Safari....lens
Mar 12, 2013 19:42:21 #
You have a long time. There is no off roading in Tarangire, Manyara, crater and the Serengeti. In the conservation area there is off roading. And in February the migration is there. So most places you will need as long a lens as you can take. You should have two bodies. One with a long lens and one with no more than 200-300. Don't spend too many days in tarangire and Manyara. Tarangire in feb is not great. Manyara is a half day no more. You want to be in the crater two days and the rest in the and central Serengeti and the ngorogoro conservation area. You need adapters at least two to charge at night. Find out if your operator has bean bags on the truck? If not bring one. No pods the angles don't work on most trucks because they are pop up. I use safari sacks. Bring lots of memory and extra batteries. Also, you should have a laptop with a good size hard drive. The lenses the other guys suggested are just fine sigma 150-500 or 50-500. Make sure you have OS. it gets windy in February so shake is an issue. Any other questions just ask away.
Mar 12, 2013 20:02:40 #
Wow thanks Stevesaxe, you said two days and the rest in the?????and central Serengeti. What do you think about spending the day after we get in, in Arusha national park and canoeing? Or should we just get onto the safari? What are your thoughts on lake Victoria and spending time there? Thank you soooo much!
Mar 12, 2013 20:19:08 #
Yes,two days in the ngorogoro crater the balance in the southern Serengeti/ ngorogoro conservation and the central Serengeti which is seronera. February is calving time so it's high season. The migration is usually in the conservation area or southern Serengeti. Arusha national park is a nice place to start if you want an easy first day. It's personal preference whether you go right out or a lay over day. Arusha national park is very scenic. There are a fair amount of animals. However there are no cats. Lake Victoria is beautiful but no large animals. It's pretty far from where the real action is in February. If you were going in June then it wouldn't be bad for a day trip.
Mar 12, 2013 21:04:19 #
Mar 12, 2013 21:09:40 #
JF9 wrote:
Thank you Stevesaxe! What company do you own, if you don't mind me asking?
Don't mind, Proud African Safaris.
Mar 12, 2013 21:27:27 #
Would you mind me sending you our possible itinerary that we sent out to other companies and what you would recommend?
Mar 13, 2013 00:19:52 #
Being involved to a degree with Safari Club International, I would recommend renting or buying as much fast telephoto as you can get. Like 400/2.8 or 600/4, plus the best teleconverter, like ones matched to the lens in question. The good thing about safari is you can use monopods if not tripods. Being close-up is not guaranteed in the animal world. The OTHER lens you should have is a general, good zoom in the modest telephoto range, like a 70-200 f/2.8, and the final, a great wide angle, not necessarily a zoom, like a 14mm. On safari, you will be surrounded by giant lenses in general.
Funny thing, at the SCI trade show, you can visit things like fully assembled, functional log cabins, and, if you're game, buy intricately, artistically embellished rifles... the kind which are years in the making, utterly unique, and well over a million dollars, each. I spoke to the artist. He had two such creations at his booth, and told me he always sells out. A few million dollars in income every five or so years. Good work if you 1) can do it and 2) are famous!!!
Funny thing, at the SCI trade show, you can visit things like fully assembled, functional log cabins, and, if you're game, buy intricately, artistically embellished rifles... the kind which are years in the making, utterly unique, and well over a million dollars, each. I spoke to the artist. He had two such creations at his booth, and told me he always sells out. A few million dollars in income every five or so years. Good work if you 1) can do it and 2) are famous!!!
Mar 13, 2013 05:29:44 #
I was on a two week safari in Kenya in December. I took a Nikon 80-400 on my D7000 and a 24-120 on my D700. I never changed a lens on the trip. I think it depends on how fussy you are about IQ. If you want really sharp images rent some long 2.8 lenses (and do some weight lifting to get in shape). Camera support can be a big issue. In Kenya the safari vehicles have pop-up roofs so a beanbag is the best support. In South Africa the vehicles are canvas covered and a tripod set-up can be used. Do some research on the area you are going. Google will provide ample info.
Mar 13, 2013 06:26:51 #
We have booked a safari in October this year. I've spoken to camera friends who have taken this same trip. Their advice is to take a lens that will cover the range of 17-200 mm. I'm bringing my Tamron 17-50 on a D70 and my Nikon 55-300mm VR on my D7000. My D7000 has a battery pack.
I have a 150-500 mm, but it's too big and heavy for this. I've seen many photos and the game is within 10 to 50 yards of the camera.
I have a 150-500 mm, but it's too big and heavy for this. I've seen many photos and the game is within 10 to 50 yards of the camera.
Mar 13, 2013 06:27:32 #
I am going in August as well, and posted this earlier. I hope this helps as well. Gary http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-96890-1.html
JF9 wrote:
I will be going on an African safari and need some help. I have a D7000 and a Nikkor 28-300 lens, what other lens would I need if any? Hoping some of you guys have gone and have recommendations! Thank you all.
Mar 13, 2013 07:10:08 #
JF9 wrote:
I will be going on an African safari and need some help. I have a D7000 and a Nikkor 28-300 lens, what other lens would I need if any? Hoping some of you guys have gone and have recommendations! Thank you all.
I went to Namibia last year and used a 55-300mm. I wished I had a 400mm or 500mm. I have attached two pictures so you can get an idea of how close I was able to get with my 300mm. I did crop them. Many animals were further away.
Mar 13, 2013 07:15:36 #
Stevesaxe wrote:
Hello,
I can help you. What country or countries are you traveling too? I have a safari company in Tanzania. I travel there two or three times a year.
I can help you. What country or countries are you traveling too? I have a safari company in Tanzania. I travel there two or three times a year.
Hi Stevesaxe
Going to Uganda and will be in the jungle looking for the mountain Gorilla . Being in the jungle thought light will be an issue. My budget is tight so I thought I would get a prime lens. Any suggetions on what I should get. Thinking of 85mm. Seems people get close to them.
Mar 13, 2013 07:19:43 #
Mar 13, 2013 07:19:43 #
Mar 13, 2013 07:27:46 #
You can hire porters for very little money. They will carry all your gear. I used a 70-200.
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