The Best Camera for Safari | What to Take on Safari Ep. 2
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 มี.ค. 2021
- In this video, I discuss the different types of cameras you can take on a safari and the pros and cons of each type! I use the experience I gained as a Safari guide in Africa to make sure you are ready!
This series will help you prepare for your next safari.
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Of all the videos I've seen on cameras for a safari (a lot), this was the most useful for a person who mainly uses a camera for taking photos while traveling. You are clear and give enough detail for me further look into specific cameras. You've provided enough information that I feel I have options for the best type for me. I also like that you tell us the cameras you've used and why. Many give advice but don't commit to specifics.
Thank you very much! I'm glad it was helpful
Good sensible advice. The Bridge camera options sound like an ideal compromise. Extremely useful video post.
Very good.
the final photos look amazing actually
Thank you so much. Definitely one of my favourites
Great one! Thanks for guiding me to take the night shots of the Lion Pride using the Manual Mode on my Sony A6000!
Thanks Jess! Only a pleasure! Glad you got the shots!
What’s a good compact camera for video - or a good compact camera for photo with zoom in capability? Going to Kirkman’s in a week
I love that you included the Nikon 7000 image. It shows you know about still photography and built proof systems. I am considering using as my much loved 7000 over my Canon R5 since everything will stuffed in a duffle in a bush plane. As veteran professional videographer, I will also be carrying a Panasonic AG-CX350 4K Camcorder for video.
The D7000 and the whole range up to the newest 7500 are great cameras with incredible value for money! Choosing it over a R5 is a very interesting idea! But seeing as you have a separate video camera you aren’t going to miss that on the R5!
@@mikebrownphotography2784 Cameras are tools. The 7000 series of Nikon are tough units. Photography is about light, lenses, location and placing it risk and less about new tech based on internet hype. Very few will ever see or look for the the images shortcomings of a great 16 meg DSLR photo and the same one taken with a full frame camera. The Canon R5 will suffer in direct sunlight and may not work if it sits on the bench of truck for a few minutes when it gets hot. I have had the R5 quit on me in summer when i was shooting in 35c in the vineyards here in California. The 10 year old Nikon 7100 kept going and I was able to get the money shots. For me, I carry 2 primes (a plastic 35mm, a 1960's modified 50mm 1.2) and one light weight telephoto for the Nikon. I am prepared to lose this great old camera that I trust and fits in my hand given the active world we live in. You and I many times have watched people squander the precious moments screwing around with their device or worrying about its safety. It is the cards that have the value and the captured memories not the cameras. Not having the R3 or R5 that attracts too much attention is also an unseen value. (maybe why the iPhone is a good camera back up). Also - If you are going to shoot one time visit run and gun video - that super camcorder that shoots native 4k beats the R5 in real world tests every time. moreover no lens changes and superior audio. The best video is 60% audio and folks then have to work hard making up from what they missed with music or after effects foley. Camcorders rock capturing in audio without extra floating pieces.
additionally-
the person that spend most of their safari time behind their camera and not a head on a swivel suggests they may not fully take in the precious moments, lose out in the interaction and miss a great deal of what they came to see.
Hi just wondering would my Panasonic Lumix TZ95 be a good camera to take on safari? Or would my Fuji XT30 with Tamron 18-300mm be a better choice Thanks
I’m not sure if my micro 4/3rds LUMIX camera is considered a bridge camera, but I have the 12-60mm kit lens and 100-300mm (200-600 equivalent) lens. I am going to Kenya and Tanzania next month and have a sunrise balloon ride scheduled. I am hoping that have a good range of focal lengths for this trip. I really like how compact the camera is and the fact that the camera body AND the lenses have image stabilizers built in. I have used this camera quite a bit over the last 4 or 5 years but haven’t really needed the telephoto lens that often. (The best shot I have gotten with it is a Vicuña in Peru)
Micro four thirds cameras are DSLR and mirrorless cameras. I absolutely love what LUMIX and Olympus are doing in the industry with their cameras. They are so small and light, ultra portable, inexpensive (compared to the competition) yet still great cameras. Your current setup covers 24-120mm and 200-600mm like you mentioned. That it pretty much perfect. They offer a great versatility of wide angle as well as telephoto and will come in handy on the Balloon. Linux and Olympus also have some of the best stabilisation on the market! You will definitely be using the telephoto in East AFRICA. I hope you have an incredible time!
thank you mike... I am a beginner level person who takes photos BUT I love it! I AM going to Madagascar in a few months and am just not happy with what I have right now. nikon d3300 with 2 lenses that came in the kit (18-55) (and I forget the other one) and a tamron 16-300. I have used these on all the safaris I've been on thus far (7 countries in Africa, Malaysia, borneo etc....) but I feel like I need a little more! I am going back and forth between my options: 1. just buy 1 good lens nikon 200-500 f5.6 or 70-200 f 2.8? 2. Buy a new dslr and 1 good lens. 3. move onto an entry level mirrorless and buy an adaptor to use the lenses I already have? I do not want to spend too much money (no more than 3500) etc. What would you suggest?
Hi Connie! It is going to depend on a few things. Obviously, you have mentioned your budget which is very important. I am assuming you are saying $3500? A big question to answer is what about your current setup is holding you back? Generally, people will say invest in good lenses. But there comes a point where you need to upgrade your camera body and these days it is generally advised to go mirrorless. When you come back to me with the budget I will try to advise further
The best is the one I have at the moment!
Lenses are the most important!!
You are absolutely right! The best camera is the one you have with you!
@@josemhernandez8733 Lenses are very important but this video was aimed at the majority of people that don't really have a starting point of what is needed.
salute to you. i need a simple safari camera please that doesnt require buying a seperate lense. i want a camera that has everything that a beginner can use please and that would be better than a smart phone. appreciate any advice you can give. cheers
Based on what you have said, a bridge camera would be fantastic. You will need to look at your budget but I have heard amazing things about the Sony Cybershot RX10 and the Nikon coolpix P900 and P1000
thank you so much for the reply. i appreciate it. thank you @@mikebrownphotography2784
Thanks . I am browsing videos for my upcoing trip in 2 weeks time.. As a beginner who is going on a safari , and who uses only an Iphone 14 pro, which camera should I buy? I am not a photography hobbyist , but safarii is once in a life time thing, so which camera should I buy which is budget wise good and also does the job? My Budget for a camera wiht the lenses and evertyuhiong should be between 500-900. I may not evne use it after safari as I dont like to carry any extra stuff with me. but the safri in Africa or Amazon is a special occasion so am willing to spend some money.
Hi There. This will depend on what you are expecting/what you are wanting from these photos (are they just for memories or are you wanting to print them), and where in Africa you are planning on going, as different destinations will require different gear. I also don't know what currency you are referring to. If i take USD $500 - $900, The nikon coolpix P900 could be a great bet. Compact, beginner friendly and a huge zoom range. Your iPhone will still be great for shots when animals are closer or landscape shots. Another great option could be to rent if you feel that you wont use it again later.
@@mikebrownphotography2784 Thanks, These are just for memories and sharing it with friends and family. This is not my hobby, but safar is once a life time thing, sowant to make the best use of it. Serengetti is the place and will be on a safari jeep. FZ2000 has a huge recommendation since I like making videos compared with stills. what do you think? the budget is in Euros.
Hey man, do you think the 70-200 is a far enough focal range or do you use it with teleconverters?
I was working in a private reserve in the Kruger region and found it just perfect for animals. There were plenty roads and sometimes opportunities to go off road. So we got quite close to animals. The fast f/2.8 helped in the low light of early morning and late evening/night. I struggled with birds as you need at least 400mm. I do shoot on a crop sensor which makes it a 300mm equivalent. A 2x converter can be used as it makes it a 400 f/5.6 which is the same as a Nikon or canon 400mm zoom lens. I think it greatly depends on where you go on Safari! I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any further questions
@@mikebrownphotography2784 thanks a lot man! Have you tried it with teleconverters?
Personally, I haven’t. I’ve heard mix reviews when comparing a 70-200mm with 2x with a 100-400mm example. It’s definitely a lot cheaper than a second lens without losing much. For me, the 70-200mm was the ideal choice as I believe it’s the number 1 best lens in photography as it can do so much. I would consider getting a 2x or maybe renting a 200-500mm or 500mm PF when needed.
@@mikebrownphotography2784 okay, thanks for your quick responses!
Thanks for the support!
what do you think if i brign my iphone 14 pro for my safari trip?
A flagship smartphone can be great for a safari. iPhones are fantastic for video and capturing great moments but they do struggle a lot with zoom. So it depends where you are traveling how you what to capture your trip.
Good vid -- nice intro -- but perhaps the title of this should have been the "best affordable camera system (that does not the price of a small car) to take on safari".
In no case will a camera with a focal length of less than 400mm on a full frame (35mm eq) sensor allow the user to take anything other than landscapes with animals in them. The one exception are elephants. Second requirement -- fast frames per second and wide apertures -- if you want to capture action shots.
Phones/action cams are too wide-angle for use as anything other than environmental shots/vids. 10-30mm focal length is useless - except for landscapes and snapchat.
A lens that reaches 600mm - either natively or on a crop sensor is ideal.
Pros or enthusiastic amateurs appear to spend more than $10k (to 5 times this) on their safari camera gear. As a result of this, their experience and the time they have in the field they are able to achieve far better results.
Thank you for the comment. As Iexplained in the video, the idea behind this video was to compare the 5 types of cameras that my guests brought with them on their trips to the lowveld in South Africa. As to your comment about a minimum of 400mm, I disagree. I successfully used a 200mm on a crop sensor D500 (300mm) equivalent for many years with excellent results. Most private game reserves in South Africa allow you to get quite close to the animals. For birds, yes, I would say 400mm minimum. The majority of my guests used their phones and were perfectly happy with the results as al they wanted was to share the experience with their friends and family. A lot of my guests love to bring a goPro with them as you got some unique shots and it was also beneficial for other parts of their holiday. Videos from smartphones are excellent. (For an example, This entire video was filmed on a smartphone - th-cam.com/video/e3_KydSTzy0/w-d-xo.html) This video was not aimed to find the single best camera for a safari but rather the best camera for each type of safari goer. For me, I would consider a $50k the best. But for others, an action camera or phone is more ideal.