harshaj1
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 p.6 #8 · Cheetah Kill ( Graphic) | |
nugeny wrote:
Vow! Sure more dramatic than my cat killing mice! I was in Serengeti few years back(back to film aera), never had the luck to witness a hunting scene like this.
Did you go by yourself or in an organized tour. If so with whom, may I ask? thanks fo sharing.
bob
Thanks Bob.
Here is the reply I posted earlier. This might answer some of your qestions.
Harsha
Nudutu area of Serengeti allows off road driving. However you are not allowed to get closer than 50m to an animal. Driver can be banned from the park for 6 months for getting closer. I was impressed that everybody follow this rule. This allows you to get closer to action than other part of Serengeti. I came across few other Cheetahs else ware but we had to stick to designated roads and couldn’t get closer.
Vehicle I was using was a modified land cruiser with the roof opening. We limit two people to each vehicle that really helps.
All shots were taken using beanbags except 2nd one which is handheld. I have never shot with beanbags before the trip. It works and better than a low quality tripods. I only use my tripod once at the Hippo pool. I also took my Wimberley Gimbal head and Kirk window mount but never used.
I went with a group of local photographers from Midwest area. The leader has been to Africa few times and a pro photographer. He does a trip every year. There was no formal photography teaching during the trip so I did not have to pay for instructions. Instead we stay longer and stayed in locations inside the park (more expensive) and limit the number of people in each vehicle. Overall I am thrilled with the trip and planning my next trip with him.
We had 8 in our group. We had 4 vehicles. Cameras included Canon 1D3, 1dS3, 40D, 5D and Nikon D3, D200 and D70. Minolta 7d. We all had backup cameras.
The group had following lenses. Canon 500/F4IS, 400/2.8IS, 100-400is and 180 macro among others. Nikon 600/F4 and 70-200 and Sigma 50-500. Later lens worked well with a Minolta in body image stabilization. I loved my Nikon gear but that Canon 1Ds3 is a beauty.
For the price of a 12 day trip ( McDonald and etc., ) we stayed 21 days. No equipment failures except for broken polarizer when I stepped on it. We also broke a Flash when the vehicle hit a hyena den during off road driving and the flash mounted on a Canon 500/f4IS hit the roof.
Dust was a big issue. I cleaned my sensor once during the trip and avoid frequent lens changes. Long lens such as 500mm is nice to have but your are likely to get the same scene closer in another location. Serengeti being flat and vast need a longer lens. Animals are closer to you in Ngorongoro crater.
The web site of the tour leader is http://www.smedesphoto.com/East-African%20Photo-Tour_2008.htm
I hope this helps.Harsha
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