Safari with Nex 6, telephoto lens suggestions?

Hello everybody, I've looked at several conversations on this topic, but am looking for a little more help. My wife and I will be taking a Kruger self drive Safari next month and I'm trying to figure out my best gear options. I have an NEX 6 with the kit lens. With the lack of long native lenses for the e mount, I'm wondering what you'd all suggest. I think the best route would be to buy a 55-210 and one of the compatible extenders that can be attached. It seems as though enough people have gotten quality photos out of this type of setup? Otherwise I'd be stuck renting a larger DSLR and lens, which could add up quick, and I'm looking mainly for an amateur type setup just to get some good photos of our trip.

Thanks for your help and suggestions!
Adam

Also, just to get more opinions, the other option I've looked at is renting a super zoom bridge camera, which I've also seen suggested in previous discussions, like the Nikon p900.

I am an A6000 owner, and until recently used an NEX-6. I use the Sony 18-105 as my walk-around lens and get great results. Compared to the 18-200, the 18-105 has power zoom, the lens is higher quality G rated, all zoom is within the barrel - no exposed mechanical extension, and constant F4 - faster at full zoom and great for video.

But more important, I've been to Africa twice on Safari and can tell you that the animals are so close to you that you don't need a really long zoom. And if you want more zoom, you can crop your photos, the NEX-6 has plenty of resolution for a 2X or more zoom.

Ken

Same general comments for 55-210 as my prior post. The big advantage of the 18-105 is you can use this on safari and not have to worry about constantly changing lenses - wide angle to medium zoom - covers 95% of anything you'll want to shoot.

Yes, 18-105 is a bit heavier than a prime lens or the kit lens, but use a sling strap like the Black Rapid and you'll never feel the weight.

Ken

Here's what's working, for me. I picked up a Sony la ea 2 adapter which lets me use Minolta / Sony A mount lenses on my A6000. It provides reasonably fast and accurate af and full control of aperture from the camera. when using the la ea 2, I'm using a two lens kit. First is a Sony 18 - 135 which is, optically, a very good lens and second is a Minolta 100 - 300 mm (the APO one) which is also a very good lens. This gives me 18 - 300mm with auto everything. By diligently shopping, I got the 18 - 135 for about $140 USD and the 100 - 300 cost about $120. The most expensive part was the la ea 2, which cost me about $175, a year ago. This set up works great, for me, and only ran me a little over $400. The Sony FE 70 - 200 goes for a little north of $1000, most places and doesn't have near the focal length coverage of my two lens kit. Don't get me wrong, the 70 - 200 is a great lens but I'm retired and not a wealthy person. If money was no object, to me, then I'm sure I would own it and several other nice but spendy lenses available for e mount.

asteenbo said:

Also, just to get more opinions, the other option I've looked at is renting a super zoom bridge camera, which I've also seen suggested in previous discussions, like the Nikon p900.

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Get the Fuji S1 - It's weather resitant, and it takes RAW images. Actually the SX50 has great IQ +RAW, and the Nikons have great reach and features, but you will encounter a lot of dust on your Safari. The Nikon's slow buffer on the P600 is irritating, and I don't think the P900 has improved much on this aspect. Anyway, Nikon doesn't have a RAW option, and the aggressive NR can ruin finer details.