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04/07/2011 11:03:52 AM · #26 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by gcoulson:
TIP: a handy tip for stabilizing the long range lenses is to have a little bean bag that you can rest the lens on the window-sill or car door of the truck. Much better than hand-holding. |
If you're going to be shooting from a car window there are mounts which have the equivalent of a tripod head, which clamp to the window. |
Indeed. Just another thing to carry with, though. Also, I'm not sure what type of safari the OP is doing, but if it is a group safari, you're probably going to go in an open-air truck with no windows....and MAY not have a choice where you sit in the truck. The less you need to tool with, the better. |
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04/07/2011 08:27:56 PM · #27 |
I'm not claiming to be an expert by any means, but I'm still gonna say that you need fast glass. And I'd still probably go with a tripod over a monopod. A lot of the parks I've been in (and I've been in at least 15 through out all of the countries I mentioned before) have a rule that the driver can't turn off the vehicle because if one of the animals starts to charge, they don't want the car to choose *that* moment to have starting trouble. So you're very possibly going to be shooting from a battered old truck that's shaking like crazy, and fast shutter speeds and hand-holding might be your only option. If they can turn off the truck, then a monopod would be great for all the reasons others have mentioned. You might be able to ask your tour guide what the rules are in the parks you are going to, but it might be nice to err on the side of caution, just in case.
I used my tripod a lot for when I was at a stationary look-out or when I was doing landscapes, so I'd still recommend a tripod. You can also turn a tripod into a monopod if you need to : )
And thank you, Bear. I have a bad habit of making up words or doing direct translations without realizing it. I have no idea where I got "foot" from! It's nowhere close to mounting plate. But you were correct--a mounting plate is indeed what I meant. Thanks!
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04/07/2011 09:16:39 PM · #28 |
Bring the longest lens you have or rent one. My 70-200 was my "wide-angle" and my 500mm +/- 1.4x/2x TC was my long lens. Forget the tripod, a monopod and a Bean bag are essential when using a long lens on safari. Flash and a better-beamer flash extender is good to have to add catch-lights or to shoot back-lit subjects.
The 120-400 f/4.5-5.6 is a tad slow, since you'll be shooting the wildlife early in the morning and late in the afternoon when the wildlife is most active.
Kenya Safari
Message edited by author 2011-04-07 21:20:24.
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04/07/2011 11:29:47 PM · #29 |
oops, sorry
Message edited by author 2011-04-08 01:12:23. |
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05/04/2011 07:39:45 PM · #30 |
Both gcoulson and herfotomann's advice is spot on. In the South we've had long late rains and everything is still fairly green, tall and thick, but Tanzania in East Africa is often open flat land. I was in Kenya late last year and they finally got some rain after a long drought.
I'd rent the 150-500mm OS Sigma and use a 24-120mm f/4 or 120-300mm f/2.8 / 100-300 f/4 on the other body.
There are some crazy bugs here as well some very unusual fauna of the floral variety and a Macro is a must as is a wide angle for sunsets or a universal 18-200mm DX. 2 bodies 4 lenses. Don't change them out on the field! Get them ready the night before. As the OSV stops, the dust follows it and pours over you and your gear. Well not like a waterfall but enough to creep in where it shouldn't :)
Have a blast. East Africa and it's peoples are wonderful. |
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05/04/2011 07:39:59 PM · #31 |
The evenings can be very cold so make sure you have some seriously warm clothing as you might be lucky enough to do a might drive with a spotter (1 Million Candle Power Spotlight) and then the 24-120mm with SB-6/7/8/900 should be good to go for close-ish shots. You will see a fair amount of owls and tree bound animals close to the vehicle. A cat 50 meters in the bush will be hard to shoot never mind light up.
Message edited by author 2011-05-04 19:46:48. |
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05/05/2011 09:39:10 AM · #32 |
Originally posted by buffysnee:
I'm conflicted. I don't plan on going back to Africa any time soon, so I want to have the right gear. The travel company is into restricting gear. So far, this is what I'm planning:
- 2 Nikon D300 bodies
- 85mm f1.4
- 60mm f2.8 macro
- 11-16mm Tokina f2.8
Should I add the
- 10.5 f2.8 fisheye
- 35 f2 (a FF lens so about a 50mm on my D300)
Should I bring my 120-400 Sigma 4.5-5.6 and Teleconverter, or rent more expensive glass?
I have 29 days - what do you think?
Thanks!!!! |
If I had your lenses and about to embark on this trip I would mount the 35 f/2 on one body and the 120-400 on the other. Add a Mono-pod and good landscape to portrait head and go.
If you were looking to add/buy lenses, then a good multi-purpose zoom like a Nikkor 24-85 f/2.8-4 and a Sigma Ex 50-500, each mounted on a D300 would give you effective range from about 35mm to 750mm. Bumping the ISO to 400-640 on the body with the 24-85 and running the other body at 800-1000 with the 50-500 would help compensate for any lens slowness and still provide excellant prints up to 11x17". If you then wanted to take along an extra lens or two for less active times/subjects, it would give you a strong range and quite a few options.
Best of luck in your shooting and hoping you have a safe/fun trip.
Flash
fwiw - I've shot Brown Bear in Alaska with a 300mm (35mm film) and it was too short. I've shot Safari style pics at a Texas Ranch (Giraffes, Rinos, Cheetahs etc)in the rain with the 50-500Ex (a 75-750 effective focal range) and was quite satisfied with the outcome.
Message edited by author 2011-05-05 10:04:40. |
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