Trip to South Africa

[corkyg]

It is a long trip to Cape Town from LAX via Frankfurt. In order to reduce carry weight, etc., I opted to leave the big EOS5D and assorted lenses home, and rely on the new Powershot SX10 IS with its 20X zoom lens.

In two weeks we visited Namibia, East London, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. The little SX10 did very well under all conditions. I call it a glorified P&S. It was easy to use, quick, and responsive.

One of the highlights was a drive through a game preserve in the back of a Land Rover. I was able to capture these among other shots.

Jackal

nullKudu

Bull

Warthog

Friends

These animals do not really pose, and they often disappear quickly - so one has to shoot fast from inside the Land Rover going by other passengers.

It was a fun trip, and I was really glad I lightened my load.

 

[SonicIce]

Cool. I like Jackal . Cute
How close were you to the aminals? If you were far the zoom must be good. Did you use digital zoom? Could use some levels adjustment.


5MB pics that are 3 times my screen width :brokenheart:

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Nice shots!

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: SonicIce
Cool. I like Jackal . Cute
How close were you to the aminals? If you were far the zoom must be good. Did you use digital zoom? Could use some levels adjustment.

Distance to jackal was about 30 yards. Same for the kudu. The warthog was about 100 yards, and the hefelumps were a safe 150 yards. I never use digital zoom. Yes - the levels were adjusted for best display on my laptop - thanks for reminding me of that.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Very fine shots, indeed! I :heart: 'em!

Do you recall what camera settings you used?

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Flipped GazelleDo you recall what camera settings you used?

Sure. Basically, I set the camera mode dial to P and left everything on Auto. The shot opportunities come up very quickly and disappear almost as quickly. The name of the game is to be ready with the finger on the ON/OFF switch and ready to move to the shutter-zoom switch. Used the optical TTL finder - not the LCD. That would be too slow. I did lose several by now being quick enough to acquire the target, focus, and shoot.

 

[dnuggett]

I guess I'll be the dissenting opinion here. Some of them look.... ok. That shot of the jackal though... not so much.


Maybe it's my laptop screen. I'll have another look through my dedicated/calibrated LCD at home.

 

[dnuggett]

Yep it was my laptop screen... jackal looks ok now. Man I commend you for trying to travel light, but it's a shame you didn't take your 5D and glass with you to do those opportunities justice.

 

[rivan]

I regret not upgrading from my drebel before our trip to SA in '06.

Nice shots

We were in and around Cape Town for a week with day trips along the coast to the Cape of Good Hope, Hermanus, Simonstown/Fishhoek, and even a flight over the wine country near Franschhoek..

The following week we went on photo safari at a wonderful reserve that butts up against Kruger - Kapama. We took early morning, morning, dusk, and evening drives.

We had the edge of having family in Cape Town at the time to show us around.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: dnuggett
... but it's a shame you didn't take your 5D and glass with you to do those opportunities justice.

I'm still a bit edgy about too many carry on bags. I stupidly left my 6D on the TSA counter in LAX while gathering up shoes, laptop, documents pouch, wristwatch, belt buckle, etc., etc. I eventually got it back 4 months later. Air to S. Capetown is a real chore - LAX fo Frankfurt, overnight, then Frankfurt to Cape Town via Johannesburg. The beauty of the SX10-IS is that I could put it in my laptop bag. Also - we were limited to 30 kilos total baggage - carfry on and checked.

Anyway - the ulitmate purpose of these pics was a DVD slide show, and for that they are more than adequate.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: corkyg

Originally posted by: dnuggett
... but it's a shame you didn't take your 5D and glass with you to do those opportunities justice.

I'm still a bit edgy about too many carry on bags. I stupidly left my 6D on the TSA counter in LAX while gathering up shoes, laptop, documents pouch, wristwatch, belt buckle, etc., etc. I eventually got it back 4 months later. Air to S. Capetown is a real chore - LAX fo Frankfurt, overnight, then Frankfurt to Cape Town via Johannesburg. The beauty of the SX10-IS is that I could put it in my laptop bag. Also - we were limited to 30 kilos total baggage - carfry on and checked.

Anyway - the ulitmate purpose of these pics was a DVD slide show, and for that they are more than adequate.

That's the thing... if you are made uncomfortable by carrying too much stuff around, then that can detract from your enjoyment of the trip. You could carry a DSLR and 2 lenses, but that would still be much bigger/heavier than the SX10. I think the photos are just fine as they are. My own real complaint with them is that they look over-sharpened. I'm guessing the camera does that on its own.

Originally posted by: corkyg
It was a fun trip, and I was really glad I lightened my load.

That's the primary, right there.

 

[dnuggett]

Yep agreed. Your primary goal of having fun was achieved by going lighter... that's what truly matters. And as you say, the shots were meant for a DVD slide show, so for that they are fine.