aryaah wrote:
I've traveled on multiple African safaris and the vehicles were open, with a tarp covering the roof railing at times. Generally, three rows of bench type seats behind the driver and guide.
I usually had two cameras with me with a 70-200mm zoom and a 500mm f/4 lens respectively. I never changed lenses in the vehicle given the dust concerns. Usually I was in a row by myself or shared a bench seat with my wife. I kept the cameras on the bench seat to minimize the vibration associated with riding over bumpy terrain. It was easy to keep control of the cameras by grasping them on the seat, or my lap, when the vehicle was moving and also allowed easy access when we stopped.
I would strongly recommend a pillowcase or dry sack to cover the camera and lens (with hood) to keep dust off the lens. It permitted resting the camera across my lap, protected it from excess dust, and easy to remove/replace. Much quicker than removing/placing a lens cap and better protection for the camera....Show more →
Pillowcase is a great idea! Easily obtained from the lodge so I don't need to carry them and can be changed each day.
Frogfish wrote:
Thanks - yes a LW mono will definitely be on the plane. I don't know if Thornybush have camera fittings / bean bags for their vehicles (I'll bring my own empty BB anyway and that Visual too). My daughter says that we'll just be the 4 of us in a private vehicle with passenger 3 rows - so I may get a row to myself but can't confirm that yet.
The 60-600 is f6.3 at 600mm but I've watched a number of reviews that show it (on the Sony A1) had no issues at all in low light. I'll have it (or the 400/2.8) on an A7r5 though (and I think my 70-180/2.8 and 16-35/PZ sharing the A9).
Off road I can't imagine having any camera/lens on the floor of the vehicle ! Probably hood down on a camera bag with the camera in my hands ready to bring it up at the first sign of action. As an experienced birder I'm used to that (and hanging lenses out of car windows)! Though I love the idea, I read a few pages back, of hanging out to get lower angled shots ! ...Show more →
With a private vehicle shared with family, you'll be fine. I would be extremely surprised if they don't have beanbags and do ask if they have camera fittings - it'll be a common question and it's not a budget place so they might - or even a specially equipped vehicle if not all are equipped.
FYI, some photographers like to sit next to the guide/driver in this kind of vehicle (if it is the type I am suggesting) - a lot more support and a lower angle for shooting, without any bending over. Also easier for the guide to line you up perfectly with spotter out of the way if you are the only serious shooter on board. Depends on if the spotter mostly stays in the chair out front - and is willing to climb between you and guide into the first row for seating as vehicle is stopping, if that's needed. They might (only very 'might') even be willing to remove the door for you for ultra low-angle shooting. Hanging out the side shouldn't be an issue with that kind of vehicle, if animals are well habituated but careful you don't fall out!
PaulMaewpa2 wrote:
With a private vehicle shared with family, you'll be fine. I would be extremely surprised if they don't have beanbags and do ask if they have camera fittings - it'll be a common question and it's not a budget place so they might - or even a specially equipped vehicle if not all are equipped.
FYI, some photographers like to sit next to the guide/driver in this kind of vehicle (if it is the type I am suggesting) - a lot more support and a lower angle for shooting, without any bending over. Also easier for the guide to line you up perfectly with spotter out of the way if you are the only serious shooter on board. Depends on if the spotter mostly stays in the chair out front - and is willing to climb between you and guide into the first row for seating as vehicle is stopping, if that's needed. They might (only very 'might') even be willing to remove the door for you for ultra low-angle shooting. Hanging out the side shouldn't be an issue with that kind of vehicle, if animals are well habituated but careful you don't fall out! ...Show more →
Thank you ! We are already making enquiries regarding BBs and camera fittings. I'll raise the other suggestions too !
The vehicle we had was perfect. It was just for us as a couple which was perfect as I just took my thinktank international v3 with me. When we do safari again 100% we will get a private jeep again.
In terms of shooting, we had an open roof and the side windows which opened up rather than sliding, which was perfect to then be able to get access both down low and up high. The jeep itself had bars on top which you could in theory clamp a gimbal or such but I just handheld to be honest. Guide had a bean bag as well (didn't have space to pack one) but never used it or needed it as our keep had ample padding where needed. We also had mains power but never needed it as had spare batteries. I also brought a rain cover for the lens whcih needed once and was perfect.
I would have found it challenging if we didn't have our own jeep with the RF 400 as would have got in the way of other people to be honest. I also used a shortened zemlin hood as the full size canon hood would have been annoying I think.
Was very very dusty but combination of having the zemlin hood / cap for the Rf 400mm and using the case as cover making sure it was not in the wake of dust worked fine. I carefully used a micro vacuum when got back and there is no dust in internals at all.
Frogfish wrote:
Thank you ! We are already making enquiries regarding BBs and camera fittings. I'll raise the other suggestions too !
So I'm planning on taking two camera bodies with me to Kenya. One with a long zoom (100-500, but if canon comes out with the 200-500f4 in time, I might be crazy and take that). I have a 70-200f4 for the other. Will I regret not trading that for the 2.8 version?
guitardirky wrote:
does anyone have any recommendations for Amboseli? is Oct/Nov a time that fits the climate there?
This is a great time to go IMO. You should be there just before it starts raining and everything will be dry and dusty. The dry lake bed is an amazing place to shoot wildlife. They have their own local prides of big cats and tons of elephants. The weather is very nice this time of year.
Cduff406 wrote:
So I'm planning on taking two camera bodies with me to Kenya. One with a long zoom (100-500, but if canon comes out with the 200-500f4 in time, I might be crazy and take that). I have a 70-200f4 for the other. Will I regret not trading that for the 2.8 version?
If you think you are the type who hustles and gets out before sunrise or comes home after sunset then the f/2.8 is key. I would rent one for sure.
Cduff406 wrote:
So I'm planning on taking two camera bodies with me to Kenya. One with a long zoom (100-500, but if canon comes out with the 200-500f4 in time, I might be crazy and take that). I have a 70-200f4 for the other. Will I regret not trading that for the 2.8 version?
With the 100-500mm lens you already have most of the 70-200mm range, so the 70-200mm f4 will be pointless (although 1/3-2/3 brighter). F2.8 is a different story.
Uarctos wrote:
With the 100-500mm lens you already have most of the 70-200mm range, so the 70-200mm f4 will be pointless (although 1/3-2/3 brighter). F2.8 is a different story.
As someone who has yet to do a safari and has been monitoring this thread closely, Cduff406's question was particularly relevant as I also have the 100-500 and am hoping for the 200-500 (or some other faster but hopefully relatively light super-tele). I was also wondering, whether, even though I'm primarily a wildlife photographer, I'm likely to wish I had something wider than 70mm. If so, would the 24-105 be a better combination with the 100-500 even though its only f/4, or would we be better off with the 28-70 f/2 or the the 24-70 f/2.8 along with the 70-200 f/2.8? The latter seems like it would also work well with the 200-500. The downside, of course, is that its 3 lenses instead of 2, resulting in more weight and probably the need to change lenses in the field.
vbnut wrote:
As someone who has yet to do a safari and has been monitoring this thread closely, Cduff406's question was particularly relevant as I also have the 100-500 and am hoping for the 200-500 (or some other faster but hopefully relatively light super-tele). I was also wondering, whether, even though I'm primarily a wildlife photographer, I'm likely to wish I had something wider than 70mm. If so, would the 24-105 be a better combination with the 100-500 even though its only f/4, or would we be better off with the 28-70 f/2 or the the 24-70 f/2.8 along with the 70-200 f/2.8? The latter seems like it would also work well with the 200-500. The downside, of course, is that its 3 lenses instead of 2, resulting in more weight and probably the need to change lenses in the field....Show more →
If you want something wider than 70mm I would suggest a 14-35/16-35 instead of a 24-xxx range. You will use the 16mm range occasionally to get some landscapes but not very often. I don't think you would use the 24-xxx much at all. When the animals are that close you will be shooting down on them and it's not the best angle.
A 14-35, 70-200 2.8, and 200-500 f/4 would be an amazing safari kit. Or, swap the 200-500 for the 100-300 and a couple extenders. If canon makes the zooming TC, my ideal setup would be the 70-200 2.8 and RF 400 with zooming TC.
Im finalizing my kit for a trip to Kenya for 1 week in early September. I will be spending 3 days at Lake Nakuru and the remaining time in Masai Mara. Just want to confirm that the following should be good enough:
Sony A1
Sony A9
Sony 200-600
Tamron 70-180 F2.8
1.4x TC
I looked into renting a 400 F2.8, but I couldn't find availability for rental in the Toronto area. I cannot currently justify purchasing one.
Does the kit look alright? Should I plan to go out on game drives with the 1.4x TC attached?
berimbolo wrote:
Im finalizing my kit for a trip to Kenya for 1 week in early September. I will be spending 3 days at Lake Nakuru and the remaining time in Masai Mara. Just want to confirm that the following should be good enough:
Sony A1
Sony A9
Sony 200-600
Tamron 70-180 F2.8
1.4x TC
I looked into renting a 400 F2.8, but I couldn't find availability for rental in the Toronto area. I cannot currently justify purchasing one.
Does the kit look alright? Should I plan to go out on game drives with the 1.4x TC attached?
I've seen plenty of people out there with just the 200-600 and have a great time, so I suspect you're just fine. Me I would have a wide angle as well as you can get some really cool close up images etc that way.
Not a sony guy so I can't say if the TC is a wise idea or not? If you're going out before dawn and back after dark you might want to just play it by ear.
Vince Maidens wrote:
I've seen plenty of people out there with just the 200-600 and have a great time, so I suspect you're just fine. Me I would have a wide angle as well as you can get some really cool close up images etc that way.
Not a sony guy so I can't say if the TC is a wise idea or not? If you're going out before dawn and back after dark you might want to just play it by ear.
I can toss in a 28-75 F2.8 somewhere as well. The 1.4x loses a stop of light, so at the long end (840mm), Im down to F9. I had planned to take it with me, but hoping I don't need to use it. I have spent more time recently working on composing smaller-in-frame wildlife/bird shots.
berimbolo wrote:
Im finalizing my kit for a trip to Kenya for 1 week in early September. I will be spending 3 days at Lake Nakuru and the remaining time in Masai Mara. Just want to confirm that the following should be good enough:
Sony A1
Sony A9
Sony 200-600
Tamron 70-180 F2.8
1.4x TC
I looked into renting a 400 F2.8, but I couldn't find availability for rental in the Toronto area. I cannot currently justify purchasing one.
Does the kit look alright? Should I plan to go out on game drives with the 1.4x TC attached?
Your kit is great, especially if you are able to drive off road. I would not attach the 1.4x as 600mm should be plenty for everything unless you are there specifically to shoot birds. Like Vince said, can you throw in a compact wide like a 16mm prime or 16-35 f/4? You will want to get a few wide shots of trees or possibly elephants if they walk up to your vehicle. At longer focal lengths you will get heat shimmer this time of year so your sweet spot will be covered with your lenses.
berimbolo wrote:
I can toss in a 28-75 F2.8 somewhere as well. The 1.4x loses a stop of light, so at the long end (840mm), Im down to F9. I had planned to take it with me, but hoping I don't need to use it. I have spent more time recently working on composing smaller-in-frame wildlife/bird shots.
Go wider than the 28mm. 16mm or 16-35mm is a better choice.
artsupreme wrote:
Your kit is great, especially if you are able to drive off road. I would not attach the 1.4x as 600mm should be plenty for everything unless you are there specifically to shoot birds. Like Vince said, can you throw in a compact wide like a 16mm prime or 16-35 f/4? You will want to get a few wide shots of trees or possibly elephants if they walk up to your vehicle. At longer focal lengths you will get heat shimmer this time of year so your sweet spot will be covered with your lenses.
Thanks! I was thinking about picking up a 14-24 or a 20mm F1.8. Ill try to get one before heading out.
I actually liked having my 24-105 for landscape shots and a few times when it worked for wildlife in the landscape. I also brought the RF 16/2.8 just in case I needed something wider and it is small/light enough it can fit in my pocket.
Thoughts on the new RF100-300 for a safari lens, matched with a wider angle on a second body? 100-300 seems short, but with the 1.4x teleconverter you've got 140-420/F4, which seems pretty adaptable.
Ideally I'd like the rumored 200-500F4, especially if they also release a switchable teleconverter. But who knows when/if that will come out. Reviews on the 100-300 seem favorable, especially with the 1.4x or even 2.0x.
Cduff406 wrote:
Thoughts on the new RF100-300 for a safari lens, matched with a wider angle on a second body? 100-300 seems short, but with the 1.4x teleconverter you've got 140-420/F4, which seems pretty adaptable.
Ideally I'd like the rumored 200-500F4, especially if they also release a switchable teleconverter. But who knows when/if that will come out. Reviews on the 100-300 seem favorable, especially with the 1.4x or even 2.0x.
And thoughts from those with safari experience?
I've been adapting the 200-400 F4 1.4x to my R5 for the last few safaris I've done and have wondered about what I would ultimately replace it with. A 200-500 with either an internal teleconverter or the rumored variable one sounds like the perfect safari lens for me, but it could be a year or more away.
Even with the 200-400, I'm often cropping (even at 540mm). I think the 100-300 with the 1.4x would be too short for my longest lens on safari. The 200-400 is still more versatile (with a RF 70-200 on a second body). Pricing for good used copies have dropped significantly over the last year as well. If you had trips coming up and wanted something to hold you over until the 200-500 arrives, I'd still go with a 200-400 over the 100-300 with 1.4x for safari.
