mpep05 Loc: Staten Island, NY

I was on safari in South Africa in August 2011, and I'm going again this August. Shot almost exclusively with a Nikon D300 and a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8. Keep in mind that most game drives happen early in the morning or late in the afternoon. In SA, 70-200 was enough, because the animals were often very close to us. Of course, I would have liked more reach, but I was satisfied. This year I'm bringing the D300 with a Sigma 24-70 f/2.8, or a Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 (for some landscape/wide angle stuff) and a Nikon D7100 (when it finally comes) with the Sigma 70-200. But since I should be able to shoot at a higher ISO with the D7100, I am considering buying or renting a Nikon 80-400. Good luck with yours, and remember to look away from the viewfinder once in awhile and really take in the experience. I'm planning to do that this time... ;o) Mike

snappyandfun Loc: port coquitlam bc

:thumbup: :thumbup: nice photos DOr1nek

D0r1neK Loc: Connecticut

Light issues?

Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA

I have a friend who traveled there a couple of years ago. He took an expensive camera and lens that goes to 200mm and this was adequate for most of his needs. However, he also took a pocket point and shoot...........sometimes the animals were too close to the vehicle for him to use the longer lens, and he was able to capture them in a little point and shoot.

JF9

Stevesaxe, what i was asking is if I could send you the ideas we have and you could map out something and a quote. thank you all for your responses!!

JF9

mpep05, which company have you used?

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

I agree with looking away from the view finder. I think the best advice I got before going on a safari was "spend as much time looking through your binoculars as through your camera. You'll see more, learn more, enjoy it more and, believe it or not, you'll get better pictures." Don't get too hung up on close ups of the animals and 'filling the frame'. You can get those shots in a zoo. Photograph the animals in their natural habitat, doing what they naturally do. And enjoy.

Terry in Indiana Loc: rural Indiana

Unless you can afford to buy a snazzy long lens, I'd also recommend renting one. I use cameralensrentals.com and have had good luck with them. I rented the Nikon 80-400 for our recent safari to Maasai Mara and it was great...not too bulky and heavy to travel with. For nearly all of the animals, that is plenty of range.

Also, instead of messing with a tripod or monopod, you'll be in a safari vehicle and beanbags work great. Instead of bringing a bean bag, I just bought a cheap bag of rice there (easy to find in any African country!) and used it (you may have to pour out some of the rice to make it more flexible, then reseal with duct tape)...it's not lovely but it's a perfect cheap alternative.

I've done safaris in Tanzania exactly where you're going...AWESOME!!!! It's a photographer's dream and you will love it! ENJOY!!! Wish I were going with you! Love Ngorongoro best of all!

Stevesaxe Loc: Marblehead

Sure, I just want you to know I didn't answer your original questions to solicit business. I did it to try and help. I will not be doing the quote my partner who handles sales will do it. She is really nice and you can contact her directly at nandi@proudafricansafaris.com. If you don't feel comfortable contact me directly.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

with all that sunlight your 28-300mm looks good to me.28 mm is plenty wide unless you're of top of something.at 28-300mm you still have af, at with the 2x teleconverter 400-600mm in mf should be doable.hop on down to the camera store and try out the nikon and sigma teleconverters.

JF9

Stevesaxe, I know and appreciate your advice I will be in touch with your partner.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

What is your budget? If you don't have a wide angle, you might want to look into one. It will provide you with more options than getting a larger lens, ego., your friends or family indoors at the lodge, table settings, sunsets on the savannah, etc. Most of the Safari sites will tell you they don't recommend more than 200mm to 300mm. The animals are big game, and they get you in close to many of them. The larger lenses are more difficult to hold when shooting from a vehicle. If you are considering the telephoto, the 70-200 2.8 is a very useful lens with the tc14. Not inexpensive though. Again it depends on your budget.

I have, and use, the 28-300mm for wildlife, and I am very content with it's performance. Evening predator shooting would be better if you had the 70-200 2.8 though. Since you have very nice lens already, I would definitely consider the D7100 body instead as someone mentioned. It will give you better low-light usage and you can crop some with the extra pixels afforded by this new design.

Have a great trip and be sure to post the images you get. We would love to see them.

arlissd

If you can afford it Nikon 500MM or Nikon 600MM, and a Nikon 200-400MM. If you cannot rent them.

deepdiverv Loc: arizona

I would use a Nikon 80-400mm. I used the lens on my D7000 and never took it off. I would check out the new 80-400mm that is going to be out this month. In Africa you don't wonder around on the ground to get a photo so you need to rely on your lens.

nikon 80-400mm


nikon 80-400mm


nikon 80-400mm

CAM1017 Loc: Chiloquin, Oregon

I did a trip and used a Canon 100-400 & a 24-105 mm. You might want a lens with more on the long end or a good quality 1.4 extender.