Going to safari- what NIKON zoom lens?

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cherokee1111

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I'd like to hire a very decent Nikon zoom lens equivalent to the canon L series but I don't know whats good or bad, can you advise a good reach (up to 400) with tack sharpness for the day?
Thanks
 
thanks guys, they both look better:thumbs: particularly like lensesforhire's real review of a lens as opposed to the marketing hype from a manufacturer. Thanks
 
Yup, lenses for hire are rated very highly
 
My suggestion would be for you to have the lens for a test session before you go too - your safari is probably not the best time to be working out how to manoveur a large piece of strange glass.

Big glass takes some getting used to... and the 200-400 is a big baby!
 
yes, agreed, I think the 70-200 VR11 with a 2xTC would maybe be a good option on a D90?
 
No, I'd avoid 2x TC's if at all possible - particularly if you haven't used them before, you'll find it both a technical challenge and perhaps a dissapointment in the resulting images - well, maybe, it depends on what you are used to I guess!

Assuming you want a longish zoom (and not a long prime, which probably from what I have seen of safari trips probably isn't suitable), some possibilities would be:

1) Nikon 70-300 VR
2) Nikon 80-400 VR
3) Sigma 100-300 f4
4) Sigma 120-300 f2.8
5) Nikon 200-400 f4

Thats in my order of preference/quality but also reflects order of physical size/weight.
 
I'd be tempted by a Sigma 50-500 if you can find one for the right price.

Not tack sharp (but then neither is the 80-400 VR either) but its a useful range.
 
cherokee1111 said:
yes, agreed, I think the 70-200 VR11 with a 2xTC would maybe be a good option on a D90?
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:| Personally, I'm not so sure about that.

I used to use a 1.7x TC on my 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II, but I lost image quality - with a 2x TC, your images would be even less sharp! You also end up slowing the lens down (max aperture only f/5.6 :shrug:?) by adding the TC. This could trip you up if you're shooting around sunrise/set, or trying to capture a fast moving moving animal (quite likely on a safari ;)).

I don't know how often you go on trips like this, but I think that if I was doing it with the primary aim of getting some stunning photographs, I'd shell out for hiring one of the bigger Nikkors (20-400mm, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.7x TC, 400mm f/2.8 + 1.4TC etc.) and make sure that I give myself the best chance of getting some great captures :).

Have fun!
 
Depends where you are going on safari and therefore what vehicles you will be using. Vehicles with windows/roofs are much easier to use big lenses in as you can use a beanbag for support (my most used lens on safari is a 500/4 so it is possible)

If you are in an open topped vehicle then it is much harder. The new 70-200 VRII and new 2x do get very good reports. I know of 1 wildlife pro who rates this combination very highly and often picks it over the 200-400 for convenience.
 
Naboo32 said:
I don't know how often you go on trips like this, but I think that if I was doing it with the primary aim of getting some stunning photographs, I'd shell out for hiring one of the bigger Nikkors (20-400mm, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.7x TC, 400mm f/2.8 + 1.4TC etc.) and make sure that I give myself the best chance of getting some great captures :).
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Run a mile from the 400/2.8. Its just too bulky for safari. The only big lenses I would consider are:

300/2.8
200-400/4
500/4

And of those, I'd probably pick the 200-400 and have 1.4x converter in my pocket as well.
 
Having used a combination of what's suggested here; my options would be: -

1) 70-300 VR, if you're on limited budget (can be bought for the price of renting the 200-400 VR)

2) 70-200 VR II with the 2x TC E-III, pretty sharp even with this new 2x TC. You'll lose a stop over the 200-400 VR; but this option gives you a wider range to play with, and is more hand-holdable

3) 200-400 VR, an impressive range, and sharpness; but it's bulky, big, weighs a lot, centre of gravity is too far in front of me (I'm 5'10"). I love it with the 1.4x TC, but if your needs are only unto 400mm i see option #2 more suitable?

Whichever way you go, you'll need to practice a lot to get the rhythm with such long focal lengths. It's easy to forget, use relatively slow shutter speeds and end up with camera shake that even the VR can't compensate for.

Beanbag, an excellent tool for all three options :thumbs:

Oh yes, practice some more; can't stress this enough. If you're renting something, then rent it out for a couple of weeks before the trip for good practicing, cheeper than having to go back and reshoot :p

Lens for hire are members on here. Beanbags, another member here sells some gvery good ones.
 
All good advice from Wail. The only option not on that list is 300/2.8 and converter, which is better balanced that the 200-400 but with the limits of a prime.

Paul
 
Can I throw in my 2p worth of advice....

Depending on where you are going you can get fairly close to most animals. Try and avoid going off road after the animals though.

I went last year and had great results with a Nikon D200,
Sigma 10-20mm,
Nikon 18-70,
Nikon 70-300VR
and a borrowed 300mm f4 with 1.4 or 1.7 TC. That prime was super tack sharp and took some stunning photos.

If was doing it again I'd take a second body so I wasn't changing lenses.
 
Second place to my much-missed Nikon 200-400mm VRI (having used Sigma 50-500, 150-500 OS, Nikon 70-300 VR, Nikon 80-400 VR) is the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8, both with and without a 1.4x TC. The flexibility of a zoom can be key on safari-type activities...though having been 15 feet from a Grizzly Bear in Alaska last month I couldn't fit all of it at 120mm! The Sigma 120-300 is lighter and, dare I say, better balanced than the Nikon 200-400....and of course much, much cheaper!
 
desantnik said:
My suggestion would be for you to have the lens for a test session before you go too - your safari is probably not the best time to be working out how to manoveur a large piece of strange glass.

Big glass takes some getting used to... and the 200-400 is a big baby!
Click to expand...

But boy is it good :D
 
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