African Safari lens/lenses
Jul 17, 2018 18:15:59 #
KEN SPECKLER
Loc: Bethesda,MD
Have Nikon D7200 and 18-300. Thinking about buying 80-400.
Also considering another D7200 body to use with my 12-24 or 16-80.
Appreciate your thoughts/advice.
Also considering another D7200 body to use with my 12-24 or 16-80.
Appreciate your thoughts/advice.
Jul 17, 2018 18:19:25 #
KEN SPECKLER wrote:
Have Nikon D7200 and 18-300. Thinking about buying 80-400.
Also considering another D7200 body to use with my 12-24 or 16-80.
Appreciate your thoughts/advice.
Also considering another D7200 body to use with my 12-24 or 16-80.
Appreciate your thoughts/advice.
Include the Sigma/Tamron 100-400 - smaller/lighter/cheaper - do take a second body for wide !
..
Jul 17, 2018 18:32:16 #
Have you considered renting a second body and the lens you desire for that week(s)? Have a great trip!!!
Jul 17, 2018 18:33:35 #
swartfort wrote:
Have you considered renting a second body and the lens you desire for that week(s)? Have a great trip!!!
I'm thinking the Nikon 200-500 5.6, or the Tamron 160-600 G2....
Jul 17, 2018 19:10:25 #
KEN SPECKLER wrote:
Have Nikon D7200 and 18-300. Thinking about buying 80-400.
Also considering another D7200 body to use with my 12-24 or 16-80.
Appreciate your thoughts/advice.
Also considering another D7200 body to use with my 12-24 or 16-80.
Appreciate your thoughts/advice.
Don't buy, rent. Look at borrowlenses.com or lensrentals.com
Jul 17, 2018 19:41:28 #
I recently returned from a 4 country 3 week trip to S Africa,Botswana,Zimbabwe and Namibia. On most safaris you will not be walking around. ( not safe ). A real long lens is difficult to use. Many times there is insufficient time to switch lenses not to mention the dust. I brought two crop bodies and a 16-80 and a 70-300. I thought I had 95% of everything covered. Have fun
Jul 17, 2018 19:56:18 #
dmr wrote:
I recently returned from a 4 country 3 week trip to S Africa,Botswana,Zimbabwe and Namibia. On most safaris you will not be walking around. ( not safe ). A real long lens is difficult to use. Many times there is insufficient time to switch lenses not to mention the dust. I brought two crop bodies and a 16-80 and a 70-300. I thought I had 95% of everything covered. Have fun
With that STELLAR, EXPERIENCED advice, I would look to rent a second body (d7200 seems adequate for the job PLUS you already know the functions etc.) and the Nikon 200-500. Reviews say it is very "hand holdable" and has weather sealing/protection.
You can rent this combo from Borrowed Lenses for less than $300 for TWO weeks!!!
enjoy
Jul 17, 2018 20:11:58 #
KEN SPECKLER
Loc: Bethesda,MD
Advice sound good so far. I think I'm now leaning toward the Tamron 100-400 and a second D7200 for the wide.
Thx
Thx
Jul 18, 2018 05:58:06 #
Jul 18, 2018 06:59:43 #
If you will be travelling on small 4 seater or 6 seater planes be aware that there are baggage size and weight limits. When we went 2 years ago I bought a hunting vest so I could stuff the pockets with my second camera body and some lenses.
Jul 18, 2018 07:51:28 #
Bird Dawg
Loc: Georgia
I rented the 80-400 from Lensrental.com and was very pleased.
Also, the Landrover we were on had a nice adjustable platform to stabilize your camera and lens. This was extremely helpful.
Also, the Landrover we were on had a nice adjustable platform to stabilize your camera and lens. This was extremely helpful.
Jul 18, 2018 08:05:36 #
The 300mm side of your 18-300 lens used with the D7200 will become the view of a 450mm lens. Although I would say that should give you plenty of good images I am not familiar with the optics of that lens and if the levels of light are low the lens will not perform like it should if it was a faster lens.
Sigma and Tamron make excellent 150-600 lenses, they are slow but excellent lenses for wildlife in good light. If the light levels fall you can always raise the ISO speed and a camera like yours should be able to handle it without issues.
Renting the lens is another option.
Sigma and Tamron make excellent 150-600 lenses, they are slow but excellent lenses for wildlife in good light. If the light levels fall you can always raise the ISO speed and a camera like yours should be able to handle it without issues.
Renting the lens is another option.
Jul 18, 2018 08:18:22 #
Keep in mnd many of your best opportunities will be near dawn and dusk where the light is low. I came back with around 5000 shots, majority on 100-400 Canon but quite a lot on the 70-200 2.8. I’d rented a second body but also brought a little sony a6000 with a walkabout zoom which was perfect for wideangle and was also much less conspicuous walking around Dar than the Canons and big L glass- got some great shots in the fishmarket which would have been harder with a “pro” outfit, I was already the only white person in sight. The weight limit on the planes is real, they do weigh everything. I was in one camp for the duration which is likely easier but they did my laundry daily so didnt need to pack much clothing, and they held my suitcase for the trip at Dar while I was in Ruaha so I could really bring only the safari gear. Whatever you do it should be an amazing trip and you will have some wonderful photos and great memories.
Jul 18, 2018 08:37:52 #
Rent the second body. 400 mm minimum for long shots. Wide angle for sure for landscapes. You’ll have plenty of opportunities for both. Inquire as to if the Safari co. Will supply bean bags (work well to stabilize hand held camera). Tripods will not work in the vehicles. Bring a small pillow case and wrap your equipment until the vehicle reaches shooting spot - quite dusty in the savannah. Burst mode mostly - animals won’t pose for you. Best two trips of our lives to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and S. Africa. Who’s your touring company?
Jul 18, 2018 08:39:34 #
When you return bring your gear in to be professionally cleaned. Two bodies for a wide angle and zoom. I found there was inadequate room in the trucks for my 600m. Difficult not to whack the person in front of you. Flash is not allowed so don’t bother taking. I used a monopod in the trucks which worked great with the 600mm. I used the rubber end you put on a cane to prevent it from slipping. Enjoy. Post your pictures.
Ps. It’s worth the extra money to have a private truck if you can swing it.
Ps. It’s worth the extra money to have a private truck if you can swing it.
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