which Canon lens for safari trip

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roger94503

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Geoff
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Hi all, I've just joined the forum

I'm off on safari in a few weeks, I use a Canon EOS 50D which has an 18 - 135 lens on it.

I want to get a suitable lens for hopefully some great wildlife shots. A quick browse of the web points me in the direction of the Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM

best prices I've seen are just over £1,100

happy to hear any suggestions for alternative lenses (or confirmation that this is the best to go for), or also if I can get the lens any cheaper anywhere

any advice welcome
thanks
Geoff
 
All those suggested are going to be OK.
I am going on safari in two weeks time and have wondered over the same question.
I shall be taking my 7D-- 30D--150/500 sigma--EF 70/200-2.8--sigma 10/20 and sigma 17/50-2.8 hopefully I will have most situations covered except for having a Sherpa to carry it all:eek: Hang her indoors is coming as well :) Problem solved:bonk::bat:
 
You wont go far wrong with the 100-400L, for just over £1100 I would go for a new one with warranty, you could pay about £900 for a 4 year old one.
 
Dpends on the Safari,

If it is Kenya?, and in TVaso East or West, would say at times the 100-400 can still be a bit short for some of the big cats (Even on a Crop).

For Ambosli or Mara then the 100-400 will normally give the coverage required,

Of course it always varies and you can never be sure what is best, on our last trip to Kenya we had 3 people

1: 5D MKII with 100-400L
1: 40D with Canon 28-300L
1: 7D with 70-200L

(I sold my Sigma 150-500 just before we went as I had a few niggles with it and did not want a big lump that may let me down on the trip)

They all fell short at times on the big cats although the FF sensor on ther 5D MKII allowed for some heavy cropping, and at other times the 100-400 on the 5D was too much for the really big leathery stuff!

If you think you will use it in the future or if you can pick up a good used one that you can sell when you get back the 100-400 is a hard to beat package, but bear in mind for Big stuff close upp you will struggle with it (With a 160mm Equiv minimum) and dont want to be changing lenses on the fly in the parks the dust is a killer.

Here are a couple taken with the 100-400 on my last trip (July 2010)

lion1.jpg


eagle1.jpg


100% Crop of Above
eagle2.jpg



lion3.jpg
 
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