Safari Lens question

J

jgreen68

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Hi All

I`m going on a kenyan safari next march and i`m trying to figure what gear to take.
Currently I have a few mid range lenses but i`m looking for something with more reach ie 300mm+.

This is what i have..
Nikon 18-200mm VR
Nikon 180mm f/2.8
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6
kenko pro 300 x2 teleconverter

My budget is under £800 .I`ve been looking at the Nikon 300mm f/4 and the Nikon 80-400mm VR.
The 300mm looks good but of course its a prime so i`m limited if i`m stuck in a landrover and cant get closer or further away from my subject. The 80-400mm seemed ideal but it doesnt have AF-S and am worried the focus wont be quick enough for shooting animals.

Any ideas? THanks

J
 
Can't talk on specifics of Nikon but reach is all important. I used my 500 with teleconverter a lot of the time. Two of the most popular lenses are safari are Canon's 100-400IS and Nikon's 80-400VR.

I'm a big fan of IS/VR.
 
I would be inclined to go for the 80 - 400.
It gives you more reach, a wide range and VR. If you only have one body the wide range will save changing lenses in a dusy environment.
The speed of focus should not be a problem but will be dependant on which body you are using.
Don't forget to post pics when you get back :)
 
grumpybadger said:
Can't talk on specifics of Nikon but reach is all important. I used my 500 with teleconverter a lot of the time. Two of the most popular lenses are safari are Canon's 100-400IS and Nikon's 80-400VR.

I'm a big fan of IS/VR.
Click to expand...

My first safari was for my wedding, and I took two bodies, a film body which I left my 17-40 on for Landscapes and then, thanks to everyone on here, my digital body had the 100-400.

So 100% behind GB view for Canon at least!
 
I've not used one but iirc the 80-400VR gets slated for slow focus and hunting in low light. Might be best to check out some reviews on it. Also consider a 2nd hand sigma 300mm f/2.8 EX HSM, i haven't heard one bad thing about it.
 
On safari there isn't any opportunity to use a tripod, monopod, or beanbag from the vehicles (which you cannot step out of, of course!). You will be handholding every shot. And getting tacksharp focus with anything over 400mm from a car which' engine is running is wishful thinking. IS or not.

So, unless you know for damn sure that you will have the opportunity to leave the car and use a tripod, monopod, or beanbag – and that is very unlikely – I advise to leave those at home, together with lenses over 400mm. It will save you a lot of (useless) schlepping around of all that heavy, unwieldy gear across continents.
 
W.Smith said:
On safari there isn't any opportunity to use a tripod, monopod, or beanbag from the vehicles (which you cannot step out of, of course!). You will be handholding every shot. And getting tacksharp focus with anything over 400mm from a car which' engine is running is wishful thinking. IS or not.

So, unless you know for damn sure that you will have the opportunity to leave the car and use a tripod, monopod, or beanbag – and that is very unlikely – I advise to leave those at home, together with lenses over 400mm. It will save you a lot of (useless) schlepping around of all that heavy, unwieldy gear across continents.
Click to expand...

Not sure I agree with that. I've had pretty good success using a monopod from a vehicle and a beanbag is a mainstay (I've also used window mounts and gimbals - but that is a bit more esoteric). In Kenya, most of the vehicles have opening windows and roof hatches. I've had good success using a 500 out of the top of a roof hatch.

One useful tip is to always ask the guide to turn off the engine when you stop. A good guide should do this anyway, but they may need reminding.

As well as camera kit, make sure to leave room for binoculars
 
grumpybadger said:
One useful tip is to always ask the guide to turn off the engine when you stop. A good guide should do this anyway, but they may need reminding.
Click to expand...

They don't leave the engine running for nothing, grumpy: safety! They want to be able to move real fast when neccessary . . .
 
I don't want to get into an argument but a well maintained vehicle and competent guide is more than capable of starting a car and getting out of trouble and a running engine is more likely to upset an animal anyway.

I've have spent more than 8 months on safari in the last 10 years and have never had a guide who felt he needed to keep the engine running - nor did I when I was driving myself. I've only been charged in a vehicle once and we had no problem starting the engine and backing away.
 
grumpybadger said:
a running engine is more likely to upset an animal anyway.
Click to expand...

Not in the Kenyan savannah. The animals are so used to Toyotas with running engines that they consider them part of the landscape. Cheetah, for instance, will often climb on top of vehicles – completely ignoring the people in it (if you're lucky...) – to use it as a vantage point from which to observe the plain to spot prey and danger.

And, oh yeah, when on top of a (usually open-topped) vehicle, cheetah often urinate on the occupants . . .
(and their cameras!).

:woot:
 
Don't want to drag this thread any more off topic as the original poster asked about which lens and I tried to help him based on my experience. :shrug:
 
grumpybadger said:
I don't want to get into an argument but a well maintained vehicle and competent guide is more than capable of starting a car and getting out of trouble
Click to expand...

Don't shy away from a good argument when one is brewing Grumpybadger. :D

Sorry but it sounds like W.Smith has only been watching Big Cat Diary rather than going on a few trips to Africa to take pictures like your goodself.. Oh and me.. And Notch while we're at it. How is he I wonder? :thinking: And Chewyuk who has lost his safari cherry recently bless him. :)

The only documented car star Cheetah I know of is Kiki. Some of her cubs have joined her but only when she was about.

All trained guides I have met turn their engines off. In fact if I remember correctly, the Big Cat Diary people are engines off types as well! I have also remembered that I have been charged twice by very angry male elephants April 07 and November 06. Engine off but I'm still here to tell the tale. Even though elephants can rapidly accelerate to 40km/h. :eek: :D

Also big lenses are not a problem and are a necessity if you want to get the bird shots on a full frame camera. Back on topic I will say that for the OP the Nikon 80-400mm VR will be the best all round lens for most occasions and should be okay for the birds using the crop sensor. Take that and a nice wide angle. I used the Canon equivalent zoom range on my first trip. I never leave for Africa without my (empty) bean bag either. Usually gets filled with rice when I get there though. :D

Have fun. :)
 
Hi

Thanks for all the replies.

After reading comments on the Nikon 80-400mm around the net, i`m still not convinced its the lens considering the cost. The focusing just doesnt seem quick enough for what I want.
Does anyone have any suggestions of other lenses?

J
 
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