Tag Archives: Safari

Pushing the Limits

November 18, 2019 by sverma | 0 Comments

It was very early morning when we spotted this young lion. He has been through some territorial fights – see the scars. The sun had not risen and I was not sure if I could get a decent image. Captured with the Panasonic Lumix S1R and the S Pro 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens. I had the ISO on “auto”, and I set the shutter speed to 1/160 sec (i wanted to be as close to one over the focal length I was at). The focal length was at 130mm. The aperture was set at f/2.8 and the camera set the ISO to 16000. Typically I set the limit at ISO 6400 but there would be no image at that sensitivity.

The image a direct conversion from RAW to JPG – no adjustments at all except a crop for composition. The noise reduction is at 0, sharpening at 0. Image processed using Capture One 12.

Please do click on the image to view it larger.

IMPRESSIVE!!!

Posted in Photography Also tagged #Lumix, #shivvermaphotography, Africa, africananimals, ChangingPhotography, highiso, lion, lowlight, LumixAmbassador, lumixs1r, lumixspro70200, lumixusa, massaiwanderings, nasikiatanzaniacamps, Nature, Sunset, svp, Tanzania, TC2X, Wherelumixgoes, Wildlife |

Lumix S Pro 70-200 f/2.8 hand-held

November 11, 2019 by sverma | 0 Comments

One of the greatest features of Lumix cameras, the G and the S series is the incredibly good image stabilization. On the S1R was rated at 6 stops. With firmware version v1.1, the in-body IS system will reduce shake by an additional 1/2-stop, for a total of 6 stops with non-stabilized lenses and 6.5 stops with Dual IS-compatible glass. With the new S Pro 70-200 f/2.8, the stabilization is rated at 7 stops.

This image was captured hand-held with the S1R and the S Pro 70-200 and a 2X Teleconverter. The combined focal length was 400mm. Exposure triad f/5.6, 1/125 sec, ISO 800.

Click on the image to view a larger rendition.

Posted in Photography Also tagged #Lumix, #shivvermaphotography, Africa, africananimals, ChangingPhotography, fb, LumixAmbassador, lumixs1r, lumixspro70200, lumixusa, massaiwanderings, nasikiatanzaniacamps, Nature, Sunset, svp, Tanzania, TC2X, tw, Wherelumixgoes, Wildlife, zebra |

Lilac Breasted Roller

November 7, 2019 by sverma | 0 Comments

This bird is one of my absolute favorites. This avian lives in acacia country where there are well-spaced trees, bushy game lands, riverside areas, and cultivated lands. However, they do not associate with human habitation. They are about 14 in. long.

The Lilac Breasted Roller is also referred to as the Fork Tailed Roller or Mosilikatze’s Roller. They typically perch at high points of trees, poles, etc. so the can spot thir prey close to ground level. they will swoop down to grab insects, scorpions, lizards and even small birds.

This specimen was photographed with the Panasonic G9, the Leica 50-200 lens with the 2X tele-adaptor. Exposure triad: f/8, 1/800 sec, ISO 250.

Posted in Photography Also tagged #Lumix, #shivvermaphotography, Africa, ChangingPhotography, lilac_breasted_roller, lilacbreastedroller, Lumix50200, LumixAmbassador, LumixG9, lumixusa, massaiwanderings, nasikiatanzaniacamps, Nature, svp, Tanzania, TC2X, Wherelumixgoes, Wildlife |

My impressions of the new 70-200 mm L mount zoom lens – LUMIX S PRO 70-200 O.I.S (S-E70200)

November 6, 2019 by sverma | 0 Comments

I had the pleasure of using two of these lenses, albeit pre-production, with two Lumix S1R bodies while on my trip to Tanzania. I used these with and without the 1.4X and 2X teleconverters in order to extend the reach as needed. With the high resolution of the S1R cropping is a viable option.

The Pro S 70-200 has one of the best image quality performance I have seen in a zoom lens in the range. The lens surely must meet or exceed certain stringent standards to be certified by Leica.

Color rendition
Leopard resting
Exposure triad f/63, 1/500 sec, ISO 2000

Tech details: 22 elements in 17 groups, the use of 2 UED (Ultra Extra-low Dispersion) lenses, 3 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses. Magnification .21X with a close focus distance of .95m. Focus range switchable from Full to .95m-5m and 5m to Limit. The lens is 208.6mm (8.2 in) long with a max diameter of 94.4 mm (3.72 in)and weighs 1,570 gm (3.46 lb). Filter diameter 82mm. It is dust and splash resistant and has a working temperature range of -10 C to 40 C (14 F to 104 F). The focus speed is rated at 0.12 sec. at the extended focal length of 200 mm. It has a focus clutch to allow manual – autofocus switching and the lens barrel has three programmable focus buttons. Dual IS – when coupled with a Dual IS2 body the overall image stabilization is rated at 7 stops. The provided lens collar has an Arca Swiss compatible foot.

Superb detail and dynamic range
African Elephant and Calf
Exposure triad f/8, 1/1000 sec, ISO 500

I found that the lens had exceptional focusing speed and now understand why. The lens uses a double focus system. A large linear motor is used for long-throw adjustments and a stepper motor is used for small incremental strokes. All focusing is internal and the focusing lenses are light so as to allow rapid movement during focusing. The focus frame rate is 480 FPS and the lens tracks subjects incredibly well. This combination clearly has the fastest focusing I have experienced in the Lumix lens line-up. The close focus distance is .95m or about 3 feet. Even at this close range, there is no visible distortion. in-fact the has little to no distortion over its entire zoom range even wide open at f/2.8.

Smooth focus fall-off.
Impala Stag
Exposure triad f/5.6, 1/1000 sec, ISO 400

Another example of smooth focus fall-off
Cheetah Yawn
Exposure triad f/8, 1/1300 sec, ISO 3200

Fast action capture
Wildebeast Migration
Exposure triad f/8, 1/800 sec, ISO 250

Tracking performance with fast-moving subjects
Wildebeast (*Connochaetes gnou*)

Tracking performance
Impala on the run (one of the fastest four-legged animals)
Exposure triad f/6.3, 1/800 sec, ISO 320

Tracking performance.
Juvenile African Fish Eagle (*Haliaeetus vocifer*).
Exposure triad f/11, 1/800 sec, ISO400

Low Light Detail
Lion Family on Kill
Exposure triad f/8, 1/800 sec, ISO 2500

Low light longer exposure.
Serval Cat (*Leptailurus serval*)- 2x teleconverter used. Exposure triad f/5.6, 1/200 sec, ISO12800

For the duration of the Tanzania safari, I never mounted either S1R on a tripod or any other clamp or mount. All images were captured hand-held and the image stabilization was amazing even at slow shutter speeds.

Note: Some images have been cropped and some have a vignette applied for presentation purposes.

Posted in Photography Also tagged #Lumix, #shivvermaphotography, africa tanzania, ChangingPhotography, lensreview, lenstest, longexposure, LumixAmbassador, lumixs1r, lumixspro70200, lumixusa, Nature, slowshutter, svp, Wherelumixgoes, Wildlife |

Tanzania – The Great Migration – Photo Safari

February 16, 2018 by sverma | 0 Comments

August 21 – August 30, 2018

This is a trip of a lifetime for 10 of you to observe and photograph The Great Migration in Tanzania this coming August. More than 1 million wildebeest and over 200,000 zebra migrate from The Serengeti in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara in Kenya – crossing the Mara River at the risk of meeting their demise in the jaws of a Nile crocodile. This is the GREATEST wildlife spectacle on earth and we put you in the middle of it and we put you there in comfort!

Not only will you observe the migration but you have excellent prospects at photographing every other awesome animal there is to photograph in Tanzania – giraffe, cape buffalo, leopard, cheetah, rhino, lion, elephant, birds galore, monkeys, hippo, waterbuck, mongoose, baboon, crocs, serval cat(maybe), gazelle, topi, wildebeest zebra, and many, many more.

This safari has an unbeatable price for photographers of all skill levels. Accompanying spouses/partners are most welcome to participate.

Call 617.759.0010 or use the contact page if you need more information

Check out the details and confirmed camps

Posted in Africa, Photography, Workshops Also tagged Migration, Photo Safari, Tanzania |

India Trip Report – 3

March 1, 2012 by sverma | 0 Comments

Common Kingfisher Preening - Image Dan Charbonnet

Landing in Jabalpur we were greeted by a very courteous group of Kingfisher staff and were soon on our way driving to Bandhavgarh. We checked in at the Nature Heritage Lodge, a quick lunch an off to our first safari. Bandhavgarh is divided into three zones with only two being active. The zone closest to the resort is TALA and the one farthest is MAGDI. Our first safari was in Magdi the second zone.

Our first creature was a wild boar, actually a whole family of about 8 boars. A number of Hanuman Langurs, Chital (Spotted deer), peacocks and peahens were in abundance as were owls, raptors and a numerous species of awesome birds. The next three days were spent in the TALA zone – each day presented us with a variety of wildlife but unfortunately no tigers. One had been located by an elephant scouting team and accessible only by traveling on elephant back. We decided not to do the viewing and hope for better luck by jeep.

The fourth day’s AM safari was in the Magdi zone and did not yield any tigers but a potential as one of the jeeps had heard two tigers growling and crunching on a kill. The next safari yielded an extended viewing of one of the two tigers. The following day the safari was even better when each one did a 40 to 45 minute show. With the success of viewing tigers we decided to extend another day in Bandhavgarh and reduce the Kanha excursion by a day.

Rather than showing individual images here is a slide show gallery representing the two zones in Bandhavgarh, scenes from the safari, a village in the area and its people:

ddrc_2-18_Drongo Riding Piggyback on Chital.jpg

ddrc_2-20_Peafowl Courtship at Sunset.jpg

Posted in Photographs, Photography, Workshops Also tagged Bandhavgarh, Birds, India, People, Tigers, Travel, Villages, Wildlife |

Africa Photo Safari – Nov 2013

November 20, 2011 by sverma | 0 Comments

We have just finalized the plans and itinerary for the Africa Photo Safari to Namibia and Botswana. The safari is limited to a minimum of 9 participants and a maximum of 11. Due mainly to the high season in this region reservations and an initial deposit is required by the end of November.