reflections and increases colour saturation.

Film: Whether you require negatives for prints or transparencies for projection, there is a vast array of different films to choose from. Film speed or sensitivity to light is gauged by an ISO rating, the higher the ISO, the more sensitive to light the film will be. Films with ratings of 50ISO to 100ISO for transparencies and 100ISO to 200ISO for negatives prove very popular for wildlife photography. The quantity of film you require may be difficult to calculate. Try and work out a daily requirement and then double it! Remember it’s better to have too much and bring some home, than to run out. While it might be possible to buy more you never know how its been stored.

X-ray security checks at airports are standard procedure; while those used for hand luggage checks should not course any problems, hold luggage is often checked with more powerful X-rays, which will course some fogging. So always take you film as hand luggage. A useful way to carry film is to utilise old slide boxes, these take 4 rolls of 35mm film, offer protection from impact and dust, their transparent lids facilitate quick security checks and they stack more easily in a camera bag. If you are using a digital camera make sure you have a supply of flash cards. Anyone using video should make sure they have plenty of blank tapes.

Other Camera Accoessories :An electronic flashgun is well worth its place in your camera bag, as a ‘fill in’ to soften harsh shadows during the daytime and to light any close-up macro photography. Remember that some animals get stressed when repeatedly flashed, so be considerate in its use.
There are a large number of camera bags available and purchasing one is a matter of personal choice. However, it is worth considering one that doubles as a rucksack, which is a much more comfortable way of carrying equipment over rough ground. Some camera bags of this type also have a built in waterproof cape, which is useful extra protection. In selecting a suitable bag, resist the temptation to purchase one that is too big – you will only feel obliged to fill it! Airlines are generally reducing hand luggage allowances so make sure that your bag size comes within recommended limits. A photographic waistcoat is a handy garment for keeping films, filters cable releases, etc readily to hand.

The commonest cause of picture failure is lack of definition as a result of camera shake. The most effective way of over coming this is by using a good tripod; there are many light, yet sturdy models on the market, which will fit comfortably into the average suitcase. Monopods are also a good means of steadying the camera, but they do require a little practice. Rifle stocks and pistol grips are another form of support and allow freedom of movement when attempting to photograph moving subjects. ly using the warm glow created at sunrise and sunset.

Take only pictures leave only memories!

What to take

Photographic Techniques

Code of Conduct

Tiger Photographic Safari