safari lens

[BRECK]

I am off to Namibia for a couple of weeks holiday, its a one off so cannot spend a fortune on equipment . I own a D800 and 70 to 200mm F2.8 lens so would I be better of getting a second hand 300mm AI lens or a 1.7 tele converter?
Advice please

 

[gembobs]

I haven't been to Namibia, so have no experience of how close you can get to the game (can you go off the road / tracks etc?).

I do have a feeling that 300mm / 340mm will probably not be long enough (I have a feeling it is all fairly open with little bush, like the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park), but with the D800 that may not be a problem as you may be able to make significant crops? I have only been to Botswana and find 300mm to be an ok focal length, but it tends to be quite bushy with few areas of open plains. Where it is open, 500mm can feel short!

My personal choice between your two options would be to buy a 1.7x and maybe pick up a Kenko 2x TC too (the Kenko Pro 300 DGX 2x TC can be bought from One Stop Digital for approx £120). It obviously depends on your personal taste for IQ, and how much the D800 shows up any lens weaknesses (probably a lot?), but in good light on my 40D and 70-200 f2.8, I can get useable images with the 2x TC, which may be better than heavy cropping? :shrug:

How do you feel about renting lenses? IF you can rent something like a Sigma 50-500 OS / 150-500 OS or even the 120-300 f2.8 OS (coupled with TC's), or if budget allows, the Nikon 200-400 then that may be a better option than buying the TC's or a 300mm prime.

It really depends on your budget and what IQ you would be happy with for your shots.

Sorry, that is probably not that helpful overall!

 

[hollis_f]

The main area for game viewing is probably Etosha. When out on a game drive you'll not be allowed off-road, but you can still gat fairly close to most of the wildlife. Great views can be had at the waterholes at some of the campsites/lodges in the park, especially at night.

If I were a Nikon user I'd be definitiely taking the 200-400.

 

[BRECK]

Thanks for the advice , will look for a longer lens

 

[pete.rush]

Best advice is look at hiring a lens, the Nikon 200-400mm f4 would be perfect in addition to you 70-200mm

http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/nikon-af-s-200-400mm-f4-g-if-ed-vr-172-p.asp

The other alternative is one of the sigma's 50-500mm or 150-500mm which will give you the reach and you not so worried about f numbers as light conditions are good.

As mentioned, it really depends how close you are to the animals. I used a 70-200mm and 300mm f2.8 with 1.4x and 2x TCs in the Kruger National Park, most animals were at 500mm + through brush

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=363786

 

[hollis_f]

as light conditions are good.

Except for dawn and dusk, which are the best times to go out as the animals are active and the light isn't too harsh. f4 rather than f5.6 can make a huge difference when shooting in crepuscular light. And those waterholes at the lodges are floodlit - with very dim lights.

 

[pete.rush]

Except for dawn and dusk, which are the best times to go out as the animals are active and the light isn't too harsh. f4 rather than f5.6 can make a huge difference when shooting in crepuscular light. And those waterholes at the lodges are floodlit - with very dim lights.

Very true, does depend on the limitations of the reserve, we were limited to 6am - 6pm in the Kruger and weren't allowed off the tracks and roads. Best advice for OP is to do abit more research into where he's actually going and see what other's have used, perhaps a 300mm f4 + TCs will do.

Other tips is check airlines for weight restrictions on hand luggage, especially for camera gear, there are ways and means, but I had to buy lightweight bag and restrict what I was taking as I had internal flights.

Bean bag rather than tripod, to rest lens and camera on, lots of cards and batteries

 

[digital]

Other tips is check airlines for weight restrictions on hand luggage, especially for camera gear, there are ways and means, but I had to buy lightweight bag and restrict what I was taking as I had internal flights.

A fisherman's type jacket with plenty of pockets is cheap and will hold quite a lot of heavy items including lenses.

Been there, done that, no issues so long as you're not being too silly.