Telephoto zoom for African Safari
Mar 28, 2016 14:48:39 #
DaveHam
Loc: Reading UK
A lot of African game moves at dawn and dusk so light will be a problem meaning as wide an aperture as you can get.
Depends where is being visited but for the grasslands and savannah 300mm is short; look for a 400mm minimum.
Depends where is being visited but for the grasslands and savannah 300mm is short; look for a 400mm minimum.
Mar 28, 2016 14:57:12 #
You can take rental lenses out of the country - I have done that; but you must buy insurance when the lens is high priced.
Mar 28, 2016 16:17:27 #
wotsmith wrote:
You can take rental lenses out of the country - I have done that; but you must buy insurance when the lens is high priced.
We're headed to Africa next month and I plan to put my camera and lenses on our homeowners before we go. Mostly for theft during the days we spend in SA going and coming. Hotel theft and muggings are rampant.
Mar 28, 2016 17:23:57 #
stewmail wrote:
you can use a 1.4 extender with the Canon 100-400 mm lens.
Definitely.
Mar 28, 2016 17:24:59 #
billnikon wrote:
This one is easy, I went last year with my Nikon 200-400 zoom and it was perfect. I would suggest the newer Canon 200-400 f4 zoom with built in 1.4 teleconverter.
$11,000???
Mar 28, 2016 17:26:42 #
imagemeister wrote:
There are 2 clear choices for Canon - 70-300 L and 100-400 L - either version I or II - both are compact and light weight.
:thumbup: :thumbup: And the 100-400 for what it is is really light.
Mar 28, 2016 17:47:17 #
Architect1776 wrote:
:thumbup: :thumbup: And the 100-400 for what it is is really light.
As sharp as this lens is (vr ii), some cropping in pp should not affect the sharpness. It will already give a field of view on a crop sensor of up to 600mm.
Mar 28, 2016 17:58:36 #
Rhinophoto wrote:
A friend who has a Canon Eos 70D is going on an African safari this Summer and is looking to buy a telephoto zoom that ranges up to about 300mm. It can be a Canon or another brand, new is preferred but used could be an option. I shoot Nikon so I'm not familiar with her choices. Any advice?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Not really enough info here to give meaningful advice. How experienced a photographer is your friend? What is the basis of the 'out to 300mm' stipulation. Did the safari organizer recommend that? If so it is probably based on the shooting conditions on that particular safari. Note that all safaris are not alike. Some have a dedicated vehicle for a party of two or three and some have 18 people crammed into a bus. Vehicles vary in different parts of the country - in Kenya safari vehicles are like this pop-top. In South Africa safari vehicles are like open jeeps with no roof or a canvas roof with an open frame super structure. Some safaris are in the open savannah (Serengeti or Massai Mara) and some are in smaller private game reserves where the distances are much shorter.
Mar 28, 2016 18:15:41 #
Tigger1
Loc: Surrey, BC Canada
mcveed wrote:
Not really enough info here to give meaningful adv... (show quote)
Agreed! Not enough information to make a properly crafted response to the poster's query.
I repeat my earlier question: what is the lady's budget? without that information all responses are moot!
Mar 28, 2016 18:39:34 #
Tigger1 wrote:
Agreed! Not enough information to make a properly crafted response to the poster's query.
I repeat my earlier question: what is the lady's budget? without that information all responses are moot!
I repeat my earlier question: what is the lady's budget? without that information all responses are moot!
Experienced in general amateur photography, but not an experienced wildlife photographer. She would probably try to keep the expense under $2,000.
Thanks for all the replies so far!
Mar 28, 2016 18:59:13 #
mikegreenwald
Loc: Illinois
sb wrote:
I really like my 100-400L Canon zoom lens. I debate getting a Tamron 150-600 for an African safari if I go next year. It is a very heavy lens for walk-around use. You would definitely want to take a large bean-bag to help support it on the vehicle while on safari. Everything I have heard and read about safari photography emphasizes the dust. I suspect it will be a good idea to take a second body with a lower-power zoom - perhaps even a point-and-shoot - to use for landscape shots, etc.
If you "walk around", only your companions will need cameras. Your camera may survive though.
Mar 28, 2016 19:16:47 #
jaycoffman
Loc: San Diego
ONE LAST THOUGHT--Battery charging. Don't know which tour you're on but we had very limited electricity many nights when out on the savannah and it was low wattage so slow charging. Take as many batteries as possible and charge whenever you can. Our electricity was often turned off about 11:00 pm.
Mar 28, 2016 19:55:36 #
Rhinophoto wrote:
A friend who has a Canon Eos 70D is going on an African safari this Summer and is looking to buy a telephoto zoom that ranges up to about 300mm. It can be a Canon or another brand, new is preferred but used could be an option. I shoot Nikon so I'm not familiar with her choices. Any advice?
Thanks.
Thanks.
I support comments by Billnourse. I have the same equipment: Canon 70-200 1:2.8 IS II USM and also use the 2XIII, This lens is so sharp(by itself) that you can digitally enhance a long shot and still maintain a sharp image. Picture of running deer at approximate distance of 50 yards/meters.
Mar 28, 2016 22:41:05 #
I agree with one of the other participants. Unless you will be using this lens frequently...rent it. It's much more cost effective
Mar 29, 2016 09:38:27 #
Tigger1
Loc: Surrey, BC Canada
Rhinophoto wrote:
Experienced in general amateur photography, but not an experienced wildlife photographer. She would probably try to keep the expense under $2,000.
Thanks for all the replies so far!
Thanks for all the replies so far!
Keeping the $2,00.00 budget in mind my suggestion would be that your friend try to cover the focal length range from approximately 24mm to 600mm full frame equivalent. Also, a fast f1.4 or f1.8 28mm or 35mm prime lens if the budget will allow. The fast prime lens will allow low light shooting such as dawn, dusk and star shots. I should point out that if your friend does purchase one of the recommended "super zooms" she should try holding one or two samples mounted on her camera and if possible take a few sample shots with them. They are big, long heavy lenses, especially when zoomed to 600mm! A camera bag to accommodate all this kit will be a necessity.
All the best, Garth
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