Please help me with AKL floor/room

[J Le]

I'm going in January for a non-photo-focus trip (bought a G11 just so I CAN comfortably carry a camera around) But I'm thinking about taking my mom next November/December for the holidays - especially if I get a bounce back offer.

I want to stay at AKL and I've been searching the boards for a savannah view room that fits my photo style. I know different savannahs have different animals but I'm more interested in location. I've read a lot of recommendations for 3rd or 4th floor but don't know if that's from a photography point of view.

So preferences...I prefer a ground level perspective but from what I've seen the "ground" floor does not include rooms. I'd prefer not to be right across from another part of the building or a fence (background considerations) but again not sure that's possible. And I want (yeah, yeah I want a lot) to take photos of the animals so in other words, if my preferences have me photographing an empty lot just ignore 'em.

I'll have wide angle, normal and telephoto lenses as well as a tripod and 4 or 5 nights/dawns/and some daytime to play.

So Kidani or Jambo? Which floor? Which savannah? A specific location?

I'd appreciate any info on good public places to set up too.

TIA!

 

[boBQuincy]

This was taken from a 5th floor room (5354) at Jambo House with a 200mm lens:

A G11 with telephoto adapter may be about that long. We thought 5th floor might be too high up for good photos but it was ok.

 

[J Le]

Oh this is better perspective than I thought - maybe 3rd floor would work. Thanks for the pic.

For the "AKL" trip I'll be taking my 5D Mark II and a variety of lenses including a 28-300 telephoto. I bought the G11 as a P & S for my January trip where photography is not my focus

 

[boBQuincy]

Interesting, we usually pack a dSLR but recently got a G11 for casual use. Results are good at low & medium ISO and the camera is great for snapshots but to me the G11 is more difficult to use than the SLR when going for really good photos.

Diffraction starts around f/4 and ISO 100 or less is required for careful work. I am planning to carry the G11 for a day at the theme parks but so far I am not that comfortable with it, the G11 seems to have more menu choices than my Xsi! The manual is the same size!

 

[J Le]

I know what you mean! I never realized how 'forgiving' my dSLR was until I used the G11 for Halloween a day after i got it. Careful is the right word - even in auto its so easy to change the mode. But I really wanted a P & S for the parks in January and this seemed my best bet.

I'm going on a pre-vacation vacation next week and I'm hoping some intense work with the G11 will make me feel more comfortable with snapshots.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Even if you don't get the perfect room there are the overlooks at each of the buildings. I think the main one at Kidani is especially good for getting pictures and for the animals being around.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

this was taken on the 3rd floor of Kidani Village. Room 7360 way down at the far end of the hotel, closer to Jambo. HTH.

 

[Pugrpooh]

For a ground level view, you can always go to the observation area which extends out into the savannah for good photos of the animals.

I love AKL! You'll have a great time.