Best Lab Equipment

Here are some more information for Lens Mount:

When I first began fishing from a kayak, I took my digital point and shoot camera with me in my pocket, but the lens on most of these consumer cameras do not lend themselves to taking photos of yourself at arms length. A wide angle lens is the solution in this situation. Another problem is digital cameras have a very small view finder which makes it difficult to line up a shot, fight the fish and not roll the kayak while doing so! You might as well pat your head and rub your stomach while you are at it!

The creative side of your brain may suggest you take your $1,300 Canon EOS with a wide angle zoom lens and an automatic timer for remote shots. Problem is, it weighs about 2 to 3 pounds and oh, did I mention it cost $1,300! There are three basic problems you will encounter when trying to photograph or video yourself while fishing in a kayak. First is keeping expensive and sensitive electronic equipment dry. Secondly, loosing gear completely by accidentally dropping your expensive camera overboard. Thirdly, mounting your camera or camcorder in such a fashion that it is both secure and in a location which will produce quality photos and video.

It has been said water and oil are not a good mix. If that is true, then it is also true humidity, rain, swimming pools. sprinklers, lakes and especially saltwater and camera gear absolutely do not mix. How do you provide reliable protection for your camera gear from water, dust and heat. After researching the web for possible solutions, I found several interesting items which you may find useful.

It goes without saying, what ever you take on-board a kayak you will loose, unless it is tethered down with a leash of some kind. There are many do-it-yourself leashes you can make at home or purchase commercially from a kayak supply store. The question remains, how can you mount your camera or camcorder on your kayak, so that it is secure and pointing back at yourself in such a way that you can record your fishing antics, and also be done remotely. All of this without falling out of the kayak!

One of the most interesting new cameras on the market is the Hero by GoPro. These tiny cameras are capable of shooting both video and digital photos to an SD card. And the Wide Hero has a wide angle lens which allows you to cover the entire boat. The GoPro Hero also comes with a variety of sticky back mounting attachments which means you can mount this camera virtually anyplace you have a hard surface. Helmet, car fender, mountain bike handlebars, and even the bow of your kayak! And one more thing. The Hero is totally waterproof to 100'.

http://www.goprocamera.com/

The Sticky Pod Camera Mounting Systems is another very good option. This product is a commercial grade, camera mounting system for mounting larger video cameras and heavier cameras. Once you place the 3 or 4 suction cups in place, they are not coming loose anytime soon! However, they can be easily removed when you decide to change camera locations. The Stick-pod is not designed keep your unit cool, dry or otherwise happy, but it will allow you to place your camera in remote locations with the lens pointing in any direction you choose.

http://www.stickypod.com/car_camera_mount.html

RAM Mounts also make lots of items for fishing boats, some of which can be adapted to mounting your camcorder. Then you can home-brew your own ingenious methods for mounting your camera which is fun and rewarding as well.

Regardless of which mounting method you choose, I highly recommend you use a camera or camcorder which comes with a hand-held remote control unit which will allow you to take photos or start and stop video just by clicking a button on your hand-held control pad. The alternative is to reach forward of your seating position and try to turn on / off the various gadgets you have on board. You may succeed for awhile, but eventually you will reach just a little to far to one side or the other and whoops... hope you as well as your camera are tethered, waterproofed and ready for Davy Jones Locker!

Bill Rakozy, President of 4x4Kayak Fishing Adventures, has worked full time in the sport fishing industry for over twenty years. He holds a Masters Degree from Michigan State University and is a (Federation of Fly Fishers) FFF Certified Casting Instructor. He has been kayak fishing for the past six years and now offers guided kayak fishing trips to Baja Sur, Mexico, Costa Rica and the Bahamas.

http://www.4x4kayakfishing.com

Useful Information For Treks on Mount Kilimanjaro

At 5896 metres, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest point. It is one of the highest volcanoes in the world. Kilimanjaro attracts many trekkers from all over the world. The attraction is even greater because with time and adequate preparation, it is possible to walk all the way to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro without technical mountaineering equipment or experience.

The Kilimanjaro massif has two main peak areas: Kibo, the flat-topped dome at the centre of the massif, and Mawenzi a group of jagged points and pinnacles on the eastern side. The top of Kibo dips inwards to form a crater which cannot be seen from below. Although Mount Kilimanjaro lies just three degrees south of the equator, both Kibo and Mawenzi have permanent caps of snow and ice.

The highest point on Kibo and the whole Kilimanjaro massif is Uhuru Peak. Also on Kibo is the slightly lower peak of Gillman's Point, both are goals for most trekkers. The peaks of Mawenzi are for mountaineers only.

Trekkers need to have adequate and accurate information on the various aspects of the mountain as they prepare for it. They need to know about the seasons, and the weather, temperatures, altitude etc. Below are some of the major aspects that trekkers need to know about.

Seasons and Weather Conditions

The best time to go climbing Mount Kilimanjaro would be during the dry season. Tanzania and East Africa in general has two rainy seasons, long rains from the end of March until June, and the short rains which normally occur between October and November.

Naturally conditions on the mountains can become very slippery in the rains and snow can become a problem on some of the routes to the summit. Dry season months of June to September and December to February can usually be counted as the best months for trekking.

Temperatures

The altitude normally affects the temperature as the trek progresses, especially considering the Mountain is only three degrees south of the Equator.

Day-time temperatures on the lower parts of the mountain are often pleasantly warm, even hot, although a brief rain shower in the afternoon is always possible. As soon as the sun goes down the air temperature becomes cold and as the trek progresses, on the higher parts of the mountain the temperatures often drop to below freezing. Warm clothes and a warm sleeping bag are therefore essential.

Altitude

Although many thousands of trekkers successfully reach Gillman's Point or Uhuru peak every year without any real difficulty, many others do not make it to the top because they suffer from altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is caused by a combination of the decrease in atmospheric pressure and the decreased oxygen content of the air. To avoid this, it is very important to acclimatize by ascending slowly and steadily. Even if you feel that you are well-prepared and fit, you should not try to rush up Mount Kilimanjaro.

The Guides and Porters

The guides and porters are all men between 20 years and 40 years old. They are employed by the Hotels on piece-work terms but have to be officially registered by the Park Authorities, who periodically give them medical check-ups. Anybody with heart or lung condition is not allowed to climb above the Kibo Hut. The guides work as a team throughout the year, with the porters being added as required. Each porter carries about 10 to 20 Kilograms, usually on their heads or back. At the end of the climb, recommended tipping is US$20 per person for the porters to distribute amongst themselves.

The Physical ad Mental Aspects

The huts are positioned so that the ascent each day is harder than the previous day, even without considering the thinner air. As a result one feels more and more tired at the end of each stage but not to the extent of losing confidence. To provide some encouragement there are notices on the huts and the upper parts of the climb giving in both feet and metres the height above sea-level that you have reached. In most cases the ratio of these figures is incorrect. One effect of each morning's climb and afternoon's rest is that you assume (wrongly as it happens) that the next day will be no worse than the last. Despite the difficulty in getting a good night's sleep and the resulting aches and pains, you expect to be fit enough by the next morning to reach that day's objective. This optimism may vanish on the third day, for which the final part of the ascent is really hard, but unless illness intervenes you feel that by then you have nothing to lose in attempting the final climb.

As is often the case with such climbs, mental attitude is just as important as physical fitness. For both the ascent and descent, walking seems to be far easier when the weather is sunny rather than dull and misty. However it will almost certainly be cloudy for part of the first two days.

The Kilimanjaro climb is strenuous but interesting, and worth doing once preferably before you reach fifty. Although it is possible to plan a good deal of the trip beforehand, you cannot rely on the weather at any time of the year or on any part of the climb. You should perhaps take some books to read during afternoons, and a wide-angle lens as well as standard lens for the final climb. Extra baggage can be left behind in the store at your base hotel. The trip will be easier and more enjoyable if you can forget minor difficulties and take each day as it comes.

About the Author

Solomon Okila is the Editor and Safari Consultant at African Voyages Tours and Travel. This is a tour operator and Safari Outfitter that specializes on African Travel and holidays.The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at
http://www.africanvoyages.com

Canon's changing lens mount?

I just bought a Canon Rebel T2 EOS from Goodwill for $50. It works and everything functions properly. I am very disapointed that my older canon lenses do not fit because CAnon changed the size of the lens mount.

It was a necessary change for Canon. In the beginning of their camera making business, they were competing with Pentax, Minolta, Konica and a few other companies trying to capture the amateur market.

At that time Leica and Nikon were the choice of the pros. Canon decided to get into the professional arena with their F1 camera and the rest is history.

Nikon was working on the introduction of auto focus cameras with the F3 and the current Canon mounts could not support what we now consider the standard autofocus lens.

Nikon, whether by design or just dumb luck were able to enhance their F series lenses to provide state of the art optics on the most modern 35mm and DSLR cameras with no change in the basic mounting system established in the late 1950's.

I use an old 500mm Nikkor lens made in the middle 70's on my less than year old D200. Now that is rather amazing.

LUMIX DMC-G2, World's First* Interchangeable Lens System Camera With Touch-Control Movable LCD
Panasonic today announces the LUMIX DMC-G2, the world's first* digital interchangeable lens system camera with a movable LCD that allows for touch-control, and the successor to the award-winning and revolutionary LUMIX G1, which was the world's first Micro Four Thirds digital camera.

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