Lens suggestions for Africa trip

[Vantage Point]

Consider a Sigma 150-500mm OS lens. It is relatively light and has VR (called OS). This will be a great wildlife lens - of course you will wider lenses for landscape and environmental portraits. It is slow glass but affordable. I have owned the Nikon 80-400 VR, then I sold that in favor of the Sigma 120-300mm f.2.8 (plus a sigma 1.4x TC), and eventually sold that, and now use the Sigma 150-500 since I only occasionally shoot wildlife these days. I also own the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR.

Below is a sample shot with the Sigma at the zoo at around 400mm and f/9.5, handheld

 

[equilibrium17]

A good alternative to look at is maybe the 55 250, good range decent IQ and excellent value for money... [snip]

The EF-S 55-250mm IS? From the reviews I have read, it's not a bad lens for the price but it's really kit lens quality and I think I'm looking for something a step up -- this is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Besides, considering that I already own the 18-135mm IS, the EF 70-300mm IS isn't really that much more money than the 55-250mm, gets higher scores in all the reviews I have read, and gives me a total coverage between the two lenses of 18-300mm, rather than 18-250mm.

Consider a Sigma 150-500mm OS lens. It is relatively light and has VR (called OS). [snip]

Nice shot.

As great as it would be to be able to do facial close-ups animals at long range, I really don't think I need 500mm on my 1.6x crop sensor T3i. Don't get me wrong, having a super tele like this would be nice, and if I could carry the 150-500mm and a 70-200mm f/4 IS as a shorter range/lower light complement, this would be great. But given the weight limits I am dealing with, I don't think this will work. We're also going to be doing a fair amount of walking safari. I'm a pretty big guy and still in fairly good shape, but there are limits to how much gear I want to put on my back anywhere I might need to quickly put distance between myself and an angry hippo.

If anybody cares or wants to comment further, here is what I'm thinking based on advice and research to date:

I will bring my 18-135mm IS for occasional wider shots and also as a walk-around for when we're doing the tourist thing in towns. In addition to this, I am considering:

(a) Renting or maybe even buying a used 70-300mm f/4-5.6L. I like this option because I would only have to change lenses occasionally when I want to go below 70mm. Less lens changing means less dust issues, and less chance I'll miss a fleeting opportunity because I have the wrong lens mounted.

(b) Renting or buying a used 70-200 f/4 IS, and pairing it with the 1.4x extender. This is the lightest option, and compared to option (a) gives me slightly wider aperture up to 200mm. To take advantage of this, though, I'm going to have to open up the body more often to mount and unmount the extender.

(c) Renting a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS and a 1.4x extender. Pretty big and heavy, but with the extender it's nearly a one-lens solution and I think I can manage a lens of this size and weight if I don't have to carry much else. A lot of wildlife is most active at dawn and dusk, so having the option of shooting at f/2.8 out to 200mm could be very handy.

(d) 70-200mm f/4 IS as (b) above, but rent a 300mm f/4 prime instead of a 1.4x extender. Carrying both of these starts to push the weight limits, but neither of these lenses is all that heavy, so I think I could make it work... I do like the idea of having the 300mm prime to play with, as this would give me better performance at 300mm than any other option.

I've got a few months before I need to make a final decision, so I'm in no hurry. For now, my plan is to keep my eye out for good used deals, and find some excuses to rent some of the above equipment for a weekend and give stuff a try before I make any decisions.

Cheers,

EQ17

 

[Melizard]

I'm going to South Africa on a trip next May. I can't wait to find out what gear you brought, if you thought it was adequate, and see some of your photos! Safe travels.

 

[sl1200mk2]

Update

Just an update to my original post. Again, I want to thank everyone for their insight and input... greatly appreciated! I know my choices wont be for everyone (some might cringe), but I also need to look at the wider context, usage and value beyond just this trip. Also, I'm completely the first to admit the "best" lenses (rented or not) are far beyond my talent and capabilities. I'm just not going to be capable or ready to manipulate a 10lbs lens after a rental or two!

What I purchased so far:

• Nikon D7000 (body only)
• Nikon 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 AF-S VR II
• Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8
• Canon Vixia HF G10

Although the 18-200 definitely represents compromises, for my overall usage I think it'll be a great lens. It works well with my existing D40 body too. I needed that primary do it all everyday/travel lens (accepting it's limitations).

I also have some other lenses handed down to me: 105mm f/2.8 (macro), 18-55 D40 kit lens and an older non-VR Nikon 300mm AF. I could take the 300mm instead of a rental, but hand holding it w/o any VR is very challenging and hasn't produced good results for me.

Both my wife and I love wide angle, so after much research I picked out the 11-16 Tokina and love it so far. Just built solid... feels great and for my eyes takes great shots. Only have had a few days with it, but I can see it getting lots and lots of use on either body.

I respect the recommendations to skip the video camera, but again, thinking in larger context, I really like dedicated video and get good use out of it. This trip was the perfect opportunity and wife approval/acceptance to upgrade. Pretty amazing upgrade from my 8yr old mini-dv camera! The Canon plus ability to shoot HD video on the D7000 with great lenses covers all my bases for now and future. While the wife has the D7000, I'll have the D40 and Canon to be occupied with.

I'm still debating a 3rd lens which will be the rental. I'm leaning towards the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 possibly combined on/off with a TC. Why? Quite honestly, I think there are better options in the 200-400 f/4, 300 f/2.8, 400 and others, but they are just too much lens for me and my wife. We're not ready to handle them (70-200 will be challenging enough) and would rather have fun and enjoy the moment with something we can more readily use at the expense of anything else. The 70-200, while still a beast is ~4lbs and pretty manageable compared to others. We have some experience with the 80-400mm (mother in-law lens) and this isn't hugely bigger.

Rental on the D7000, 18-200 on the D40, 11-16 Tokina bounced between the two. Canon for video duties on some animal stuff, but mostly for hanging out and capturing those moments.

There you have it!

 

[ourabmen]

We spent a month in Tanzania in August Sept 2010. I took a sigma 120-300 with a 1.4 Teleconverter on one D300 and had a 70-200 VR on a second that I purchased used just for thrip (sold it for what I paid for it when I got home).

IMHO, 200mm on the long end is just not enough. I agree with the poster on Sigma 100-300 f/4 if you can one used has they have stopped making them. Brilliant image quality and takes the 1.4 TC well. I would also look at the 50-500 Sigma or the 150-500. Good bang for the buck.

I would glue the 18-200 on your wires D40, the D7000 sensor will really magnify the the limitations of this lens, where the lower pixel count of the D40 will be more forgiving.

You may also consider Nikon 300mm AFS f/4, and either the Nikon 1.4 or 1.7 TC, wicked good lens and takes the TC'w well.

Alternately, I would suggest renting a lens from Lensrenatl.com. It is a reasonable way to get the glass you need with out the big price tag. Going to Africa is not cheap. Their rates are reasonable.

Lastly, I can't agree more with taking plenty of bats and memory cards. I took 5 bats for my D300's and three form my wife's Canon G10. Also took 6 16 gig CF cards and 4 gig cards as well. I used my iPad with a USB adapter and my card reader to load, review and back up photos from each day.

One last thing, get a Rocket blaster sensor cleaner and take along some good micro fiber lens cloth's. It is DUSTY over there.

You might find some good advice over at fredmiranda.com, ikon cafe, and especially naturescapes.com (a forum dedicated to nature and wild life photography, learned a lot there before my trip).

Have fun! I am jealous as all get out.

ourabmen