Safari Trip Lens (Page 4): Great shot. That dude is all business! Scary.

SteveInConverse Loc: South Texas

Robertl594 wrote:

Don’t take a flash. Useless at distance and don’t mess with the animals. Be careful when near elephants. If your guide is not experienced, you could be in serious jeopardy. We had a close call when someone in our car waved at a large elephant and he decided to come after us. Very uncomfortable. I did get the shot though. Our guide knew what to do and told us what to do (and not do). Scary for a few moments. Could have turned ugly.

Great shot. That dude is all business! Scary.

stangage

I've been on 2 Africa safaris, a bear safari, and numerous birding adventures. Bottom line for me is the lenwith the lens the better your shot. Yes you can always crop but you'll amost for sure have a bird or a cat shot that would have been better without major cropping. Rather than renting or buying another lenas, get a 1.4 x tele-converter. You'll probably use it a lot.
Depending on your safari, most shots will be from the back of a jeep in Africa and most safari producers won't let you use a tripod in the jeep. Truth be told, that action is generally moving to fast and the tripod becomes a liability to getting the really unique shots.
Reputable safari providers won't allow you to take night shots of animals with flash. Don't bother to carry it unless your taking shots of the other people on the trip after a game drive.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

SteveInConverse wrote:

Great shot. That dude is all business! Scary.

Thank you. Was scary!!! Our guide saved our asses.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Have fun!

Gear -
https://backcountrygallery.com/whats-in-my-bag-africa-edition/
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/

Photography -
https://www.safaribookings.com/blog/15-african-safari-photography-tips
https://digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-photograph-an-african-photographic-safari/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/lists/activities/photography-tips-africa-safari/
https://www.porini.com/blog/essential-photography-tips-african-safari/
https://www.gadventures.com/blog/tips-photos-african-safari/
https://www.tripsavvy.com/taking-great-photos-on-safari-1454103

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

You will love Africa. A second body would be helpful. I just returned and used my 100-500 and 600mm f4 the most. Having a wide angle on another body would be great for when the lion or cheetah walks right by and you don’t have time or want to change lenses. It is also dusty and the more you change a lens the more likely you get dust on the sensor.

If you are on a photo tour specifically they should provide bean bags. You might ask if they provide them. If not take one. My tour lady has an awesome vehicle set up with lots of bean bags.

Have fun!
Beth

Lay down door for getting eye level!

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We dropped a bean bag, Miss lion claimed it!

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Some places you can get out and get even lower perspectives.

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PurpleHaze204 Loc: North Potomac, MD

Thanks everyone for your advice!!!

kbk

Leave the tripod home. Most shots are off pads of a land cruiser, hand held. Maybe take a monopod, but I never used it. You won't use a flash all the parks want you out before dark. You'll only maybe use a flash in camp.

Guzser02

A safari trip is awesome. Take a system that won't be cumbersome. Definitely reduce the number of lenses, for fine dust can get on your sensor. Take lots of cleaning wipes.

Burkley Loc: Park City

PurpleHaze204 wrote:

Hi hogs, need your advice. I'm going on my first safari trip next summer to Kenya and Tanzania. I have an APS-C camera with both 18-135mm and 70-300mm lenses. Will I really need anything longer than 300? Since I'll be there two weeks, it almost doesn't pay to rent as I'd spend almost the same money to purchase say a Sigma 150-500 lens. I'll take travel tripod but will I need flash for evening drives?

Thoughts? Thanks all.

This is another elephant charge. Not dangerous, just exciting. The photo was taken with a Nikon D300S and a 200-500 mm 5.6 by my son, likely at 200 mm. If you can get the 200-500 (if you shoot Nikon) or a Sigma or a Tamron 150-600 new, refurbished or used, get it. But a 300 mm will get you most shots. Take 2 cameras (70-200 mm and 200-500 mm for my cameras), never change lenses on the road, take extra batteries and cards, clean and charge your equipment every night. I don’t take a flash or a tripod. Many do use a sand bag. I don’t. Remember to put down the camera and enjoy the majesty around you and your friends in the Land Rover. Have fun.

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Bobc163 Loc: Australia NSW

PurpleHaze204 wrote:

Thanks RL, I'm booked on a tour. . .

What time of year and with whom I am going in June and will be back in Aus end of August
Starting in Nairobi ending in Cape Town
I have been trying to do this for the last 3 years but we all know what has been happening
Very interested in the gear recom's as I will be taking both 5d bodies Mkiii & iv and thinking that I should take 24-105 , 100-400 with multiplier and 16-35
Bob

Burkley Loc: Park City

Bobc163 wrote:

What time of year and with whom I am going in June and will be back in Aus end of August
Starting in Nairobi ending in Cape Town
I have been trying to do this for the last 3 years but we all know what has been happening
Very interested in the gear recom's as I will be taking both 5d bodies Mkiii & iv and thinking that I should take 24-105 , 100-400 with multiplier and 16-35
Bob

I have traveled extensively in Kenya and Tanzania. I have lived in South Africa including Cape Town. You are traveling a long way. You will stand between both hemispheres at the equator. I also hope you get to have one foot in the Indian Ocean feeling it’s warmth, the other in the cold Atlantic. The scenery will be as amazing as the animals, promise. The Cape coast to Port Elizabeth is spectacular, especially in Spring. What a great trip. I’m jealous.

I like your choice of lenses.

Rashid Abdu Loc: Ohio

Maybe you should look into the Sony Rx10M4 with 24-600mm zoom, f2.4-16. Well sealed. weighs about 2.5 lobs.

Bobc163 Loc: Australia NSW

Thanks for that but, I am wanting to use my existing equipment