"Leave the 200-400" home he said

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited October 14, 2013 in Wildlife
Hi Y'all,

On my last trip to Kenya I made a tragic mistake - I listened to Andy Williams. On this day we were going to visit a Maasai village. Andy said that we wouldn't need our long glass for this outing. Now I usually don't pay that much attention to Andy but for some reason on this day I listened to him and went off with my D800E and the 24-70 2.8 lens and hopped onto the land rover.

We were travelling down the road when our guide spotted a mother cheetah and her two cubs just as the mother made a kill. If I had a lens like the 200-400 I would have gotten some fantastic captures but there I was holding the D800E and the 24-70.

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Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"

Comments

  • denisegoldbergdenisegoldberg Administrators Posts: 14,372 moderator
    edited September 30, 2013
    Looks like the lens you had with you was perfect, very nice. I think the first image is my favorite. That's one sleek big cat!

    --- Denise
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  • EphTwoEightEphTwoEight Registered Users Posts: 552 Major grins
    edited September 30, 2013
    Yeah, whats wrong with that? Score! Besides your in AFRICA!!! I'd be cool with cel phone shots of that man!
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited October 1, 2013
    The solution is easy hand the camera to Andy tell him to get out and get some close up shots with the 24 or just drive up close ,looks like that is what you did . I do not think you would have that last shot with a 200 ? but still NEVER listen to Andy deal.gif
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • David_S85David_S85 Administrators Posts: 13,245 moderator
    edited October 1, 2013
    Harry, so sorry you were totally unable to get any action shots. Do pack that 200-400 next time and hope the same moment comes again. +1 on not listening to Andy. deal.gif
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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 1, 2013
    denisegoldberg wrote: »
    Looks like the lens you had with you was perfect, very nice. I think the first image is my favorite. That's one sleek big cat!

    --- Denise

    ActuallyI had the perfect camera for this scenario. The 800E allowed me to do some very serious cropping on these images.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited October 1, 2013
    You've been to Africa like 20x, and you didn't bring your long glass on that day? Shame :nono

    lol3.gif I'll have 600mm with me when we go to Tanzania together in January!
    Andy

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  • rhtrht Registered Users Posts: 44 Big grins
    edited October 1, 2013
    Harryb wrote: »
    ActuallyI had the perfect camera for this scenario. The 800E allowed me to do some very serious cropping on these images.

    The 800E is a staggering camera, I have one myself. Allied with a 24-70, 70-200 or 200-400 like you have. They are lovely shots you've got there.
    w: Reheat Images
    Torn between cycling and photography!
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 2, 2013
    EphTwoEight wrote: »
    Yeah, whats wrong with that? Score! Besides your in AFRICA!!! I'd be cool with cel phone shots of that man!

    If I only had the 28-70 I would have been thrilled however knowing I had the 200-400 at camp was a tad irksome.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • OsoOso Registered Users Posts: 164 Major grins
    edited October 3, 2013
    Theyre cool shots -- puts the wildlife in context.

    Steve
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    Steve
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  • kirbinsterkirbinster Registered Users Posts: 301 Major grins
    edited October 4, 2013
    Great shots. I love my D800e as well. Good thing those 36mp give you plenty of room to crop and still get a great image.
    Nikon D700, D300, D5000 , Nikon 85mm f/1.8, 28-300 AF-S VRII, 70-300AF-S VR, 70-200 AF-S VR f/2.8, 10.5mm Fisheye, Sigma 12-24mm, Nikon 24-70 f/2.8, 2 SB-600 Speedlights Manfrotto 190MF3 tripod & 322RC2 ball grip head. - NJ, USA
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  • PGMPGM Registered Users Posts: 2,007 Major grins
    edited October 4, 2013
    Harry, I really like this series of shots showing the behavior of these beautiful animals! But I know what you mean about being frustrated when you have two lenses and left behind the one you needed! Best Pam
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 5, 2013
    jwear wrote: »
    The solution is easy hand the camera to Andy tell him to get out and get some close up shots with the 24 or just drive up close ,looks like that is what you did . I do not think you would have that last shot with a 200 ? but still NEVER listen to Andy deal.gif

    I would never place Andy in a spot where he might be eaten by cheetahs. Think of the poor cheetahs. We weren't that close except for the first pic. Fortunately the 800E allows one to do some fairly heavy cropping. Never listening to Andy has become an absolute for myself.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited October 5, 2013
    Harryb wrote: »
    I would never place Andy in a spot where he might be eaten by cheetahs. Think of the poor cheetahs. We weren't that close except for the first pic. Fortunately the 800E allows one to do some fairly heavy cropping. Never listening to Andy has become an absolute for myself.

    Now that part I do agree [the crop] I did get a 800 but it was a bad one and nikon repair in L.A. was as bad as the camera. They are a joke with no laughing eek7.gif I did get a full credit but was so mad I did not order another one -I will in time. I shot a few at a distance that I would pass on with my other cameras and was :ivar and again never well you know
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 7, 2013
    David_S85 wrote: »
    Harry, so sorry you were totally unable to get any action shots. Do pack that 200-400 next time and hope the same moment comes again. +1 on not listening to Andy. deal.gif

    Will do David and so far it seems that everybody agrees about not listening to Andy
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 8, 2013
    Andy wrote: »
    You've been to Africa like 20x, and you didn't bring your long glass on that day? Shame :nono

    lol3.gif I'll have 600mm with me when we go to Tanzania together in January!


    Your exact quote was "we'll be visiting the Maasai today, you won't need your long glass today.

    The 600mm is a lot of reach unless you're intending to shot a lot of birds it may lose you more ops than it will gain.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • moose135moose135 Registered Users Posts: 1,420 Major grins
    edited October 8, 2013
    Harryb wrote: »
    The 600mm is a lot of reach unless you're intending to shot a lot of birds it may lose you more ops than it will gain.
    Careful, Andy, he may be trying to trick you... rolleyes1.gif
    The Moose is Loose!
    http://www.moose135photography.com
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited October 8, 2013
    moose135 wrote: »
    Careful, Andy, he may be trying to trick you... rolleyes1.gif
    I know the old man's tricks.... he can't fool me.
    Andy

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  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited October 9, 2013
    Play nice you two. Jeez, newbs. rolleyes1.gif
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
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  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited October 9, 2013
    kdog wrote: »
    Place nice you two. Jeez, newbs. rolleyes1.gif

    rolleyes1.gif

    Almost 83,000 posts between the two of them!
    Mitch
    http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 12, 2013
    rht wrote: »
    The 800E is a staggering camera, I have one myself. Allied with a 24-70, 70-200 or 200-400 like you have. They are lovely shots you've got there.

    That it is. Now I just have to work on my own skills to go along with that fine piece of equipment.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited October 13, 2013
    Harry, I remember that experience well.

    I didn't listen to Andy though, I brought my M4/3 and the 100-300 and was very glad I had it for that scene. - http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/Travel/Kenya-2013/i-jVSGPr2/0/XL/cheetah_kill-2-4-XL.jpg

    Great times were had by all, except for the Impala...
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 13, 2013
    pathfinder wrote: »
    Harry, I remember that experience well.

    I didn't listen to Andy though, I brought my M4/3 and the 100-300 and was very glad I had it for that scene. - http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/Travel/Kenya-2013/i-jVSGPr2/0/XL/cheetah_kill-2-4-XL.jpg

    Great times were had by all, except for the Impala...

    Great capture Jim. I was riding with Marc and he had a Panasonic GH-3 and a 100mm - 300mm (200mm-600mm equivalent). Now I'm trying to get captures with my 24-70 and its not easy to get focus lock on such a small subject so I'm going click ................click..................click. Marc with that small set-up is going
    click,click,click,click.click,click,click

    Its starting to piss me off. I know its Andy fault I think to myself but if I hear one more click from Marc I'm gonna whop him upside the head with my beanbag.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited October 14, 2013
    Harryb wrote: »
    I know its Andy fault I think to myself but if I hear one more click from Marc I'm gonna whop him upside the head with my beanbag.

    When we go to Tanzania in January I'm ONLY bringing the GH3. My long lens will be the 100-300 Panasonic (200-600 equiv). deal.gif
    Andy

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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 14, 2013
    Andy wrote: »
    When we go to Tanzania in January I'm ONLY bringing the GH3. My long lens will be the 100-300 Panasonic (200-600 equiv). deal.gif

    I was contemplating lugging my DSLRs and glass around on that trip and just going with a GH3 with the 100-300 is a very tempting option.

    I used the GH3 for a day at The Alligator farm and got some excellent captures. However it couldn't get the job done tracking action and its low light performance was less than stellar. Since this will probably be my last African trip I'm going to play it safe and bring my D4 and D800E along. I am glad you will be traveling light so I can have you haul some of my gear around for me.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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