African Safari: I am going on an African safari in South Africa next July to Sabi Sands outside Kruger NP. I have been told to consider getting a 300 mm zoom lens. I'm currently using...

AFZ

I am going on an African safari in South Africa next July to Sabi Sands outside Kruger NP. I have been told to consider getting a 300 mm zoom lens. I'm currently using a Canon T3i and have a 55-250 mm zoom in addition to a super wide angle 10-22 mm zoom, 18-55 mm, and 50 mm lenses. One problem will be carrying all the gear and trying to change lenses while on game drives in a vehicle. Besides the safari, I'll also be shooting up at Victoria Falls so my wide angle will come in handy. Looking for a 300 mm lens recommendation and any other recommendation of gear to take along...or leave home. Thanks.

AFZ

peferguson

100-400 mm version II. I used this for 80%+ photos on Kenya this summer.

AFZ

Thanks. Canon?

BigRedRex

I used the 100-400 II in Botswana in June and was pleased with it. You may want to rethink changing lenses on game drives as it can be very, very dusty. I have also used a 16-300 very successfully on safari. There will probably be times that game will be too close for the 100-400. You might consider taking a point and shoot or second camera with a wider lens. This trip my traveling photo buddy shot a 16-300 and I shot 100-400. That was a great combination. We share images for making our photo books. Works for us!
I encourage you to take a second camera of some type. This trip my backup, 50D, that I was going to use with the 16-300, died the first day. The autofocus would not work. Fortunately, it was not a problem because I had my 80D and a P and S.

AFZ

Thanks. I like the idea of a second camera ready to go in the bag. I have a few older digital cameras like an IS-3. Guess my backup for the backup can be my Samsung 7 and my wife's Samsung 8. Frankly, in the right light, they both take good photos! Thanks again.

AFZ

londonfire Loc: NY to NC

While a 300 mm prime will outperform the 55-250 at the long end it's too close to make much difference. The 100-400 sounds good but it's big. Forget changing lenses in the vehicle. At times you'll have your hands full just holding on to your camera. I started packing my stuff for a safari 3 years ago and when I looked at what I planned to bring I walked away from it and got a Fuji superzoom and a GoPro and never regretted it.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

AFZ wrote:

I am going on an African safari in South Africa ne... (show quote)

It would be hard to argue against the Canon 100-400 II ! ......But, the latest 70-300 IS II nano is also a very nice lens - much cheaper/lighter/smaller.

If I were going with you, I would figure out a way to also take a Sony RX10III - NO lens changing.

BigRedRex

The 100-400 is big but since we were sitting about 95% of the time, it was not a problem. Most safari vehicles have beanbag type devices that can be used by guests.

sidpearce

Having travelled in the Serengeti and Botswana photographing wildlife on many occasions I would suggest a good 100 to 400 and a wide angle.

For tBragg Guy Loc: Fort Bragg Ca

I have been to Sabi Sands and loved the experience. Some rough roads will keep you hanging on to the gear for sure but then there are plenty of times where you sit and watch the game. I would much prefer the 100=400 if you can get one as the scenes change so fast from sighting to sighting. If you stay in the same lodge as we did, one of the vehicles has camera supports mounted on it with swivel mounts. I carried two cameras to have better quick response. One with close up and the other with the 200-400 with extender built in. You can consider renting for the trip also. I went with imagesinafricasafaris.com if anyone wants to see what the tours are like.

For tBragg Guy Loc: Fort Bragg Ca

I have been to Sabi Sands and loved the experience. Some rough roads will keep you hanging on to the gear for sure but then there are plenty of times where you sit and watch the game. I would much prefer the 100=400 if you can get one as the scenes change so fast from sighting to sighting. If you stay in the same lodge as we did, one of the vehicles has camera supports mounted on it with swivel mounts. I carried two cameras to have better quick response. One with close up and the other with the 200-400 with extender built in. You can consider renting for the trip also. I went with imagesinafricasafaris.com if anyone wants to see what the tours are like.

For tBragg Guy Loc: Fort Bragg Ca

Sorry about the double post. Darn fingers.

solomonv

I went on an African Safari a few years back (close to Kruger) that was billed as a wildlife tour. The only lens I took with me (mostly due to weight constraints) was a 70-300mm zoom. The 70mm was enough of a 'wide' angle to get some great shots of Victoria Falls, and the 300mm was enough to get some great wildlife shots. (http://dragonflypaperthings.com/africa/)

Have fun!

Wes97068 Loc: Portland Oregon

Not being one to pack glass, I took a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300, great zoom capability and go fantastic animal shots as well as bird shots (on the Zambezi (sic) river. Be sure to take a large plastic bag to protect whatever gear to take to shoot Victoria Falls - you and your gear will get soaked. Have to second guess the direction of the mist and sneak the shots in unless you have a waterproof case on your camera.

Whatever your choice, you are not going to have much time to be fiddling with changing lenses when you are photographing the critters.

Wes

AFZ

Thanks. Makes sense. I'll probably take my super wide angle zoom for Victoria Falls but leave it in the lodge while on safari. Appreciate the input.

AFZ