All aboard! 250 photographers, both professional and amateur, took six buses from Adelaide to Monarto Zoo on 11th November 2008. This field trip was organised by Photographic Wholesalers in conjunction with the big guns - Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony and Sigma. It was an opportunity to try out their latest equipment and talk to the experts. Six of our camera club members participated. A small fee of $20 each was exceptional value - it included the return bus ride, entrance fee to the park, lunch, tea, coffee and bottled water.

We were told that the event took nine months of planning. This was obvious as so many things had been carefully considered. For example, each photographer was supplied with two storage cards (Compact Flash and SD) to use in the available cameras. Most photographers also took their own kit. Models from the Tanya Powell Agency were there, so that portrait shots could be taken and the smaller lenses tested. It was interesting as to how many photographers preferred to take pictures of the beautiful models instead of the giraffes!

There was over a million dollars worth of camera equipment and each manufacturer had their own stand. The Nikon team, were stationed at the giraffe's new observation deck. Several tripods were set-up and ready to go with the latest digital cameras and long lenses, ranging from 300mm to 600mm. Canon's station was at the lion's observation deck, and included a Canon sponsored wildlife photographer on-hand to chat about his African photographic safaris - we can only dream.

As well as having fun, the incentive for the day was to take a prize winning photograph. The best photo judged from each bus was to be awarded an Apple iPod Touch. The overall winner was to receive a return trip to Sydney to attend the Trent Parke photographic exhibition. You work it out - 250 photographers submitting 5 photos each for judging - now that is a judging nightmare! In the end, around 30 photos made the finals. They are on display in the Epson Gallery at Photographic Wholesalers 47 Hutt St, and posted on their web site photowholesalers.com.au

The two photos shown made it into the finals. Both were taken by Gary Sawyer from our club. The shot of the rhinoceros won an iPod Touch. Well done Gary!