Telephoto stabilization from safari vehicles

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-hh - 03 Feb 2006 14:56 GMT

Looking for some guidance on the "less bad" options. We're looking at
a fly-in to Katavi NP in Tanzania, which has a total baggage weight
limit of only 15kg/person, so there's not much lattitude for bringing
along 'just in case' equipment.

I'm looking to (of course) maximize stabilization of a long lens while
in the safari vehicle. Some companies have pop-top's where you can
toss a sandbag onto the roof next to the hatch, but it looks like this
type of vehicle isn't available in Katavi -- looks like they use a 4WD
with bench seats with shade over and with open sides. As such, the
photography position appears to be seated & shooting out the sides.
Here's a representative illustration of the vehicle platform:

http://www.tanzaniasafaris.info/Katavi/activities.htm

It doesn't look to me like there's an appropriate surface to sandbag
upon (including "windowsills"), nor probably all that friendly to have
a tripod either. Besides using an Image Stabilization lens, what else
would anyone recommend for consideration?

TIA,

-hh

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Scratch and Sniff - 03 Feb 2006 15:54 GMT

: Looking for some guidance on the "less bad" options. We're looking at
: a fly-in to Katavi NP in Tanzania, which has a total baggage weight
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
:
: -hh

Monopod? You can use it for photos as well as a bow staff to keep the
frisky lions from eating your equipment and you.

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David Dyer-Bennet - 03 Feb 2006 15:59 GMT

> I'm looking to (of course) maximize stabilization of a long lens while
> in the safari vehicle. Some companies have pop-top's where you can
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> a tripod either. Besides using an Image Stabilization lens, what else
> would anyone recommend for consideration?

I agree that it doesn't look like there's much option for sandbagging,
if that vehicle is typical.

So, yeah VR/IS definitely. Then maybe a monopod, or...you know the
old string/chain thing, where you crop a string from a tripod-socket
screw, step on it, and pull up against it to steady the camera? Well,
maybe perhaps you could set up in the vehicle with *two* strings
anchored to things on both sides of the opening, so when you pulled up
you were stabilized fairly well in two dimensions. Never tried this
variant, just thought of it looking at the vehicle photo.

You might write them and ask what other photographers have found to
work in the past; I can't imagine they haven't had photographers there
before now!

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Paul Furman - 03 Feb 2006 16:55 GMT

> Looking for some guidance on the "less bad" options. We're looking at
> a fly-in to Katavi NP in Tanzania, which has a total baggage weight
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> a tripod either. Besides using an Image Stabilization lens, what else
> would anyone recommend for consideration?

Rent one of these: http://www.ken-lab.com/html/tips_and_tricks.html

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David J Taylor - 03 Feb 2006 16:55 GMT

> Looking for some guidance on the "less bad" options. We're looking at
> a fly-in to Katavi NP in Tanzania, which has a total baggage weight
> limit of only 15kg/person, so there's not much lattitude for bringing
> along 'just in case' equipment.

[]

> It doesn't look to me like there's an appropriate surface to sandbag
> upon (including "windowsills"), nor probably all that friendly to have
> a tripod either. Besides using an Image Stabilization lens, what else
> would anyone recommend for consideration?

The 326g Panasonic FZ5 with its 432mm equivalent f/3.3 image-stabilised
lens is something you might want to consider as a backup, if you are tight
on the weight budget.

David

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Ron Recer - 03 Feb 2006 19:10 GMT

> Looking for some guidance on the "less bad" options. We're looking at
> a fly-in to Katavi NP in Tanzania, which has a total baggage weight
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> TIA,

Consider lens with image stabilization such as Canon. Most people can hand
hold Canon's 100-400 IS lens with little problem even at 400. If you need a
lighter weight lens try Canon's 75-300 IS.

Ron

> -hh

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-hh - 04 Feb 2006 13:36 GMT

> Consider lens with image stabilization such as Canon...

Already there. I was just looking to see if there was something more
to do.

> Most people can hand hold Canon's 100-400 IS lens with little problem
> even at 400. If you need a lighter weight lens try Canon's 75-300 IS.

For this trip, I'm planning on leaving the 75-300 IS at home, and will
instead be using a 70-200 f/2.8 IS with a 1.4x teleconverter. I had
selected this combination over the 100-400 IS because I felt that I'd
want to have a bit more flexibility for working in low lighting
conditions.

-hh

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Pat - 04 Feb 2006 02:24 GMT

I suppose the right answer is "if you take me with you I will show
you", but I bet that won't work. Oh, well.

A stabilized lense assumes that you are pretty still and are making
small movements, not driving around Africa shoots animals from a moving
vehicle. I don't think the solution is to stabilize the image in the
camera as much as it is to stabilize the camera itself. Take a look at
a small light Steadycam or Glidecam. That's how they stabilize video
and allow the videographer to walk while filming and keep a stable
image.

Using something like that, along with a stabilized lense to make the
final stabilization should work pretty well.

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