Equipment for Wildlife Photography

04/22/2009 11:22:28 PM · #1

I may have an opportunity to travel to Africa to assist a friend who is an experienced wildlife photographer. Partly the trip would be to teach photography to groups of researchers and partly it would be to capture images of our own. Much of the photography would be of birds and smaller critters, not of Africa's larger inhabitants.

Now, I probably won't go but if I were to I know my current gear would be inadequate. I don't have a long/fast lens, my *ist DL is pretty useless above ISO 800 (and low light conditions would be common during sunrise/sunset shooting), no macro lens for capturing smaller critters etc etc. So, what do you guys think would be the minimum gear I'd need to invest in? Obviously I'd like to stick with Pentax if possible, just so I can use my current body/lenses as back ups, so I guess that would mean investing in a K20D? If you don't think that body would cut it, what else should I look at from Canon/Nikon?

Any advice appreciated, especially from anyone experienced with this sort of photography.

Qiki.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

04/23/2009 12:13:59 AM · #2

Bump....anyone??

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

04/23/2009 12:42:21 AM · #3

Firts I do not really know what is in the Pentax lens lineup but to keep it simple for what you describe I would think that three lenses would be needed:

100mm or so macro
80-400mm zoom range
500mm F4 with extension tubes to be able to close focus

Hope that helps.

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

04/23/2009 01:04:52 AM · #4

If you are only going to get one lens get one that covers the 200mm to 400mm with stabilization and a 1.7 teleconverter.

With the Pentax body you use the Sigma 50-500, an amazingly versatile lens. I own this lens and it has an amazing reach, It has been a great lens and I'm glad i got it, but the images are not always tack sharp and you cant be sure it will grab focus on that quickly moving object in time . If I had a once in a lifetime trip like that, I'd rent a sealed full frame Canon body and the 100-400 IS. Or the equivalent Nikon with the 200-400 VR.

Message edited by author 2009-04-23 01:05:43.

kaiser_chief

Nikon D90

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D

04/23/2009 01:51:08 AM · #5

Originally posted by Qiki:

Now, I probably won't go .............

I will ask, Why Not?

If someone offered me an opportunity like this, as long as I could arrange the time off work, I would be on that plane in a flash, gear good enough or not............

In terms of the gear you need, what they said...........A good Zoom, a good macro, a backpack to carry it in and a sense of adventure.................have the time of your life!!!

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/23/2009 03:23:59 AM · #6

If you're on a budget, you can achieve 1:1 photos very easily with an old 1.8 50mm and extension tubes. Of course, you lose the infinity focus of the 100mm macro... but it's an able setup.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

04/23/2009 05:13:06 AM · #7

I had to leave my computer at the times most of your responses came in. So, a belated thanks to all. And, any other input would still be appreciated. Especially on the subject of the K20D.

Oh, and Kai, the reason for me probably not going is partly due to work and partly due to a wife and 2 kids. It's gonna be a long trip. :)

Q.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

04/23/2009 03:10:01 PM · #8

A Bigma (Sigma 50-500mm) is definitely a good choice for wildlife pictures, even with a 1.4 teleconverter attached.

Click on full view:
//faidoi.deviantart.com/art/Lion-74809327
//faidoi.deviantart.com/art/Lion-74809327
//faidoi.deviantart.com/art/Frog-73820641 (500mm with teleconventer and cropped in)

Message edited by author 2009-04-23 15:10:44.