'big' lens for Safari

RacingSnake

RacingSnake

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Gavin
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Hi guys,
I went on safari 2 years ago, I had just bought a 450d and a 70-300 IS lens.
I was absolutely chuffed to bits with the results, so when I got back I chopped it in and bought the 100-400L ready for the next safari.

Well, I'm rapidly approaching that stage and have found myself in the potential position of moving on again.

My question is therefore, has anyone taken a 300-800 'sigmonster' on a safari, and if so what was the experience/results? :shrug:

I'm not necessarily talking about the weight issue, but the practicality of moving it around.

I am not in the position to have both lenses. :shake:

TIA
 
if it was me with that amount of money to spend i would be thinking of a better body ( better higher iso performance ) and a 1.4 or 2 x tc , be interesting what others will say :)
 
As you have been on safari before you will probably know the working distances to expect, so do you really need such a big lens,

I took my 150-500 with me when we went to Kenya on safari, I found that I often had to swap lens for something smaller as the subjects were that close to us, the 150-500 was good for long shots and birds though, I wished I had took 2 cameras, then I wouldn't have had to keep swapping lens all the time,

why not get a x2/ or x1/4 converter and another body
 
yep, the 5d2 is on my list, and I have a 2xtc, but the manual focussing is a pita.

my rationale behind the big length is I do a lot of bird photography, so the long reach would be useful back home too.
 
what x2 converter do you have, with a canon one it should AF with a 100-400mm I think

the biggy would be good back as you say
 
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I do have the canon 2x II, but doesn't AF on the 450 unless I'm using live view.
Maybe I should throw caution to the wind and get the new body and lens?! lol
 
I agree with the above ideas about a new body.. You've done the right thing by investing in quality glass, but the 450D is getting long in the tooth and the 100-400 can give you better results on a newer sensor. I'd imagine that on safari the 100-400 should do you fine for a lens, and you want to minimize lens changes is the dusty bush so something that starts at 300mm sounds overboard & inconvenient to me.

Thus, get a second body (60D or 7D) and slap a normal zoom on the 450D while keeping the 100-400 on the new camera. Doesn't hurt to have a backup body on such a trip either :)

On TCs, the 1.4x is passable on the 100-400 but AF will be horrid or won't work at all.
 
My most used kit when on safari is a 70-200 on a full frame with the option of adding a 1.4x converter (seldom used as I don't like changing lenses more than necessary, I'd rather crop) and a 7D with a 300 prime for the longer shots giving effectively a 480mm effective with the 450D.

Perhaps a series 1 5D and a 70-200 2.8 non IS which if you buy carefully 2nd hand shouldn't be too expensive as you'll probably be using a bean bag most of the time and use your 450 with the 100-400?
 
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I think that the answer (for me at least) when on safari is to use 2 bodies. I found that when using the 100-400 on the 1D it was exclusively at full stretch so I've changed it for the 400 5.6L.

The 40D with a 24-105 was ideal for closer animals and a few landscapes.
 
Just Dave said:
what x2 converter do you have, with a canon one it should AF with a 100-400mm I think

the biggy would be good back as you say
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The 100-400mm is F5.6 lens

If the max aperture is greater than F5.6 then all 'non 1 series' bodies will not AF. 1 series bodies can AF at F8

The 100-400mm with x2 is F11 so there is no boty that can AF by default with the canon converter
 
I guess this lends itself to another question then....

I always like to have the latest stuff, but conversely like it to last.... my 450 has been great and has served me well for 2 years, but I always aspired to a 5d2 once I was more confident...

This thread has made me think whether I should almost get an 'interim' body such as the 60D and then step up later to the 5d3 (in a years time or whatever).
I am also conscious that changing to either a 7d or 5d2 would mean a switch to CF card memory, not a big thing I know, but sticking with SD (60d) might be useful.

gaah, what to do! lol

My current thinking is 60d with the 100-400, and the 450d with a 18-135 or similar.

(might still get the monster too :D )
 
How about a Mk1 5D (2nd hand obviously), the IQ is wonderful and tbh I cant see the Mk2 offers THAT much more to warrant buying a new one, which might leave enough for a new 50D (a fine camera and possibly better than a 60D) or maybe even a 40D (if you can find a new one) as its "almost" as good as the 50D in most people's eyes. That way even if one body failed you'd still be able to take photographs.

Matt
 
Well, Gavin, don't always think you will need the longest lens in your armoury.

It depends to a large extent where you are going. In the Serangeti, for instance, you may well need the most reach you can muster, however I have shot cheetas with my full frame and a 70-200. In South Africa in the bush, I have had a leopard with a kill get so close I needed to put my 24-105 on a FF body.

In some areas you can get off road, whereas in others it is prohibited. Generally in the private reserves eg Sabi Sands in the Kreuger you are off road, whereas in the Kreuger in general you must stick to the roads.

Perhaps that will colour your thinking??...but I'd definitely have 2 bodies if at all possible.

George

PS and I'd certainly go for a 7D rather than a 60D....2nd hand? some have been on the forum recently. CFs are cheap as well!!....and back up your shots, preferably every night!!
 
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Plan is a week travelling through the Serengeti, then Lake Manyara, then the Ng Crater (followed by a week in Zanzibar :) )

I see on fleabay you can get a 7d body (new) for £900, seems reasonable?

will have a think over lunch.... might pop down to jessops to have a play with each of the models.
 
RacingSnake said:
Plan is a week travelling through the Serengeti, then Lake Manyara, then the Ng Crater (followed by a week in Zanzibar :) )

I see on fleabay you can get a 7d body (new) for £900, seems reasonable?

will have a think over lunch.... might pop down to to have a play with each of the models.
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Ah well, I suspect you won't be off road then, certainly not in the crater or Serengeti...try not to spend all your time travelling between resorts, best to arrange 2-3 days min static and going out on drives for the full day having a base.

Generally now in the crater you are limited to either a morning or afternoon drive unless your guide has a local contact in which case he may be able to swing something...:lol::lol::lol:

I'd suspect you would use a 7D with the 100-400 for most things on that trip, although looking at my exifs from a recent crater visit I used a 1Ds with 70-200 quite a bit too.

I don't think you'd be disappointed with the above combo, but again take a bean bag!! (I take an empty one and fill up with rice when out there!!)

George
 
smalls said:
what about hiring a lens for the safari?
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I thought about that, but I already have a nice 100-400, and given I'd use the glass back home too, it was a toss up between this, or chopping it in for the monster.
The consensus does seem to be pretty clear that my 100-400 will satisfy the need :cool:
George said:
Ah well, I suspect you won't be off road then, certainly not in the crater or Serengeti...try not to spend all your time travelling between resorts, best to arrange 2-3 days min static and going out on drives for the full day having a base.
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It's an arranged tour (or will be), and I believe gives us about 2 days (minus travelling) in each location over a 6 day total period.
George said:
Generally now in the crater you are limited to either a morning or afternoon drive unless your guide has a local contact in which case he may be able to swing something...:lol::lol::lol:
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I have a contact who might be able to help with that... his name is USD. :D
George said:
I'd suspect you would use a 7D with the 100-400 for most things on that trip, although looking at my exifs from a recent crater visit I used a 1Ds with 70-200 quite a bit too.

I don't think you'd be disappointed with the above combo, but again take a bean bag!! (I take an empty one and fill up with rice when out there!!)

George
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Thanks for the tip

Thanks all for the comments, off for a test drive me thinks. :bat: :D
 
RacingSnake said:
My question is therefore, has anyone taken a 300-800 'sigmonster' on a safari, and if so what was the experience/results? :shrug:
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We've got a couple of Sigma 300-800s but to my knowledge none of our customers has ever taken one on safari. Birding, Formula 1, covert surveillance (*), UK wildlife ... but not safari.

I think the reason is that the practicalities simply can't be overlooked. It's too big for an airline carry-on, but when it's packed in a Peli-type case for travel it weighs nearly 15kg. Plus it's so big and heavy in use that unless you've got your own vehicle it's going to get in everybody else's way.

vaizki said:
Thus, get a second body (60D or 7D) and slap a normal zoom on the 450D while keeping the 100-400 on the new camera. Doesn't hurt to have a backup body on such a trip either :)
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That's what I'd do.

(*) This is a great lens for covert surveillance, according to one of our customers. With a 2x Extender (!!), you can take a recognisable image of somebody from 1-5 to 2 km distance.
 
Yup, Stewart is right - the 300-800 is far too big to be usable on safari.

After having been on safari with a 70-300 DO and a 100-400 my preferred lens is the 300 f2.8 with 1.4 and 2x TCs. That gives me an unbeatable 300mm f2.8, an exceptional 420mm f4 and a pretty good 600mm f5.6 - all with IS and AF on my 7D. And it's small enough to go in airline carry-on with no problems.

I'd also recommend a second body with something like a 70-200 for those times when the animals are a bit closer.
 
hollis_f said:
Yup, Stewart is right - the 300-800 is far too big to be usable on safari.

After having been on safari with a 70-300 DO and a 100-400 my preferred lens is the 300 f2.8 with 1.4 and 2x TCs. That gives me an unbeatable 300mm f2.8, an exceptional 420mm f4 and a pretty good 600mm f5.6 - all with IS and AF on my 7D. And it's small enough to go in airline carry-on with no problems.

I'd also recommend a second body with something like a 70-200 for those times when the animals are a bit closer.
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.....which is exactly what I said earlier in the thread...:lol::lol::exit:
 
Think everyones said its too big, as said I found mt 150-500mm to long at times, but i think the OP knew that after the first few posts :thumbs: as he said it would be used for birding, so why everyone keeps going on it being to big is just repeating whats already been said and understood :thinking:
 
Lol, aye, message understood loud and clear :rules:

My deduction, new body and possibly small zoom lens for the safari, and monster when i get my bonus :D
 
I think I'll go for the 7d for the AF and faster burst rate.... Might come in useful for getting more pictures of thin air as i miss the birds :D
 
RacingSnake said:
I think I'll go for the 7d for the AF and faster burst rate.... Might come in useful for getting more pictures of thin air as i miss the birds :D
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Not having been on safari I may be wrong but wild animals tend to run as soon as they hear a shutter fire off, so burst rate might not be useful, more a case of the 'decisive' moment and a single photo? If the animal doesnt fly off because of the shutter noise then again burst rate isnt significant.
AF - from what I have read the 7D requires some careful setting up, the 50D
seems to work just fine out of the box, will you have time to get the camera (7D) working the way you want/need before the trip? Be a shame to miss shots because the camera/you arent communicating perfectly.

Personally I'd take my old 1D cos its a brick outhouse with brilliant AF (and if you must a terrific burst rate) etc and my 5D for the IQ, worth thinking about those options? 1D (mk2) and a Mk1 5D would probably cost combined about the same as a new 7D, lose a lot less on resale too.

Matt
 
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fair comment, but in reality, the camera shutter noise is insignificant versus the diesel land rovers :lol:
but seriously I know what you're saying, I did however find myself using continuous shooting on my last trip, usually for the big eagles etc flying around, or the lions & buffalo's running.

Thats said, the 7D can be had pretty competitively now (and I've pretty much commited to one already :D)
I would certainly intend to recieve the camera in advance of the safari and play with it so I know what I'm doing... what could possibly go wrong :bang: :D
 
MatBin said:
Not having been on safari I may be wrong but wild animals tend to run as soon as they hear a shutter fire off, so burst rate might not be useful, more a case of the 'decisive' moment and a single photo? If the animal doesnt fly off because of the shutter noise then again burst rate isnt significant.
AF - from what I have read the 7D requires some careful setting up, the 50D
seems to work just fine out of the box, will you have time to get the camera (7D) working the way you want/need before the trip? Be a shame to miss shots because the camera/you arent communicating perfectly.

Personally I'd take my old 1D cos its a brick outhouse with brilliant AF (and if you must a terrific burst rate) etc and my 5D for the IQ, worth thinking about those options? 1D (mk2) and a Mk1 5D would probably cost combined about the same as a new 7D, lose a lot less on resale too.

Matt
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Matt, the birds might fly off but the big cats, elephants etc won't bother and a good burst rate is really useful.
I agree however that the 7D requires a bit of getting used to however it is well worth the effort and has a far superior a/f system compared to the 50D (or 1D or 5D)..in fact in some ways I prefer it to the 1D mk4 having used both on safari.
 
I've been on safari five times and I've never experienced any wildlife being scared off by shutter noises.
 
George said:
Matt, the birds might fly off but the big cats, elephants etc won't bother and a good burst rate is really useful.
I agree however that the 7D requires a bit of getting used to however it is well worth the effort and has a far superior a/f system compared to the 50D (or 1D or 5D)..in fact in some ways I prefer it to the 1D mk4 having used both on safari.
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Good to know if I'm ever lucky enough to go, cheers for the info.
Matt
 
MatBin said:
Good to know if I'm ever lucky enough to go, cheers for the info.
Matt
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Hope you do, Matt, it's great!! (but the ultimate experience is South Georgia....a bit cooler however!!)
 
In fairness, that is what happened last time. :thumbs:


And the deed is done, 7D plus 18-135mm plus 50mm winging its way to me :). Thanks all for your advice! Expensive advice, but advice none the less :D
 
Good decision. But if you still want to get your hands on a Sigmosnter, we're just down the road. ;)
 
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