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Three Nikon bodies for a safari
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Apr 14, 2019 08:45:32   #
SteveR Loc: Michigan
 
billnikon wrote:
1. Leave the D810 at home, the D850 is superior in every regard.
2. You did not list the lenses that you owned. So, I will go out on a limb and tell you what you should put on each camera.
3. Personally, I would put the 70-200 2.8 on D850 to cover anything close, which sometimes happens.
I would then mount the Nikon 200-500 5.6 on my D500 for those shots that will need the reach, which, is sometimes the case while on Safari.
4. I would not change lenses while on Safari, it is very dusty there and the environment is not conducive to changing lenses.
5. Personally I would load the Nikon EN-EL18c battery in the D850 to maximize frames per second. I get 9 frames per second with this battery in my D850. And, as you know, this is not a quit camera, but the auto noise should cancel that out .
6. I would set both my camera's to continuous high frames per second, continuous auto focus, GROUP AUTO FOCUS, Aperture Priority, 1/3 to 1 stop stopped down on Aperture, center weighted metering, and set the ISO to give you a minimum shutter speed of at least 1/1000 sec. to stop that action. The faster you can shoot the better.
7. Take extra memory cards, batteries, and the trusty Giottos blower to keep your front element clean.
1. Leave the D810 at home, the D850 is superior in... (show quote)


I was thinking something like a 50mm or 24-70mm for close shots.

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Apr 14, 2019 09:07:51   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
SteveR wrote:
I was thinking something like a 50mm or 24-70mm for close shots.


With wild animals you may want to keep your distance. A 24-70 just does not do it from inside the truck you are riding in. So, with the 24-70 you would have to dismount and approach the lion to fill the frame. Your choice of course.
The 50 does not offer the versatility of the zoom. Remember, you are stagnate in the truck, you cannot move closer if you need to so the 70-200 zoom on the D850 would be ideal for those closer shots.

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Apr 14, 2019 09:07:52   #
CWGordon
 
I went a year ago in June. A big difference for me was having a private guide. Entire vehicle was available to my wife and I. She sat forward, leaving a lot of room for me. I put my biggest lens on my highest megapixel camera for shooting at some distance. I kept a 70-200 on second camera. Third camera was an older F5 film camera. It was used for black and white. I kept a modest 24-120 on that. I found I used the big lens almost all the time, the second for closer wildlife and rarely shot the b&w setup. In villages, or when shooting local people along the road and through the window of the moving vehicle, I transferred the 24-120 to the backup 2nd camera. I sometimes used the 14-24, but rarely. I would not take it again, if I had the opportunity to go again. The 24-120 was great for everything, but the wildlife. I like it’s versatility over the slightly sharper, but heavier 24-70.
Enjoy! Greatest trip ever. The private guide made a huge difference for me, my wife, and especially the guide/driver who had to cater to only our needs and not the multiple needs of a group. He did lots for us, he would not or could not have done with a group. Some days he took us huge distances (exhausting) to find animals we were not finding nearer our various lodges. These would have been excursions resisted by some in any group. Best trip of my life; I’d go back tomorrow.

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Apr 14, 2019 09:16:25   #
SteveR Loc: Michigan
 
I just texted with my friend Benno. He uses a 105mm macro for his close up lens. Ofc, consider that he uses a crop camera. Below is a photo of his backpack which includes two Canon crop cameras, the Sigma 50-500, the macro, and other small items. Since he's gone to the 150-600, the EOS 7D and lens were too long to fit in with all the other items, so that camera and lens are in the backpack with a few small items and the other items have to be checked in regular luggage. Below, however, is his backpack configured with the 50-500, which he was able to carry on, in all cases except one. So, if your long lens is short enough, and depending on the weight of all your gear, you may be able to carry every thing on board. Although Benno takes a combination tripod/monopod, he said it's not really needed on safari since the guide does a great job supplying sand bags to rest cameras on for support, see pic #2.





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Apr 14, 2019 09:30:52   #
stuparr935 Loc: Dallas, Texas area
 
Find out it the safari River/Jeeps provide sand bags set your cameras on during. Then try to get your vehicle partners to not jump around while shooting.... usually tripods are not allowed and clumsy to use unless in a van type vehicle mainly used for those there on special photo shooting events.... have fun!

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Apr 14, 2019 09:44:26   #
CWGordon
 
Remember, on the way back they will require you to give up your equipment to be shipped back in separate baggage compartments from you. You generally will have the option of bubble-wrapping your gear while at the airport. Wrap is provided at the airport. Anything bigger than the thickness of a cellphone is to be shipped separately. You can, of course, take out your irreplaceable memory cards and keep them with you. There is much complaining among American tourists who fear destruction of their gear. Please be aware the attendants requiring this like it about as much as you do. It slows everything to a crawl. It was not their idea, but rather our Government that had instituted this requirement so WE would not blow up the planes WE are flying aboard! The attendants seemed insulted at this requirement not applicable to most nations. Always sumpin’ to dampen the mood, huh.

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Apr 14, 2019 09:46:34   #
DebAnn Loc: Toronto
 
markstjohn wrote:
I have the option of taking three Nikon bodies on an upcoming safari. I have a D850, D 810 and D500.

Should I take all three and match each of them with a lense I dont have to remove? If so, ideally what lense would you put on each body?

Thanks....


I am going on Safari too this year. I am taking 2 bodies and 2 lenses so I don't have to change a lens while in the Safari vehicle (too much dust). I am taking an 18-400 on my crop sensor (reaches 640mm equiv) and a wide angle 10-20 on my full frame. From my research, that will probably cover all my needs.

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Apr 14, 2019 10:31:37   #
CWGordon
 
Probably that will be plenty. I am one of those crazy guys that always seems to take more than he needs. A sign of confidence is knowing when enough is enough. I guess I am still carrying my child hood insecurities around wherever I go.

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Apr 14, 2019 10:34:27   #
SteveR Loc: Michigan
 
CWGordon wrote:
Remember, on the way back they will require you to give up your equipment to be shipped back in separate baggage compartments from you. You generally will have the option of bubble-wrapping your gear while at the airport. Wrap is provided at the airport. Anything bigger than the thickness of a cellphone is to be shipped separately. You can, of course, take out your irreplaceable memory cards and keep them with you. There is much complaining among American tourists who fear destruction of their gear. Please be aware the attendants requiring this like it about as much as you do. It slows everything to a crawl. It was not their idea, but rather our Government that had instituted this requirement so WE would not blow up the planes WE are flying aboard! The attendants seemed insulted at this requirement not applicable to most nations. Always sumpin’ to dampen the mood, huh.
Remember, on the way back they will require you to... (show quote)


I've tried to google these regs. Where can I find them?

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Apr 14, 2019 11:00:25   #
Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii
 
Billnikon has got my vote ..., BTW .., I found while in Africa on Photo Safari .., a $50 bill could get me anything I wanted ..and certainly circumventing many “oh.., that’s not allowed “ .. or ....

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Apr 14, 2019 11:01:03   #
via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP
 
markstjohn wrote:
I have the option of taking three Nikon bodies on an upcoming safari. I have a D850, D 810 and D500.

Should I take all three and match each of them with a lense I dont have to remove? If so, ideally what lense would you put on each body?

Thanks....


D850 and D500. D850 for the wider shot. D500 with telephoto.

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Apr 14, 2019 12:23:43   #
windshoppe Loc: Arizona
 
On our last African safari I took 2 bodies. One equipped with a 24-105 lens, the other with a 100-400 w/ 1.4 extender. Perfect for all of my needs without ever changing a lens. A 3rd body would have been superfluous and simply added unwanted weight. Have a great trip.

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Apr 14, 2019 12:57:16   #
jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ
 
markstjohn wrote:
I have the option of taking three Nikon bodies on an upcoming safari. I have a D850, D 810 and D500.

Should I take all three and match each of them with a lense I dont have to remove? If so, ideally what lense would you put on each body?

Thanks....


Just the 850 and the 500

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Apr 14, 2019 13:34:54   #
rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA
 
Unless I was on a paid assignment, no way would I bring three bodies with me on such a trip.
One body, two smartly chosen lenses and a dependable pocket camera. For any vacation trip, I want to have a good time and plenty of mobility, not suffer all day with unnecessary bulk and weight in the hot sun.

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Apr 14, 2019 13:40:46   #
tripwest Loc: Rochester, NY (Kodakland)
 
Mark,

I would keep it as simple as possible.

I would take:

D850 with the 24-120 f4
(amazing travel lens)

D500 with the 80-400
(alternate would be 200-500)

Pelican 1510 Carry-On
(Some airlines now-a-daze will not let you carry it on due to size. But carry it on anyway . If you are super nice, they may put it in the first class closet for you. If not, they will check it as you board like a baby stroller. This will be much safer for your gear. It will be handled gently and they will give it back to you as you exit the plane. That's much less likely to get lost or stolen. Call the airline in advance to confirm that they allow "carry-ons". This way you can act surprised/disappointed because you spoke with the airline directly and they said it was OK. Bring the Pelican literature that came with it stating "carry on" model. There is also a Pelican model name plate available to secure to the outside of the case. Just saw it online. I'm going to get one immediately. This will hopefully will buy you some accommodation points. I fly with mine regularly. Whispering that it is $10k+ of photo gear also helps.
Get the padded or TrekPak interior, not the foam. You are going to take your cameras on a plane, not drop them out of one. Your gear is tough enough to survive with just dividers and you need the extra space.
I would 69 the cameras with lenses ATTACHED into the 1510 and try to pack light enough so that all the extras would also fit in. This would keep everything together, safe, secure, and dry.
Bonuses...
The case is tough enough to sit on it. Makes a great stool.
It has sand-proof sealed bearing wheels so you can drag it anywhere, even through mud.
It has a long pull handle and you can slip your "personal item" around it and not have to carry anything.)

I do not have the 200-500 so I do not know if it will fit in the 1510. If it does fit, I would go with that lens (B&H may know if it will fit, call'em). Otherwise, the 80-400 is an amazing piece of glass with a big stretch on the D500.

I would put those lenses on and never take them off. Make sure you have one of the new front element filters that cleans easily, like the Sigma WR Ceramic Protector Filter.

None of these lenses are internal zooms. So I would carry multiple microfiber clothes for external dusting. Of course you will also need a puffy brush, or two!

I would also get the largest memory cards I could to avoid switching out in the field. I would wait to be indoors, if possible, before opening anything on the cameras.

Send the bodies and lenses back to Nikon upon your return to have the service/cleaning done. You won't regret it.

I'm sure you will go with the right bodies and lenses for you after reading everyone's advice. But definitely consider that Pelican! I bought my first one at a military surplus store. It was originally used for 2way radios. I got it for $25 and I use it to this day. They never die, and if they do, you get a new one free!

Photos are just samples, not mine.

Travel Safe, Brother

__/ )_o_/)/)__







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