Going on Zululand Safari! Lens Advice Needed

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zogster
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p.1 #1 · Going on Zululand Safari! Lens Advice Needed

My wife and I just bought a Zululand photography excursion as our 25th wedding anniversary present. I'm a Canon shooter and was wondering if any experienced safari travelers would make suggestions for lenses to bring, and not bring, on the trip. Any other photo gear/accessories advice would also be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Feb 10, 2008 at 07:31 PM

nathanlake
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p.1 #2 · Going on Zululand Safari! Lens Advice Needed

Bring the longest lens you have.

Feb 10, 2008 at 09:42 PM

zogster
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p.1 #3 · Going on Zululand Safari! Lens Advice Needed

Longest I have is 300mm. Would you recommend buying something longer or going with a TC?

Feb 10, 2008 at 09:42 PM

Chris Willis
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p.1 #4 · Going on Zululand Safari! Lens Advice Needed

Which 300mm lens do you have? 300mm is not long enough, but a 300/2.8+TCs would probably work well. The 100-400 is another popular choice. But the really serious safari shooters all use 500/4s. Depends on your budget, preferences, and how much gear you want to carry.

Chris

Feb 11, 2008 at 02:16 AM

zogster
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p.1 #5 · Going on Zululand Safari! Lens Advice Needed

Chris,

I have the 300/2.8, but I thought about getting the 100-400 for it's versatility. The 500 would be great, but I'm not sure it's in the budget as the trip itself is going to set us back quite a bit.

Feb 11, 2008 at 03:13 AM

Allen Hirsch
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p.1 #6 · Going on Zululand Safari! Lens Advice Needed

You could look into renting a 500 for the trip - that might make the most economic sense.

Feb 11, 2008 at 03:15 AM

Chris Willis
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p.1 #7 · Going on Zululand Safari! Lens Advice Needed

John, if you already have the 300/2.8, I would say put that on one body with a 1.4x or 2xTC, put a 100-400 on the other, and then you are ready for most situations. Then take a wide-angle for landscapes (24-105, 17-55, 17-85, whatever) and I think that's all you'll need.

Chris

Feb 11, 2008 at 05:01 AM

zogster
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p.1 #8 · Going on Zululand Safari! Lens Advice Needed

Thanks Chris,

I think I'll get a 2xTc and the 100-400 ...

John

Edited on Feb 11, 2008 at 09:02 PM

Feb 11, 2008 at 09:02 PM

Red Grainger
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p.1 #9 · Going on Zululand Safari! Lens Advice Needed

John,
I do frequent safaris in East and South Africa. Chris is right on with his rec.. I find the 1.4X on the 300mm 2.8 is best on a 1.6 crop body. I wouldn't use a 2X TC with the 300mm 2.8 unless you are thinking of doing some birding. Although the IQ is O.K. (it's much better with the 1.4X) you will frequently find you have too much lens, except in the Serengeti with its wide open spaces. In much of South Africa you will be working at much closer distance and the 300mm + 1.4X on either a crop or FF body is very nice. For the shorter lengths, keep a 100-400 on another body.
Cheers-Red

Feb 11, 2008 at 09:17 PM

Derek Bez
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p.1 #10 · Going on Zululand Safari! Lens Advice Needed

Insect repellant. :-)

If you're doing Midlands Meander (the battlefields and Drakensberg foothills) you'll probably want some wide glass too.

Consider one of those bags with a mesh between your back and the bag. It gets sweaty up until about April-May.

What about one of those solar battery chargers that can charge anything. Might be useful if you're going to an area where there are power shortages.

Enjoy - and keep safe!

Feb 13, 2008 at 10:18 PM


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