Self drive trip to Namibia (2012)

[lhjz]

I have the same question too haha.. but the photos are worth the effort! For me I won't be able to bring that much gears along.. lhjz, what is the minimum focal distance do you think will work if i aim to take animals with landscape... something like your zebra and ostrich sunset photos. How far are those animals? Thanks

animalscape depends a lot on the terrain, size of your subject and the comfort distance
to get silhouette shots, your subjects have to clear the horizon. My zebra is only half way over the horizon (legs still not visible)
usually to clear horizon, you shld be quite near and lower than the subject.
but if the subject is standing on a sand mound, doesn't matter the distance. You are able to shoot anywhere.

all the animals have their comfort zone, when you are too near they will move away.
so usually we try to get the shots using longer lenses when we have the choice

my zebra was shot with 5D2 @ 150mm, ostrich was shot with 1D4 @ 500mm (not much cropping done)
focal length differs a lot but i would say you are pretty safe with a wide angle to 300mm for animalscape.

 

[CS7890]

I didn't keep record as i do not want to be reminded of the $$$ so all are estimated haha

air tickets : SIN-JNB-SIN (~SGD1500) , JNB-WDH-JNB(~3000ZAR)
land package : ~2170EUR
petrol, food, etosha park entrance and misc : ~USD1400
plane ride : ~SGD300
living desert tour : ~SGD80

all should be around SGD7500/pax

Thanks for the information. Really nice pictures you got here. Thanks for sharing.

 

[zxiank]

Thanks for the info.. 300mm sounds manageable

Now more photos please

animalscape depends a lot on the terrain, size of your subject and the comfort distance
to get silhouette shots, your subjects have to clear the horizon. My zebra is only half way over the horizon (legs still not visible)
usually to clear horizon, you shld be quite near and lower than the subject.
but if the subject is standing on a sand mound, doesn't matter the distance. You are able to shoot anywhere.

all the animals have their comfort zone, when you are too near they will move away.
so usually we try to get the shots using longer lenses when we have the choice

my zebra was shot with 5D2 @ 150mm, ostrich was shot with 1D4 @ 500mm (not much cropping done)
focal length differs a lot but i would say you are pretty safe with a wide angle to 300mm for animalscape.

 

[B-setting]

love the compo and colours of the sand dunes!

 

[lhjz]

another 15mins drive and 15mins hike to reach Deadvlei


#26

#27

#28

#29

#30

 

[lhjz]

#31

#32

#33

#34

 

[lhjz]

#35

#36

#37

 

[coolhand57]

Very nice lhjz,very very nice...thank you for sharing em!

 

[TWmilkteaTW]

keep them coming.

 

[lhjz]

switch to some wildlife for a change

#38 Namibia has the world's largest population of cheetahs.

#39 fighting

#40 our engine sound woke up a black backed jackal

#41 a hyena getting a drink at the water hole

#42 a family of bat eared foxes becomes active at night, there were 5 but only managed to get 2 that stopped to check us out

 

[CS7890]

switch to some wildlife for a change

#38 Namibia has the world's largest population of cheetahs.

#39 fighting

#40 our engine sound woke up a black backed jackal

#41 a hyena getting a drink at the water hole

#42 a family of bat eared foxes becomes active at night, there were 5 but only managed to get 2 that stopped to check us out

All the shots were nicely taken, #38,#42 are my favorite.

 

[izzat01]

I'm more of a lurker around here but I have to say your photos are really stunning! Well done TS

 

[lhjz]

All the shots were nicely taken, #38,#42 are my favorite.

thanks again CS7890, i love those 2 as well

 

[lhjz]

I'm more of a lurker around here but I have to say your photos are really stunning! Well done TS

i am also a lurker too, thanks for looking and commenting, appreciate it!

 

[HighTone]

i never check in lenses or cameras b4, my usual packing is 1 backpack and 1 sling bag.
I have a old photo trekker and a case logic messenger sling bag. Together they are able to carry the above with my 15" laptop and harddisks.
Usually check in counters are not so kaypo to ask for your hand carry luggage for weighing. So far i only encounter 2-3 times when my backpack looks too bulky(dun stuff too much things in the outer pockets)
The sling bag they just treat it as laptop bag so its no issue at all.
when they find the backpack too heavy, just open up and show them the lenses, they will let you go.
Encountered once, the staff wanted to charge extra for overweight handcarry as she said it was a safety rule that overweight luggage shld not be put in overhead compartment
so it has to be stowed at other places. We just act blur, ask for manager then manager said don't do it next time. hahaha

anyway don't worry, just bring what you need, you will regret if you go there and dont have the equipment.

Thanks for sharing... find it abit back breaking nowadays when I carry too many gears.

 

[HighTone]

Love the cheetah running...

 

[Daoyin]

Nice shots with #42 being my favourite.

 

[lhjz]

Thanks for sharing... find it abit back breaking nowadays when I carry too many gears.

when you do safari shoot, there is nothing you need to carry, everything is in the car. The only time you need to carry is to load them onto the vehicle. haha

 

[lhjz]

Nice shots with #42 being my favourite.

thank you Daoyin

 

[lhjz]

#43 Gemsbok in sunrise. The difference in Namibia is you get mountains in BG, in kenya, its usually empty or savannah grassland

#44 Gemsbok - morning exercise

#45 fight broke out at the waterhole, a jackal walking around them

#46