stevetassi

I own a Nikon d750 and am planning a safari trip. Which lens would you recommend I buy? Tamron 150-600 G2, or the Nikon 500 f5.6? I understand that the zoom is versatile but the prime is much lighter and therefore easier to handle.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

What's more important?
Weight or versatility?

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

I've been on a safari, own a crop sensor Nikon, the 500 PF, and a Tamron 150-600G2. I'll be going again in October, and if I could take only one lens, I would choose the Tamron. That answer is based on my personal experience. I'd suggest taking a back-up camera & lens, or at least a VERY good bridge camera such as the Sony RX10 iv.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

You don't plan on taking pictures of anything that isn't far away? No flowers, no landscapes, around a campfire, night skies etc. etc.

Years ago my go places kit was a shoulder bag big enough to hold my 100-400L. I had a FF body, 14mm f/2.8 for indoors, night skies, landscapes; 24-105L for general purposes; 100-400L +1.4x for distance; a light weight tripod with leg that came off as a monopod and a flash unit. Everything was either in the bag, strapped to the bag or on the camera being carried. Much later when I got into birds I got the Tamron 150-600 and now I have the G2 and depending on things I carry the 100-400L+1.4x or the G2, not both if I am going to be walking and carrying them. If in a vehicle I can take both long lens and add a macro. If I am going to be up close from a blind or in a botanical garden or nature walk where the critters are used to people and let them get close I take my 70-300L+1.4x to lighten the load. And today I have the choice of a FF or three crop sensor bodies.

Safari, being allergic to being bitten or trampled I would pick a company that uses beefed up vehicles and stay in them almost all the time when out and about.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Definitely the zoom. I have the G2 - and surprised by how light and easy to maneuver it is ....
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Hip Coyote

I wouldn’t buy a lens unless you will use it a lot afterwards. Otherwise rent one for the time In Africa.

And search the uhh for Africa hints. It comes up all the time here n

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

On most safaris they get you fairly close to the subjects. No need to tie yourself to one focal length.
My suggestion, buy or rent the versatile, sharp at every focal length, Nikon 200-500 f5.6.
You will not have buyers remorse.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I used my 100-400mm telephoto about 98% of the time. The 500mm prime will be lighter and might produce sharper photos, but it will cripple you. With the 500mm you can get a great close-up shot of the elephant's eye, but you really might want to get a shot of the whole elephant. Or the whole pride of lions. You will be surprised at how close you will be getting to some of the wildlife.

NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

Checkout The Wild Eye Podcast by Gerry van der Walt start at the beginning excellent advice from a Photo safari tour guide based in South Africa. he also has a video I saw on B & H's site

Hip Coyote

stevetassi

The Tamron has a longer reach and has weather sealing. The Nikon doesn’t have it.

ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL

I own a D-750 and I have on it the Nikkor 28-300mm f. 3.5-5.6 lens as a walk around lens. It is sharp, and a great range combination because I have the wide setting at 28mm for landscapes up to the 300mm for mid-range African photographing. I also have, and probably would use, in your case, the sharp Nikkor 200-500mm f.5.6 lens to "get close, "eye level" to the big cats of Africa. This lens is a great lens when you want to do birding and want to see the big cat's whiskers and liking its tongue thinking "good human dinner" at a distance (I'll get him when he gets closer....). But then, you never get physically closer because you are "shooting it" with the big Nikkor 200 -500mm lens. The only draw-back of this lens is the weight: 5lbs and counting,,, however it also has the best VR in the business: I shoot with it handheld at 500mm and the shots come out great. I normally leave the lens collar in the suitcase and don't take the tripod. I have a camera case that can hold both lenses (with the 28-300 on the camera) and the 200-500 besides it. I found out that on a safary, when it comes to the leopards, chitas on trees, hippos and elephant herds at a distance, the guides will stop the jeep allowing you time to change lens to the big 200-500mm one. My "other" recommendation is to do some weightlifting workouts at home for a few days before lugging the big, fat, heavy 200-500mm. I'm 78 yrs old and can easily carry it if I'm not walking a lot. BE AWARE OF THE DUST; it is all over Africa, thus be mindfull of it when changing lens. Have a great trip, Cheers

philo Loc: philo, ca

I'll be leaving in three weeks. My bag is packed and ready to go. My gear...2 bodies, 150-600 tamron, 24-104 canon and a 14-40 wide. that should cover everything.

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

Based on my experience, I would discourage you from taking a large prime lens on a safari. The distance needed will vary greatly, so a zoom is much preferable. If you are able to take two lenses, my first recommendation would be something like a 24-120. Then a longer zoom, something like your 150-600mm would also be nice to have along.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

I've been on an African safari. I took the Tamron 18-400 and which proved to be fine for just about everything. I did have a backup body with a 24-105 but I didn't us that as much as the Tamron.