photoman43

I was in the Serengeti for five days on a photo safari. I had two Nikon bodies, both D300s, crop sensor bodies. On one I had a Nikon 500mm f4 attached all the time--and about 80-90% of the time a 1.4x tc was attached to it. On the second D300s I had a 70-200mm. About 60-70% of my shots were taken with the 500mm; the remainder with the 70-200mm. I also had a 24-85mm zoom but it was used only in camp for images that today would be taken with a cell phone. If you know that you wiill be there to see the wildebeest migration then a wide angle lens may be important. To do blur shots a 5 stop neutral density filter would be a plus.

Try and rent a Nikon 500mm f5.6 pf lens and the 1.4x III tc.

In Tanzania, and in Serengeti, the vehicles are restricted to the roads. That is why you need LONG lenses.

We then went to Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangerie Nat Park. Same lenses needed.

Long lenses are needed for Tanzania. Shorter lenses for Botswana.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

Your 200-500 on the D850 is a very good choice as you will plenty of MPs to crop when you review you images. I would also advise having a lens with at least 24 mm on the wide end of the zoom. On my Tanzania trip in 2019, I used my Olympus 12-100 (24-200 FFE) about 35% of the time as I did shoot many images of the clouds and trees.

Also, other responses suggesting two bodies is very sound. You don't want to be changing lenses in the field.

Tanzania is spectacular. Enjoy the trip.

Horselover Loc: Maui

No they were not pregnant. They just looked that way because of the zebra they just ate.

kvanhook Loc: Oriental, NC

Thanks for the explanation. I have a tendency to look that way myself after I eat parts of a tasty animal. I hope to go to Tanzania myself someday. It sounds like a wonderful experience.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

Dust will be your #1 problem. Choosing the right lens will be the #2. As in the photo of all those photographers with long lenses. The moment presents itself you have to be ready. I have had several students that have taken my photography classes and their #1 question is always " do I need a new lens". Unless you are there for Nat Geo. don't even think of hauling around a ton of equipment. All my student took long lens bridge cameras. It didn't matter if they got the Sony RX10iv, Nikon P950 or P1000, or the Panasonic equivalent. They all came back with praises for the bridge cameras. They never missed a shot due to having the wrong lens on the camera. They did not have any dust problems. Bridge cameras are sealed compared to interchangeable lens cameras. No 40 pounds of equipment. Yes they all said that in some cases the fancy equipment people got a slightly better shot. But they, with the bridge camera never missed a shot like the other people did. I say get a bridge camera buy or rent and practice, practice, practice, in a park or somewhere. Having the cameras in your lap and bringing it up to shoot. At all kinds of moving subjects and distances. If you can do that in a split second. You are ready. Remember... your first priority is to enjoy the trip. Memories are always in focus. you don't want to say back at camp..."I missed that because I was fumbling with my camera gear.

Leaning Ladder Loc: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

I agree with the replies about the 200-500 meeting most of your needs, with the 18-300 as your 2nd lens. I used my 100-400 on a full frame Canon for probably 85% of the shots in the Serengeti, with my 24-70 as the 2nd lens, mostly for landscapes. But we spent time in Zanzibar too, where my 24-70 got heavy use, especially in the towns. I really didn't need other lenses, and certainly didn't need the extra weight. As others have said, watch the dust! Even though I took 4 extra batteries, our vehicles had AC outlets so I took my charger each day. Ask your tour operator if your vehicles are so equipped.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Spectacular light

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Beautiful shots, but I sure wouldn't trust that leopard 🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

YESSSSSS! Much of the subjects and some far away. So carry 2 cameras to cover both situations. The curse on many photographers is spending time changing lenses and missing the shot.

charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

Look into the Tamron 50-400 model a067.
I have it on my Sony a7Rv and it is just what I need for everything.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

What is an "N200" or "N850"? I've never heard of those models.

pleonardjr

Nikon D200 and Nikon D850.