imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The Tamron is small, light and un-encumbering. It seems to be a well reviewed lens - just the same, buy it far enough ahead of time to test it and work out any bugs !....

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Moondoggie Loc: Southern California

If you are going on a Safari, you typically will be pretty close to most of the wildlife. I went in March to Africa and used a Tamaron 18-400mm on a D5300 Nikon. It worked very well for most of my shots. Several times I set my camera to manual focus, as the Lion was into the brush and it was best when I focused the camera. Other times the auto focus on the lens was fine.

Poppa

I recently purchased a Tamron1 to 400 lens and it quickly became my favorite lens. I purchased it from a local store and paid about $400 so you might want to check with Amazon or some other place that might have a lower price. I do a lot of wildlife pictures and this lens is easy to travel with. Good luck.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

No doubt the CamaraLabs review by Gordon Laing, one of my favorite reviewers, was extensive and informative. However, when I look at IRA’s photos of bird shots noted here, who’s talent I aspire to achieve and consider that the Tamron 100-400 costs $800 vs $2300 for the Nikon 80-400 and weighs 16 ozs more I am even more pleased with my purchase of the Tamron 100-400. The Tamron 150-600 G2 is no doubt superior to the 100-400 but it weighs almost twice as much as it’s little sibling and costs 50% more. I would love to get the performance of the Nikon 200-500 but the extra 40 ozs and $500 so far will not let me buy it. I am a big fan of Sigma Art lenses but the Sigma 100-400 (not an Art) was not well rated by Dustin Abbot in his Ytube review. At almost 74 the weight will be more significant as the years go by for me than the money. So this lens is right for some people but by no means for everyone. I can live with the compromises for now. By the way, I enjoy reading your comments. Thanks for sharing the article.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I don't have the Tamron 100-400... I'm a Canon shooter, so I have their 100-400 instead. But the Tamron would be my 2nd choice, if I didn't have the Canon. I like that the Tamron can optionally be fitted with a tripod mounting ring, which I consider an essential accessory on a lens that reaches 400mm, especially when using it on a crop camera where it "acts" even longer! I also really like and that Tamron has thoughtfully incorporated an Arca-compatible dovetail in the ring's foot (listen up Canon... I had to buy a custom replacement foot to use on mine).

Lens rentals are an option... But you need to read the fine print. A lot of rental agreements don't permit you to take the lens out of the country.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

My copy worked well on the D500 and D850. I have no experience with the D7200.

sv3noKin51E

Rosjan; We have the same rig as you (among many others) and agree that you will have a good time with it in African. If you have a spare body and lens, pack it along; we never travel without 2 of each. W usually pack the D7200 and D7000, or if Wife has dibs on the 7000, I'll pack the D300 with a 18-200mm and a 50/70-300mm lens for the 2nd body, as well as a 24-120mm or 18-55mm for walkabout for the 2nd body. If you only take one body to Africa and something regrettable happens, you may wonder why you didn't pick up a spare older body, for instance a cheap D40 or D70 as insurance. We picked up a used D40 for $45; it's a fun, light point and shoot, but you can do some good work with it (it doesn't use all of the latest greatest lenses). I'd been looking for a D300 for along time and finally snagged one in like new shape from Adorama, for $140; it's not a D7200, but considering what the D300 sold for new, it can do most of what the D7000 or D7200 does, has a good screen and can use all of the lenses. Be sure to take a few extra cards, batteries and a charger on your trip, don't drop the camera off of an elephant and consider posting a few of your fine shots when you return. Happy shooting. sv

jaimeblackwell Loc: Lewiston, Maine

I'm not telling you to buy diferent but I will say I have and older Tamron 200-400 and the lens is very nice its a bit soft at 400 untill you hit f8 after that its all good. used I paid 100.00 for it in a local camera store about 6 months ago. which ever you choose will most likely be a good choice. good luck.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I have the Tamron 100-400 mm lens and while it gets good sharp images some of the time it's not consistent and it's fussy about low light, low contrast, high contrast conditions and anything moving quickly. So if the light is right and the focus is behaving I have gotten some really nice, sharp images. Enough really good images to keep the lens. However I would not recommend it without reservations. If you get it I would strongly recommend a tripod collar to balance out the lens using a tripod, monopod or pistol grip. Your choice of a long lens is very limited in the weight and price categories.

Ernie Misner Loc: Lakewood, WA

Tons of information in this thread at DPR in the 3rd party lens forum. There are other similar thread there too if you type Tamron 100-400 into the search.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/61197950

mjgoulet

Be very careful with an expensive DSLR in Africa and be careful who you take pictures of. I've been to Tanzania and Kenya and found a point and shoot to be the best. As long as you are aware of the pitfalls you should be okay. Never take a picture of anyone without their permission and guard your equipment.