Gear Opinion for Safari

dacrema said:

I would think a 24-70/4 for around camp. Are you expecting stars at night?

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camelguy said:

Yeah, I'd want something wider than OP is suggesting, for landscapes.

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hydromojo said:

My 2c's

Went to Kenya in 2018 with a 200-500 and 70-200. Was able to cover all wildlife with this range. In many cases, predators walk right past you and even a 70mm may fall short, which is when you whip out your trusted cel phone cam.

Agree with some of the other comments here where you'll want to have a wide angle available as well. Early morning and dusk light in those pristine skies are a treat to capture.

Best of luck and hope you have some wonderful sightings!!!

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apm087 said:

I've just booked my first safari and super excited. We're planning on going to Kenya for 9 days to visit Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara. Transit between destinations will be via jeep and not plane.

I'll be bringing two camera bodies and currently thinking of bringing the following glass:

Z 70-200 2.8 (environment)

Z 400 4.5 (mammals)

Z 800 6.3 (portraits and birds)

Z TC 1.4

For those who have been to Kenya before on game drives how important is it to have the versatility of a telephoto zoom?

I'm considering adding the Z 180-600 to my kit and leave the Z 400 4.5 at home but was worried about the trade off, particularly of aperture for low light situations.

I currently have a focal gap between 200-400 and 500-800. The TC helps cover this gap but could also miss shots will fiddling with gear.

I'd rather fork out additional money on another lens, but wanted to get some opinions from people who've been on safari before.

Cheers

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Friedrich von Horsten said:

Hi apm087

Hope you’ll have a wonderful time in Africa

You haven’t told us what camera bodies you will be using…

On my last Masai Mara trip I only used my Z50 + 2 kit lenses for general work, and the D500 + 300mmf4 PF for action and 450mm equivalent on DX. Never needed more

Previously I used D500 + 200-400mm f4 for wildlife.

if I were you, I would use Z24-120 f4 for general landscape and bigger wildlife in context + lion/leopard walking next to vehicle.

You could leave 70-200mm + 800mm at home and just use 400mm f4.5 for birds and wildlife, + use 1.4 tc for greater reach, and use crop mode (if you have Z7/8/9 with big sensor) for even more reach

If you feel deprived, then take 70-200mm f2.8 along for low light shooting.

Travel light and enjoy your trip more

God bless from Africa,

Friedrich von Hörsten

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Terrible Photographer said:

apm087 said:

I've just booked my first safari and super excited. We're planning on going to Kenya for 9 days to visit Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara. Transit between destinations will be via jeep and not plane.

I'll be bringing two camera bodies and currently thinking of bringing the following glass:

Z 70-200 2.8 (environment)

Z 400 4.5 (mammals)

Z 800 6.3 (portraits and birds)

Z TC 1.4

For those who have been to Kenya before on game drives how important is it to have the versatility of a telephoto zoom?

I'm considering adding the Z 180-600 to my kit and leave the Z 400 4.5 at home but was worried about the trade off, particularly of aperture for low light situations.

I currently have a focal gap between 200-400 and 500-800. The TC helps cover this gap but could also miss shots will fiddling with gear.

I'd rather fork out additional money on another lens, but wanted to get some opinions from people who've been on safari before.

Cheers

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I couldn't imagine taking a trip somewhere and my shortest lens being 70mm.

That's alot of weight to be carrying too, seems like it would be awkward unless someone else is going to be carrying stuff for you.

I'd go 24-70/4, 70-180 2.8, and the 400+TC and call it a day.

IMO if you're not going to get the shot at 560mm, you're not going to get it at 800 either. Toggle the Z9 into DX mode and there's an 840mm equiv at 6.3 without the weight, or complexity.

Or.. you can go 24-200, 180-600, 1.4TC and cover the same ground in 2 lenses...

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clicktocapture said:

Oh yes, I forgot that! I'll be bringing a Z9 and possible Z6II (or another Z9). The Z 24-120 seems to be a popular recommendation, so I'll definitely need to save for that one. I'll likely check it into my suitcase.

Ah gear decisions are tough! I would hate to leave the Z 800 at home

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BGD300V1 said:

or a Zfc. You won't need to swap a big lens around to get a wide shot and it can be readily available if you do want a shot of the vehicle, friends or close objects. it will add just over a pound to your kit.

Oh, and if necessary, it's a 1.5 TC.

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msu79gt82 said:

BGD300V1 said:

or a Zfc. You won't need to swap a big lens around to get a wide shot and it can be readily available if you do want a shot of the vehicle, friends or close objects. it will add just over a pound to your kit.

Oh, and if necessary, it's a 1.5 TC.

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I agree. The Z50 Two Lens Kit is an amazingly compact and competent travel kit covering 14-250. And I use mine as a 1.5x TC often.

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apm087 said:

Terrible Photographer said:

apm087 said:

I've just booked my first safari and super excited. We're planning on going to Kenya for 9 days to visit Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara. Transit between destinations will be via jeep and not plane.

I'll be bringing two camera bodies and currently thinking of bringing the following glass:

Z 70-200 2.8 (environment)

Z 400 4.5 (mammals)

Z 800 6.3 (portraits and birds)

Z TC 1.4

For those who have been to Kenya before on game drives how important is it to have the versatility of a telephoto zoom?

I'm considering adding the Z 180-600 to my kit and leave the Z 400 4.5 at home but was worried about the trade off, particularly of aperture for low light situations.

I currently have a focal gap between 200-400 and 500-800. The TC helps cover this gap but could also miss shots will fiddling with gear.

I'd rather fork out additional money on another lens, but wanted to get some opinions from people who've been on safari before.

Cheers

Click to expand...

I couldn't imagine taking a trip somewhere and my shortest lens being 70mm.

That's alot of weight to be carrying too, seems like it would be awkward unless someone else is going to be carrying stuff for you.

I'd go 24-70/4, 70-180 2.8, and the 400+TC and call it a day.

IMO if you're not going to get the shot at 560mm, you're not going to get it at 800 either. Toggle the Z9 into DX mode and there's an 840mm equiv at 6.3 without the weight, or complexity.

Or.. you can go 24-200, 180-600, 1.4TC and cover the same ground in 2 lenses...

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Unfortunately I can't justify multiple new lenses, at most I would buy one. Either on the wide end or the Z180-600 (if it's even readily available as I haven't preordered).

I'm used to carrying my heavy gear, but we will mostly be inside the private jeep. My main concern is just the carry on restrictions

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LensWizard said:

msu79gt82 said:

BGD300V1 said:

or a Zfc. You won't need to swap a big lens around to get a wide shot and it can be readily available if you do want a shot of the vehicle, friends or close objects. it will add just over a pound to your kit.

Oh, and if necessary, it's a 1.5 TC.

Click to expand...

I agree. The Z50 Two Lens Kit is an amazingly compact and competent travel kit covering 14-250. And I use mine as a 1.5x TC often.

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AMAZING for a SAFARI....? Hmmmmmm

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