I'm looking at buying my Dad a camera for an upcoming safari. He is completely useless with any kind of technology so I think any kind of SLR is out of the question. I'm currently training him with a canon A710is which he will take as a backup, plus I have always had good experiences with Canon cameras so am I right in thinking the S5is would be the best choice?

Thanks

Cast your eyes up the screen to the Travel Photography Forum (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=629)...

The S5 IS is the best non-SLR camera around. It's quite easy to use and takes great pictures. It will be a good fit for your dad.

Cast your eyes up the screen to the Travel Photography Forum (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=629)...


Everyday is a school day. I check on Travel Technology every day and have never noticed the travel photography forum.If the thread could be moved into the correct forum it would be much appreciated, Thanks

Check out the recent review at dpreview.com. (They like it.)

How long is the lens in 35mm equivalent? For safaris, you probably want something that'll provide at least 300mm equivalent.

The 35mm equivalent is 36-432mm. I've checked out the reviews at dpreview and at steves digicams so along with the endorsements on here I will pick one up next time I'm in the US.(along with a TX1 maybe)

That will give me another month of training my Dad, although it's getting boring taking pictures of sheep and cows.:D

The 35mm equivalent is 36-432mm. I've checked out the reviews at dpreview and at steves digicams so along with the endorsements on here I will pick one up next time I'm in the US.(along with a TX1 maybe)

That will give me another month of training my Dad, although it's getting boring taking pictures of sheep and cows.:D

If he isnt going to pay a lot of attention to the technology that sounds like a very good choice. I went to Zambia last December with a reduced sensor size SLR (Canon 20D) and took virtually all of my pictures with a 100-400 lens. That is a bit more than 432 but the 36-432 is great for a point and shoot. One other tip is to make sure he has LOTS of memory cards and some way to back them up if at all possible. I take lot of shots but shooting in RAW I used between 30 gigs and 40 gigs of storage in a couple weeks. Another thing to consider while training him is that man things might be hidden or partially hidden by brush. The camera might focus on the brush rather than the animal. If you can teach him something about either the concept of depth of field and have him notice where the camera is actually focusing it might help as well as making the cows a bit more interesting to photograph. ;)

You don't mention what kind of safari you will be on, but I assume you mean a "classic" one where you are riding around in a jeep (that hopefully opens up on top) and where you can't get out of the vehicle.

If you won't go SLR, the reach with the Canon you mentioned is probably OK.

Based on my experience, I can tell you that the two most important things to have on a camera for such a trip is REACH (as in, nothing is long enough) and image stabilization/vibration reduction. The longest lens I had was 70-300mm (105-450 film equivalent for Nikon digital) and even with that I missed many a shot. I brought lenses with shorter focal lengths, but never used it, except when on the ground in non-safari situations. If I were to go on safari again, I'd try to get or rent an even longer zoom (zoom to reduce the number of necessary lens changes - the vehicle gets very dusty). The fact of the matter is, animals won't do the most interesting things that they do (like stalk and kill prey) while close to the vehicle. The most interesting shots I got on the trip (Cheetah stalking a gazelle, and eventually catching and eating it) would have been helped immensely if I just had a longer lens to get me in closer and tighter.

In those situations where you don't have the reach, sometimes it's just better to put the camera down and enjoy the moment and the view from some high-powered binoculars. Thus, I recommend getting some good binoculars for the trip as well.

Image stabilization (IS) or vibration reduction (VR) is also key once you get out to the longer focal lengths. Additionally, you can't exactly set up a tripod in the vehicle. Also, you may catch a few interesting shots while riding in the vehicle, which IS/VR will help with.

As I mentioned, it gets dusty out there, which may make it a challenge to keep your gear clean. I brought along a few ziploc bags to slip my camera into while I wasn't taking pictures (easier than shoving it in and out of my camera bag) and also wrapped the camera in the bag before putting it back into my camera bag. Since you will be applying insect repellent and/or sunscreen on a regular basis while out and about, I'd also recommend that you bring along some wet wipes and rags to wipe your hands on before handling your gear. I also brought anti-bacterial lotion to use before eating. (Washing with soap and water may not be an option depending on where you are)

Finally, I second GadgetFreak's recomendation for massive amounts of storage. It would also be a worthwhile investment to get a PSD and/or portable DVD burner for backup and storage for this trip, or perhaps even one of those ultra-small portable laptops (like the Sony Vaios) to do both - you won't regret spending the money for it.

...If you can teach him ... [to] notice where the camera is actually focusing it might help ...Important for another reason as well, if he'll be taking pictures from inside a vehicle. Unless the front of the lens is right up against the window, the camera might focus on the window itself - especially if the window is dusty. He can correct the focus if he notices the problem at the time, but there ain't much Photoshop can do with a picture that's so far out of focus later on. Have him take a few of those sheep-and-cow pix from inside a car.

Important for another reason as well, if he'll be taking pictures from inside a vehicle. Unless the front of the lens is right up against the window, the camera might focus on the window itself - especially if the window is dusty. He can correct the focus if he notices the problem at the time, but there ain't much Photoshop can do with a picture that's so far out of focus later on. Have him take a few of those sheep-and-cow pix from inside a car.

I hadnt thought of that. Our safari was either on foot or in a totally open vehicle so that wasnt an issue. But of course youre right, it would be a major issue in a closed vehicle.

The view is sometimes quite different on foot:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=321192393&size=o&context=set-72157594418086662

This was taken while on foot using a 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS lens at a focal length of 210mm. Note the out of focus plants in the foreground. The camera I was using lets you auto focus on different illuminated dots in the viewfinder so that you get the focus on the right part of the picture.

Thanks all for the tips, I'm learning myself from this forum, some of the pictures are superb.

The safari is on open vehicles, and walking safaris can be done also. The aim is that he can just get a few decent pics to show off and remember the trip by, as Kuroneko said I would rather he took in the experience than be behind a camera constantly.

Going round for another teaching hike(i'm also being his personal trainer) today so will bring in a few more tips.

Thanks

In addition to the Canon, other superzoom P&S cameras that would be good for a safari include the Panasonic Lumix line (TZ3 or FZ50) and the Sony DSC-H2. All have image stablization and the reach you need. Some are better at somethings than the others - the Canon has the best video mode, the Panasonic Lumix TZ3 has a 28mm (35mm equivalent) wide angle.

One thing you really have to pay attention to are the ergonomics of the cameras. Some simply work better for some people in terms of their handling and button layout. For example, I can't stand the viewfinder on the Canon Powershots (S2, S3 - haven't tried the S5). Some take longer between shots or to autofocus. You really should go down to a store and try these out before buying. Imagine trying to track a cheetah while it's hunting and taking shots of it.

Of course, none of these P&S can compare to a good DSLR in terms of handling and ergonomics, but some can come close.

There is a fair amount of similarity in terms of controls across all the Canons I have looked at. Even my old Canon G1 has a lot of common feel in terms of controls compared to my G7 and my EOS 20D. Especially for someone who isnt facile with technology the same basic platform is probably a big plus.

Whatever your Dad has will be sufficient. Remember years ago, we saw great images from range finder Leicas.

It is the photographer, not the camera, in most instances that makes the difference.

But, to answer your original question, the S5is sounds like a hell of a camera

You might want to consider a video rather than still camera attached to a monopod for stability.

Many of the interesting wildlife you will see will be nearly invisible without a good long lens. Good glass is far more important than a top of the line body. Even with a long lens the subject may only fill a 1/4 or less of the frame. Cropping and enlarging will help - but if you don't have a reasonably fast, extremely sharp lens, with image stabilization the results will be disappointing.

A Canon Digital Rebel XTi with a Canon 100-400mm F4-5.6L IS (the reach of this lens is 35% greater since this is a small frame digital) is a great combo. Digital camera workshops are increasingly common place. A couple of hours in a good workshop and he'll know everything he needs to know to come home with pictures to remember this awesome experience.

It may be too late but or the benefit of other users I would recommend an UV filter (both for protection and to remove haze from landscape shots).

If shooting from behind a window, also concider a circular polarizer filter.

You get what you pay for, don't buy cheap filters.

The S5 is very a good non-slr option. Very versatile and innexpensive.

Wide angle and teleconverters are availlable and optional but the 58mm barrell adapter and hood is mandatory (lets you attach filters and the hood is very useful to reduce flares). Lensmate sells a good one if you don't like the plastic Canon one.


PS.: I own a S5.

An alternative to consider is the new Nikon P80. It has a Vibration Reduction 27-486mm (35mm eq) lens.

The 35mm equivalent is 36-432mm.

Wow. I'm a photographer and I can't imagine shooting with a 432mm lens without a tripod. I hope the light is bright and the shutter speed is high!

Wow. I'm a photographer and I can't imagine shooting with a 432mm lens without a tripod. I hope the light is bright and the shutter speed is high!

The S5 has image stabilization, and a fairly large aperture of f/2.8-3.5. So, it's possible to shoot without a tripod in fairly good light. The main issue is that when light falls, the camera (or the user) will bump the ISO, and digital noise will become a huge issue.

I am seriously considering purchasing this camera. How is the video quality? I have seen the cnet review and it looks pretty good. Interesting to me that the camera actually has stereo speakers - how much effect does that have on the audio quality of the video taken by the camera?

Video on the S5 is pretty good. It isn't highly compressed, so it will take up a lot of room on the SD card. Sound is also quite good.

When shooting telephoto, there is softness and fringing on stills.

The camera can be found pretty discounted now, making it a good superzoom at a low enough price that you wouldn't worry too much about if it gets dirty/worn on a trip.

Once upon a time, Virginia, before there was a Photography Forum, there was an Africa Forum. ;)

There is a thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=483068) over there that discusses both game spotting some aspects of safari photography I think would be of interest to you here.

I updated it with some specific information helpful to digital photographers (I have seen too many film and digital photoggers ruining their safari photography by insufficient dust protection, deleting photos in-camera, etc. etc. over the years) and added some usful (IMO) information I have learned on my National Geographic Expeditions traveling with NGS photographers Tom O'Neill and Tomasz Tomaszewski.