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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Help - 500mm Lens - too big for non-photog safari?
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05/04/2011 10:07:45 AM · #1
Ok, so I rented the Nikon 500mm lens for my upcoming Kenya/Tanzania trip. It's a safari guided by Vantage Travel. It's NOT a photographer's safari - I'm expecting lots of point and shoots.

I just got it yesterday, and it's incredibly huge. I'm wondering if I should leave it behind in favor of my 120-400 f4.5-5.6 and TC, or risk schlepping it but not being able to get it out on the safari vehicle and use it well.

Thoughts? People who have done this on a non-photog's trip - will I regret leaving it behind?

Ack!
05/04/2011 10:12:47 AM · #2
Last august I was in South Africa, and we did a number of Safari trips. Being a private reserve, they were able to drive pretty close to the animals, and my 300mm lens was certainly enough. But if you will be on public land (e.g. a park), then you won't be able to get as close and you will want a much longer lens.

That said, there are other opportunities to use such a lens. For instance, we spotted a vulture in a tree that I wish I would have had an extra 200mm for.

If you have room in your luggage, I say bring it and see what turns up.
05/04/2011 12:04:21 PM · #3
Well, I know if I were in your shoes, I'd snag the chance to get out and experiment with that thang! I think when you see what it can deliver, you will be amazed.
05/04/2011 12:25:05 PM · #4
Bring it! Practice handling it before leaving. Bring a Bean bag to act as support on window sills and vehicle roofs. You'd be surprised at how many people with long lenses go on these trips.
Kenya 2006

05/04/2011 01:37:10 PM · #5
Originally posted by doctornick:

Bring it! Practice handling it before leaving. Bring a Bean bag to act as support on window sills and vehicle roofs. You'd be surprised at how many people with long lenses go on these trips.
Kenya 2006


I can still hear Nick saying "too close" on that trip (not often though). ;o)
05/04/2011 02:36:56 PM · #6
Ok, you've all convinced me, but I still reserve the right to panic! :) Actually, I showed Nick's pics to a friend of mine who said nah, leave it home, and she said OMG you have to bring it!!!
05/04/2011 02:46:12 PM · #7
Yes, bring the 500mm. The bean bag idea is great. Vibration of the lens support is always an issue.

Can you bring a second camera body for a different focal length (or zoom)? I wouldn't want to change lenses in dust laden air too often.
05/04/2011 04:50:45 PM · #8
I was messing about with Lightroom's sorting functions to see what range I used most and what range got the most keepers on various zoom lenses. I was interested to not that on my Bigma a majority of my keepers were taken between 400 and 500 mm. So I would guess if you left the 500 prime at home you would regret it. But practice with it before you go, that big a lens takes some getting used to.
05/04/2011 05:08:09 PM · #9
I would take it, just so you are the coolest chick amongst those point and shoots!!!
05/04/2011 06:13:09 PM · #10
Well it won't be quite up to the Nikon, but why not rent a zoom like the Sigma 150-500, which would give you a lot more flexibility.

//www.amazon.com/Sigma-150-500mm-Telephoto-Digital-Cameras/dp/B001542X64

Message edited by author 2011-05-04 18:13:18.
05/04/2011 07:18:55 PM · #11
This one? AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR from Nikon Weight (Approx.)136.9 oz. (3,880g)

Last year I was in the Kruger National Park 4 times. I used a Sigma 170-500mm f/5-6.3 APO DG for most of my distant work and a Sigma 100-300mm APO DG f/4 for mid-to-close work both fitted to DX bodies so I get another 50% FL i.e. 170-500mm = 255-750mm! Then there's a 28-70mm f/2.8 on a third DX body for rest camps, lodge and vistas. You DO NOT want to be changing lenses on bodies in a dusty African park (or anywhere else really) till you get back to camp and then clean and dust off mirror, front rear elements etc. religiously daily if you really have to swop lenses on one body. I'd suggest get the 150-500mm Siggy and another body with a walk around lens, say a DX 18-200mm lens or the new Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 VR full frame which is a vast improvement over the previous 24-120mm.

A 500mm Nikkor Prime is a big beast (3,88kg's!). You will get the chance to sit at a dam or bird hide with sundowners and your tripod, gimbal, and or bean bag or in the OSV. It's a super lens for the bush and it is a must if you can, but often there will be activity very close to the OSV (Open Safari Vehicle) and the 500 will be no good for that, a 150-500 is more flexible. Most bird/wildlife togs here use the 400, 500 or 600mm Nikkors or Canon Eq.
You will spot a tick smiling on a warthogs bum at 200 metres with that lens and at f/4 with VR it is ideal for early morning/late evening work when most animals inc. birds become active and there is little atmospheric haze to get between you and the subject. (Midday heat)

Rather reduce your clothing weight and make space for at least 2 lenses and 2 bodies and a tripod/gimbal plus an EMPTY bean bag. You can fill it at the local dukka (shop) with a kilo of dried kidney beans when you get here :) and give the beans to a staff member when you leave, taking your empty bean bag home with you.

By all accounts the Sigma 150-500mm APO OS ISM DG is a superb zoom and with the added "OS" (Sigma's "VR") you should get some great shots in low light (around dawn and around sunset) hand held or better on a tripod, the best time to shoot in these parts. My 170-500mm is soft at 500mm so I never go beyond 450mm with it.

Have a super stay in Tanzania. If you are transiting via Johannesburg, drop me a line and I'll come to the airport and shout you a local brew.

H

Message edited by author 2011-05-10 08:35:08.
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