maxlieberman Loc: 19027

I went to Africa twice. Never took or needed a flash.

dbjazz Loc: Long Island, NY

Definitely no flash. It's usually not allowed anyway. And your ranger and tracker will provide all the light you need. I have handheld 4K video of lions devouring a fresh kill at night lit only by the spotlight held and aimed by our tracker. Also the light comes up quite quickly in the mornings (and descends just as quickly at night). You'll be fine without the added weight of a flash in your kit.

wireloose

You don’t mention what camera you have. Almost all the long zooms are poor in low light; depending on what you have you might want to consider renting another camera body that is better in low light. I did that when going to Tanzania and it was well worth the money. Similar controls so I didn’t have to relearn it but a newer sensor made a big difference. Keep in mind the long zoom will amplify any shake so you don’t want longer exposures. Bring a bean bag- you can fill it with rice there- as a camera rest.

Photomac Loc: The Dalles, Or

The thing is, whether in Africa, or in our back yards, we need to remember, the shot has to be in Focus!! Often we get obsessed with low ISO quality issues and try and squeeze an F stop/shutter speed to fit. The one thing I have learned in shooting wildlife around the world is that the secret is a very fast shutter speed, ie, greater than 1/1000 at the least, up to 1/3000 if at all possible. These high megapixel cameras are very unforgiving of movement, even just breathing. Shooting from mobil rig just compounds the issue. If the image is not in focus, its no good and your trip is wasted. Use whatever ISO you need to get there and adjust the F stop accordingly. These inexpensive new variable lenses are great, but by definition they require more light than say the 200-400mm, my goto lenses for these trips. You can rent one if you need to, but after spending all the money to get there, take the best lens you can afford.

A hunting analogy is to pay for a big game hunt, bringing your favorite rifle and a cheap scope along only to miss "the shot" because your scope got bumped in the trip and is no longer "sighted in."l Not good.

sschonfeld

No need for more than camera flash, used once in native hut. Tamron fast and light and perfect for safari where tripod impossible and heavy glass inconvenient. See attached fresh off safari/ lucky enough to find rare leopard at Kruger
Enjoy your trip

photoman43

I would not take the flash.

I would take a bean bag and maybe a four section monopod (to get low) so you can steady your camera or lens in the land rover or shoot out the lower window if your Land rover has windows.

Safari vehicles vary greatly depending on which country you are going to so you need to see pictures of them so you can figure out what to bring. In Tanzania, a bean bag on the roof may be one way to steady your gear. In Botswana, you need something different as the vehicles are very different. If you know the name of the camp google it and look at its vehicles. If you are going on a true photo safari, the photo safari leader can give you information on what you need.

My advice is two separate cameras with two different focal length lenses attached. When action occurs you will need both and will not have time to change lenses.

OllieFCR

I agree with others that a flash is useless for animals/birds even with a flash extender. Even if animals are close enough your autofocus will not have enough light to focus. Flashes are only useful for fill light during the day and not worth the trouble to take.

sschonfeld

Canon 80d. Also had t5i with canon 10-18mm . You can’t safely change lenses on safari with movement and dust

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

I am going to take two bodies - a Canon 6D MkII and a 70D. On the crop sensor, I have a new Tamron 18-400 (Have to get some practice in because I'm finding it hard to balance). I have several lenses to fit the full frame. Haven't made a choice for that yet. Probably a wide angle.

Jerry Coupe Loc: Kent, WA

In Tanzania in late April 2019, we had instances where a flash was very helpful. Primarily when animals or birds were up in the tree canopy. What really helped was having a MagMod Beamer attached to the flasy. The Fresnel lens concentrates the light and beams it much further out than the flash would. It does take situations where you can take multiple shots as you will need to adjust either the flash compensation or camera exposure compensation to get a natural looking shot. Hardly ever happened on the first shot. So not always great if the bird or animal is moving around a lot. But if closer to stationary, a great help. See B & H Photo for information on the MagMod.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

I took my Nikon SB-900 flash and never used it. Excess baggage! Wouldn't take one again. Yes, the guides should have some lighting sources if you go out before or after dark, but I would inquire before I left for Africa.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Thank you everyone for all your helpful replies. Much appreciated.

Deb

prg Loc: Palm Coast Fll

Most parks will Not allow flash. It captures the attention of the animals. I don’t think you would like them checking you out up close and personal.

Vector

I had that problem when I first got my Tammy 18-400. It seemed unbalanced, , especially when zoomed out. My solution: instead of holding it the lens "standard" way, stretch out your hand so that your thumb points in a direction opposite your fingers and place it under the lens as if you are holding a plate of food. If that doesn't make sense, let me know and I'll post a picture.

Hope that helps!

sschonfeld

Sorry but had to add these two
Enjoy your safari