Thinking excitedly about an upcoming trip to Southern Africa, I had to decide which camera to take. First and foremost, it had to be lightweight. On safari, we were constrained to a strict 20kg luggage per person, including hand luggage (!), so there would be no capacity for eating up kilograms with multiple lenses or a heavy camera body.
The next consideration was that I wouldn’t want to be changing lenses when time is of the essence for wildlife photography.
And the camera should be durable. It would probably be used in a dusty environment, and there would be a lot of shuffling and throwing of luggage and bags into and out of hard-core vehicles and small planes. Certainly, no place for anything fragile.
Finally, it would have to be capable of covering a massive range of focal lengths. I had little idea of what photo opportunities would present, so I’d want to cover wide-angle through to extended zoom.
Crystallising those needs, I made my decision. Out from storage came the Lumix FZ1000 bridge camera. It has a 25mm-400mm range, is relatively lightweight due to plastic body construction, and possesses a 20MP sensor. I was confident that would be sufficient if the focal-length range imposed the need for further cropping. More on that later.
So, off we went, over 14 hours on a non-stop flight from Sydney to Johannesburg, then on to two wonderful weeks in Botswana and Zambia.
The FZ1000 was an immediate old friend
Our travel at the camps was in dedicated safari vehicles: modified Toyota Land Cruisers, strong as an ox…or buffalo…or elephant. Our dedicated and knowledgeable guide doubled as the driver, while the spotter sat in a small seat at the front of the vehicle, keeping an eye out for animal tracks. If recent predator tracks were seen, then the tracker would sensibly fold down his seat and get into the vehicle.
Looking for animals; the safari vehicles are the perfect for the job
We happened upon animals within a kilometre of our camp on our first game drive. A giraffe and youngster on the open plains. It was there that I immediately realised that the bridge camera was going to do the job for me. The zoom range and definition of output was going to be fine for the next two weeks.
At 24mm equivalent, we see the giraffe and the baby at the left of the image in their natural environment. But quickly zoom to 400mm equivalent, and you can say a close hello to the adult.
The Big Five
The so-called “Big Five” animals in Southern Africa are Lion, African Buffalo, Leopard, Elephant, and Rhino. The origin of the term lies in the hunting trophy targets of people on safari in years gone by. Thankfully, a lot of that carnage is behind us, and now animal conservation is taken very seriously. Our guide told us that in Botswana, the army are strongly involved in the suppression of poaching. So the only shooting that we did were camera shots.
We were able to see the big five multiple times over during our travels. Many photo opportunities, but more important was the ability to stop and simply sit quietly in the safari vehicle for many minutes to hours and observe the habits and strategies of the animals as they went about their daily routines.
The Big Five. The FZ1000 provided so many great images. This is a compilation of just a few of them. Most these images have had a touch of pixie dust applied by John Shingleton, aka Mr X1.
A close up view
Our guide generally got us to between 50 metres and 200 metres of our subject animals. That was close enough for me to use the camera’s extended zoom range to get in even further. Talk about up close and personal. In fact, while Dianne used her Olympus 8×21 binoculars for viewing, I found myself using the zoom of the camera for monocular viewing as well as photography.
Some Cuddly closeups. The cheetahs are impressive, if only because their 0-100kph (60mph) time of three seconds rivals the Tesla owned by our Editor Michael.
Looking further out
There were so many other subjects to capture on safari. We were out every day from dawn until mid-morning, resting back at camp during the middle of the day, then back out again in the vehicles late afternoon until after dark. And every drive was successful in finding a wide range of wildlife.
Just keep clicking the camera shutter: no shortage of subject matter
A yawn or two as a long day ends, then dinner back at camp
In the afternoon game-drives, we stayed out until after dark. Then it was time for a slow return to camp, with the tracker scanning with a spotlight. Back at camp, it was time to meet with other guests who had been out in two other vehicles. Over dinner, we shared stories and animated (no pun…) conversation. Then it was time to yawn once or twice, and head off to sleep. The 5.15am wakeup coffee would be delivered to our tent in just a few hours.
Returning to camp. Then dinner, and a yawn or two before sleep.
In retrospect
My psychiatrist daughter says that we should sometimes view life through a retrospectoscope, whatever that is. So, doing this, I asked myself, “What did I learn from two wonderful weeks in Africa?”
Well, at one level I learnt how the Okavango Delta in Botswana is a truly wonderful place. The economy of the country is built upon mining and tourism, and it appears that the balance between the two is working well. The huge areas of the delta which have been provided to the safari concessions have resulted in extensive protection of animal populations in their natural environment. It’s an exceptional part of the world.
Photography lessons
And what did I learn about photography? Well, to my thinking, two main lessons emerged.
First, for safari photography, a good bridge camera is ideal. Old technology it is, but it surpasses anything that a smartphone camera can currently produce. The correct focal length from very wide to quite long can be rapidly found in a good bridge camera. Furthermore, changing lenses in a dusty environment isn’t necessary, and the lightweight durability was just right for the job.
Second, looking back at the images, they’ve reinforced my thinking that in our photographic pursuits the camera itself doesn’t really matter. A dogmatic statement? Yes! I’d maintain that what is important in terms of gear is as simple as the glass in front of any reasonable camera. The Leica lens in front of the FZ1000 inspires confidence, not just for the 24-400mm range, but its ability to do this with an f/2.8-f/4 variable aperture. It’s a ten-year-old camera, but it comfortably did the job for me. Delighted. It’s a keeper.
Acknowledgement — After I returned to Australia, John Shingleton suggested that we might have a look at the images using his new super Mac Studio screen. Wow, that screen is spectacular. And John’s Lightroom skills took over on many images. No more than 20 seconds on an image, click, click, click, to put atmosphere into them. Impressive output, post-processing practice adds dimension.
Read more on photography by Wayne Gerlach
A cup of coffee works wonders in supporting Macfilos
Did you know that Macfilos is run by a dedicated team of volunteers? We rely on donations to help pay our running costs. And even the cost of a cup of coffee will do wonders for our energy levels.
Kudos for defying the 60 megapixel ASPH-APO mafia (full disclosure: I wouldn’t mind being a member, myself). And of course, the photos, which defy expectations. Personally, I like sleepy leopard, and indeed all the leopards.
I did have a question/comment. I tried the latest Sony bridge (too big, too bulky, too much), settled on the predecessor to your camera, the 12mp Lumix. I’ve had good luck with AF, but the FZ200 isn’t really set up for manual focus. Though, what I did capture was way above expectations.
Were you able to use manual at all? I suppose it doesn’t really matter: the photos you did get, anyone would be more than happy to have.
Thank you Kathy for your feedback.
I’m with you on staying in the 12-25 megapixel range. If images are composed properly then they are all that we need (unless we wish to print for the side of a bus!). Well that could buy a friendly argument I’m sure, but I’ll doggedly dig in my heels.
Keep enjoying your DL109, just as I treasure mine.
I must admit that I didn’t use manual settings at any stage. Three reasons: 1. I didn’t want to be playing with camera settings and thinking about them. Instead I simply wanted to watch the animals and birds and listen and learn from the guides. So I used Auto instead. 2. John Shingleton and I have discussed ad nauseum over coffee whether a good digital camera has Auto brain firmware which is often as good or better than we would choose ourselves in manual settings. That debate is still open for special circumstances, I guess. 3. Often times the best shot would not be achieved with any time consuming manual setting of the camera. Just se it and catch it…….And I guess a fourth reason would be that using Auto made for easy aka lazy photography. Just click away with a large capacity memory card – my wife commented at one stage how many 36 shot films I would have used if we had done the trip back in the days of film cameras! Digital days are happy days.
All points very well made. I’ve been looking at lenses to take for two months in Japan, using a (new-to-me) Fuji XT5. Just for fun I compared my photos to ones taken with the Pana FZ200, autofocus. Guess which won out?
If I may add #4 — I find it very difficult to manual-focus a long lens w/o a tripod or equivalent. Wobble wobble!
A real treat of an article with a number of exquisite images. For a lot of photos, antique digital cameras are perfectly adequate especially with the AI processing power today. In general, the technology of the past 5 years is mostly only needed if you love pixel peeping-I do not.
You certainly used the camera skillfully.
Quite correct, Brian, regarding the fact that digital photography probably reached a technical peak about 5 years ago. There are lots of good cameras out there.
I have chosen to go the zoom lens route, short zoom and long zoom, rather than huge megapixel numbers and cropping later. But I respect those who have the ability to use single focal length cameras and see the section of the image that they will want to crop in post processing.
I did enjoy using the long zoom to compose the subject animals in situ, exactly as I wanted them for the final image. It made the experience more enjoyable for me than taking snapshots that I would have to carefully work on later.
A very enjoyable read and great photos Wayne, thanks. I particularly like the close ups of the animals, nice and sharp at such a long distance.
I am due to go to South Africa in February and am thinking about which camera to take. Part of the trip will be a safari north of Johannesburg in an area of rolling hills and woodland so I doubt I’ll need a long zoom. At present the X Vario is first on my list. How did you find the Lumix in low light?
Hello Kevin.
Hhhhmmm, a safari north of Johannesburg?
Yes, I’d be taking an X Vario for general travel photography, but I would also take something with zoom range for wildlife and safari. You won’t regret it.
Cmon, just as you have exhorted me previously to reestablish my ownership of an X Vario, now it’s my turn for a good natured return of serve…..head over to ebay and find a good bridge camera for safari photography 🙂
All the best with quality decision making, Wayne.
Ha ha. Very good. I have a Lumix FZ200 which I might dust off. I took it on a trip to the south west of the USA years ago and it served me well then.
Great article and lovely photos. I hit on the same solution, albeit in Leica form, when looking for something longer than the 202 mm equivalent from my TL 55-135, and at a much lower weight. The V-Lux 5 gives me 25-400mm equivalent at a weight of just over 800 gm. I was surprised at how well the 1” sensor performs at 400mm, as testified by your images. I think the Leica and Lumix are great cameras, still readily available and a bargain at £500 -£750.
Hello Keith.
I haven’t tried a V-Lux 5, but I’d guess that the FZ1000 takes me close into that realm.
That said, I did have a V-Lux 4 baby brother for a few years and was seriously impressed with its output.
Having the name Leica on the lens inspires confidence.
A great article. I really love the images which are proof that you don’t need the most recent cameras and technology to have the job done.
Cheers Jean.
Yes, quite correct. Subject matter, light, composition and perspective are the essential elements. The gear should be respectable, and better gear is desirable, but it is secondary for amateur photography.
I don’t know what I was thinking those land cruisers are some vehicles, sorry about defender comment was thinking Johnny Weismiller Tarzan. My bad
“Open very wide, please”, (picture #31/33), reminiscent of a visit to the dentist, is very impressive, fearsome, and testament to your choice of a fine and relevant choice of photo kit. An inspiring and informative article, Wayne, for which I thank you. I also enjoyed seeing more pictures from your tour than just close-ups of animals, the like of which could be got at many zoos outside Africa. Wisely, you let us see the environment. Well done!
“Open very wide, please”, (picture #31/33), reminiscent of a visit to the dentist, is very impressive, fearsome, and testament to your choice of fine and relevant photo kit. An inspiring and informative article Wayne, for which I thank you. I also enjoyed seeing additional pictures from your tour than just big close-ups of animals, the like of which could be got at many zoos outside Africa. Wisely, you let us see the environment. Well done!
After note. When I referred to zoos, in my comment above, I was referring to collctions of live wild animals, such as those found at places like Longleat in the UK, where the animals enjoy wider freedom and protection from hunting.
I’m glad you found it interesting.
Your comment re animals in their home environment is quite relevant.
We were able to sit in the vehicles for as long as it took to see the natural behaviours of the animals, and learn so much from the guides. For example, understanding that the leopards like to hangout in particular trees, from which they can launch themselves as antelopes come in under the trees to feed on fallen fruit and sweet flowers. Beyond that, watching the three lions attack and take down a buffalo was quite gruesome, but an intriguing two hours as we watched them stalk the herd, choose their target, and then the prolongued attack. The way of the wild, something not seen in any zoo.
What a great article!!!! You certainly picked the right tool for the job,love the dinner pic, reminded me of TARZAN movies. At the end of table the big black guy shielding half his face was this because of some cultural or religious reason? Anyway which LR vehicles you use, Defender short or long bed. Man I envy your trip and your skill especially Hippo and that magnificent bird thank you!
Cheers John. I’ve seen your subsequent message where you do indicate that you’re now seeing the safari vehicles were Toyota Landcruisers. guide told us thyat the days of Landrovers are now long gone. The companies buy regular Landcruisers, cut off the top sections and outfit them for safari use. I was impressed to see that the vehicles had ARB aftermarket bull bars and side protection add-ons. ARB are an Australian success story, exporting serious 4×4 accessories to over 100 countries worldwide.
The guy at the end of the table was Taps, our senior guide. Very knowledgeable. The hand to the face was simply a result of my impromptu snapshot.