Lens choice for game drives

[insomniac]

Hi all,

I'm lucky enough to be going to Zambia for a couple of weeks in October and am quite to purchase a new lens, though I think max budget is probably around £700.

My kit currently consists of a D90, the Tamron 28-75mm, Nikkor 10-24mm and a prime Nikkor f/1.8 35mm. I think for this trip the 10-24mm is dead weight and the prime, though light, probably has limited application, so was thinking of taking just the 28-75mm.

In terms of lenses was deciding between either the Nikkor 70-300mm VR or the Tamron 70-300mm VC. Though, hiring is also an option. But then I'd ideally like to spend less than £100.

Thank you.

 

[ACW]

Have you thought about hiring a super telephoto like 500 or 600 f4.

 

[gad-westy]

Both of those would be a decent choice. Your budget would also just stretch to used 300 f/4 afs. In fact, there was one in classifieds on here for £500 last time I checked. Could even get a 1.4x TC with the change. There's also the sigma 150-500 to consider.

 

[insomniac]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I'm inclined to not take a prime lens, I'd like to have a bit of flexibility on the drive, as I don't fancy changing lenses out in the bush.

I think I've more or less decided to rent as it would be nice to get something I wouldn't normally buy. I've decided to raise my budget to £150 and am considering the following:

So am now considering:
- Nikon AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D ED VR
- Nikon AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR
- Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 G IF-ED VR (or the f/4 variant)

Keeping in mind that these are going to go onto a DX body and be coupled with a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, are there any suggestions or preferences?

Thank you.

 

[PickleB]

This is an edited version of another post of mine:

I'd go for the Canon equivalent of Nikon's 70-300mm ...

I'd go for Nikon's 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR...new or second-hand.

Here's a couple of articles you might like to read:

• Nathan Myhrvold
• Thom Hogan

Being professionals you'll see that they're suggesting two bodies and long lenses (hence ACW's suggested lenses). On a budget, you'll have to get as close as you can to their recommendations.

I've used my 70-300mm VR to good effect in Africa (link), so that's why I'm suggesting that lens.

I'm jealous of anyone who's getting away on a safari...

 

[SThornton]

I went to Kenya last year and used the Nikkor 55-300 VR (with a D3100) and had no trouble at all.

It's probably the cheapest and lightest 300mm.

At times, I was too close even for the 55mm end of the lens and I didn't need the 300mm very often.

(My shots are on my flickr)