Looking for a little more length......Safari.....

Diving Pete

Diving Pete

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What lens to get >?
I have a Sigma 120-300mm (with 1.4 & 2.0 tele) but this is likely to be claimed by my wife's new DX camera (prob will be a D7100) so this will leave me a little short. So my options as I see them are:

Nikon 300mm (with 2 tele)
Nikon 400mm 2.8
Nikon 200-400 f4
Nikon 500 f4

Other options are:
Sigma 120-300mm OS - allows me to also use the same teles..
Sig monster 300-800 (liking this - lol)
Sig 150-500mm
Tam 150-600mm

These will be possibly be purchased 2nd hand (except the Tam !) but anything is possible - wife has allowed me a substantial 4 digit fund....
 
im going to put the 50-500 sig in the mix as then you have from 50mm all the way to 500mm without swaping lenses or the need for 2 camera lens combo
 
Hi Pete - I have yet to go on safari but I do know how frustrating it is when something comes too close for a prime.

Soooooooooo IMHO it's got to be the 200-400.

It may (theoretically) not have the ultimate quality of the primes but you'll miss less shots with it.

I'm smitten with my current 80-400 but you have access to a serious budget so can probably overlook that one!

Just my 2c

cheers, cw
 
Just remember the longer the focal length the more difficult to stop camera shake and its gets more exagerated, so a tripod or monopod might be an idea.
As I have a Nikon D800 and the latst 80mm-400mm lens my guess is this combo should be sufficient for my needs considering how much crop factor if shooting in Tiff one an get away with
 
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It depends where you're going on safari and how close / far away the animals will be, is it like the Kruger in SA where you limited to roads or is it a 4x4 off road safari where possible you'll get closer to the action. The light conditions will probably much improved, so you could get away with something like a sigma 50/150-500mm are you taking other lenses?

In the Kruger I used the 300mm f2.8 and TCs plus 70-200mm but would have loved to add a 500mm f4 to this combo, but that was because sometimes it was difficult to get close to the wildlife, but would recommend doing some research on where you're going and find out what range of focal lengths people used and then that will narrow down you selection of lenses
 
Oh have the monopod sorted - would prefer the more expensive lenses - long way to go & may as well take good glass..

I'm leaning on the 300 / 400 F2.8 for 2 reasons:
1. the wife will have the zoom side sorted (& if the worst comes to it I'll 'nick it')
2. They take the teles better which are easier to stick in the pocket (& have them)

- but the 200-400 seems interesting.
 
Sigma 50-500. You need something as long as 500 and the 50 covers you for the unexpected, but guaranteed, close encounters. Swapping lenses really isn't much of an option.
 
Before you commit to a big piece of glass - especially something impractical like a 300-800 or a 400/2.8! - I always recommend checking out the practicalities. How are you going to transport it? What is your flight baggage allowance? How will the you cope with it in the vehicle and how will it affect the other occupants? And so on.
 
isn't that what hand luggage is for - lol

Everything I have read is there are 2 types of lens you need. Big & bigger.....

Granted as the wife will have the DX length covered I may just get another 300 & teles But I have a nagging suspicion that I may regret that...
 
Diving Pete said:
isn't that what hand luggage is for - lol
Click to expand...
Check what your airline allows as hand luggage. They vary more than you might expect. For example, if you're going to South Africa, BA allows 23kg plus laptop bag or handbag, whereas Virgin Atlantic allows 5kg. Do the research and then you can "lol".
 
Yes Stuart is dead right:)
Im working this out myself too
Im going to Zambia the internal flights are limited to 5kg
Im taking a 300 2.8 and 100 400 Canon
 
Get a fisherman's type jacket with a multitude of pockets and you'll be surprised at how much, including lenses, you can carry in them.
 
Steve, It may come down to that - I expect that I'll have a D800e, D7100 (wife) & a D3200 as backup so camera wise I'll be able to cope..;)..
 
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I've now decided on a Nikon 300mm Vr2 & a 80-400 brand new for the wife....:nikon:
 
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