Part of the kit I usual pack for trip and as others have said, rarely see the light of day. Which, considering I still shoot a fair bit of film, isn't good but reflects the fact that I'm not often in the company of other photographers who aren't bothered about time or get bored easily.


Steve

Jill - 2 options -

1: Hoya Pro series (or v similar) - small mortgage required but it's as thin as you're likely to get, so ought not to vignette. Disadvantage - only fits a lens with same size filter thread.

2: P series Cokin (or simular - Lee for bigger mortage than the Hoya :shock + wide angle holder (not the standard one) +77mm adaptor. Advantage - adaptor rings can be bought for a small sum, so holder useable on a bigger variety of lenses and filters.

HTH



Steve

No. Both ladies were sporting standard bodies ( better rephrase that - both DSLRs were in the usual black liveries :lol. But since both had their lens caps in place (as did the gentleman with the Nikon), could have been an "accessory"


Steve

Made my usual Saturday loop into the top of town this morning from Sainsbury's cp and saw more Pentaxes than any other make on my travels - and all round the necks of women.

So on the basis of this very comprehensive and sophisticated market analysis (well we do have one of the best Universities in the UK and its Bath Festival time, therefore Bath is clearly a cut above the rest, more so than normal ), have to conclude that

Pentax have cracked the femine DSLR market

Nikon DSLR only apeal to males of asia extaction

Sony, Canon - forget it, so yesterday

Steve
(not really biast, honest:lol

As one who started with an ME Super and a 50mm F2 'kit' lens, I have generally put a skylight on my lenses. In those days, lenses came without a hood. If it did have one, it was a built in one (such as the smc 135mm F3.5) and was OK for shading the lens but no good at protecting it. The skylight has a slight warming effect, and its popularity may also be a reflection of the quality of film most of use used in the 80's.

I haven't added filters to new lenses as a rule as the hoods that come with them in most case will do a good job of preventing accidental bangs and scrapes to the front glass.

I doubt if there is a substantive case for skylight or a UV filter but old habits die hard, myths wane slowly and as a concequence Hoya et all are still knock them out in good quantities.


Steve

Another vote for the Slingshot 200 here. Ok, it does shout camera bag but it's a bit of a tardis.

You can also hang a further 3 lens cases on the outside (the top front has to be small like the LC1, the other will take an LC2S and the side will take an LC3). Not the best of bags for a long hike. Managed to get all my cameras and lenses for the last "Down Under" trip in and on it. Doesn't look too big or heavy either as cabin luggage for flying (although mine was just a tad over 5kg :wink

Good value at a street price circa £60 imho.


Steve

I'd avoided commenting on what was possible in Kenya and Tanzania as it was 20 years ago when we went (wife's 40th) and things move on (or not as the case may be).

The mini buses with 6 passengers are a lot less restrictive and a big Sigma is clearly far easier to use, especially with the attached bean bag. Looks a bit more practical to use on the move than some I've seen - feel a purchase pending

I still think the 135-400 is the best of the long zooms for southern African Safari trips. It's successor the 120-400 may be just as good but the overriding point for me is o/a weight and bulk when in a resticted space with no useful edge to rest on.

Steve

Pentaxanne/Mike-P/Oggy - you missed the point regarding space.

If you'd sat in a safari vehicle as used in SA, Boteswana etc, you'll understand that you are sat 3 abreast on a tier of seats. They aren't very wide. So if anything appears (and it's usually to one side) you have to lean a lot trying to get your shot whilst not getting in the way of those next to you. In those circumstances, a heavy lens is v hard work to balance and keep steady without some help.

A 50/150/170-500 isn't hard work if you have the space to get the best posture - wandered round Slimbridge yesterday with the 150-500 on the K7 and the DA*60-250 on the K20. No problem. Only used the monopod occasionally.


Steve

The 50-200's a good all rounder - used the earlier version on an ist D in the Kruger and an FA 80-320 on the K10D back in late Jan 08.

The only occasions when I would like to have had a bit more reach was when trying to capture smallish birds - annoying habit of perching just too far away to get a decent shot. Didn't happen that often that I can recall - but then again I wasn't looking for birds particularly.

The Sigma 50/150-500 need a monopod and are too big to use unless their are spare seats (unlikely), not to mention rather bulky to get into the country with! A second hand Sigma 135-400 worth thinking about - not overly heavy, fits a Lowepro Lens Case 3 and has a reasonable IQ.


Steve

Aliengrove - in my experience, a single lens will be a big limitation.

Depending on where you go and the season, you will get limited/good views of game away from the track/road. If you want the quality and reach of the DA*300 (with or without a tele con), you'll need a second body/lens combo - and I'd suggest the DA*60-250 as a good starter candidate. Changing lens takes time and you don't have a lot of room to work in, so using 2 bodies with complementy lenses ensures you don't miss much.

At lot of the game isn't phased by the presence of safari vehicles, so if you have a good driver/guide, he/she will position the vehicle close to the path of moving game and you'll find youself reaching fot the DA*16-50 .


Steve