Camera Advice Needed

[Northstander]

I have booked a safari in Kruger National Pk South Africa.

I am not Camera trained and I need advice on a good camera with a big zoom lens, would like to use an idiot proof SLR rather than a standard compact with a small zoom.

Any Ideas?

 

[dougdeep]

Park Cameras. Very helpful and a Friend of the Albion.

http://www.parkcameras.com/

 

[SeagullEd]

My tip: go to Jessops or a 'proper' camera shop etc... find out what you need. Then got to Argos and see if they're any cheaper, mroe often then not they are.

 

[dannyboy]

some compacts have an optical zoom of x12 now. ive got a panasonic lumix tz3 which is 7mp and x10 zoom i think the latest tz6? has 10 mp and x12 zoom . prob 200 quid if you shop about. is a great camera , gets good reviews etc.

alternatively SLR wise i have a canon eos 450d prob about 450 quid but youd need tobuy a zoom lens 50 - 250 mm which may cost you 200 quid. its easy to use if you put it on auto but have a play about with it and you can take some lovely pics. may need a tripod if you zoom out a lot.

just my take , there are some camera boffins on here that im sure can help you more

 

[Wozza]

I have booked a safari in Kruger National Pk South Africa.

I am not Camera trained and I need advice on a good camera with a big zoom lens, would like to use an idiot proof SLR rather than a standard compact with a small zoom.

Any Ideas?

Based on ease of use, value for money, convenience and suitability for safari (long zoom; small size; no need to change lenses etc), I'd go for a bridge camera, like this: Panasonic DMCFZ28 Digital Camera - Black 2.7 Photo

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Go to Park Cameras in Burgess Hill. Loads of cameras in stock and genuinely expert advice, as opposed to the likes of Dixons.

edits: may be tricky if you're in Manchester!

 

[Wozza]

This will give you an idea what a bridge camera can do - albeit with a camera two years old, and a couple of generations behind the Panasonic linked to above.

Not pro quality, but good enough for most...

 

[Fungus]

some compacts have an optical zoom of x12 now.

Be wary of such claims - it doesn't mean the subject will be 12 time bigger than normal, it means the range of the lens from wide-angle to zoomed-in is 12x. Fully zoomed in might only be 6x bigger. However, optical zoom is good, digital zoom is bad.

 

[minnieme]

Panasonic Lumix, 18 optical. Quality camera & more than enough features for what you are going to need it for

 

[withdeanwombat]

.....and if your photos are no good,there's always the East Midlands Safari Park.

 

[KZNSeagull]

I have booked a safari in Kruger National Pk South Africa.

I am not Camera trained and I need advice on a good camera with a big zoom lens, would like to use an idiot proof SLR rather than a standard compact with a small zoom.

Any Ideas?

May I enquire when and whereabouts you are going?? I hope that you have a great time

 

[Northstander]

two weeks, one in Cape town where I will be doing a Shark Cage Dive, going sea fishing, will visit the wine regions and visit Tale Mountain before heading north for the safari....cant wait!!

Top of my head, dont have the safari details except costing both me and my partner some serious money.

 

[KZNSeagull]

two weeks, one in Cape town where I will be doing a Shark Cage Dive, going sea fishing, will visit the wine regions and visit Tale Mountain before heading north for the safari....cant wait!!

Top of my head, dont have the safari details except costing both me and my partner some serious money.

Sounds excellent. Was just asking as if you are just going into Kruger and driving around yourself, then your photo opportunities may be limited depending on the time of year you go and where in Kruger you go. But as it is costing you serious money, then you are probably going to one of the Private Reserves on the edge of Kruger, where you will definately get some good photos!!

Have fun

 

[tedebear]

two weeks, one in Cape town where I will be doing a Shark Cage Dive, going sea fishing, will visit the wine regions and visit Tale Mountain before heading north for the safari....cant wait!!

Top of my head, dont have the safari details except costing both me and my partner some serious money.

Tip - sharks eat people so don't put your toe out of the cage.

I bought a Canon EOS 400D a year ago off ebay - and its fab - makes my photos look proper - I used to take photos of blank race track, now I can at least get my husbands bumper!!