What does everybody use for taking pictures with?

[Ravensview]

I keep looking at all the wonderful pictures that accompany everyone’s safari and am curious as to what type of camera everybody is using, does anyone take a full size camera with interchangeable lenses or mostly point and shoot type camera?

 

[Bearbait1]

Just an iphone. My wife has $1,500 in a big digital and lots of assorted lenses. It all weighs about #20 so we never take it anywhere.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

This probably is not the right answer, and I am always feeling like I could do better and should, but I ferret out cameras on eBay and check them against online reviews, to see what people think and if they will do what I am wanting. For example, I had a Panasonic Lumix that was maybe 5 or so years old when I went to Africa this spring. I am happy enough about how it performed - I do not feel cheated at all. I don't own a cell phone, so cell phone photos are not options.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

If I want to take better pictures than I can take with my iPhone, I need professional instruction, not better equipment.

yes, if I want to take photos at distance, my cannon with nice lenses is better but within the technical limits of an iPhone, the limiting factor is not technical- it is composition

 

[JimP]

I have a Cannon PowerShot SX50 HS which is the size of a standard digital camera. It only has the single lens but it takes fantastic pictures. When I was hunting in Africa it was in my backpack and is what we used for most of my animal shots. I also have a small Olympus that I can carry on my belt so that I can always have a camera with me.

My phone stays back at camp.

 

[Red Leg]

I have some very good Nikon equipment. None of it travels with me any longer. 80% of my photos are taken with an iPhone, and the quality is now so good they make up most of the photography of any article I publish. The quality is superb for things like narrative photobooks. I do carry a compact digital camera for shots that might benefit from super high resolution or a particular photo technique.

 

[Vintageguy]

I use a Kodak Pixpro digital. By pro standards maybe nothing special but it zooms like 50x, does great video, and is web compatible. I’ve had to constantly say that this animal or that animal was zoomed and not right next to the truck when showing my pictures to friends. Of course my iPhone does great up close but beyond 50 yards forget it if you want details. I use it after the shot, lol. The battery on the Pixpro never let me down using it all day either. I did have to set the display to full brightness though for really bright days otherwise you couldn’t see it very well.

 

[Newboomer]

Many years ago I was into photography in a big way. I had a Nikon 35mm film camera, several lenses of various types from fisheye to telescopic, and all kinds of filters. All this gear was in a case that measured about 14 inches wide, 8 inches deep and stood about 16 inches tall and weighed around 15 lbs. I dragged that stuff on many a vacation until 35s went out of style. Went to a small digital and now just my iphone. I think the quality is as good as my pro 35 was and a helluva lot easier to carry around.

 

[WAB]

My wife uses a Nikon and if cost is any indication, it is equipped with very good lenses. I think my iPhone does just as well on trophy photos, but she gets some incredible wildlife photos with the nikon.

 

[Woodcarver]

Until the advent of digital cameras, hunting pics were rare, but when taken, it was with a Kodak 110. It's still around here somewhere I think.
A GoPro Hero2 was a constant companion for quite a few years. If one pays attention to the limitations, it takes decent pics.
Nowadays, my SeaLife 1400 (without the dive housing) is usually in the pack. Sometimes I take my GoPro 4. Usually have a Samsung Android phone on me that has a decent camera in it. Occasionally, I actually remember to get one out and take a picture with it, lol. That is more likely to occur if I'm hunting with the grandkids.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

My new iPhone 13 Pro Max is definitely full camera quality. The three lens system with wide angle and zoom gives me everything I want - you have to be a professional photographer ro need more than this.

 

[DG Gunsmith]

I still shoot film... I'm particularly partial to my Pentacon Praktica "L" series 35mm's...

 

[VertigoBE]

iPhone only. There is just so much stuff you can carry while hunting.

Only rule to observe with an iPhone is to never zoom with it. If you need a close up, move your butt closer, do not use the digital zoom, that really impacts pictures negatively.

Apart from that, trophy pics, landscape, auto adjust for low light, etc all works perfect. (And I only have an iPhone 8! As I prefer the touch-ID)

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

I keep looking at all the wonderful pictures that accompany everyone’s safari and am curious as to what type of camera everybody is using, does anyone take a full size camera with interchangeable lenses or mostly point and shoot type camera?

these days its amazing what you can do with a good phone camera!!!

 

[Firebird]

I phone for most pictures but I do carry a mid priced Nikon with a hefty zoom lens on it which is especially nice for times when we are just looking at animals-especially game park days. A friend who works at **NOT**PERMITTED** sporting journal told me that phone pix are hard to publish and a good camera is still important if you want to publish photos in a magazine. But phones get that much more improved every year.
ive always been jealous of brickburn and his set up and the quality he produces with his abilities. . .

 

[Jaegger]

Ravensview - good thread! Honestly, it’s an ‘art’ to take quality trophy pic’s & I know, cuz I have allot of bad pics from my 1st three African trips … each trip pics alittle better BUT still plenty of work needed!

Then I had a fun loving S Africa PH in 2009 share some “tips” … now I’m not too embarrassed to share the pics!

I’m still a camera generation guy: I have an affordable Nikon Coolpix Digital 35mm w/ modest telephoto for the travel/landscaping pics, compact Panasonic LUMIX Digital < $300 does great (easy!) for trophies. I’ve also seen great Go Pro pic quality. That said, I used my IPhone 12 on some trophies in Sept (below) & pretty impressed w/ the close up quality on Portrait Mode.

 

[zip4644]

bought the galaxy S12 before my trip in sept, has 5 Lens's and great reviews....not sure how it all works but takes great pics.....

 

[Country]

Iphone 11Pro Max. great camera.

 

[Ravensview]

I still shoot film... I'm particularly partial to my Pentacon Praktica "L" series 35mm's...

I had a Pentax Mx 35mm camera for years that I used a lot on backpacking and canoe trips, but gave it to my daughter several years ago, it got to be a pain trying to find film and getting pictures developed.

 

[outwestidaho]

I take a crap ton of photo gear with me. I have a canon sx740 HS . It's small and fits in a shirt pocket. Has the best zoom of any small camera I've seen. Battery will last for 4 to 5 days , without recharge. Takes great photos. I use it for quick shots and shots on airplanes etc. Plus trophy shots.
I also take a canon 7d for photos I have time for, and when you want the best photo you can get. They make better cameras now but I've used this one for years and am very familiar with it. It's topped with a Tamron 18 to 400 zoom lens good for close up and far away pics. Its the only lens I take.
Than we have the canon xa40 for video. It's compact ,light weight and shoots great video.
So by now you've noticed that I'm a Canon fan. Only reason is, I like the menus and operating systems better. They are easier to operate to me than other brands.
Just remember to get what works for you. Small and compact is what most people want. Make sure it's 15 mega pixels or better if you can. If you do enlargements you need higher pixel count. The canon 740 that I have , I've done enlargements up to 24 x30 and they are great . Remember you will get a better photo of you with the animal if you stand back and zoom in a little to frame. It will make things look more proportional.