Lmavolio wrote:.

Hi There - I just started researching cameras for my upcomingAfrican safari (scheduled for Septembe of this year)..

I am still early stage at this point, but some photo shops haverecommended the Sony H7 or H9 (8MP, 15x Zoom)...I have heard goodthings about the Canon S3 as well, but it is a bit heavier than theSony and has 12X zoom instead. The Panasonic FZ450 was alsorecommended, but it appears that one is more manual and alsodoesn't have a viewfinder outside of the screen (I was told thiscould be a problem in Africa if it is too sunny and I have troubleseeing the screen - not sure if this is true, since I believeothers have used this camera successfully on safari)..

A P&S with a usable viewfinder would allow you to take some nice snapshots..

Any recommendations? I have also considered getting a Digital SLR,.

Good idea. Get a simple body with a good telezoom. Nikon D40 and a 70-300VR for example or, if you have a bigger budget a D80 and a Sigma 50-500..

But I am a bit concerned about having to constantly change thelenses..

Why should you constantly changes lenses?.

I love the idea of getting a wide angle lens, but I don'twant to have to switch on and off when I'd like to zoom....

Eh?.

I am far from a professional photographer. I have a Canon A95camera now and I never even really learned how to use all of thefeatures on that one...So, not sure if a D-SLR will be overkill..

Hmm.. are you willing to learn and do you have the time? If not then a P&S would be better..

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated on the pros & cons ofthe options listed above (or others I should consider). Thanks!.

Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..

I'm thinking that if you can afford the trip, you can also afford a camera to do justice to it. My wife and I are taking our four girls to Tanzania and Zanzibar in August so I know how much it can cost..

My advice is to beg, borrow or steal whatever it takes to get your hands on a DSLR. Assuming you want to photograph wildlife, a P&S will miss too much. They focus too slowly, they're garbage in low light (when the animals are at their most active), the viewfinders leave much to be desired, the optics tend to be questionable at the widest and tightest ends, etc, etc..

A Nikon D80 or Canon 400 (XTi) with the kits lens of about 18-70 + a second lens like a 75-300 will cover you. If you can afford a fast telezoom like a 70-200 f2.8 you won't regret it. You can then pick up a 1.4x teleconvertor and effectively have the film equivalent of 420mm on Nikon or 448mm on Canon...

Hey There - The cost of a digital SLR is a factor, but we can afford it if we think it is the right camera for us. My concern about the D-SLR is more the complexity of it. For example, I was totally confused about many of the options you listed in your last post .

I do need to educate myself on how to use any camera before we leave...We are also going to Tanzania & Zanzibar in September (as well as Kenya). So, if I make a decision soon, I will have time to learn how to use it, but may not be as comfortable as I'd like...Any suggestions?..

Like I said, D40 with 70-300VR or a D50/70/80 with a 50-500Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..

For example, I was.

Totally confused about many of the options you listed in your lastpost .

...Any suggestions?.

Compact cameras have relatively tiny sensors that perform quite poorly in low light. Because of claims made by many manufacturers about low-light performance, the folks at dpreview created a very useful overview which I urge you to read..

Http://www.dpreview.com/articles/compactcamerahighiso/.

If you left the decision to me, I would buy you a Nikon D80 because it's a powerful camera that would be very easy to pick up and use but also allows you to grow into. It performs very well in low light, has various scene modes that you can choose to take the guesswork out of specific types of photography situations, has a great viewfinder, top-notch focusing, etc..

The D80 slots between the Canon Rebel XTi and the Canon D30 (of course, many will disagree) and either of those cameras would be more than adequate. Only very discerning people would be able to tell the difference between a photo from any one of those cameras. The Rebel is quite small and I don't like the way it feels but it is 10MP versus 8MP for the 30D. Don't be confused into thinking that you get 25% more resolving power going from 8>10 but, for the purposes of being able to crop into a far-off animal, every little bit helps..

Please don't look to the other manufacturers. Their lens and accessory lineup is just too limited for potential future growth should you decide that this is a hobby that you'd like to take to a higher level...

Would the D40 autofocus work with the 70-300? I thought it as incompatible with many lenses..

I'm wondering the same question and going to Africa shortly. Visibility will be an issue - the bigger the camera swinging from your neck, the richer you will be assumed to be and you might find yourself lacking a camera fairly quickly. Will it stand up to dust, sand, rain?.

If you want an all-in-one solution the Tamron 18-250 is said to be a really good zoom and 14x so covers nearly the range of a kit 18-70 and 70-300. It's not stabilised so would work best with a Sony A100 or Pentax/Samsung dSLR with stabilised sensor. With a Canon or Nikon you'd need a tripod which adds to what you are carrying around...

Dave163 wrote:.

Would the D40 autofocus work with the 70-300? I thought it asincompatible with many lenses..

AF-S 70-300/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR.

It's an AF-S lens so yes. Wouldn't reccomend it if it didn't..

I'm wondering the same question and going to Africa shortly.Visibility will be an issue - the bigger the camera swinging fromyour neck, the richer you will be assumed to be and you might findyourself lacking a camera fairly quickly. Will it stand up to dust,sand, rain?.

You'd be surprised. Now, can't help you with a mugging proof camera but I suspect that if you're american you'll stand out as a tourist no matter what..

If you want an all-in-one solution the Tamron 18-250 is said to bea really good zoom and 14x so covers nearly the range of a kit18-70 and 70-300. It's not stabilised so would work best with aSony A100 or Pentax/Samsung dSLR with stabilised sensor. With aCanon or Nikon you'd need a tripod which adds to what you arecarrying around..

Or a monopod which can also be used as an improvised weapon Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..

You might want to consider how rough conditions will be. The more rugged DSLRs ( like the D80, 30D, D200 and so on ) are more expensive..

A DSLR with an 18-200 mm might be a good choice. You could actually leave that on all the time ( minimize dust risk ) and it covers the most useful range you could want ( a proper wide 28mm equivalent to a 10x zoom ). Image stabilized lenses, as pointed out by another poster, are more expensive..

A possible cheaper combo with few compromises might be the Pentax K100D with a sigma 18-200mm. The Pentax is a good "starter" SLR and, because the sensor is stabilized the lens has a reasonable degree of image stabilization as well. It takes AA batteries, which might be an advantage, as most DSLRs use proprietary Lithium-ion batteries and if they run out you have to charge. At least with AAs there's a possibility you can get some in a shop..

If dust on the sensor scares you ( and it scares most people ). You best options are leaving one lens on all the time ( that won't completely stop the risk, but it will reduce it significantly ), or getting a bridge camera ( lens not removable, not like an SLR ). You could also consider the Olympus SLR range, which have the very best anti-dust system. If you get any DSLR, however, you will need to educate yourself about the dust issue and how to deal with it ( people do manage fine ) before you go !.

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

For what it's worth.I took a D100 on a recent Safari to Kenya telephoto lens. I did not remove the lens at all while there. Took camera in for cleaning upon return tech at local camera store said I set a new record with 93 dust spots on the sensor. This, despite not changing lens and keeping camera in a tamrac case when not actually shooting. (My pocket cam was an old S400, which did very well for me except for distance shots.) The dust is unbelievable.most of the roads we were on were little more than dirt paths.Nancy Burton.if something's worth doing, it's worth doing badly 8-)..