Safari

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Daniel
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So there is a chance that come December I may book a last minute safari trip to somewhere in Africa. (we are currently planning the mid east but.....)
So never having really been one for animal photography my set up of lenses is the 15-85mm USM and a 35mm.
What lens would you recommend for this sort of trip that is not going to break the bank say <£500.
I know this is a really bizarre post but I am about to loose any internet access and contact with the outside world until probably a few days before i go on this trip.
 
I'd go for the Canon equivalent of Nikon's 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR...second-hand. It'll complement your current lenses and you'll need the reach. Plus there's a lot of 'light' in Africa for most of the day so you can get away without f/2.8.

Here's a couple of articles for you to read:

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

I've used my 70-300mm to good effect in Africa, so that's why I'm suggesting that you go for something similar. And I'm jealous of anyone who's getting away on a safari...
 
Don't muck about - get a decent lens. I'd recommend buying a 100-400 second-hand from MPB a month before you go, then selling it (possibly back to MPB) when you return. It'll be cheaper than renting and it'll give you the best 'budget' safari lens.
 
I recently went through the same conundrum and ended up taking a 70-300VR and using it on my D700 most of the time and it was generally long enough, there will ALWAYS be something further away that makes you wish you had longer. Apparently a lot depends on where you go to as the type of environment changes and dictates a lot.

However, have a search for 'safari dust' or something similar as no one tells you about the dust - it's worth knowing about.
 
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