Taking the X100 to Africa

D

DarvOz

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The last couple of weeks I had a bit of an adventure in Africa, I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, then went on a 5 day safari. I didn't really want to lug my camera gear with me, so I only brought my Fuji X100 along, being limited to a 35mm focal length on safari was a little frustrating, but I still got a lot of great shots from my trip, and the X100 being so compact makes for a great travel camera. Here is a small sample.

Attempt at some star trails over the Kibo summit.

Startrails over Kilimanjaro by Phil83B, on Flickr

Climbing the Barranco Wall, one of the highlights.

Barranco Wall by Phil83B, on Flickr

Love the mood in this shot, got an Ansel Adams vibe.

B/W Uhuru from Barranco by Phil83B, on Flickr

Seraphim, the guide who took me to the summit

Seraphim by Phil83B, on Flickr

Glaciers on the summit at sunrise

Glacier at Sunrise by Phil83B, on Flickr

Setting off early on safari

Safari by Phil83B, on Flickr

Elephants sometimes get really close, remember, 35mm focal length!

Elephant on the Serengeti by Phil83B, on Flickr

Not the closest we got to lions, but one of my fave compositions

Lions and the Storm 2 by Phil83B, on Flickr

Leopard resting in a tree just over our heads

Lazy Leopard by Phil83B, on Flickr

Zebras in the Ngorogoro Crater, such a spectacular natural wonder, well worth seeing!

Zebra Watering by Phil83B, on Flickr

Sunrise on the Serengeti, sadly our driver spoke very poor English, so finding a choice location was a struggle.

Sunrise on Serengeti 3 by Phil83B, on Flickr
 
These are beautiful. I love the colors on these. The Lions and zebras shots are standouts but I can't pick which I like better. You seriously gave me a GAS attack when I saw these!!
 
I have been tempted to pick up the X100s of late, but after this holiday I am quite content still with the X100, no need to upgrade when it is still such a fantastic little camera. It was fun using the 35mm focal length on safari, forced me to think differently about my composition, trying to include animals, but using the terrain to try to draw the eye towards them, while also being interesting in and of themselves too.
 
Great photos, love the lions. They have inflamed my AAS (Africa acquisition syndrome). Really want to get there soon. Wheat area was the safari through?
 
wow wow beautiful shots!
great use of the 35mm which IMO is a perfect travel focal length!
 
Great series of shots, DarvOz - thanks for posting! What was your processing (on the the 2nd image, in particular)? I have an x100, but I've never got this 'look' out of it. Very nice.

I'd be very happy to see more from your Africa trip, if you have them.:)
 
Nice pics :D

There is something to be said about bringing one camera one lens on vacation. It keeps things simple and instead of worrying about equipment or lugging around all that gear, u just enjoy the vacation.

Btw, that elephant looks a bit close to say the least unless it was cropped.

Gary
 
Well done. Not only for the excellent images, but especially for the decision itself to travel light and focus on the experience more than on the gear. Fighting the temptation to bring gear for all possible needs, and the illusion that no shots thus will be missed, pays off.
 
Very nice photographs. The Zebra and Lion photos with a context are much better than endless zoom shots of lion heads and two zebras and a tree. How sensible you were to take just the X100. I tell myself that's what I'll do but I haven't put it to the test, except one trip to Sydney.

I agree with you about upgrading to the X100s. What was the set up of your camera? I have not resolved the ergonomics. For compactness I generally keep it as it came, with the lenscap on. I use the case which makes it a stowable, throw-around secure package. If I'm out shooting all day I put the hood on. I have a filter on a separate adapter that I keep just for ocean spray or heavy rain.
 
I think that the 35mm focal length allowed to you to take unusual pictures and compositions in the safari. I like the result more than the common "super tele" pictures
 
Great set!! Thanks for sharing. A friend of mine did a month long African safari this past summer. I really want to do the same one of these days.
 
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139834

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139834

A really well done set.
No fancy long lenses, no motor drives.
Simple straight shooting.
Way to go!
They are really Africa.Kenya.
I too, traveled light!
Trip to South Africa.
A Canon 1200 Powershot point and shoot.
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Spare memory cards, spare AA cells.
I sailed thru security.
Got snaps everywhere..
the Fuji might be better..
 
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