I think someone mentioned a good camera for safari's has 12 x zoom. Is that right? I would like something REALLY SIMPLE, lightweight, a point and click type camera. I love the really small digital camera I have now with the large LCT screen but it is only 3 x zoom...no good??

Anyone know about any of these or have any suggestions? Cheap is good!
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6501_7-6273713.html

I would get the Canon S3 IS. Mary Ellen had the S2 model and it took wonderful photos. We had considered that camera but chose the Canon Digital Rebel instead since it offered more flexibility. Looking back, I think we would have been just as happy with the S2 IS.

Hi Marcie,
The Canon S2 IS took wonderful pictures. The S3 IS is the new version of it and I would highly recommend it. You can use it in point and shoot mode - it's not at all complicated. If you feel like trying out some of the more advanced controls they are pretty easy to use too.

If you choose a camera with a high optical zoom make sure to get one with image stabilization (that's what IS stands for) - otherwise you'll be challenged to get a non-blurry picture when using the zoom. I would go with either Canon or Nikon. I am more used to the Canon controls so I tend to keep upgrading within the Canon line, but you can't go wrong either way.

Be sure to shop around for best pricing. I generally have found B&H Photo to have the best prices once you consider shipping and reputation. You can find them here: B&H

We also had our 3 year old Canon Elph with us - we used it for a lot of the people pictures and as a back up camera. I always have the baby camera with me pretty much wherever I go. We like the flexibility of having a small pocket sized camera along with our larger one. One of these days I'll take the step up to a digital SLR, but I just don't have the time to invest in learning how to use one well now, so I am sticking with advanced point and shoot ones for now.

We'll be looking forward to your safari pictures (actually to all of your pictures) during next year's grand world cruise adventure.

Mary Ellen

When my Minolta (which I LOVE) got "sick" and had to be sent in for repairs, I was afraid it would take too long and leave me stranded for my British Isles cruise. I bought the Canon S3 IS, and it's incredible! Sonja took a picture of Justin getting onto a float in the pool, I posted it here (and sent it to Andrea), and now Andrea has one too. It's an amazing camera.

Marcie, did you see Mary Ellen's pictures? They were not on the ofoto/kodak website, but on smugmug. Maybe she can provide a link. Outstanding pictures! It doesn't have a large LCD screen, but I think you'll find you will prefer to use the lens viewer on safari, or anytime you are doing close-in shots.

Hi Marcie,

Here's the link to the Africa pics:

mellen.smugmug.com

Mary Ellen

Just bought Canon Rebel..XT
( they have a rebate offer on now which saves a $100)..fantastic camera, lightweight.
The pictures are incredible.

Marcie,
If you are not familiar with B&H I have bought several items from them and have always been very happy. It is a very excellent choice for camera items. I agree that you will find excellent prices. Given the low price and no sales tax and low shipping it is hard to beat.

I have been looking and considering the Canon Rebel also. Just have not pulled the trigger yet.

Oh Mary Ellen, these pix are WONDERFUL!! This really sounds like a great camera and it's almost unanimous that this is the best safari camera.

I looked on the BH site and there is something with LOTS of accessories. Are these all really needed? Canon S3 IS WITH ACCESSORIES

Ralph and Claudia, I googled the Canon Rebel XT and on this page it says the lens isn't included?? What kind of camera doesn't come with a lense #%&#? Canon Rebel XT

I will need to write my Letter to Santa for this (my letters must already be up to year 2009 or 2110 by now!)

I only bought the camera, Marcie. My Minolta takes the SD card, too, so I already had some of those.

The Rebel is a different kind of camera, and it's way too complicated for my simple needs.

Here's the one at B&H without all the accessories. It's over a page, not as easy to find.

basic S3 IS price

Oh WOW, those pictures are incredible!! What detail!!!

Marcie:

Since you will be off the ship for a few days, I would have at least two 1GB cards or a way to download. We used three 1GB and 3 128MB cards on ROAR. Next time, I will probably get a 2GB and take that along with the three 1GB cards we already have. You do need a good battery charger; I don't know about the quality of the charger in that package. Although we don't like extended warrantys, we did get one for our Digital Rebel since it includes annual cleaning.

There should be several ways to buy on the B&H site. They sell the digital slr type with and without lens. The big advantage of the newer digital slr type is the ability to change lens. Most packages come with a 18 to 55 mm lens that sells for around 700 after the current 100 rebate. There is a good camera review site. camerareview.com that can be good. another one is dpreview.com. The point and shoot recommended sounds like a good choice if you do not want the complexity of the slr type and the weight. I would recommend lots of memory cards. I must have had 4 512 cards and2 1gb cards for the so america cruise. One nice thing about the new digital is the ability to take reasonable video. that does take a lot of card memory. At least two batteries is a must. One needs to shop for the memory cards as the price deals abound and the capacity keeps increasing.

The S3 uses AA batteries, so I have a couple of chargers and a bunch of batteries. The nice thing about it is, you can carry along a backup package of AA batteries, just in case (and I did need it once with the Minolta, which also uses the AA's).

Marcie, just bought it at Costco..and yes comes with a lens.
Although when was researching it on internet many sites said lens extra.. thought that absurd also.
Check costco. I didn't find it difficult to use at all.

Hi Marcie,

There are so many good cameras available today - it really is buyer's choice to get the right mix of features/complexity/price. The Canon Rebel is a great camera - it's a digital SLR. I think Ken might use a Rebel - it's a bit more complicated than the S3 IS, but it gives you lots more options and flexibility. Lenses are sold separately because there are many different ways to use a true SLR and so lots of choices on the lenses.

As to the accessories for the S3 IS: it really depends on what you intend to do. Two things are essential: batteries and memory.

I would recommend getting the rechargeable batteries and charger. The camera will take regular AA batteries, but I find battery life is longer with the rechargeables. I always buy a fresh package of the non-rechargeable batteries before I go on a trip and wind up using them as I tend to take a lot of pictures.

Also, lots of memory cards. You can buy these almost anywhere. B&H prices are ok for these, especially with no sales tax and free shipping. I have 1GB and 512MB cards - I tend to use the highest resolution setting in the camera when taking shots - this allows lots of flexibility in post processing - especially if you want to do enlargements of your photos. WalMart typically has very good prices on memory cards, but if you live in a sales tax state you do pay the tax.

The camera can take video - it's not a substitute for a video camera but you can grab short movies. If you think you'll want to use that feature you need LOTS of memory - taking movies eats memory and draws down power. I generally turn the LCD screen off as this camera has an electronic view finder that shows you exactly what you are taking a picture of - this helps to conserve battery life.

The only other thing you'll need is a camera bag to hold the camera, spare batteries and extra memory cards. This is a very subjective choice - I would recommend going to a store with the camera and trying out various bags to see which one you like best. I actually would not recommend the Canon case - it's heavy and not big enough to carry enough batteries and memory cards for me.

The S3 IS has converter lenses available for both wide angle and telephoto use. I have and use both but that's because I like to indulge my inner photographer - they are not necessary. In fact, I often had to take off the telephoto lens because the animals were too close while we were in Singita! If you want to keep things simple, just use the 12x optical zoom that's built into the camera. You'll get beautiful pictures and we'll all get to follow along on your adventures.

Have fun shopping.

Mary Ellen

Thanks so much Pam, Marc, Ralph,Mary Ellen and Claudia! I think I need to go with what ever is the SIMPLIST (sounds like the Canon S3 IS) I'm afraid I wouldn't even know how to change lenses etc. nor would I want to learn. I have a 256MB memory card in my camera now...this is less memory than the 1 gb right? (sorry, I don't know anything about this). I will look into buying all of this on the BH site. You guys are the BEST!

I'd like to STOP buying cameras! I've bought 2 in less than 2 years because I keep buying the wrong one (well didn't know I was going to be going on a safari either!)

Hi Marcie,
I would suggest either 512K or 1GB memory cards. These are both larger than 256K. If you have your computer with you, you can buy the 512K cards and download the pictures onto your hard drive. If you don't have your computer, you should buy the larger cards. I have four 512k cards and four 1GB cards. I can use the cards in both of my cameras. On ROAR, I used them all to near capacity as I didn't lug the computer all the way to Africa.

You and Andrea can practice together on MUSH so you'll be an expert before the world cruise starts.

Mary Ellen

I'd love to order it today but I need to wait until after MUSH. Our AmEx bill is starting to look like the national debt!... final payment for MUSH, deposit for Istanbul to Athens, airline tickets to go see Grandson Nicholas (if he would just hurry up and enter this world, today is the due date), ROAR 2 deposit soon...probably missing some more (but Tom will surely remind me :eek: , he always does )

Marcie: Tony suggests you research and wait on camera - till you get closer to Roar II - get the "latest" one according to camera man - I know zilch on the subject although cameras are taking over my house -

No they're not. a spare battery and spare memory cards are all you need. Lot's of spare memory cards. I have a 2Gig card and estimate if I'm shooting at 8 megapickles in Africa, I'll need a minimum of 3 cards...maybe 4 unless we bring a laptop to download onto.

This is a digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera. You choose the lenses you want to use based on what you're shooting. Those huge lenses for getting close up shots of far off animals are shot using a digital SLR.

I think the first one is more then adequate for your needs. You can't go wrong with a Canon. I have use of the Nikon 8800 which is similar to the Canon. Nikon unfortunately discontinued their equvilant, otherwise I'd say to look at theirs too.

I would suggest that instead of only using in auto mode, you might sometime within the next two years before ROAR2 you consider taking a basic photo class that teaches the different modes on the camera.

Also, Tony isn't wrong since newer and better models are coming out every six months.

Alan decided to go digital (finally!) for ROAR II. His Canon 5D arrived last week. From the looks of it, he's going to need the two years before ROAR II to learn how to use it. Looks like lots of photo travels are in our future!

Donna,

The Canon 5D is a very high end camera used by many professionals. I got that camera and love it. I also have a number of professional lenses since that is my hobby.

The Canon Digital Rebel is the entry level DSLR.

If you are in the market for a good compact digital camera, the Canon s80 is a good choice. Many pros use that as their backup - it's brand new, 8 megapixels (very high) and has some nice automatic settings.

Ha ha..ain't that the truth?
That's the way mine always is...
Amex is my dependent.

Well, I admit that if I ever buy a digital camera the size of my (beloved) old SLR, it will *be* an SLR. But I'm not there yet. In fact, I'm thinking of shooting some pix with my old Nikon this summer, still not convinced that digital has the warmth of film. But I love being able to see what I'm shooting, I admit. And my little point-and-shoot Olympus can travel in a pocket or purse, which I also love.

Just a suggestion - before you start taking all pictures at the maximum megapixel capacity,experiment shooting at a lower resolution. It will increase the number of pix per card, easier and faster to manipulate in photo software and uses less space on the hard drive. I make prints up to 11x14, and project digital images to an 80 inch screen with a DLP projector and see no difference when I take photos at a "medium fine" setting compared to the highest resolution. I used to do my own color printing in a dark room - what an incredible revelation digital is! No more film for me!

I just got some of the new SanDisk Extreme III highspeed memory cards. Nice. B&H had a reasonable price on them.

And I don't think I've ever used the highest megapixel capacity.

Actually I'd probably shoot at around 5 megapickles for ROAR. High enough to get good clean shots, but low enough not to completely eat my memory and since for me any shots would be for reference for drawing, it's not as critical.

Actually, my cameras are 12 and 8 megapickles and I generally shoot my travels at 4 mgs, which is quite acceptable. You can print 11 x 14 quite nicely or edit down on regular prints - quite decent

Kathy, photography is Alan's hobby too. He's just been reluctant to switch from film to digital. He finally took the plunge. Also added a couple of lenses.

I'm the digital photographer in the family. My tiny point and shoot needs to be replaced. I'll look at the one you suggested.

As far as pixels, on my current camera, I shoot at the highest quality. I write and sometimes need photos for my stories. Need to be careful of dpi quality. With Alan's camera (and his ability) that shouldn't be a problem.

For most users, I agee with hrprof's advice.

I too sometimes need higher quality. For the project I'm doing now, I can't use less then 8 megapixels. Also for me, I need higher resolution to see all the details when drawing, but I agree with Kathy that 4 is more then enough for most folks.

Speaking of photos here is a link to some photos Andre, our Ranger at Singita, took in the last few weeks. He sent them to me yesterday. We met Andre on our first trip to South Africa, he was a Ranger at Royal Malewane and has been at Singita for over a year now. Andre has become a good friend. Here is the link:

http://ngaire.smugmug.com/gallery/1641686

Hope you enjoy them.

Ken

PS to Marcie, I think the Canon S3 would be a good camera for your safari. Its a little bigger than you are used to but will do a great job zooming in on the animals.

Oh. My. Goodness. Those are some fabulous pictures!! Thank you Ken.

:mecry: - I want to be there now!!

Stunning photos! Andre really captured the beauty of these animals. The cubs are so cute & colorful (& gorgeous! leopard & cheetah; cheetah at Singita now?), great hippo shot, & is that a lilac breasted roller? Also, the leopard with her impala (kill) & in the tree is breathtaking!! Tks, so much, Ken, for sharing these! - Michele

Absolutely beautiful...beyond words WOW!

Wow, they look fake and that's a compliment! They are just stunning!

Take a waterproof disposable if you're going into the trails along Victoria Falls or a waterproof carrier for the expensive camera gear! As the sign near the ponchos says "they reduce the deluge" LOL. We looked like a small army of drowned rats. Cheers, Anne

they really are fantastic photos. thanks for the link Ken.

Awesome photos. I'm speechless!

Wonderful photos...
thanks for sharing.