Best camera & lenses for African Safari
Jun 12, 2019 18:13:00 #
I currently shoot a Nikon D200 which I bought new from Helix in 2006. Love my camera, but no video! I would consider changing brands if there is advantage. Particularly concerned about low light and long lens. HNC 6.12.2019
Jun 13, 2019 06:16:29 #
Jun 13, 2019 06:17:44 #
Jun 13, 2019 06:57:22 #
I have several students that have go on safari in Africa. All of them left their changeable lens reflexes home. The all took long lens Bridge cameras like Canon SX60, Nikon P900 or the Sony RX100. They did not have to worry about changing lenses with all the dust. They were always ready for a shot and not fumbling with changing lenses or dust. You are traveling in open jeeps in very dusty conditions. Practice, practice with your camera. Go to a park or somewhere where there are moving subjects. Be able to take the camera from your lap to your eye, compose, focus and adjust the exposure in a millisecond. Know your camera and it's controls from blind memory. Don't forget to enjoy your trip
Jun 13, 2019 07:05:34 #
Bird Dawg
Loc: Georgia
I rented a 80-400 for my Nikon on my trip to Africa from lensrental.com. Good experience.
Jun 13, 2019 07:25:23 #
I have been to Africa many times I go once a year. It depends what kind of photos you want to bring home. If you want real wall hangers the best lens is something like a 200-400 zoom.
Jun 13, 2019 07:27:44 #
I must agree with the post that suggested a bridge-type deal. I now own a Nikon p-900. My weeks-long photo shoot in South Africa was almost AGONIZING due to the LOAD of heavy equipment I “LUGGED-AROUND”. Cameras, lenses tri-pods batteries and such. If you are a PRO, and have to have “national-geographic” results, go for it, but even then it would be a trudge, unless you bring a caddy. I’m just sayen’. RJM
Jun 13, 2019 07:29:15 #
HelenC wrote:
I currently shoot a Nikon D200 which I bought new from Helix in 2006. Love my camera, but no video! I would consider changing brands if there is advantage. Particularly concerned about low light and long lens. HNC 6.12.2019
Not to knock the D200, but it's old. Buy a new Nikon. The D750 would be my recommendation - good camera at a good price.
Safari tips -
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-473761-1.html
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/
Jun 13, 2019 08:20:48 #
I recently returned from a two week trip to Tanzania. I brought my Canon 7D Mark ii and 100-400mm Mark ii lens. Extra batteries and cards but no tripod. The weight was no problem and dust was no problem, as I only changed lenses after arriving at each night's lodging. Scenery shots during the day are pretty useless anyway. The zoom came in handy as many birds and animals can be very close or at considerable distance. Most on my trip had similar rigs. One fellow had a 500mm with a 1DX. It was cumbersome and he missed some shots because of that. He also constantly interfered with others in the close quarters of the vehicle. He did get some fantastic shots though. One of the reasons you buy good gear is for its resistance to dust and water, insure it and use it!
Jun 13, 2019 08:29:22 #
Two trips to Africa. Used Nikon D80 and 28-300 zoom. Now have D500 for trip next year. 300 mm is not enough for wildlife; maybe 20% of time you need more--at least 500. You shoot from safari vehicles, and have ample room for a bean bag rest. No room for monopods/tripods. Dust is horrible--never change lens in the bush. Have a great trip. And have a back-up camera.
Jun 13, 2019 08:42:16 #
As another poster said if all you have is a 500 you will miss a lot of shots. You do not need a 500 in less you shoot a lot of birds. I have 1,000's of shots and when I look at where most of them ended up it was 400 or a little less. Last year I had the 180-400 with a 1.4 TC I hardly ever used the teleconverter except for birds.
Jun 13, 2019 09:08:53 #
Generally speaking, you want something that is weatherproof and a lens that goes out to at least 400mm. There are some excellent bridge cameras with 1" sensors that would do the job a lot better than people might think.
Although it does not have weather sealing, the camera that comes to mind is the Panasonic FZ1000 ii. Although the 16x lens is not as long as some of the "superzooms", some of the other zooms are so long that they are unusable.
The FZ 1000 ii also offers fast autofocus, an excellent macro mode, and a nice touch screen.
The Sony RX10 is almost as good, and offers better weather sealing, so those are the two I would look at first.
Although it does not have weather sealing, the camera that comes to mind is the Panasonic FZ1000 ii. Although the 16x lens is not as long as some of the "superzooms", some of the other zooms are so long that they are unusable.
The FZ 1000 ii also offers fast autofocus, an excellent macro mode, and a nice touch screen.
The Sony RX10 is almost as good, and offers better weather sealing, so those are the two I would look at first.
Jun 13, 2019 09:15:19 #
maxlieberman
Loc: 19027
I took my D300 (12.2 megapixels) with a 70-300 lens and a wider angle zoom (I forget which), and got some great shots, many of which are on my wall. My wife took a Nikon Bridge Camera, and also go some great pictures. Although I now have a D7100 and a D7500, I still sometimes shoot with the D300 and get excellent results. Just can't be enlarged as much. If you are young and strong, then a long telephoto, like a 150-500 or 600 will be useful, but that's a lot of weight to lug around, and if you are doing an in-country flight, you may be faced with weight limits.
Jun 13, 2019 09:39:35 #
HelenC wrote:
I currently shoot a Nikon D200 which I bought new from Helix in 2006. Love my camera, but no video! I would consider changing brands if there is advantage. Particularly concerned about low light and long lens. HNC 6.12.2019
Low light and long lens = a BIG expensive lens ! Full frame = BIG expensive lens.
IMO, the best camera for absolutely getting a good image on safari is the Sony RX10IV. Next would be a crop frame body and the Tamron 100-400.
.
Jun 13, 2019 10:20:03 #
I bought the Canon 7D M II for my South Africa trip mainly because of it's better protection from dust and rain than my 80D. Worked very well with the Canon 100-400. But, if I go again I will certainly consider taking my PS SX60 along for those many "snapshot" times.
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