BAL

Heading out for Safari and have a very old film AE1 canon.
Want a digital camera and telephoto lens that won't break the bank. Any suggestions. Will later want to use for landscape, travel photography.
Any suggestions for new or used?
Thank you,
BAL

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

You haven't bought a camera since the Canon AE1 film camera? A Safari generally requires a good camera body and a very good zoom lens with a long focal range. Many uhh members have been to Safaris in Africa. They can tell you what you need.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Welcome to the forum.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Your safari aspirations have less to do with the camera than the lens(es). And you're really asking for disappointment if you wait until the trip to make a relatively substantial purchase with no time to develop a working familiarity with the equipment, especially coming to digital cold from a 1970s film camera.

Africa is a very dusty environment. Comments here regularly indicate don't change lenses in the field. They also note how close the animals can be without needing a superlong lens. With these observations in mind, you can go anywhere from entry-level to advanced in any of the vendors. Nikon products are numbered D3xxx, D5xxx and D7xxx with 3xxx being entry level and D7xxx being advanced. In Canon the Rebel line is the entry level and 2-digit numbers being advanced, such as 80D.

You should decide how much you want to spend total, including camera, lens(es) and accessories including at least 3 x 32GB memory cards. Assuming the entry-level Nikon and Canon models come with a 18-55 zoom lens, look for a 70-300 model for the safari. You can find all these models available at BestBuy, a local camera shop or for order online. Look at your computer too as this becomes your darkroom. Do you have sufficient free diskspace for storage of your digital images, at least 200 GB? Does the computer run a current operating system for easy use of editing software, 3rd party or simply the basic software that comes with the camera?

BAL

Yes to your questions about the computer. I have used a digital camera and will. It be leaving for several months so have time to gear up.

BAL

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. I do have a canon D11 which is very basic.

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

Wow safari - On my bucket list! I am not a pro by any means but personally, I would first invest in a good midrange camera that feels real good in your hands so you are comfortable as can be shooting in difficult situations. (I have a Nikon D5500 that is perfect "for me" and doesn't break the bank) Then unless you are ABSOLUTELY sure about a long range lens, I would rent one. (get the insurance of course ;) This will allow you to have your kit lens that you get with your camera + a really good lens that you may not be able to afford to purchase but you will have for that "kill" shot! Rent it for a week before the trip so you can practice with it and then you will be ready.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

K.I.S.S. A Nikon D7200 with a Sigma 18-300 lens and a polarizer filter. You also might want to bring along a bean bag camera support.

BAL

Thank you everyone for your suggestions so far. I look forward to hearing from more folks and then weighing all options.
BAL

whwiden

A crop sensor camera will give you more reach. A 300mm lens will have the look of a 450mm full frame lens. If on a budget, I would consider a two camera solution with a super zoom like a Nikon B700 which shoots raw. (I took one to Africa). Then I would take a DSLR crop. Anything from a Nikon d3300 to a d7200. I would look at the Tamron all in one 16-300 or maybe the newer 18-400. I used Nikon full frame in Africa with a Tamron 150-600mm G2 which I highly recommend but it is more expensive. I also had a Tamron 28-300mm for full frame due to weight and size. It did well and is the basis for my all in one crop recommendations for dx. Then I would take a prime like the 35mm dx 1.8 for low light at night in camp. People in villages etc. You want two cameras and extra batteries.

Depending on what you like to shoot a small macro lens might be in order--but some of the all in one's might give a good close focus.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

The key will be to have a wide range on the tele. On my recent trip I had the 100-400mm on my main camera and at times would have liked more reach on the shorter end. So a lens in the 30-300 range would be great. You really get amazingly close to the animals. We had no place on our vehicles to put a bean-bag, but we were mostly shooting in daylight, so hand-held was fine. Unless you are a birder you really do not need the "superzooms" that go to 1500mm.

kangurw Loc: Newark, NJ

I can suggest a Olympus Om-D Em-1 or Panasonic GH4/5 with a 14-150mm lens, it is affordable, totally sealed against the environment. Wonderful picture quality iN a small package. Is very affordable right now.

printer273

Take a good hard look at the new Sony RX10IV or the RX10III 24-600 zoom lighter weight, worth a look.

cthahn

What do you mean, wont break the bank? Consider used equipment.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Trip of a lifetime. You will love going on your safari. Buy a camera early and get use to it. There so much going on when on a safari you don’t want to be gettin frustrated learning a new camera.

If you can afford it my choice is Nikon D500 and 200-500mm lens. Also a monopod. Tripod for shooting the Southern Cross is helpful. Have fun. My daughter and I went to Kruger South Africa last June. She loved her time there too.