Culture and Ecology of Southern Africa: BIOL 4984

Bontebok


Photography

What should you bring? It is a personal choice and depends on what your options are and what is available to you.

::camera::
- It is recommended to bring at least a 35 mm SLR camera. This will be discussed during spring seminar if you need help or ideas.
- A point-and-shoot camera is extremely handy for hiking and other situations when you may not want to carry a heavy camera around.

::lenses::
- It will be useful to have a zoom or telephoto lens, as the wildlife is not always as close as one would like. A relatively inexpensive zoom lens is the Tamron 28 - 300 (3.5-6.3) macro lens with AF aspherical LD is great. You can obtain this lens from many dealers including B&H Photo.You might think that this lens is expensive, but when you consider the cost of going back to Africa, it really is not too expensive.

::lens filters::
- A Number 1A skylight or haze filter will help in taking nicer pictures. It will also protect the lens itself. It is much cheaper than a replacement lens.
- A polarizing filter will also make for pictures with a more artistic quality, especially in open sunny areas with water (it makes the colors richer, bluer skies, etc).

::flash::
- We did not find it very useful to have any extra flash attachments. You won't use it often at night because it can be harmful to the animals' eyes.

::film::
- It is recommended to bring both 200 and 400 speed film. Most of us that went last summer liked Fujifilm.
- Bring at least 15 rolls with you from home. Film is more expensive over there, especially inside the major parks.

::batteries::
- Change your camera batteries before you leave.
- Bring an extra set just in case.

::x-ray proof film bag::
- ???

Email: jbassler@vt.edu