Question for our Photography group friends (I am not in group)

[Marie and Hoka]

I am very excited to say my family and I will be climbing Kilimanjaro in July!!!! We will also take a short safari. (kind of nuts!)

I am planning to re-invest in a good camera before the trip. I used to have a really nice film Nikon and several lenses, but we had a break-in and all my good lenses, etc were stolen.  I was reluctant to replace it all and have been just using small point and shoots.

I am hoping to get a DSLR and lenses ranging from macro to telephoto.  I would prefer it be light to carry, since I will be carrying it up the mountain! 

Any thoughts on an easy to use camera that is not too heavy?

I will likely bring a "freeze-proof" point and shoot as back-up, since it will be pretty cold.

Costco has good prices on packages with 2 lenses for:

Sony NEX 5TL 

Canon EOS Rebel T3i

[Pam Thomas]

I am not a camera expert, I just wanted to say WOW, what a wonderful trip and have a great time and share pics.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I laugh because you mention light, macro, zoom, all in the same sentence.  That's an oxymoron. 

Take advice from one of the most famous photographers in modern day,Anne Geddes' " Get yourself an iPhone"

The most recent models have excellent photo, video, audio capabilities.  I work outside and it is freezing and this was the first phone that the screen did not break.  It's lightweight!     Even though you are from the file generation and have experience, you will still have many things to learn with a new dslr.  Not a good time to learn when the beautiful, once in a life time experience is already in front of you.

DO join the Photography Group.  There have been several discussions for situations just like your with recommendations for smaller, lightweight, point and shoot cameras.  You are not the first to travel, although I would say, you are the most extreme to date.

So, I am sticking to my recommendation- Forget the heavy, expensive dslr for this trip and get an iPhone. Come home and post your photos for us.   

Now, what are you going to do with your doodle while you are away?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good suggestion. There are even iPhonography courses on line. I just bought the little lenses for the iPhone as a gift but I haven't given them yet. They are tiny light things.
The trip sounds exciting but I will be content to see the pictures.

[F, Calla & Luca]

http://iphonephotographyschool.com/iphoneography-websites/

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Wow, who knew about lenses for the iPhone? Not me. 

Great idea

[F, Calla & Luca]

http://www.amazon.com/Photojojo-Cell-Apple-iPhone-Android/dp/B00FN8...

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

not looking...... LOL. Nope, do not click!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I agree about the iPhone. I have the 5s and I'm about to throw away my expensive camera with all the bells and whistles. Take a look at Instagram and the amazing pictures that are on there. There are some fantastic editing aps worth looking at.

[Marie and Hoka]

Hilarious, because all I use now is my iPhone and I miss my old film camera!  I am an old fashioned girl.  I only unplugged my avocado green rotary phone because it no longer worked with the new fangled phone system! (I am not kidding!)  

Good thing I didn't add my "optional to charge on real batteries"!  I used to use my film camera mostly for macro shots in the woods, flowers, bugs, etc. Maybe I should just but a couple of disposables in case it is too cold or we can't charge anything on the solar charger.  Or ebay an old-fashioned one like I lost.

We will definitely all have our iPhones, but do want to invest in something a step up for at least better zoom (don't want to get too close to lions and hippos!).  

As far as my 2 pups, they will stay with our friends (actually my ex-husband and his wife) that we have always "dog-sit" shared with for many years and multiple sets of dogs.  It is a home-away-from home" for them and I have no worries when they are there.

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I agree that instagram gives some wonderful insight into what iphones are capable of. It is incredible. This is a picture I took with my iPhone 5 of one of our hibiscus that was beginning to open up. I thought it looked so cool in its "pinwheel" state. It's amazing the quality you can get from phones now!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Neat.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I have a Canon Rebel txi (I think) and LOVE it.  I'm not a pro by any means but always had Canon products.  My camera is a bit heavy and add a macro or a telephoto it gets even heavier.  The guess the best to do is see what camera fits your needs.