Lens for an African Safari: Hello, Next year I am going to Tanzania & Zambia on a Safari. I am trying to avoid carry a heavy long lens but will do it if I have no choice. I shoot JPEG...

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Lens for an African Safari

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Sep 14, 2018 08:43:13 #

timbuktutraveler

Hello,

Next year I am going to Tanzania & Zambia on a Safari.

I am trying to avoid carry a heavy long lens but will do it if I have no choice.

I shoot JPEG, put my photos on a CD and print the good ones on a laser color copier
at 8 1/2 X 11.
For my best photos I send them to Adorama for a 16 X 20 print.

I am interested in getting a good IQ especially for the 16 X 20 prints.

Here are my aps-c choices:

1. A friend will lend me a 100-300 f5.6 that weighs about 3.2 pounds

2. 55- 200 4.5 - 5.6

3. renting a Sony RX10 mark 4 with a 24 - 600 lens.

Which would you choose?

Many thanks

Sep 14, 2018 08:45:48 #

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

General safari info -

https://fstoppers.com/animal/essential-camera-features-and-settings-safari-photography-176678
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/8065882473/gearing-up-for-an-african-safari
http://www.bythom.com/photographic-travel/africa/how-to-think-about-equipmen.html
http://www.elliottneep.com/#!/p/gear-guide-safari
https://luminous-landscape.com/digital-safari-equipment-tips/
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-473761-1.html

Sep 14, 2018 08:55:40 #

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

timbuktutraveler wrote:

Hello, br br Next year I am going to Tanzania &am... (show quote)

My husband and I did a couple of back-to-back safaris just this year. I lugged my D500, my D7200, my Tamron 150-600, a borrowed Tamron 18-400, a bridge camera and a Panasonic point and shoot. Hubby took ONLY his P&S. One of our friends took his new Sony RX10 iv as well as a back-up bridge camera. If I had it to do all over again, I would have purchased the Sony RX10 iv and taken that and my point & shoot. Based on my personal experience, my advice would be to go with the Sony RX10 iv. Take a good point and shoot as a back-up.

I hope that my experience helped you out a bit.

Sep 14, 2018 09:26:29 #

IDguy Loc: Idaho

timbuktutraveler wrote:

Hello, br br Next year I am going to Tanzania &am... (show quote)

Option 1

A 200-500 on a full frame worked great for me. I wouldn’t want any less and didn’t need more. 300 mm on aps-c is 450...good.

You won’t be happy with larger prints from option 3.

You won’t be happy with image quality from 55-200. And it isn’t enough.

Sep 14, 2018 09:41:01 #

Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK

You don't state which camera gear you use as you talk about borrrowing kit.
IF you had Canon gear I would suggest renting a Canon 100-400 lens and possibly a 1.4 TC, so that gives you a good range of 100 - 560mm.

Sep 14, 2018 10:45:35 #

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

On a once-in-a-lifetime trip I would always go with the lens that gives me the most reach.

Sep 14, 2018 11:16:13 #

timbuktutraveler

many thanks for your prompt and useful reply

Larry

Sep 14, 2018 11:17:52 #

timbuktutraveler

Thanks for your prompt advice.

I appreciate it.

Larry

Sep 14, 2018 11:18:21 #

timbuktutraveler

Many thanks for your advice.

Regards,
Larry

Sep 14, 2018 11:19:08 #

timbuktutraveler

Thanks for these sites.
I am sure the information will be of help!

Larry

Sep 15, 2018 08:00:13 #

bikerguy

We went to southern Africa about 3 years ago. My wife used her SX-50HS and I brought my T4i with 17-85 and 70-300 plus an S-100 point and shoot. The 70 -300 definitely got the most use but the SX-50 got some great shots that are 16*20. You basically cannot change lenses in the vehicles, both because of dust and bouncing. While it is a once in a lifetime trip travel light. If you are flying between different camps there are significant weight limitations, for instance on our trip the limitation was 22 pounds in "checked" and 22 lbs in carry on. Some places only allow 11 pounds in each. I would bring a high quality bridge camera such as the Sony or the Canon G3x or a DSLR/mirrorless and an quality p&s. Sometimes the animals are incredibly close and you will need a wide angle to capture the image.

Lastly, less camera equipment is better than too much, at the end of the day you want to enjoy the experience, there is much more to an African safari and just coming home with images.

Sep 15, 2018 08:18:39 #

DocDav Loc: IN

I use a Canon 80D so I do have a "crop factor" and I took a Tamron 18-400. Suited every situation. One Black Rino absolutely demanded more but that was one shot out of over 2000. I didn't feel cheated with this lens. Not too heavy either. Regardless, since you are in a safari vehicle nearly 100% of the time, the weight isn't a big factor.

Sep 15, 2018 08:31:38 #

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Sony. I lugged a lot of gear on a 6 week trip and used less than a quarter of what I brought. You might want to rent a similar set up in Olympus, either the e-mark 5 II or the newer e-m 1 mark II. The camera has 5-axis in body image stabilization which will be very useful and allow for more hand held shots.

Sep 15, 2018 08:52:05 #

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

timbuktutraveler wrote:

Hello, br br Next year I am going to Tanzania &am... (show quote)

I took a 80-400 Nikon to use with my Nikon D500. Worked fine. If I had the 200-500 I would have taken that lens.

Sep 15, 2018 09:05:17 #

DocDav Loc: IN

If someone will teach me how to upload a shot, I will show some of what I did with my Tamron 18 -400 on my Canon D in Africa

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