ron1012

I recently got a deal(?) on a Canon EOS 80D with 2 lenses; EFS 18-55 IS Macro 0.25m/0.8ft and EFS 55-250 IS macro 0.85m/2.5ft. My SA trip is 17 days during which I visit 4 game parks. I plan on some landscape but mostly the big 5 wild life; Elephants, Lions etc. Do I need different lenses ?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

In My Humble opinion in photographing wildlife consider a 150-600 Sigma.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

If you have a new camera the most important thing to do is try to pack in as much experience with it as possible before your trip!

While a powerful zoom may sound good, I am planning a trip for next year to South Africa, and they have advised that most of the wildlife that they encounter does not necessarily need a long zoom - up to 300 or 400 works well, they advise. Remember that many people point out that it can get dusty on the game drives, so do not plan on changing lenses except back at camp. Of course, having a long zoom gives you the option, and the big Tamron 150-600 is a really nice lens, but it is quite heavy.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

When I go out walking I take my Nikon 80-400 and the 35. Try to keep as light as you can too.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

You need to ask this question the the person/s who will be leading your tour. Your proximity to the animals will be the most important factor in your lens selection. Do some research and find out what kind of terrain you will be in, flat and open or confined and wooded? Is your subject on foot or in a tree? You've told us nothing of value to be of assistance other than you shoot an 80D. Asking questions here isn't going to help unless you get more information to define your goal. What are you shooting and whats are the surroundings? How close will you be to the subject? Mid-day or early/late shooting schedule? The more you learn about where you are going and what you will be able to do the happier you will be with the results you attain. You've given us nothing to help you with your search. Help us help you.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Your 18-55 should cover your everyday routine but for wildlife you need a long tele. Sigma and Tamron make excellent 150-600 lenses that should cover your wildlife shots to perfection.

wotsmith Loc: Nashville TN

if the game parks are national parks the drivers have to stay on the road, so it is totally luck as to how far the animal are away. There will be some close. Private parks they can drive right up to the animals. I am a great believer in good prime lenses, but they are very expensive; the Canon 300 f2.8 is beyond good, but about 6K; the Sigma zoom 150-600 is about 1000 and is quite good. check out greg Bosco's evaluation of the Sigmas on his website at deep green photography. That is a fab trip.
Bill

philo Loc: philo, ca

a long zoom is the best. that way you can move in or out depending upon where your subject. Carry two bodies if possible and always carry three or four fully charged batterys. If your battery dies in the middle of the day you are screwed. Also set your camera to continues shooting. Takes lots and save the best.

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

Hi Ron, welcome to UHH. You have received very good advice from several posters above, specifically davidrb's comments! Do your research first before buying any more lenses. Talk with your tour operators to determine what the environment will be like in each of the four parks you will visit. A 150-600mm lens as recommended by several posters is a great option when on flat plains but totally inappropriate in heavy jungle/forested areas. Your 55-250mm lens will serve you well in short to medium range photo ops on larger animals such as the "big 5". As I have two camera bodies, I usually start out on my safari trips with my 18-200mm on one body and my 70-300mm on the other body. My 200-500mm resides in my camera bag until I reach an open plains area, then the 18-200 comes off and on goes the 200-500mm. But, I understand this may seem confusing to you as I assume you have never been to South Africa before and do not know what environment or environments you will be encountering. I can assure you I have had considerable experience in Africa, not just South Africa, so I repeat, contact your tour operators and get their advice before spending money on a lens that you may never use.

jayd Loc: Central Florida, East coast

Zooming in and out with a large lens that is not weather sealed? it might be a wise idea to get a wristband to go around the lens at the point where one piece goes into the other to help trap and or filter out as much dust and dirt as possible when you push out on the same and the lens gets longer it will tend to suck in the outside surrounding air if it's not weather sealed could suck in dust.... just food for thought

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

We run photographic safaris in SA, Botswana and Namibia.

You will find a long lens like the Sigma 150-500 useful and a lens in the range of say 24-70. Most wildlife work is first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening so low light is an issue. So is dust; some areas can have a fine dust that gets into everything, be careful changing lenses in the field. If you are going from an air conditioned building to outside beware condensation which can take 20 minutes or so to clear.

If you need any other information please private contact me - I don't want to post a lot on the public forum page as it is of little interest to people who are not visiting Africa.

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

And for your information there is very little jungle in South Africa, mostly veld grassland and some forested areas but not particularly dense. February is autumn out there - high dense grass is more likely to be the problem.

philo Loc: philo, ca

learn how to use back button focusing. that way you can move your camera around and not have trees or bushes mess up your af.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Or the new Tamron. All comparisons show them about equal.

Sigma makes two. The Contemporary is good enough and lighter than the Sport, a consideration when travelling.

Bobnewnan

I was there a couple of months ago. Used a Nikon d500 with a Tamron 16-300. With the crop factor that's 450 on the front end. I had a 1.4 and 2.0 extender but I never needed to use them. Most of the animals don't care if the vehicle comes close, we were within 5-10 feet of all of the big 5 except the Rino and Hippo. There the 450 was used. I posted pictures if you wish to look for them. Lots of fun, best trip I've ever had and I've been around for 80 years.