The
below discussion in the following paragraphs assumes that you are somewhat
serious about wildlife photography. Of course, many people are not and
a simple point and shoot camera will suffice. You may indeed get more
out of simply watching the animals than trying to photograph them. Having
a camera and feeling that you must use it at every opportunity may seriously
interfere with your enjoyment of the experience. However, purchasing a
good digital camera with a good zoom lens (3X optical or higher) to take
a few pictures and document your safari might be a great idea for many
people. Prices have dropped dramatically for digital cameras and an excellent
3.0 megapixel camera with a 3X optical zoom (digital zoom is irrelevant)
can cost as little as $200. To take better pictures with the frame mainly
filled with the subject, we recommend a 10X or higher optical zoom. See
below if you plan to be a bit more serious with your photography on your
safari.
To take good, close up pictures of wild animals, you will need a telephoto lens. Regular fixed lens cameras and even many of the newer ones with smaller zoom lens will prove to be inadequate in many situations. If you have a 35mm single lens reflex camera (SLR), like most serious photographers, you will need a telephoto or zoom lens big enough to capture distant images and fill the frame with images of medium distances. A 300 mm lens at the minimum will accomplish this. Two different lenses should be adequate for your safari: a telephoto lens 300 mm or greater and a smaller lens that is standard on most cameras for landscape and portrait type pictures.
Carry twice as much film as you think you will use and extra batteries. If you are using a digital camera, make sure to bring extra batteries, compact flash/memory cards and your charger with the appropriate adapter. It would also be a good idea to bring along a laptop to download your pictures and clear your cards. Film is fairly common at lodges but camera batteries are harder to find. Many photo worthy moments will happen in lower light conditions such as the early morning and late afternoon. Low light conditions combined with the fact you might be using a telephoto lens, makes it a good idea to shoot with higher speed film such as 400 ISO.
The majority of the pictures you see on our website were taken with either a 300 mm telephoto lens or a 28-90 mm lens for landscapes and portraits on the Canon Digital Rebel SLR.
Please be aware that many of the lodges in Tanzania do not operate their electricity generators 24 hours a day. See the ‘Electrical Appliances’ section for further information.
You should not take pictures of people without asking your driver guide for his advice. Your driver guide knows a great deal about the various tribes and their customs and traditions. Please ask him to teach you about these matters.
To take good, close up pictures of wild animals, you will need a telephoto lens. Regular fixed lens cameras and even many of the newer ones with smaller zoom lens will prove to be inadequate in many situations. If you have a 35mm single lens reflex camera (SLR), like most serious photographers, you will need a telephoto or zoom lens big enough to capture distant images and fill the frame with images of medium distances. A 300 mm lens at the minimum will accomplish this. Two different lenses should be adequate for your safari: a telephoto lens 300 mm or greater and a smaller lens that is standard on most cameras for landscape and portrait type pictures.
Carry twice as much film as you think you will use and extra batteries. If you are using a digital camera, make sure to bring extra batteries, compact flash/memory cards and your charger with the appropriate adapter. It would also be a good idea to bring along a laptop to download your pictures and clear your cards. Film is fairly common at lodges but camera batteries are harder to find. Many photo worthy moments will happen in lower light conditions such as the early morning and late afternoon. Low light conditions combined with the fact you might be using a telephoto lens, makes it a good idea to shoot with higher speed film such as 400 ISO.
The majority of the pictures you see on our website were taken with either a 300 mm telephoto lens or a 28-90 mm lens for landscapes and portraits on the Canon Digital Rebel SLR.
Please be aware that many of the lodges in Tanzania do not operate their electricity generators 24 hours a day. See the ‘Electrical Appliances’ section for further information.
You should not take pictures of people without asking your driver guide for his advice. Your driver guide knows a great deal about the various tribes and their customs and traditions. Please ask him to teach you about these matters.