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Which lens for my upcoming safari?
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Sep 22, 2017 17:31:11   #
FSATIN Loc: Westchester, NY
 
I would like to go as light as possible yet be able to capture quality pics. I own a canon 80D with; 70-300 canon, 300f4 canon & 1.4 converter, and 150-600 Sigma contemporary. I plan to also bring a backup camera - either my fuji hs50exr or my panasonic zs100. Which lens would be the best for taking the best pics? My other thought was to sell off my 300f4 and the 150-600 and get a 100-400ii canon (which I know everyone here says is the best lens out there. What do you fellow experts think is the best way to go? thanks in advance.

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Sep 22, 2017 18:36:11   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
For Animals, you'd want the longest reach possible. Also, get yourself a small bean bag that you can use as a rest on the Safari vehicle's windows.

https://photographylife.com/wildlife-photography-tips-use-a-bean-bag

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Sep 22, 2017 18:46:01   #
mrpentaxk5ii
 
FSATIN wrote:
I would like to go as light as possible yet be able to capture quality pics. I own a canon 80D with; 70-300 canon, 300f4 canon & 1.4 converter, and 150-600 Sigma contemporary. I plan to also bring a backup camera - either my fuji hs50exr or my panasonic zs100. Which lens would be the best for taking the best pics? My other thought was to sell off my 300f4 and the 150-600 and get a 100-400ii canon (which I know everyone here says is the best lens out there. What do you fellow experts think is the best way to go? thanks in advance.
I would like to go as light as possible yet be abl... (show quote)


I understand the want to travel light, but a trip like this is not like a back yard photo shoot of squirrels. you want to have the camera that you know will get the job done and be able to shoot in low light with fast auto focus.

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Sep 22, 2017 22:09:17   #
Nature_Shooter Loc: Chesterfield Missouri
 
I brought a Sigma 150 - 600 on my safari and was very happy. I was able to use a tripod in my safari vehicle. Also had a Canon 70 - 200 f4 with me for the shots that were closer and had to be hand held.

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Sep 23, 2017 06:27:29   #
Hoosier in GA Loc: Milledgeville, GA
 
Another idea is to get a foam pool noodles or foam pipe insulation, cut a 6-12 " piece, & slit lengthwise. You can place over edge of window as a camera rest. Affordable & efficient.

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Sep 23, 2017 07:15:44   #
jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida
 
FSATIN wrote:
I would like to go as light as possible yet be able to capture quality pics. I own a canon 80D with; 70-300 canon, 300f4 canon & 1.4 converter, and 150-600 Sigma contemporary. I plan to also bring a backup camera - either my fuji hs50exr or my panasonic zs100. Which lens would be the best for taking the best pics? My other thought was to sell off my 300f4 and the 150-600 and get a 100-400ii canon (which I know everyone here says is the best lens out there. What do you fellow experts think is the best way to go? thanks in advance.
I would like to go as light as possible yet be abl... (show quote)


Here is a shot a friend took on a Kruger South African Safari we went on last June. He was using a Canon (don’t remember model) and 100-400 Canon lens with a Manfrotto monopod. Highly recommend using a monopod. Truck too crowded for a tripod but using a tripod at night to take pictures of the southern Cross works.





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Sep 23, 2017 07:17:20   #
jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida
 
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
For Animals, you'd want the longest reach possible. Also, get yourself a small bean bag that you can use as a rest on the Safari vehicle's windows.

https://photographylife.com/wildlife-photography-tips-use-a-bean-bag


If you buy a beanbag. You can fill it with rice. When you’re done you can give the rice to one of the local people. I gave my rice to a lady that was cleaning our cabin. She appreciated it.

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Sep 23, 2017 08:49:36   #
cthahn
 
You are the photographer. Your decision. If you can not make a decision, then you are not a photographer. There is no best lens.

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Sep 23, 2017 08:51:36   #
sb Loc: Florida's East Coast
 
Just returned from a safari - my 6D does great in low light and so I ended up not really using my monopod. My group - all Canon shooters, by the way - pretty much ended up mostly doing hand-held photos. With the exception of one 400mm lens ($10,000 and Canon will build you one!), by FAR the most common lens was the 100-400mm. I had my back-up camera with a wider lens but almost never used it. Would I have liked a 150-600mm? Perhaps on a few occasions, but I am glad that I did not have to lug that heavy sucker around!

We saw one group of photographers whose safari vehicle appeared to have gimbal mounts on the railings in front of the seats. That would be great IF what you wanted to shoot was in front of the vehicle and if they shut off the engine all the time....

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Sep 23, 2017 08:58:40   #
John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.
 
Hoosier in GA wrote:
Another idea is to get a foam pool noodles or foam pipe insulation, cut a 6-12 " piece, & slit lengthwise. You can place over edge of window as a camera rest. Affordable & efficient.

And not heavy.

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Sep 23, 2017 09:11:55   #
camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.
 
Your Sigma lens should handle the majority of your safari's shots. Add a walk around lens and you should be set for that trip.
In my book less is better and understand that a very good lens does not necessarily will bring back excellent shots. That depends on you more than the lens.

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Sep 23, 2017 09:19:26   #
philo Loc: philo, ca
 
what ever you can hand hold because you may have to take a shot to the right side, left side, up to the trees or whatever. Just remember to kick up your iso and use a higher shutter speed. Don't take one shot, shoot as many as possible. Most important is to carry as many full charged battery as possible. there is nothing worst then running out of battery power in the middle of the day. (this happen to me) extra batteries and cards don't you a bit of good back in your room.

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Sep 23, 2017 09:34:09   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
FSATIN wrote:
I would like to go as light as possible yet be able to capture quality pics. I own a canon 80D with; 70-300 canon, 300f4 canon & 1.4 converter, and 150-600 Sigma contemporary. I plan to also bring a backup camera - either my fuji hs50exr or my panasonic zs100. Which lens would be the best for taking the best pics? My other thought was to sell off my 300f4 and the 150-600 and get a 100-400ii canon (which I know everyone here says is the best lens out there. What do you fellow experts think is the best way to go? thanks in advance.
I would like to go as light as possible yet be abl... (show quote)


Your Sigma 150-600 would be your best bet of what you own. The Canon 100-400 is superb but I would stick with the Sigma in this scenario you set up.

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Sep 23, 2017 09:46:53   #
kbk
 
any good quality zoom lens in the 100-600 range would be appropriate. take a monopod and a bean bag. you will not use a tripod that often, especially in a vehicle, it is not going to get use. use image stabilization for hand held shots and practice supporting your camera/arms to stabilize the camera to obtain good hand held shots, with the vehicle not moving and ask to have the driver turn off the vehicle.

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Sep 23, 2017 09:52:16   #
windshoppe Loc: Arizona
 
OP doesn't specify where the safari is taking place. Suggestions for a bean bag, etc. would be fine for East Africa, as the vehicles there are generally enclosed. In South Africa, however, the vehicles are typically open with 3 rows of stacked seats so bean bags, etc. are not usable. A good guide will ALWAYS turn off the vehicle's engine-often even before it stops rolling, but if you have an inexperienced person you may have to educate him/her to that effect. If you're going to stay with your existing equipment I'd go with the 150-600. I purchased the 100-400ii for our last safari and was very glad I did. Perfect combined with the Canon 7-Dii.

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