mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Ask the people who are running the safari what their lens recommendations are.

jam Loc: Beaufort, NC

I have been to Kenya twice and have the same cameras you are looking to take. If you are looking to to take three lens then I would do the 24-105, 70-200 and the 100-400. With the extenders you should cover everything you would need most of the time.

Rashid Abdu Loc: Ohio

Have you thought of the Sony RX10 1V? It has a Zeiss f2.4, with a 24-600 zoom. Excellent camera. You don't have to worry about dust, because you don't have to change lenses, and weighs only 2.5 lbs.

Tommy 86 Loc: East TN

Have a great trip! I rented a Tamron 150-600 G2 and was very pleased with the results. You will appreciate the reach it provides. Recommend 2 camera bodies so you don't miss anything changing lenses.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Have you called your tour company for their recommendations? THEY know how close they will be to the wildlife, they know where you will sit in the vehicle, they know what time of day will be most productive for wildlife viewing. (so you will know in advance what ISO you will most likely need)
All tour companies have different routes and have (reservations) for being certain places at certain times. Call THEM, they know the answers to your questions because they do it every day of the year.

Sark17 Loc: Atlanta, GA

I just returned last week from 9 days in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. I took more lenses than I needed and found I only ever used my 70-200 and 150-600. Those times when an animal was WAY too close, no lens would have worked well so I grabbed my phone. I’m jealous! Have fun!!!

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thanks for all the responses. Lilikoilee, getting close was what I was hoping to hear. Thanks.

Donwitz, hadn't thought of the hot air balloon ... but have seen video ... going to ask about that with the tour operator. Great suggestion.

cvoleti, thanks for the 2 body recommendation. I was thinking that because of the dust several people mentioned. Thanks.

picsix, this is a small group, photographer trip, so think you're right about placement. Thanks for the 24-105 & 100-500 recommendation.

mikegreenwald, thanks for the 100-400 recommendation + extender. Given the # of comments re: dust, I'm a little concerned about swapping an extender on & off. But will take it.

ChrisEdwardsUSA, thanks for the response ... another Hog recommended the Sony ... it's tempting because of 1 body, no lens changing, but was hoping not to buy another camera. I will go look at that one though because both of you made a strong case for it.

Sark17 Loc: Atlanta, GA

And this is what I mean by “too close”. Though it was incredible!

(Download)

ChrisEdwardsUSA Loc: Philadelphia

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-547169-1.html

If this link works, you can see some of my shots from the Sony

Rhinophoto Loc: Davis, CA

I took my second trip to Africa this past Summer, to Kenya and Tanzania. I have Nikon gear. I took a 7100 with an 18-200 attached for street scenes and backup; 90+% of the time I used my 7200 with an 80-400. While a particular situation always arises where you want more or less, I was happy with my choices over 95% of the time. Don't forget to put the camera down and take in the amazing world.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

mborn & billnikon, thanks for the suggestion of talking to the tour company. I did call them with that in mind & was referred to a guide but he hasn't responded. I tend to trust the advice of the folks here on the Hog, so while I await the guide's response, I figured Hog opinions were something I wanted to hear. Thanks.

jam, thanks for the recommendations of 3 lenses. Have to admit the # of comments re: dust has me struggling to take both the 70-200 & 100-400. While I had been leaning toward the 70-200 because it's faster, I'm now thinking of going with the 100-400 for reach. Thanks for the response.

Rashid Abdu, thanks for the Sony recommendation. ChrisEdwardsUSA made the same suggestion. I'm hoping not to buy another camera, but you both made such a strong recommendation & not switching lens but having that reach is interesting. Thank you.

Tommy 86, think you're spot on with the 2 body recommendation. Nearly everyone has highlighted the dust. So thanks for that. I wasn't thinking of anything with the reach you took (out to 600mm) but between your recommendation & the 2 Hogs who suggested the Sony RS10-M4, I'm at least going to look at the Sony for that reach & 1 body.

Sark17, WOW!! You squeezed a lot into 9 days. I'm impressed. You & other Hogs mentioned the close distances to game & that most shooting will be in good light, so I think I'm definitely going with the 24-105 as 1 of the lenses. Hope that your shots with your phone came out ... some folks have gotten great shots with them in good light.

Appreciate the input folks. Thank you very much. If anything, you've gotten me more excited about this trip & I already feel like a kid before Christmas. So I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Sark17, OMG!!!!! Now that's so close, even the 24-105 wouldn't capture all of that critter. Thanks for sharing that. Hope to see some of your shots posted on UHH. Thanks.

ChrisEdwardsUSA, as soon as I catch up on responding, I'll go look at your post. Thank you for taking the time to forward it. Appreciate it.

Rhinophoto, thanks for the 2 recommendations. As noted earlier, I'd been leaning toward the 70-200 because it's faster but you & several folks talk about going out to 400mm, so I may change my mind. And in particular, thanks for the suggestion to put the camera down & take the time just to look. That can be a challenge for me because I typically try to capture everything through the lens. So thanks for that ... another "growth challenge".

stuparr935 Loc: Dallas, Texas area

You only need 2 lenses. If you take more it is a waste of you time and energy in carrying stuff you don’t need around. I have been to Africa 3 times to shoot their beautiful animals. Take only the 24-70 for walking around and your 100-400 for shooting from the Rover (Safari vehicle). You can play with the other equipment that you won’t have to carry around when you get home... two bodies might be good, but the less you have to carry around the better... good luck and have fun...

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thanks for the stop & comment. As I expected, responses have confirmed carrying less is better. I'm now leaning toward the 24-105 (it's slower than the 24-70 but there were comments that light isn't a problem, so I was thinking reach) & the 100-400 for those times when there was a need for some reach. There is to be 1 night safari drive & I've wondered if your 24-70 suggestion might then be the better short option? Another hog suggested a Sony with 1 lens that goes out to 600mm & he posted some nice shots using it. So I'll look at that but while 1 camera & lens is very attractive, I have to convince myself I'll use it when I get back. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

As noted earlier, I appreciated the shot & hope you post some of the photos you took on your trip. What I didn't make note of was to welcome you to the Hog. It's a great organization & I hope you find it satisfying as well. Thanks for taking the time to comment twice.