South Africa - Need a Lens - DECIDED, One more question!

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Amnesia180

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Hi All....

I'm torn at which Lens to get to take to South Africa.

I would love the Canon 100-400 L... But that is WAY out of the question.

My budget will stretch to a Canon 100-300 IS USM (at the most). I can pick one up for about £365 incl p&p.

Ebay are selling some Canon 100-300 AF (without the IS) for about £155 brand new.

Just wondering what other suggestions of lenses I could take to South Africa with me?

Thanks!
Amnesia
 
What have you already got to take?
 
Canon EOS 20D.
KIT 18-55mm.
Sigma 18-70mm EX DG Macro.
:(
And a Loweprio Orion Trekker II (backpack to carry it all in).

Thanks,
Amnesia
 
Looks like you've narrowed the field down nicely. The 70-300IS is a good lens for the price.

There are "equivalent" Sigma options available that will be a bit cheaper, but I'd go for an IS version which sigma :thinking: dont do at the mo.
 
Okay, if I could find a Sigma that would do the job... I may consider it. I'm not a pro photographer, I doubt i'd even call myself a novice.

The chances are I'm just going to be pointing and shooting when I get to S.A but I know that the focal ranges I have at the moment won't be sufficient.

(My Dad has been trying to persuade me to sell my gear and just get a pretty good point and shoot digital camera that looks like an SLR lol... ).

Unless, of course - Anyone has one to sell Second Hand or would let me borrow theirs ;) !

Anyway, I'll ponder on this some more.

Thanks for your input.
 
Ok, I'd leave the kit lens at home and take the Sigma, the 100-300 get reasonable reviews on FredMiranda here http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=17&sort=7&cat=27&page=1

As long as you can find something to lean on you shouldn't need IS so buy the cheaper version if you decide on that lens. Take a look at the new 70-300mm lenses though, you get more range for your money and they are nice lenses.
 
How about investing in a small monopod that I can could lean on the edge of the van/windowsills/on the floor if I needed to? That way I wouldn't need IS right?
 
I would get IS. Shooting from safari vehicles with no windows or space to put tripods makes IS very valuable. Where are you going. In most of SA, you don't need super long lenses due to dense scrub limiting visibility.

Paul
 
(We have family out there and will be spending the 21 days in their convoy thing).

I'm going to Jo'burg for one night.
Then to Drakensburg for a few days.
Then to Durban for 10 days.
Kruger National Park for 5 days and then back to Jo'Burg before flying home.

Could I get away with a 70-200mm?
 
Can't comment on Durban. For Drakensburg the wide angle will be useful. For Kruger, I reckon the 300mm will be very useful - especially for birds.

Paul
 
For my team in S.A i'll be shooting in Auto mode - Simply because i'm nowhere near experienced enough to even think about doing a holiday shoot in Av, Tv or M yet.

DoubleT - thanks for the link, but that is WAY out of my price range. I'm from the UK and will be stretching to afford £355 for the Canon 100-300 IS.
The Sigma 50-500 comes in at about £460. :(
 
Okay...

I've found a 6 week old Canon 70-300mmf4/5.6 IS USM with pro1 digital filter and lens hood for £320 delivered.

Good deal?
 
Amnesia180 said:
Okay...

I've found a 6 week old Canon 70-300mmf4/5.6 IS USM with pro1 digital filter and lens hood for £320 delivered.

Good deal?
Click to expand...

It seems a good buy, best I could find new was £330 plus delivery.

Don't worry about not being able to afford the Sigma 50-500. It's far too big a lens to cart around, and really too heavy to use unsupported, even at 50mm.

Have a good trip.
 
Amnesia180 said:
For my team in S.A i'll be shooting in Auto mode - Simply because i'm nowhere near experienced enough to even think about doing a holiday shoot in Av, Tv or M yet.
Click to expand...

I'd think twice about this... TV and AV mode are quite simple given a little bit of thought.

I'd imagine the light in SA will be much brighter than found in the UK, so I don't think you'll have any problems with AV.

Given the fact that you'll be bouncing about in vehicles, even with IS, it would be advantageous to be able to manually select the highest shutter speed you can, to stop, at least as much as you can, any blur caused by too slow a speed.

Don't forget, that in either mode, the camera will set the required speed/aperture to ensure a good exposure. If you try and select anything 'out of range', the camera will sulk!!
 
Certainly play with Av and Tv as you can get instant feedback on exposure from the camera. Main tip. Take pictures when the car is stopped. If the driver doesn't turn the engine off, and they don't always, ask him to before you take pictures.

Try and brace yourself against the edge of the vehicle before taking pictures in Kruger. The light may be harsh but there is a lot of cover in places so animals may be in shadow which will lead to slower shutter speeds. Squeeze the shutter, don't jab it - no matter how exciting the action.

It is a pain, but use your lens hood. Flare can be a real problem with bright African sunlight.

Above all, have fun. I've spent over 6 months in subsaharan Africa in the last 8 years and love it...
 
Thanks for the help grumpybadger!!

Thanks to everyone else aswell.

I think I will prefer the 70-300 IS USM over the 70-200 L as I think I'll prefer th extra range... do you agree?

I think I'm going to go with the 70-300 IS USM for £320 (delivered) as it also comes with a digital filter, and lens hood.

It's also coming from another member of another photography forum.

Thanks for the input. I hope I've made the right decision.
 
It will have a warranty. MPB are a very reputeable company.

Quote from their site:

All Second Hand/Used Items purchased directly from MPB Photographic carry a 6 month warranty (unless otherwise stated). All eBay purchases carry a 3 month warranty (unless otherwise stated). The same terms and conditions apply to each warranty and are as stated here. Accidental damage and misuse is NOT covered by this warranty. What is and is not covered is detailed specifically in this document. MPB Photographic reserves the right to repair/replace or refund goods under warranty.

The warranty is valid from the date of purchase until the end of the 6 or 3 month period. The warranty is subject to proof of purchase being provided; therefore you should retain your payment receipt (PayPal receipt is valid for this purpose). The warranty is not transferable to a third party.
 
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