Bullfrog Bill Loc: CT

We are headed for Botswana and S. Africa in Oct.-Nov. for 3 weeks. I have a D 850 and a Nikon 70-200 f2.8 with a Nikon 2X telconverter. I am considering renting a nikon 80-400 4.5-5.6. The weight is about the same and filter size are both 77mm. The reviews seem to agree that in the 300-400mm range the 80-400 is soft. The 2x converter brings the f2.8 to 5.6 which is where I would be with the 70-400. Which would you prefer?

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

I wouldn't consider the TC which means opening the camera to dust. Why wouldn't you consider the Nikon 200-500 or the Tamron 150-600? Having been there I believe you'll find 400 a bit short, especially for your coveted leopard tree shot. I used a 300 f2.8 prime with 2x TC (set in the morning and not changed all day) for my leopard tree shot and it came up short. Of course I had 2 bodies so leaving the 600 equiv all day was not a problem. Had it been around when I was there I would definitely used the 150-600. It would have made life so much easier.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I am in full agreement with Mr. Curley. You should be better off with the Nikon 200-500 mm or any of the 150-600 mm lenses.

Joe Blow

I'm going with renting a Sigma 150-600. I'll add the caveat that many consider this lens a little soft from 500-600. So what? Most people will have a difficult time differentiating from "perfect" to "pretty darn good" unless they are side by side and enlarged. You are also going to have some diffusion from a TC.

Have a good trip and remember to share your work here.

Alex A

Consider the Sigma 50-500 as well. Arguably slightly better than the 150-600

Rashid Abdu Loc: Ohio

If you are going all the way to Africa, and spend all that money, consider Nikon 400mm f2.8 with 2x teleconverter. It is a bit heavy, and requires a study tripod, but you will get spectacular shots!

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

First, you wouldn't want a fixed telephoto (you wouldn't be able to get the giraffe or herd of elephants) and you won't be able to use a tripod - you will be in a safari vehicle. You want to use something you can hand-hold. I recently returned from a photo safari, and all but one of us were shooting Canon and we were ALL using the 100-400 lens. I did not feel I needed any more reach than that, and got spectacular leopard shots (lion shots, cheetah shots, etc.). There were many times I needed the wider end of the zoom. And it is frequently too dusty to change lenses. So - I would recommend renting the best tele zoom in the 100-400 range that you can.

jackc5512

There many variables to consider such as whether you will be in a private reserve or a public reserve. Private reserves go off road and you will often get very close negating the value of long lenses. Public reserves stay on the road and long lenses help with reach.
Also consider whether you are using a full frame camera or crop.
Variable zooms are a plus if you only bring one body.
I brought 2 bodies. One with a 70-200 canon lense and the other with 200-400 with built in 1.4 x when needed. This gives you a range of 70 - 560 and also had a 1.4 External if needed but never used.
You also need to consider weight if taking in country flights. You donot want to check expensive gear.
Also find out vehicle type which will help determine how you will stabilize the camera and lense. Read numerous articles on this. I brought mono pods and stopped using them in our Jeep. Too awkward. Ended up using the jeeps built in bean bag.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

The 50-500 is not better than the 150-600, not even the Contemporary. However it is sharper than the 150-500. I've owned or used all of these.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I think any lens, regardless of how sharp it is to begin with, suffers a considerable loss of image quality with a 2X converter, as well as a big negative impact on AF acquisition and tracking. I borrowed the 80-400 VR through NPS and was not thrilled, especially at the long end.

About 18 months ago I tested the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary, the Sport, the Tamron 150-600 and the Nikkor 200-500. The Sigma was the sharpest, followed closely by the Nikkor. And the Sigma Contemporary was ok, as was the original Tamron. I've since had a full day of shooting with the Tamron G2, and found it every bit as sharp as the Sport, and possibly sharper wide open than the Sport. At shorter than 600mm, the Tamron is better. It also has good dust and moisture sealing, like the Sigma Sport, which is not the case with the original Tamron, the Nikkor or the Sigma Contemporary.

You have an exceptional camera, why fool around with extenders. A 2x extender steals about 25% of your sharpness. However a 1.4x extender only takes about 5%.

A 2X on a 70-200 would give you a 140-400, btw.

You might want to read this review, which has some comments on using the 70-200 with extenders.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-70-200mm-f2-8g-vr-ii

deepdiverv Loc: arizona

I have used my nikon 80-400mm on several trips to Botswana. I think because it's somewhat compact size in relation to it's focal length it is a great lens for your trip.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

But "more X" forces the designers into more compromises, so you don't necessarily get better pictures by getting an expensive and heavy -500 or -600 lens instead of adding an extender to the lens you already have. You really need to do a case-by-case comparison.

jcboy3

I agree with that article on the 70-200 and TCs. I use the 1.4 or 1.7 on that lens; never the 2.0. I only use the 2.0 on the 300mm f/2.8, and even then only when I really need the reach.

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

Nikon 200-500 is excellent and almost 1/2 the price of the 80-400. I own both and, other than weatherproofing of the 80-400 (which in dusty Africa is actually quite important) I prefer the 200-500. Crazy sharp lens for stupid low price. Of course if you happen to hit the lottery, this is probably THE safari lens.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=nikon%20180-400&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

deepdiverv Loc: arizona

I agree . I have both , but the 200-500mm is a monster.