ClarkG Loc: Southern Indiana USA

Just as important as your lenses, take along a WET sensor cleaning kit! You’ll probably need it!?

Carl S

I've been to various countries in Africa half a dozen times, and since I use cropped Nikons, I take two bodies: one with an 18-300 and the other with a 150-600 zoom. Make sure the operator can supply you with bean bags, and just about all guides have experience with photography to put you in the right position and can anticipate any animal movement. I pack several large zip lock bags to keep the cameras out of the dust when moving, and can actually change lenses inside the bags if necessary. My wife uses full-frame Nikons and takes a 500 mm fixed and her 80-400, and will occasionally use an extender, especially for a river crossing because you can't get close to the river as it is usually a traffic jam. And my images are clear, even if they are zoom lenses. We have had animals walk under the bumpers of our vehicles and even have had cheetahs sit on top of an vehicles parked close to us.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Great suggestion Clark ... it's on the list. Thank you for taking the time to make it.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Great suggestions Carl. I hadn't thought about the plastic bags ... that's a good one. I had been thinking about taking an extender but with all the comments re: dust, I began to question that. Your plastic bag suggestion might just be the solution that would allow me to add an extender when I needed more reach.

Initially I thought about taking a long lens like the one your wife uses, but the preponderance of replies seem to agree with my 1st instinct, which not to take it with long airline flights & frequently getting into & out of vehicles. So my thinking now based on the feedback I've gotten to this post, is to go with the 100-400 for longer shots & the 24-205 for the walk around. Thanks for taking the time respond. I appreciate it.

Sark17 Loc: Atlanta, GA

Note - you cannot take plastic bags into most countries in Africa. You could probably sneak some in if you really wanted, but why go against the good they’re trying to do. Ziplocks are fine, but not sure any are big enough to change a camera in. I changed my camera lens multiple times a day and it was never too dusty unless we were actually driving behind another truck.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

I used ziplocks on African and other trips, and they certainly help when there’s dust, sea spray, and similar problems. I always carry a transparent as well. However I’ve never had a problem with dust - there always seems to be a place available where lens changes are possible.

I notice that several people have recommended the Sony Rx10 MkIV because of the range and dedicated lens. The camera has been highly recommended on other posts also. However my experience with it was less than satisfactory due to excessive noise at high ISO settings, and a question about defective lens coatings causing erratic blurry color spots on some shots. Perhaps I have a lemon, but I no longer trust that camera.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

Second sentence above should have been “I always carry a transparent rain cover...”

ling99

I don't have one, the the Nikon P1000 has amazing zoom - checked it out at camera store. And should have better low light capability than the 900. I'd love to know from an actual user. I think it is supposed to be good for birds also, and plenty of birds in Africa. My husband has some great shots with a Sony cybershot point and shoot. And yes, you can be amazingly close to any of the animals, even leopards or lions. Animals pay no attention to the vehicles.
We were limited to 33 pound duffle bag for traveling Kenya and Tanzania by land cruiser. And count on very dusty environment. The parks do not have paved roads.

Jwshelton Loc: Denver,CO

My experience in Kenya was excellent. What have you been told by the tour operator? They are the best source as they know exactly how the tour will be conducted. I was in the Masi Mara for ten days. We did a drive in the morning and one again mid-afternoon. Most of the “shooting” was done from a vehicle. There really was not a lot of “walking around.” We did get out on occasion, but not often near any animals. We also visited a village one day.
You need reach and a faster lens. The 70-200 is a good choice and your 600 will certainly give you reach. Pick one of the other lens that you like for a bit of wide angle.
Changing lenses can be a challenge with the dust. Two bodies will be a big plus.
I used bean bags to rest the cameras on in most circumstances when shooting from the vehicle. Each photographer had an entire row and could move from side to side with no obstruction. I kept a bean bag on each side.

Again, talk to your tour operator about conditions and shooting expectations.

As others have said, ENJOY! Take time to just fell the beauty of the space and the animals.

One thing I need not realize was the number of birds in Africa. Your long lens will be a great addition.

PM me if you have any specific questions.

Amaize

Long lens is the main issue in the bush, longer the better. 400mm is great. I’m not one for lens extender as quality drops and you can do just as well blowing up the original. I have had occasional situation of lions being too close — like circling Jeep/or friends having cheetah jumping on jeep — not too frequent but not rare either. My recommendation is always just to chase cats ! You will see all the other stuff, but cats offer the most drama — they are the ones that hunt. We would sit on some sleeping cats for an hour or more waiting. Prowling cats are incredible. Absolutely essential to be in open top Jeep, NOT open side. I recommend 3 people max per Jeep, so you can move easily. Keep windows in Jeep open and somehow find a way to constantly tell yourself to get on knees and shoot thru windows, so you get a low angle — so easy to forget in the midst of action, but you get some very nice shots down low. Very important to talk with guide ahead of time and be sure he/she understands you need to be in charge. Stop when you want — Go at speed you want. I would watch speedometer and usually tell guide “29kms/he here or 40 at another place. It should be a working relationship btwn the two of you — and never hesitate to say “let’s go back, I missed a shot.” I’ve never been keen on a night drive. One thing you can do is have your box lunch at your side and nibble along the way — they always give you too much. Don’t go back to lodge for lunch or stop to eat. Just keep on move sunrise-sunset. If space/equip an issue, get new iPhone and use that for “other” shots. I use for videos, esp close ups. Recently blew up a pano of NYC from Rock Cntr to 20X60in — the detail was mind blowing. Plus it has most all the major adjustments as Photoshop. And will do you great at night. If you have choices, Masai Mara is the best in Kenya and you could spend all your days there. One thing in Kenya, they don’t always respect the animals and move in too close, can become a mass riot of jeeps. I was there last Jan and got lucky to see migration/water crossing — literally thousands of wildebeests. Totally crazy. If you are carrying camera in town and have a pop screen, it is always nice to shoot people from the hip — rather than camera up to your eye. Also in markets get contact info and send people photos — they love it. Strongly consider a donation and maybe go see Najin and Fatu, last two remaining Norther White Rhino

https://www.olpejetaconservancy.org/wildlife/rhinos/northern-white-rhinos/

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thanks Sark17 ... never imagined there might be restrictions against taking in plastic bags. If I go with 2 bodies & 2 lenses (my current thinking), then no need to change lenses. But I think I'll be taking an extender, so if as you say, there are times when it's not too dusty, then I could put the extender on for longer shots. Between your comment & MikeGreenwald, I may take a couple of ziplock to cover if things get really dusty. Really appreciate your comments ... don't hesitate to send any other suggestions (can also send a PM with them if you wish).

rdistlerath

Best wishes for a great trip. Your 100-400 can be great on both 7D and 5D. Low light generally not a problem. 16-35 on both too. 24-105 too. No extenders needed. Extra batteries a must. To mirror other posts the animals will be much closer than you imagine.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

You will find your trip amazing and most likely exceeding all of your expectations.

My experience in Tanzania in April 2019 was that the more 'reach' the better. I shoot with Olympus OMD EM1 MK II bodies, so there is a 2x crop factor with lenses. On one body, I used the Panasonic 100-400 and probably shot 95+% of 12,500 images with this lens. On my second body I had an Olympus 12-100 f4 lens. I have not done a search but would not be surprised that a majority of my shots were at 600 mm or equivalent. So again, the more reach the better.

You do want two bodies, first because of dust, and secondly because things can happen quickly and you might need the wider view angle as animals move closer to your vehicle.

Have a great time on your trip.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thanks for your comment Mike ... between yours & sark17's comments, I think I might take a couple of ziplock but it sounds like dust may be manageable as long as not while following another vehicle.

But it's interesting you have a less favorable view of the Sony. I started to do some research & saw some concerns in the reviews ... the most troubling were 2 things ... 1 were several comments about the build quality & the other was the idea that they are selling an equivalent 24-600mm f/2.4-4 lens. I'm no engineer, so can't attest or refute his comments, but one review wrote:

"This camera is great and gets great reviews for good reason. However, Sony routinely (intentionally) lists the wrong aperture in their 35mm (full-frame) equivalent specs. Yes, the 8.8-220mm lens is equivalent to 24-600mm. However, you have to apply the same crop factor to the aperture. It is f/2.4-4.0 for the 8.8-220mm specs (with a 1-inch sensor), which is the same as f/6.6-10.9 for 24-600mm full-frame equivalent. There's no way around the physics, and Sony (among a few other guilty manufacturers) "forgets" to do the math for the aperture. Just think about it. A 600mm f/4 lens is like 15 lbs. It would have to have a front element that's 150mm in diameter, according to the equation for aperture. That doesn't mean the Sony lens is bad or that the camera takes bad pictures. Just the opposite, in fact. But you simply have to understand that it cannot defy the laws of physics and perform on the same level as an actual 600mm f/4 lens. The main area you will notice this difference in equivalent aperture is in the bokeh of the lens. This Sony lens cannot blur backgrounds the same way that a true 600mm f/4 full-frame lens can, based on aperture alone. Again, that doesn't mean that this camera is bad at all. It is extremely capable and a great camera with nothing else quite like it. I just wish Sony would be honest in their description of the lens."

Given comments like yours about build quality along with like above suggests I have a lot of reading to do before going that route. In fairness, there are also a lot of reviews from people including on UHH, about the camera being great for a travel camera. So I do plan to do some reading.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thanks for the comment ... & in particular re: the 33 lbs duffle bag limit. That actually makes sense to me. I'm still awaiting info from the tour company & a response from the guide re: lenses & other suggestions. Appreciate you taking the time to comment.