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What is the best camera to take on an African Safari Tour?
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May 14, 2019 09:12:49   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
rvduffy wrote:
Can anyone recommend a camera to take on a Scenic tours- African Safari tour?
I have a Nikon D810 with a Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm Lens and was thinking of investing in either a Sigma 150-600mm of Nikkor 200-500mm lens to give me some longer reach. However as this is not specifically a photographic tour I was looking for something more convenient ( lighter and less cumbersome), without sacrificing too much in terms of image quality.
I have been looking favourably at both the Sony RX10mark iv and the Nikon Coolpix P1000.
Any Comments or suggestion greatly appreciated.
Rob
Can anyone recommend a camera to take on a Scenic ... (show quote)


The Sony RX10 is the premiere/go to camera in this category ! - and for good reasons.

Convenience/longer reach and full frame do not mix !
.

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May 14, 2019 09:14:13   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
I would think that an owner of an arsenal like that would have a good understanding of the image quality capabilities of various options and could make a decision for themselves without asking for suggestions. Not trying to be snarky.

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May 14, 2019 09:47:09   #
JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington
 
I have just returned from two weeks on a photo specific trip in Tanzania. We spent time both in the Ngorongoro Crater and two areas of the Serengeti. I was using Olympus micro 4/3rd gear and everyone else in our group had Nikon D500 or Nikon FF gear. Everyone used either the Nikon 200-500 or Tamron 150-600 the majority of the time. We had a few opportunities when we all switched to second bodies with wider angle lens for closer shots.
I shot over 10,000 images and I think probably 90%+ were shot at focal lengths equivalent to 500-700 mm. Since my gear has a 2x crop factor, and I was using a 100-400 lens, my bird images were all shot at 700-800 mm FF equivalents.
So, I suggest on a full frame body you need a 500 mm or longer lens. A second body with a 24-70 or longer can also come in very handy.
Africa is amazing, have a great trip.

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May 14, 2019 10:45:18   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
rvduffy wrote:
Can anyone recommend a camera to take on a Scenic tours- African Safari tour?
I have a Nikon D810 with a Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm Lens and was thinking of investing in either a Sigma 150-600mm of Nikkor 200-500mm lens to give me some longer reach. However as this is not specifically a photographic tour I was looking for something more convenient ( lighter and less cumbersome), without sacrificing too much in terms of image quality.
I have been looking favourably at both the Sony RX10mark iv and the Nikon Coolpix P1000.
Any Comments or suggestion greatly appreciated.
Rob
Can anyone recommend a camera to take on a Scenic ... (show quote)


Daniel J. Cox used to be a Nikon-using professional. His work has appeared in all sorts of magazines, including National Geographic. Dan still does a fair amount of professional work and stock photography. He and his wife run a photo tour company, Natural Exposures, out of Montana. They take groups of "well-heeled" photographers on tours in some VERY exotic places, including African Safari environments.

These days, surprisingly enough, Dan uses Lumix systems. There's plenty on his site and his "Corkboard" blog to chew on.

https://naturalexposures.com
https://naturalexposures.com/corkboard/

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May 14, 2019 11:30:12   #
FJS
 
I was on safari several years ago and carried a 28-105 and a 75-300 Tele on an APS-C Canon camera. I have since upgraded my lenses to "L" but would carry the same focal lengths again. Most of your big game opportunities will be at dawn and dusk so bring the fastest lenses you can afford! If you will be on foot, weight can eventually be an issue. If you are shooting the "big five" they fill up the frame rather quickly and you should not need more than 300! On my next trip I will be carrying a 1.4x extender on the chance I might need a longer lens for an odd photo but got everything I wanted to print 12x12" with crop & PhotoShop post processing.

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May 14, 2019 11:31:33   #
oldfaithful
 
Try your cameras and lens at a local zoo, using close up and distance ranges to see what you like. That may help with your decision.

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May 14, 2019 11:50:55   #
ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or
 
rvduffy wrote:
Can anyone recommend a camera to take on a Scenic tours- African Safari tour?
I have a Nikon D810 with a Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm Lens and was thinking of investing in either a Sigma 150-600mm of Nikkor 200-500mm lens to give me some longer reach. However as this is not specifically a photographic tour I was looking for something more convenient ( lighter and less cumbersome), without sacrificing too much in terms of image quality.
I have been looking favourably at both the Sony RX10mark iv and the Nikon Coolpix P1000.
Any Comments or suggestion greatly appreciated.
Rob
Can anyone recommend a camera to take on a Scenic ... (show quote)


I have had a half dozen students of mine go on safari. Everyone took a bridge camera instead of 20+lbs of DSLR. If asked those students again what would they take. They 100% agree on taking a bridge camera. Why?? Less weight and bulk. The camera is always ready with the right lens. No changing of lenses. No dust getting on the sensor. Remember, you are driving around in open Jeeps, with several other jeeps in the dusty open range. Yes your shots may not be as perfect as with that $2000 lens on your 42mp camera but you missed shots because you were changing lenses. My recommendation is one of the excellent long zoom bridge cameras. Here are some to look at: Canon SX 70, Sony HX400, Sony RX 10 lV, Nikon p1000 Panasonic FZ80 and others. Bridge cameras are sealed so no dust gets to the sensor or in the lens. They generally cost a lot less than that zoom lens you have been eyeing to buy They are easier to travel with. They take more photos per set of batteries. If you are not on the staff of National Geographic, be practical and leave the big, heavy gear at home and take the Bridge Camera and actually enjoy the trip.

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May 14, 2019 11:52:22   #
Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada
 
billnikon wrote:
The Nikon 200-500 has given my countless great shots. It is DESIGNED to work ONLY with your Nikon camera, not everyone else's camera like Sigma. And that fact alone should sell you. The Nikon 200-500 is a bargain at list price, but now it is on sale for $1256.95. I have found the lens sharp at all lengths and have sold my Nikon 300 2.8 and 200-400 f4 because the 200-500 is that sharp.
Buy it now, I do not know how much longer it will be on sale.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1175034-REG/nikon_af_s_nikkor_200_500mm_f_5_6e.html?sts=pi-ps
Below is a grab shot hand held with the Nikon 200-500.
The Nikon 200-500 has given my countless great sho... (show quote)


Great shot Bill

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May 14, 2019 12:03:05   #
fecraly
 
Been to Africa twice. Nikon D80 and 28-300 worked great. BUT, there a many times I wish I had longer reach. Going again next summer, but now have D500; will likely buy a Nikon 200-500 for that. By all means take a back up camera, and DO NOT changes lenses in the bush--dust like you have never seen it!!! Forget the tripod/or monopod--no room for it on safari vehicles. Get a small "bean bag" for a rest on vehicle If you can't hand-hold. Have a great trip.

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May 14, 2019 12:09:46   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
ORpilot wrote:
If you are not on the staff of National Geographic, be practical and leave the big, heavy gear at home and take the Bridge Camera and actually enjoy the trip.



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May 14, 2019 12:20:21   #
dick ranez
 
Someone must make a 100-400 for Nikon. The Canon lens in excellent, a little heavy but manageable. Teamed with a 1.4 converter it more than covers any reach considerations on a safari tour. If you have to buy a lens, look at some of the more popular bridge cameras with incredibly long reach and "reasonable" prices - nikon, panasonic and sony models come to mind.

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May 14, 2019 12:58:32   #
azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.
 
The Sony RX-10iv is probably the best solution. I was in three countries in Africa in December, and went on five different game drives. I started with both a full frame Sony A7ii and an Olympus EM-5 which is micro 4/3. The motion of the vehicles you are in doubles or triples the velocity of the equipment you are trying to use. By the second game drive I only took the Olympus due to the lower weight and longer reach of the lenses. Sometimes it rains, sometimes you are following another vehicle and the dust is thick. You dare not try to change lenses on the fly! If I had the RX-10iv I would have taken it.

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May 14, 2019 13:10:06   #
Tallyattwater Loc: Asheville,NC
 
Hi, if it was a designated safari trip then I would take the best camera body and lenses that you can. I'd opt for quality (and inconvenience) any day when presented with this opportunity. But as you're sightseeing perhaps more than safari, maybe a bridge camera is your best option?

I've been on a few safaris and it really depends on the day, as to what you might be lucky enough to see, so I would err on the biggest telephoto that you can. I've been with responsible companies that keep their distance and do not interfere with animals, but I've witnessed irresponsible ones where people get too close to get a better photo.

The majority of your shots could be in low light (dusk and dawn), so take a mono.

Have fun!

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May 14, 2019 13:58:46   #
fetzler Loc: North West PA
 
Consider renting the 200-500mm unless you have plans for regular use.

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May 14, 2019 14:09:04   #
cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast
 
Take the D810, the 28-300 and get a second body (used, refurbished et al) to carry the 200-500mm Nikon on. I did the Safari trip in 2008 with a Nikon D300, D200, a Sigma 18-270 and Sigma 150-500 and got everything I needed to and even sold the Tour Director a DVD of my images as he thought they were the best he had seen. He framed several for his office. Africa is dirty and the dust will get in your camera body when changing lenses and it can cause many missed shots while in process. You won't regret having two bodies and you could sell the second one after the trip, or you could rent a second one for the trip. Based on my personal experience, you won't regret the expense as the Safari Trip is one of those lifetime experiences.
Today, were I taking the trip I would be taking my Nikon D800e, D850, Nikon 28-300 and Nikon 200-500 lenses. I took a 20mm wide angle on the 2008 trip and it never came out of the bag.

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