What lens do I need

[Lester]

I am in the process of planning a trip to Africa to photograph wildlife. Looking at one of the safari's offered by ODP and hope to do it during June or July 2013.
Can anyone advise me on the lenses I will need? How close do you usually get to the subjects on these safari's? I am a beginner photographer at this stage with a Canon EOS 60D camera, a EF S 18-200 Lens and I have just ordered a Canon EF 70-200 f2.8L IS ll USM lens. I intend to get a teleconverter which would bring my 200mm lens up to 140-400mm at f5.6. While I would like to have a EF 400mm f2.8L lens, this is way out of my budget. Would I be well advised to hire one of these for the duration of the Safari?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[Terry J]

I'm sure that one of the ODP folks that lead the tours would be in a position to give you the answers. They will also know which equipment you will require for which tours.

[Lester]

Thanks Terry. I intend to contact them but thought I might get some ideas from others that may have been on the safari's.

[tobieo]

Lester, I have been on 2 Safari's to Elephant Plains with them. I have used my 70-200mm f2.8 and 300mm f2.8 extensively (had the 1.4x converter but never really used it) The animals are CLOSE. You will defenitely need a flash (better with e.g. flash bracket off camera itself to prevent "green eye") both for fill light but also for night time photography. Some support e.g. monopod can come in handy if you do not want to hand hold all the time

You are more than welcome to PM me if you need more information.

[nickruberg]

Hi,
Went to Elephant Plains last year with Hilton and Ben. I used a 70-200 with 2X, but in reality, IQ could have been a lot better. Our group had all 300's, 400 and one chap a 600 f/4. A 300 f/2.8 would be a good idea and because of the closeness of the animals, would likely not require a TC.

I purchased a Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 a couple of weeks ago and took it out to Pilanesberg recently and I think this would be a simply marvellous lens for the safari.

One area where the 70-200 with TC started to give hassle is that in very low light you cannot focus since the 2.8 becomes a 5.6 (with a 2x TC). An off shoe camera cord will be good and a flash bracket to take the flash away from the camera and obviously a monopod is a must.

Wim will give you loads of great advice, so go into the shop and discuss.

Nick

[Terry J]

Hi,


Wim will give you loads of great advice, so go into the shop and discuss.

Nick

Nick I think that this will be a bit difficult have a look at the posters address.

[nickruberg]

Oh, bugger. Didn't see that. I guess he will have to do a conference call or something.

Of course, another issue is that to travel internationally with a load of gear is a hassle (heavy), so renting would be fabulous.

[walterpike]

I am in the process of planning a trip to Africa to photograph wildlife. Looking at one of the safari's offered by ODP and hope to do it during June or July 2013.
Can anyone advise me on the lenses I will need? How close do you usually get to the subjects on these safari's? I am a beginner photographer at this stage with a Canon EOS 60D camera, a EF S 18-200 Lens and I have just ordered a Canon EF 70-200 f2.8L IS ll USM lens. I intend to get a teleconverter which would bring my 200mm lens up to 140-400mm at f5.6. While I would like to have a EF 400mm f2.8L lens, this is way out of my budget. Would I be well advised to hire one of these for the duration of the Safari?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Go check out the rentals section on this site. Think that the 120-300 would be a win.

[SimonDP]

As a sometime host at Elephant Plains, I can recommend you go for a 300/2.8, although the zoom on a 100-400 will be handy for daytime use. I use my 120-300 exclusively when on the drives, with a monopod on the seat (easier than on the floor of the car) and sometimes you will have a large animal (rhino, elephant etc) so close that even on 120 it becomes a cropped portrait. Having a second body with a 24-105 type lens is ideal. I just prefer the versatality of a fast zoom, like the 120-300/2.8 and Nikon 200-400/4, unless you want to go for bird species as well, there's not that much use for 500 or 600, you can get the odd shot every now and then though. Ditto the off-flash bracket for fill flash and nightime drives to add to the lght from a spotlight for a variation in the final effect.

[Lester]

Thanks guys for the info. I have been looking at different options. I am no expert but I been thinking that I should try and stay with a f2.8 and just found the Sigma APO 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM which looks good. I have a Canon EOS 60D with the APC-S type sensor so the 300mm will end up at around 450mm compared to a full frame type anyway. On the down side though, the 120 will end up with the field of view of around 180mm.
This could turn out to be an expensive trip. The cost of air fares to get to Johannesburg and back will be around twice the cost of the safari, and camera gear twice that of the air fares.
I will keep on with my research and contact the guys at ODP a bit closer to the time and sort out the finer details.
Thanks again for the info.