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African Safari lens/lenses
Jul 18, 2018 09:02:12 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
KEN SPECKLER wrote:
Have Nikon D7200 and 18-300. Thinking about buying 80-400.
Also considering another D7200 body to use with my 12-24 or 16-80.
Appreciate your thoughts/advice.
Also considering another D7200 body to use with my 12-24 or 16-80.
Appreciate your thoughts/advice.
You could save yourself some money and get better reach with the Nikon 200-500. It gets very positive reviews and I have used mine now for two years in Florida and love it. I have had the 80-400 and IMHO the 200-500 is not only focuses faster but I believe I get sharper images. On your D7200 you would have an effective focal length of 300-750, I would take the 16-80 also, another fantastic Nikon lens, I use mine as a companion to my 200-500. The 200-500 is currently on sale making it an even better value.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1175034-REG/nikon_af_s_nikkor_200_500mm_f_5_6e.html?sts=pi-ps
I would however be aware of the dusty conditions that exist on your Safari and very very, very careful changing lenses in the field.
The following is an image of a juvenile Night Heron taken with the 200-500.
Jul 18, 2018 09:19:52 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
I suspect that a quality tour guide will get you in close to your subjects. Factor that into your dilemma. Your quality sensor and cropping in post can bring distance subjects into a better composition.
Jul 18, 2018 09:24:24 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
KEN SPECKLER wrote:
Have Nikon D7200 and 18-300. Thinking about buying 80-400.
Also considering another D7200 body to use with my 12-24 or 16-80.
Appreciate your thoughts/advice.
Also considering another D7200 body to use with my 12-24 or 16-80.
Appreciate your thoughts/advice.
Get the 200-500. You won’t want to fumble with two cameras.
The 18-300 is OK to use in camp but an 18-50 would also do for that.
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Jul 18, 2018 09:24:47 #
One mistake that many photo safari participants make is thinking that they need super long lenses. Having been on two African trips, I found that the guides routinely get you within reach of animals where a 300 or 400 mm lens is more than adequate (think 70-300 mm or 18-400 mm). Lions, giraffes, elephants and such are used to safari vehicles getting fairly close (although elephants can be a bit feisty at times , if babies are around). I would definitely take either a backup camera body or a point and shoot with a decent zoom lens just in case. Extra batteries, appropriate chargers, lens cleaning supplies, a bean bag for steadying longer lenses are additional recommendations.
Jul 18, 2018 09:30:22 #
Best to ask about lens support. I had a private open truck in Ruaha, so tripod and gimbal head which was ideal. Beanbags are better for The more enclosed vehicles in dusty locations. Monopods are a good compromise, that big glass gains weight as the drive goes on.
Jul 18, 2018 09:30:43 #
I went on safari last year and took too much equipment. It was a real drag lugging it around. I'm going back next year and will be taking a Tamron 100-400mm and Nikon 18-140mm for my D7200. Last time the longest lens I took was a 70-300mm and was quite happy with my photos. This time I want to take something with just a little more reach. Have fun. It's a wonderful experience.
Jul 18, 2018 09:37:15 #
Just got back from Africa where we went on safaris in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia. My go to lense was a Nikon 80-400 which was everything I needed it to be without being too big or heavy to manage.
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Jul 18, 2018 10:17:58 #
Consider an all purpose long zoom such as a 150-600mm because you don't want to have to change lenses in dusty conditions in the field.
Jul 18, 2018 10:35:14 #
I went to Tanzania (Serengeti), Kenya (Masa Mara) and Namibia last year and brought my Nikon 80-400 (used with D500). It produced excellent results. Using higher speeds and higher ISO, I was able to hand hold with no problem. If you can take a second camera with you for wide angle that would be great. Keep in mind that you'll run across animals that are just off the road making a large telephoto impractical. Also, there is way too much dust to change lens' in the field In fact, I had to have cameras and lens professionally cleaned upon my return. On our small internal flights I was concerned about the weight restrictions. However, all our checked luggage (16 people) was weighed together, providing some wiggle room for our carry-ons. Have a great trip. Post pics.
Jul 18, 2018 11:11:16 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
DJD wrote:
I went to Tanzania (Serengeti), Kenya (Masa Mara) ... (show quote)
Yes, you’ll find the 200 end of the 200-500 more than you want at times. But the animals or the driver will move away...the latter if you ask.
BTW, one thing I found most usefull was to use M mode at f5.6 and 1/500 with auto iso. Then there was no fumbling when time was short. My hand held images were all good...mostly at 500mm on a D800.
Jul 18, 2018 11:30:48 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
wireloose wrote:
Best to ask about lens support. I had a private open truck in Ruaha, so tripod and gimbal head which was ideal. Beanbags are better for The more enclosed vehicles in dusty locations. Monopods are a good compromise, that big glass gains weight as the drive goes on.
All 4 of the camps I went to had the open land cruiser layout so beanbags were not usable. I tried the monopod one day and it was awkward and worse than handholding because of people wiggle. Put it back in the luggage.
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-389048-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-389160-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-389474-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-394565-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-394617-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-397952-1.html
Handholding my 200-500 w D800 was no problem because most of the time it was in my lap or in the center seat.
PS: I can see that beanbags might work in the stand-up van type vehicles...but would wonder if they are better than resting your arms to insulate people induced wiggle.
Jul 18, 2018 11:42:10 #
I am a Canon shooter and have been to Africa on safari several times. I use a Tamron 150-600mm G2 with very good results. Some of my travelling companions use the Nikon 200-500 with good results also. A long lens is a must. Two bodies are almost essential so you don't have to change lens when out in the field as travel can be very dusty. I also use a 70-200mm, and a 24-105 wide angle for the beautiful landscapes.
Jul 18, 2018 11:47:34 #
I went last year for 3 weeks. I took my d810 and I purchased the sigma 100-400 which I used almost exclusively for the animals and landscapes I also took my rx100 3 which i carried in my pocket used it for photos of the people. Had several other lenses with me which I didn't use much. Take as little as you can because space is limited in the safari vans ad you have to carry the stuff which gets heavy. Also take a good pair of binoculars. Most of all have fun and enjoy it's an experience of a lifetime
Jul 18, 2018 13:34:45 #
I think the 400 will be too short. Benno Ibold, who can be found on fb, has done several African safaris and taken wonderful photos with a Canon dx camera and Sigma 50-500mm lens, which was very sharp. He recently upgraded to the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary, but he does annual trips. The 50-500 would probably be less expensive. I'd recommend that.
Benno also has a second dx in his bag which I'm sure he has another lens like a 50mm mounted on.
Benno also has a second dx in his bag which I'm sure he has another lens like a 50mm mounted on.
Jul 18, 2018 13:41:40 #
I recently took a four week trip to South Africa,Botswana,Zimbabwe and Zambia. Rarely will you be walking around, most of the tours are in a Safari Land Cruiser. The guides get you very close to the animals, at times a bit scary...like 5 feet from a Lion or Leopard. I have a D5300 and took only one lens, Tamron 18-400 that worked very well for me.
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