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Telephoto lens question
Nov 22, 2015 11:49:35 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
Depends upon how "close" you want to get versus how large/heavy a lens you are willing to tote around.... 200mm to 250mm that have been suggested will be a bit short for safari shooting.
If you want a longer lens for fine art portraits of the critters you meet, without becoming their next meal, for around $500 you can pick up a used Sigma 120-400mm OS HSM in Nikon mount. It's a discontinued model now (superseded by the approx. $1100 150-600mm), but still a reasonably good lens with better reach, though it's bigger/heavier than a 70-200/2.8, it's not prohibitively so and is still hand-holdable. Just be sure to get the OS "optically stabilized" version.
Bought used at this price, so long as the lens is still in good shape you could probably turn around and re-sell the lens when you return, recovering much or all your investment, possibly even costing less than renting.
My first thought was renting, but a lot of rental places do not want you to travel internationally with their gear.
If you want a longer lens for fine art portraits of the critters you meet, without becoming their next meal, for around $500 you can pick up a used Sigma 120-400mm OS HSM in Nikon mount. It's a discontinued model now (superseded by the approx. $1100 150-600mm), but still a reasonably good lens with better reach, though it's bigger/heavier than a 70-200/2.8, it's not prohibitively so and is still hand-holdable. Just be sure to get the OS "optically stabilized" version.
Bought used at this price, so long as the lens is still in good shape you could probably turn around and re-sell the lens when you return, recovering much or all your investment, possibly even costing less than renting.
My first thought was renting, but a lot of rental places do not want you to travel internationally with their gear.
Nov 22, 2015 12:00:15 #
A different take- spend a few minutes to research Marina Cano who is the undisputed African wildlife expert photographer (in my opinion of course ). She used a Canon 100-400 mm lens for a long time but has since switched to Nikon equipment. If you like her work take the lens with a similar focal length whether it be on a DSLR, bridge or mirrorless camera. You could send her an email asking for advice- she has a Facebook account and is very approachable. No sense coming back with the same, ordinary photographs that most take especially with your portrait background. What a wonderful opportunity- enjoy!
Nov 22, 2015 12:35:47 #
Blanche007 wrote:
I am going to Tanzania on safari in January. I am... (show quote)
Might consider buying a new Nikon 200 - 500 F5.6 and a 1.4 TC and selling them when you get back. You would not be renting the lens when your traveling. With the D7000 you will have a good deal of reach and with the zoom & TC, a lot of flexibility.
Bill
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Nov 22, 2015 13:25:53 #
Blanche007 wrote:
I am going to Tanzania on safari in January. I am... (show quote)
The Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED IF AF-S DX VR Lens is the perfect all-in-one lens for you.
$500.00 at Adorama.
Craig
Nov 22, 2015 13:28:20 #
Blanche007 wrote:
I am going to Tanzania on safari in January. I am... (show quote)
1. Tamron SP 70-300 VC
2. Sigma 120-400 OS
3. If you get serious and have a little money, ( or can rent) the new Nikon 300mm f4 E (diffractive) with a 1.4X TC is a honey !
Nov 22, 2015 13:30:24 #
Mark7829
Loc: Calfornia
CraigFair wrote:
The Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED IF AF-S DX VR Lens is the perfect all-in-one lens for you.
$500.00 at Adorama.
Craig
$500.00 at Adorama.
Craig
I would agree. I bigger lens would likely be better but the OP has a 16 mp DX camera. The DX would match. In good light, you will get good images.
Nov 22, 2015 13:31:13 #
imagemeister wrote:
1. Tamron SP 70-300 VC
2. Sigma 120-400 OS
3. If you get serious and have a little money, ( or can rent) the new Nikon 300mm f4 E (diffractive) with a 1.4X TC is a honey !
2. Sigma 120-400 OS
3. If you get serious and have a little money, ( or can rent) the new Nikon 300mm f4 E (diffractive) with a 1.4X TC is a honey !
If you really want to go light, try the Sony RX10 and 2X clear image zoom.
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Nov 22, 2015 13:40:53 #
imagemeister wrote:
If you really want to go light, try the Sony RX10 and 2X clear image zoom.
Because he want to put an all-in-one Lens on His Camera.
Craig
Nov 22, 2015 13:47:38 #
For me, an SLR is a "Work" camera.
Although I admittedly get non-work use of an SLR:
A trip is a vacation, and I leave WORK at home.
On Vacation, I like a Canon Power Shot G1-X:
Buying today, Canon G3X. Or Nikon Coolpix 7800 (there are other choices in this arena)
If the pic's are going to be for your own enjoyment only; why lug a heavy DSLR and Lenses etc.?
Get a small body with Lens attached and have fun!
Although I admittedly get non-work use of an SLR:
A trip is a vacation, and I leave WORK at home.
On Vacation, I like a Canon Power Shot G1-X:
Buying today, Canon G3X. Or Nikon Coolpix 7800 (there are other choices in this arena)
If the pic's are going to be for your own enjoyment only; why lug a heavy DSLR and Lenses etc.?
Get a small body with Lens attached and have fun!
Nov 22, 2015 17:25:35 #
Redrock51 wrote:
I spent two weeks on Tanzania's Serengeti. I thin... (show quote)
My Nikon 18-200 is my walk-around lens. I have five other lenses, but this is the one on the camera 98% of the time.
When I went to Europe with a Sony a6000, I took an 18-200 and it covered almost everything I could want. Europe is not Africa, but the range is perfect for what you want.
Nov 22, 2015 17:39:12 #
Nov 22, 2015 18:04:23 #
If you don't mind spending the money, the new 300/4G PF is one fine little beast! IMHO. Best of luck.
Nov 22, 2015 18:07:06 #
cjc2 wrote:
If you don't mind spending the money, the new 300/4G PF is one fine little beast! IMHO. Best of luck.
Yea $2200.00 for a one use Lens.
Craig
Nov 22, 2015 18:24:52 #
Blanche007 wrote:
I am going to Tanzania on safari in January. I am... (show quote)
A best buy right now is the Sigma 150-500. They have drastically reduced the new price and there are many perfect used ones available because people are buying the new Sigma and Tamron 150-600 and Nikon 200-500. I'm in the last category for a hoped for trip to Africa next year also.
It is an excellent lens. You will find many reviews of it here on UHH and many images taken with it. The OS is very good which means you can handhold it at 500mm...although a little under 500mm is a little sharper.
It is big and heavy, though.
If you want a single lens there is also a Sigma 50-500. It is somewhat heavier and more expensive. If you consider it know that there is a non-OS version: you don't want that.
But 50mm is a bit much for close up shots. You might want to also bring a f1.8 35mm.
I hesitate to suggest this because to me it seems unethical. But the large camera stores offer a 30-day no questions return policy. If you time it right and don't mess it up you could get a free rental.
Nov 22, 2015 18:29:12 #
CraigFair wrote:
Yea $2200.00 for a one use Lens.
Craig
Craig
Oh, I'll bet once owned, plenty of use will be found. I believe it is just a few dollars under $ 2k. I sure have found a lot of uses for mine, even though I also have a 300/2.8. One heck of a great lens! If not, rentals are available. You've got to try this one to believe it.
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