Which Lens To Take To Africa On Safari?

We will be going to East Africa on safari next year and need some advice from the members of this forum. We are limited to 33 pounds total of luggage including primary suitcase, carry on, camera equipment, and anything miscellaneous per person. Total weight between us is 66 pounds. We will be gone three weeks so you can see the 33 pounds per person doesn't give us much room for camera equipment. The 33 pound limitation is due to small aircraft limitations and the primary suitcase has to be a small soft side duffle type bag. We plan on taking the two duffle bags for clothing and a backpack for camera equipment. We also need to take our binoculars.

I will be taking the D200 plus one lens and my husband his D50 plus one lens. We will take the SB 800 flash, our Epson P2000 for storage and battery chargers along with extra memory cards and batteries. That is about it. We both have the Nikon 18-200 VR but we are thinking of adding a Nikon 70-300 VR to the equipment. Would you take the 70-300 VR on one camera and the 18-200 VR on the other or would you take both 18-200 VR lenses and add the 70-300? We tried using the Kenko Pro 300 1.4 teleconverter but got too many blurred pictures. You may ask why two cameras? We both love to take photos and compete to see who can get the best shot on vacation. We shoot Raw and I convert them in PS CS3 when we get home or Capture NX.

We want to get the best wildlife photos we can. I have the Nikon 80-400 VR but it is just to heavy to add to our equipment. I've been on safari before and know that the drivers try to get as close to the animals as possible but there are always the distance photos that we might want to capture. We went to the Antarctic in February, 2007 and I took the big 80-400 VR lens and it was a bear to lug around. I ended up using a monopod just to support it. No room for the monopod on our Africa safari.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated...and thank you for answering.

The 200-400vr is considered one of the best safari lenses and is hugely popular among regular safari takers. But since you are saying the 80-400 was too heavy for you, I am assuming the 200-400 is totally ruled out. Your choice will pretty much then be limited to the 70-300 (because of lighter weight). But I can guarantee that you will miss the reach.

--
Speed is significant and interesting but accuracy is downright fascinating
http://www.pbase.com/pradipta

I love the 80-400 VR lens but it weights almost 3 pounds alone. Added to a D200, that is a lot of air weight considering we only have 33 pounds to work with. Plus I would have to take another lens for closer use or indoor use.

We will be traveling via 4 x 4 vehicles and I could use the vehicle as a support since we can stand up or shoot out the windows. It is a private safari so we don't have to worry about other photographers. I just wish they hadn't limited us so much. We don't want to have to buy another air seat just for camera equipment.

You need at least 400. I was in several game parks in Kenya and Tanzania, including Ngorongoro Crater, in May and 300 is not going to cut it for a lot of photos. I'd probably forget the 18-200 since 200 is far too short to be useful. maybe a smaller wide zoom and the 70-300 would be a better combination.

--
Eric

Ernest Hemingway's writing reminds me of the farting of an old horse. - E.B. White

An extensive in depth article on this very subject just came out on luminous landscape...
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/Safari-Tips.shtml
--
-- Pmatt
Gallery - http://www.silentcolor.com

Do not compete with each other.

One lens like the 80-400 on one body, and a second wide to medium range lens an the other body. Perhaps a converter too. You can change the lenses. So each of You can take wounderful images.

WoVo

I bet he didn't travel with the 33 pound limitation or he bought extra plane seats for his gear. Professionals always travel with a lot more gear than we do. I liked the check off list for supplies. Some things I had never thought about like not taking a US power rated power strip. Or that some of the camps might not have power 24 hours a day. We will be staying in tented camps so I will certainly check on the availability of power. I know we have to order hot water for showers and am limited to a 5 minute shower which is going to be a challenge for me. I've showered in cold water before but it isn't pleasant. Plus, there will only be the two of us in a vehicle because we are booking a private safari with driver.

It was amazing that he would take 16 gig of photos in one morning shoot. Raw files are large but I cannot imagine shooting that often. Wow...I would like to see some of his shots.

We are rethinking about taking the 80-400 VR. I'm going to ask our agent about overweight charges.

Howdy,

ACoyl said:

We are limited to 33 pounds
total of luggage including primary suitcase, carry on, camera
equipment, and anything miscellaneous per person.

Click to expand...

First off, think carefully about the circumstances around those 33 pounds.

• Go with two sets of clothing only. Most of the camps have daily laundry and if you pack with light stuff (Ex Officio style things) you can always use Camp Suds and a sink in a pinch. Zip off pants are great so you have shorts and longs. This saves lots of space for the really important stuff like photo gear.

• More importantly, know in your heart that there isn't a soul that will actually weigh your bags. You indicated light aircraft and private safari. Nobody will have a scale out by the dirt airstrip and ten or twenty pounds difference in weight will make no difference to safety. Believe me, unless you get crazy with your bags, nobody is going to say you can't fly because you are five or ten or even twenty pounds over the weight limit. (Think about the fact that the passengers on the plane will range from 100 pounds to 250 pounds and they do not limit on passenger weight. There's plenty of swing to allow for your gear.)

• So, forget about total weight and think in terms of the visual impact of your baggage....the number of pieces. If you limit yourself to two bags each (not three or four or five), nobody will say a word. So one duffle each for clothes and a backpack each for photo gear and, within limits, you can take whatever you want. The whole point of a safari, especially a private one that costs many thousands of dollars, is to take pictures. They are in the business of making sure you get the vacation of your life.

[I'm speaking here from the voice of experience. I've shot all over the world and simply limit myself to two bags. Never had a question, and nobody weighs the stuff. The one exception to the no-weighing attitude might be the airline that flies you to your jumping off point, but the small aircraft guys never weigh the bags. If you feel nervous about this, call your tour operator and ask some careful gut check questions on this point using my note as an excuse. FYI, I usually ask about the "real" weight limit in advance, emphasizing I'll only have two bags, and get a wink and nod that it'll be fine. If you are really nervous, just offer to pay extra for any overweight situation because your safari goals are photography. Rarely, they will specify a small extra overweight charge, but I've never actually been charged when it gets down to the day of the flight.]

As to lenses and camera:

• Take two cameras for each photographer. Years ago my camera went down in Costa Rica with no backup. Never, ever again. Take a backup, even if it is a small point and shoot.

• Also, with two cameras you can have two focal lengths mounted at once. Think close ups of zebra faces plus wide shots of the herd stampeding (or elephants or whatever). The action is happening fast and two cameras will help you capture it.

• Take a tripod. You will want to take sunsets (amazing light in Africa) and other low light shots. Also, you'll get much better long lens shots from blinds and similar camp venues with a tripod. You can also collapse it and use it as a monopod in a vehicle. (Yes, bean bags are great. But you won't regret the tripod either.)

• On one safari I took an 80-400 plus a 70-200 with a 1.7x extender. The 70-200 with extender was invaluable and much more crisp than the 80-400. It's also a big advantage to have a 2.8 lens since much of your shooting will take place during game drives at dawn and near sunset. For such an amazing trip, consider renting a 70-200 or shopping for a used copy of its non-VR ancestor the 80-200 (try KEH.com for used gear).

In case it might be helpful, my standard kit is D2x, D200, Velbon or Feisol carbon fiber tripod with Acratech head, 12-24, 17-55, 70-200, Canon close up or 105 macro, Nexto PSD, 8 2G cards, two rectangular gradated ND filters, customized Kata rain cover, 2 SB800 flashes, 1.7x extender, Thinkpad laptop, two 160GB backup hard drives and some bits and bobs for field repairs and cleaning. It all goes in the MC-3 Moose Peterson bag with the exception of the tripod & head which goes in a carry on size roller suitcase.

Nobody has ever questioned the weight of this kit which always travels as carry on baggage (occasionally checking the roller suitcase). Dozens of trips to Chad, Cameroon, South Africa, Botswana, Peru, Ecuador/Galapagos, Costa Rica and many European countries (except of course for England in these ultra-security conscious times). Much of the African travel has involved small aircraft ranging from single engine Cessnas to helicopters to Twin Otters.

Hope this helps!
Rick Wallace

We have two of the Kenko 1.4 teleconverters but I don't think they work well with the 18-200 VR lens. We took the cameras to the San Diego Zoo a couple of days ago but had too many blurred photos using the teleconverters. Sometimes the AF just didn't work. I believe Nikon said not to use them but I have read on this forum of others who did successfully use them. We don't want to risk losing any of our Africa shots like we did the zoo shots.

This gallery I shot with a 17-55, 60, & 80-200 http://www.pbase.com/kraig/tanzaniakenya&page=all

The more reach the better, the more aperture the better but many fine shots will present them selves with only the reach of a 200.
No matter how much glass you pack you will want more at times(ok often).

If I was in your shoes and I was (my spouse loves to shoot and is very good at it) I’d take the two 18-200s then think about a back up body. I’d suggest the D40/D40x except for the different battery, so maybe a D80 and let the D50 be the back up. Add small Point and shoot for those times in cities and villages when you don’t want to be too conspicuous.
Speaking of back ups you will want an extra lens too just incase.

The 70-300vr @ 26 oz might be a good lens to add if you don’t want to pack the weight of the 80-400. Leave it mounted on the spar body and on the seat then take turns using it.
Don’t for get a cleaning kit.

Good luck please link us to a gallery when you get back.
K.

ACoyl said:

We will be going to East Africa on safari next year and need some
advice from the members of this forum. We are limited to 33 pounds
total of luggage including primary suitcase, carry on, camera
equipment, and anything miscellaneous per person. Total weight
between us is 66 pounds. We will be gone three weeks so you can see
the 33 pounds per person doesn't give us much room for camera
equipment. The 33 pound limitation is due to small aircraft
limitations and the primary suitcase has to be a small soft side
duffle type bag. We plan on taking the two duffle bags for clothing
and a backpack for camera equipment. We also need to take our
binoculars.

I will be taking the D200 plus one lens and my husband his D50 plus
one lens. We will take the SB 800 flash, our Epson P2000 for storage
and battery chargers along with extra memory cards and batteries.
That is about it. We both have the Nikon 18-200 VR but we are
thinking of adding a Nikon 70-300 VR to the equipment. Would you take
the 70-300 VR on one camera and the 18-200 VR on the other or would
you take both 18-200 VR lenses and add the 70-300? We tried using the
Kenko Pro 300 1.4 teleconverter but got too many blurred pictures.
You may ask why two cameras? We both love to take photos and compete
to see who can get the best shot on vacation. We shoot Raw and I
convert them in PS CS3 when we get home or Capture NX.

We want to get the best wildlife photos we can. I have the Nikon
80-400 VR but it is just to heavy to add to our equipment. I've been
on safari before and know that the drivers try to get as close to the
animals as possible but there are always the distance photos that we
might want to capture. We went to the Antarctic in February, 2007 and
I took the big 80-400 VR lens and it was a bear to lug around. I
ended up using a monopod just to support it. No room for the monopod
on our Africa safari.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated...and thank you for
answering.

Click to expand...

I was in Africa (Kenya) last summer. I had a D200 with a 70-200 +TC17 converter and a D50 with a 18-70. My brother had a Canon 350D w a 70-300 Canon tele.

The 70-200VR+TC17 was a very good choice, but if I have had these weight restrictions you mention I think I would have managed quite good with a 70-300VR. There is also a convinience factor, when things happen fast it is nice to have good handling, compact equipment.
I wrote about it here:

http://www.nwpphotoforum.com/ubbthreads/information/php/2006_Articles/plodin/plodin.php
Images here:
http://www.pbase.com/interactive/kenya_2006

--
Small D200 gallery:
http://www.pbase.com/interactive/d200_12
Small D40 gallery:
http://www.pbase.com/interactive/d40_12
Small Nikon P5000 gallery:
http://www.pbase.com/interactive/nikonp5000_12
http://www.pbase.com/interactive

"In case it might be helpful, my standard kit is D2x, D200, Velbon or Feisol carbon fiber tripod with Acratech head, 12-24, 17-55, 70-200, Canon close up or 105 macro, Nexto PSD, 8 2G cards, two rectangular gradated ND filters, customized Kata rain cover, 2 SB800 flashes, 1.7x extender, Thinkpad laptop, two 160GB backup hard drives and some bits and bobs for field repairs and cleaning. It all goes in the MC-3 Moose Peterson bag with the exception of the tripod & head which goes in a carry on size roller suitcase".

Wow, did you have someone help you carry all this equipment? Are you a professional? Out of your kit, I have the D200, 12-24, 17-55, 70-200 VR and 105 macro. I also have the rain covers and one SB800 flash. It is interesting what you said about the small airlines not weighing your bags. However, they have to fit in a 10" high storage space on the plane or at least that is what we have been told. Our agent said to wear our binoculars and camera around our neck and they might not be weighed. I refuse to allow my cameras to be put in the storage area. We only have one flight and it is from the Masa Mara Game Reserve to Nairobi. I asked why we couldn't drive and was told that we lose our private driver when we get to the Masa Mara and have to use their drivers and guides.

I'll show your post to my husband and see what we can do. Again, thanks.

I loved your Africa link and the pictures were fantastic. I went to Kenya and Tanzania in 1975 on a safari and we never ran into other vehicles. I understand now it is a lot different. Thank you for the information.

I just looked at your pictures and they are awesome. I noticed that most of them were taken with the 17-55 and the 70-200. Did you find that these lenses were adequate for most of your trip? Did you use the 1.7 extender on both lenses?
I forwarded a link to your site to my husband so he can look at the pictures.

Your cheeta pictures on the rocks look a lot like our Wild Animal Park here in San Diego. We have a cheeta enclosure with similar rock formations and the cheetas love to sun themselves. Most of the time, however, they hide in the shade where we cannot see them. We never know when we can get pictures of them.

Thanks for sharing.

Hi again,

ACoyl said:

Wow, did you have someone help you carry all this equipment? Are you
a professional? Out of your kit, I have the D200, 12-24, 17-55,
70-200 VR and 105 macro.

Click to expand...

Honest, it all fits in the Moose Peterson backpack plus a 22" (carry on size) roller bag. That includes all the chargers and stuff plus my clothes. I carry it all myself. It's designed to be compact first and foremost, and obviously as light as possible but still offer the flexibility I need to get the job done.

I'm a professional in the sense that photography is an adjunct to my work as a strategic communications consultant in the public relations field. But I carry the same kit when I'm traveling for fun. My clients expect me to get the work done, no excuses acceptable. I expect the same of myself when I'm shooting for my own purposes!

ACoyl said:

It is interesting what you said about the small airlines not
weighing your bags. However, they have to fit in a 10" high storage
space on the plane or at least that is what we have been told.

Click to expand...

It's not an airline is it? It'll be a one or two engine light plane probably and I suspect your flight from Masai Mara will take off from a dirt or tarmac bush airstrip and there will not be a terminal with a scale. You can ask to be sure.

Since I've never flown out of that location, I just Goggled "airstrip masai mara" and the results appear to bear out my thoughts on this. Check for yourself. Here's one link:

The writer says: There is a baggage weight limit of 15 kg which is to include hand luggage, but I will say they didn't actually weigh our hand luggage. The conditions state: " The carriage of excess baggage is at the sole discretion of the company after taking into consideration the type of aircraft and the number of passengers booked." The charge for excess baggage is Ksh 200 per kg.

That would be about $1.50 per pound overweight as an absolute worst case scenario (since they probably won't weigh it in the first place). If you are flying on an 18 passenger Twin Otter as this seems to imply (or something smaller), you will not feel nervous about stowing gear in the cargo compartments. It's not like an airport situation where they throw your stuff around. But, anyhow, you'll want your binoculars and camera in the plan to capture that great aerial view through the plane window of the running herd of zebras on the savanna.

By the way, an 18 passenger Twin Otter has space for things bigger than 10 inches high, but you can't be sure you won't end up on a single engine Cessna or similar. Even so, I'd really question that 10 inch space. That doesn't sound right to me at all. Why not ask what type of aircraft you'll be on?

Anyhow, think of it this way: You are spending many thousands of dollars on a private driver safari. Do you really want to limit yourself during the entire multi-week experience because of this one 45 minute flight?

Regards,
Rick Wallace

Kraig, I'm sorry I asked you about the 1.7 extender. I re-read your post and it didn't mention an extender. Did you use one?

I thought on a combination of the 80-400 and the Kenko. Sometimes 400mm are too short. Leopards for example. For landscapes and for pictures of herds I used the Sigma 15-30mm .

WoVo

You're going on safari and not taking your longest lens?!?

We went to Zambia last year and were restricted to 26 lbs apiece. About 23 lbs was photo gear. Boyfriend was completely paranoid about the weight, so we were only a touch over. I jammed the small stuff (about 7 lbs' worth) into my Photo Runner waistpack and hoped no one would weigh us. Our checked baggage was weighed once on a small commercial flight. No problem, as all the gear was carry-on.

me:
D200 + D70 for backup and scenics
4 En-El3e, 2 sets AA, chargers
80-400 VR (could've used longer much of the time)
80-200 AFS (ah, sharp pictures without a struggle)
monopod (on seat of open vehicle; beanbag would've been impossible)
18-70 (got a lot of use on the D70)
50/1.4 AIS
15/2.8 MF fish (Sigma)

SB-28 + BetterBeamer (shot manual 1/2 or 1/4 power and never ran out of batteries)
2x 2gb + 2x 1gb CompactFlash (yes, I shoot raw)
Digimate + Hyperdrive (I'm paranoid)

Giotto's rocket blower (never used; lots of dust but I didn't change lenses much, and the D200 doesn't get that dusty)
The two big lenses lived in soft cases in a cheap backpack for easy carrying.

boyfriend:
Minolta film body
28-300
film (!)
small binoculars

My clothes were something like this:
2 or 3 pr lightweight pants
2 pr walking shoes + extra laces
1 pr sandals (we also spent time in Cape Town and needed something semi-nice)
several t-shirts, short and long-sleeved
lightweight skirt
fleece vest
windbreaker

... light packing is a longtime habit with me due to schlepping photo gear; I don't care about clothes so long as I have something clean. The animals won't either. They do offer laundry service at the camps. Use it.

There's usually power at midday when you're in for siesta and often again during dinner; charge then.

Wish I'd bought a good Kirk or RRS tripod mount for the 80-400--I had some vibration issues that hadn't shown up in testing, so I wound up having to screw down the mount as tight as I could. So much for horizontal/vertical flexibility. VR was VERY handy for a few handheld shots, but mostly f/5.6 (and f/8 if you want it sharp) felt restrictive.

If I were to do it again, I'd get a 400/3.5 and converter, and maybe a 1.7 for the 80-200. (Hmmm... how's the 1.7 on the 400?) That's only 2-3 lbs extra, and the reach and quality would be ideal.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for checking out the air strip. I'll do the same. We were told that we do not know the exact size of the plane so have to plan on the smallest. I will contact our agent to inquire about the cost of extra poundage. She can only quote what she is told but you and I know in the real world, a few dollars will work wonders. They do ask us on our application what our weight is so they can balance the plane...

ACoyl said:

Kraig, I'm sorry I asked you about the 1.7 extender. I re-read your
post and it didn't mention an extender. Did you use one?

Click to expand...

Thanks for your kind words about my images.

No extender no VR just the 17-55/2.8, 80-200 2.8, and 60 macro.
Did I find them adequate?

Well yes and no, every day a wished for a longer lens and every day I got shots I was very happy with. What I learned was…I shot at 2.8 more often then I should have my lens is much sharper @ F/4 when set to 200. I was after the DOF isolation and gave up some sharpness to get it.

It can be dusty I don’t know if I’d want to mess with putting an extender on and off to many times. The 1.7x is small if you have a lens that is matched to I’d say take it.

If you don’t take the 80-400 you will regret it but you will come way with great shots anyway. If I had one I’d have packed it.

My bag (LowePro Nature Trekker) was never weighted). If I could go back today I’d take my (thinkTank Airport International) carry on roller it would be easer to work with in the Rovers. We were driven everywhere and I had little need for a backpack bag. A tripod would have been nice around camp but in the Rovers VR and beanbags are the way to go unless you have some very big glass.

K.