Which lens?!?

CATALOGUEKID

CATALOGUEKID

Suspended / Banned
Messages
788
Name
Tom
Edit My Images
No
Hi,

I'm going on safari to South Africa in August for my honeymoon and was wandering what lens would be best for my Canon 7D. I already have a canon 100-400mm, sigma 10-20mm, and a canon 100mm macro.

Can't afford a 500mm.

Do I just get a TC for my 100-400!? Do I get a TC and a 70-200 2.8!?!

Many thanks
 
A Tc on the 100-400 would mean you lose autofocus. You wouldn't gain anything though from a 70-200 with TC as it would mean the same focal length as the 100-400. I would just use the 100-400 and crop if need be, its surprising how much you can crop when you have 18mp to play with.
 
Not sure about other makes, but the Canon TC won't work (AF)) with the 100-400 and your 7D.
 
100-400mm f4.5-5.6

Worried whether I might need more focal length as can't always guarantee the wildlife being close enough, and if the wildlife is close would a 70-200mm 2.8 be an asset?

Good to know about the AF with a TC attatched.
 
Depends where you're going on safari in SA. If its the Kruger National Park, 400 on a cropped body should cover most shots (might struggle with the small colourful birds), but if its one of the private game reserves then there should be no problems. As for a TC on your lens, as mentioned the canon TC won't autofocus (only manual focus) with your 7D, it's limited to f5.6, only the 1D series cameras and perhaps the 5D MKIII (after latest firmware release) will go to f8. You could use a 3rd party TC but the image quality and autofocus won't be great on that lens and forget the 70-200 idea. TCs really designed for the fast prime lenses.
 
Will be going to the Shamwari private game reserve, not the size of the Kruger but pretty huge.....

So my 7d with the canon L100-400mm should be sufficient enough? Don't wanna get home with regrets thinking I should of bought an additional lens...

Thanks for the advice :-)
 
CATALOGUEKID said:
Will be going to the Shamwari private game reserve, not the size of the Kruger but pretty huge.....

So my 7d with the canon L100-400mm should be sufficient enough? Don't wanna get home with regrets thinking I should of bought an additional lens...

Thanks for the advice :-)
Click to expand...

http://www.shamwari.com/propertycontent.asp?pageID=149

Looks like you have a lot more close and personal at Shamwari than I did at the Kruger, because we weren't allowed to stray off road or tracks, that's why I had to use a 300mm and TCs

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=363786
 
Nice shots! I went to the Kruger a couple of years back and love the place! Mrs wants to go to a 'malaria free' area though

What set up did you use?
 
CATALOGUEKID said:
Nice shots! I went to the Kruger a couple of years back and love the place! Mrs wants to go to a 'malaria free' area though

What set up did you use?
Click to expand...

Canon 20D with either a 300mm f2.8 and (1.4x, 2x or stacked TCs) or a 70-200mm f2.8 for the close shots. I was restricted on weight with internal flights.
 
Depends on your budget - but I reckon a 100-400mm should be enough.

If you want bigger/longer you could hire a 300mm F2.8 and both TC's. That lens you can still use quite easily hand held, resting on the vehicle (get a beanbag!) although it does benefit from a tripod with the 2x or stacked.

I'm going to suggest not hiring a 600 prime. This is your honeymoon, and a 600 prime is one hell of a commitment to take on holiday.
 
A lot depends on the kind of vehicle you travel in. If I recall correctly the vehicles on SA safaris are open sided so you will find it difficult to rest/support a long lens on a bar or ledge.

Another point is that with a long lens like a 500/600 it may be tricky if the vehicle is full of other tourists, there simply is not the room to swing the lens around without clocking someone!

My view is that the 100-400 on your 7D is very suitable but you don't want to be swapping lenses during a drive unless you want to take some sensor cleaning kit with you.

The range of the 100-400 will suit most of your needs, I spent most of my time on safari at full stretch anyway. If you really want to cover wider areas then the 10-20 on a second body would be good or a 24-105 on a full frame like a 5D1 would work.
 
CATALOGUEKID said:
Will be going to the Shamwari private game reserve
Click to expand...
Top place. We've been twice. You get close to the big stuff.

I'd stick with the 100-400 on safari. I had a 75-300 on a 35mm film camera and it was a bit short, but 400 on a crop would be fine. I wouldn't want to be swapping lenses in a dusty jeep on rough tracks. You get a stop for drinks where you could switch to the Sigma to do some landscapes. It's very scenic.

You head out in the jeeps morning and evening. I spent the day stalking birds in the gardens round the lodge.

But my top tip is to wrap up warm. We went in September and there was frost each morning.
 
WingTsun & Craft said:
600mm Exactly what I was about to suggest.
Click to expand...

600mm lens, so how's the OP going to transport it on the aircraft, 4kg of lens to start with without camera, bag other lenses, cards batteries etc, most airlines have a very limited hand luggage restriction apart from BA, Virgins 6.5kgs
A 100-400mm for a private game reserve will be more than adequate for most of the OPs needs.
 
Last edited:
pete.rush said:
600mm lens, so how's the OP going to transport it on the aircraft, 4kg of lens to start with without camera, bag other lenses, cards batteries etc, most airlines have a very limited hand luggage restriction apart from BA, Virgins 6.5kgs
A 100-400mm for a private game reserve will be more than adequate for most of the OPs needs.
Click to expand...

I do agree with that. For me I'd be taking a 400mm as max but if the OP really wants to get closer the logistics are his call. Personally, I wouldn't be prioritising photography on my honeymoon. That will come back to bite you on the butt regularly for the rest of your married days. :D
 
Thanks for all the advice!! Yes, the logistics surrounding the big lenses is way to much but good ideas as I'd not thought about renting kit.....

Now, what settings would you use.......?
 
Hi,
A friend of mine spends more time in the parks than most, search Nobby Natalie Clarke on face book and view his work and lenses, he will be more than happy to provide the advice you need, the 100mm - 400mm would be a good choice. Cheers
 
Thanks markmce, I'll do that.

What do you all think of the sigma 120-300mm 2.8 sigma? Can't afford the canon 300mm 2.8?

I still think a 70-200mm 2.8 would be a good addition....? Hmmmmm
 
CATALOGUEKID said:
Thanks markmce, I'll do that.

What do you all think of the sigma 120-300mm 2.8 sigma? Can't afford the canon 300mm 2.8?

I still think a 70-200mm 2.8 would be a good addition....? Hmmmmm
Click to expand...

Either will be quite nice in fading light if you stay out till then.
 
Many of the big animals are seen very near sunrise and sunset - very gloomy lighting.. I struggled with my d40x and 18-200vr (f3-5-5.6) at times. It is very coldness these game drives at first light. Next time I go will take a hired 70-200 f2.8 and TC and a bean bag. Great fun in Hluhluwe. Can't wait to go again. We did some walks and saw a hippo family bathing - awesome.. Very jealous.
 
We get two game drives a day but defiantly going to do a walk or two as well. Think I'm going to get a 70-200mm 2.8....possibly a second hand sigma due to affordability.

Thanks again for all the advice
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top