The Best Camera Lenses for Safari
Вставка
- Опубліковано 1 чер 2024
- My recommendations for the lenses you may want to take on safari. I introduce my current safari kit, and offer advice on the type of lenses you may want to invest in for your African Safari.
Do you have experience with any of these lenses or similar? How do you like them? Have you taken them on safari? What were your experiences? And what would you recommend for safari? Let me know. Mahalo!
Time Code
0:00 Intro
0:45 Safari Overview
1:11 Camera Bodies
1:59 Compact Travel Camera
2:45 Telephoto Zoom
3:40 Fast Prime
4:50 1.4x Extender
5:25 Long Prime
7:45 Best Lenses for Safari
9:33 Why the 70-200 is a No Go For Me
Great set of tips, Lee. When I visited your gallery, I was so impressed with your photos. Fantastic composition on so many shots. I hope to travel with you on one of these adventures one day. Have a great trip to Africa.
Mahalo Dan! Thank you for watching and commenting. I’d love to share an adventure with you. Stay tuned for more videos from Africa. Aloha!
Over many years of photography I have owned dozens of lenses with focal length from 8 to 800mm. I got rid of most of them. Today I own just a 50mm F1.8 Prime and a 17 to 85mm zoom. The do all I need and my camera bag is a lot lighter. For a safari I'm not sure about the prime but it's so light I would take it, just in case.
Aloha Ian. Thank you for your comment. I can completely understand and appreciate your less is more kit. I think a safari offers so many opportunities for all kinds of photography that you would be happy with your 50mm prime. It sounds like you know what you can expect from it and what images it allows for and what it does not. Happy shooting and thanks again. Aloha, Lee
Safari organizers take their customers to where they know the game can be seen. The animals are used to seeing vehicles and tourists and are not spooked by them. That allows good photographs with modest lenses. I would suggest that anything over 200mm is just excess baggage. Sadly some will never learn.
@@MENSA.lady2 A valid point. However, there are certainly many instances where a longer lens is preferred. Even in the cases you point out, having a longer lens allows for greater depth of field and separation of subject. It also allows for distance to be taken from the subject so you are not just shooting down onto the animal. Also, there are many places in Tanzania like the Ngorongoro Crater and the Central or Eastern Serengeti where off-roading is prohibited. If traveling with an ethical guide in these areas a long lens is not only desirable, it is necessary. Ultimately, I think it all comes down to what are the expectations of the images; how are they to be used; and what compromises the traveler/photographer wishes to make in terms of budget, packing, weight, number of other safari participants in the vehicle and desired image quality. Thanks for watching and commenting! Have a wonderful weekend. Aloha, Lee
Good to see someone backing zooms. Just eliminates so many debates about sensors and which lenses. Also far more convenient in the field!
Aloha John. Thanks for watching and for commenting. I think you nailed it - the convenience of these zooms- size, weight, portability, and variety of shots possible - has won me over. And the IQ of these zooms with the mirrorless bodies no (from all manufacturers, really) is astonishing. Good luck on your next day out! Aloha.
how excited!! yay!! 🌳🦓🦁🐒🐘🦒🐦🦩
Yes! Exciting! Thanks for watching! 🙏🤙
Good kit. I would take R3+R5, RF 28-70mm f2, RF 100-500L and RF 400mm f2.8 and 1.4x and 2.0x tc
Aloha Thomas! That would make a great safari kit. Especially the 400 f/2.8. Throw on the 1.4 and you’ve got birds covered, too. Happy adventures!
Mahalos Lee. It takes a generous spirit to share his secrets to getting the goods!
Mahalo Richard!
For Video, I suggest Panasonic FZ2500, a "bridge" camera with a lens with a large 20X zoom range 26-520MM equivalent with a 1 inch sensor, built in ND filters and they shoot 4096x2160. 4K. You can get the shot with great VIDEO camera with not bashing your fellow passengers in the head in the jeep when you pan. For stills it sucks, even in RAW
Sounds like a fantastic video camera. Yes, the big telephotos are for a vehicle with few passengers or one with friends or family! I’ve only used my 600 f/4 twice so far with my tour. Both times in Ngorongoro Crater- caracal and black rhino. They warranted a special use exemption 🤣
I usually take 2 bodies with my 600mm 4.0, 100-500mm (or previously 100-400), and my Tamron 15-30mm and a 1.4x teleconverter. I skip the 600mm if the main focus is not Safari but other activities like hiking etc. In that case, I take the 24-105 instead and sometimes the 100mm macro.
Excellent kit. I’ve been happy with the 100-500. When you say hiking, I’m curious. Have you hiked/ climbed Kilimanjaro? Or Meru? I would like to do that some day. Thanks for commenting and best of luck on your next adventure
@@LeeScott-LightSourceKauai I had a friend who did Kilimanjaro. After I saw the pictures I was put off and would never do it. It's a huge traffic jam up and down the mountain, not what I'm looking for. I went hiking in the Drakensberg (South Africa) last year, doing a lot of hiking in the Swiss Alps. Would like to to the Otter trail in South Africa, also some trails in the Cederberg (near Cape Town), and on top of my bucket list are some hikes in the Rwenzori Mountains (Uganda).
Good set up and will you be updating to the Canon R1?
Thanks. About the R1… that’s a very good question. If the leaked specs are accurate then I don’t think I will. The R3 is super fast and auto focus is very accurate. And it feels great in hand. I just wish that it had more MP. I’d gladly sacrifice some speed for more resolution. So even with all of the new tech that it may feature, I don’t think I can justify the price of upgrading for only 6 MP more (the feature that currently interests me the most). Now, if it’s 45 like the R5 then Yes! How about you? What are your thoughts on the R1?
Which version of 300 2.8 do you have? Do you perhaps know if the older non IS version can handle teleconverters well? Enjoy your trip!
Aloha Treasure Hunters! I have the Mark II ISL version and have been very happy with it from day one. Really sharp and crisp and I can honestly say that - in terms of sharpness- in almost all cases I cannot tell which photos were taken with or without the extender. The 2x III on the other hand… Not so much. I felt it was too soft, and sold it after about a year. Thanks for watching and commenting! Hope to see you out there! 🤙
Hello Lee, I’m going on my first safari, I have two bodies and two lens 35-150 f2-2.8 and 300 f2.8 with a teleconverter. Do you think this will be enough for masai mara?
Aloha Frodo. While I haven’t been to the Masai Mara I have heard safari in Kenya is incredible. Yes, with the teleconverter you will be good for pretty much everything except some smaller birds or birds that sit out of reach. I think you will find yourself shooting with the teleconverter 90% of the time. As for Canon, I think the 1.4 are fantastic. The EF 2x was not sharp enough for my tastes and I have not tried the RF version. But 420mm f/4 is a great focal length and aperture for safari. 300 if you can off-road. Have a blast and let me know how the Mara was!
So put the prices of all the equipment and compare it with OM System and the price . Because that it what most people can afford. Next to it the weight you have to lug and where do you put your lenses ...in the Bulk of the aircraft ? Special cases required for the big lenses ?
Thank you for commenting. I agree everyone has a budget and everyone must work with what they can afford and need. As a professional photographer who makes their living from photography my needs, requirements and budget for the gear may may be different than others. We do the best with what we can and enjoy the experience regardless of equipment, cost, etc… indeed the price of equipment varies, from new to used to rental. There are many excellent options from which people may choose. I find the weight of my equipment and the recommended gear to be acceptable. The lenses and cameras go in the Pelican case as seen in the video. The 600 f/4 lens has its on case and both cases are allowed for carry on baggage.
I am going to afrika in a few months. I have to chose between 18-55mm f4-f5.6, 70-200mm f2.8 and 150-600mm sigma for my canon 77d. I am pritty sure i will take the 150-600mm and the 18-55mm. I wish i could bring my 70-200 but i really dont have much space for it in my camera backpack. What do you think? Will i really mis my 70-200mm?
Aloha Martijn. Thanks for watching and for commenting. First, you will absolutely love Africa. It is incredibly beautiful and the people are gracious hosts. No, I don’t think you will miss the 70-200 all that much considering the kit that you are planning to take. Like my situation there is some overlap with your telephoto zoom and I think that is the most important lens. Secondly, the 18-55 will work very well for any scenics that present themselves at camp or in a game drive. The only common situation that may be a challenge and see you “in between focal lengths” is with an elephant or herd of ellies coming close. As 55 may be too short and 150 may be too long. But if it were a herd you could always try to reach the baby ellie at 150 or “ellies in landscape” at 55. I think you are well covered. Have a great safari!
@@LeeScott-LightSourceKauaiAwesome, thankyou!
I am concerned about heat and dust there. Should December or January be the best time to go there? If I go alone, what do I need to prepare for? Wish you have a great trip. Thank you.
Aloha George. Thanks for watching and commenting. Last year in both the Northern Circuit (Feb) and in Ruaha (Nov) I found the heat to be more of an issue than dust. The heat (direct sunlight) killed my Canon R3 on my second day of Safari. I was waiting for a leopard to come out of hiding and I forgot to turn off and cover my camera. 2 hours later it was fried. So definitely want to be careful out there. The dust was bad in one area of Ndutu where the megaherds of wildebeest and zebra were but other than that I didn’t find it that bad. December and January will likely be wet. Those months fall right in the middle of the Short Rains, a relatively short rainy season where it often rains for parts of each day. I understand that this year’s Short Rainy season has been particularly heavy in Northen Tanzania. December even saw flooding and a devastating landslide in Manyara District. Travelling alone gives you great freedom and is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and be spontaneous. On game drives and at camps lone travelers may have a “solo traveler” surcharge but other than that I don’t see any drawbacks. Well I guess one other- you must wait to share all of the amazing safari experiences you will have had with your friends and loved ones. So you’ll just have to go back! 😃🤙
@@LeeScott-LightSourceKauai Thank you so much for taking your time to give me good information about the safari which you have experienced. I am not good with the heat because every time I went to VN, I got sick for days after I arrived there. I don't think it is a good idea for me to go there even though I really like your incredible photos. Again, thank you so much and enjoy your trip. Hopefully, you will post more videos during the time you are there. ❤
Thank you! Be safe!
Nikon Z 180-600 mated with the 70-200 S lens >> the 180-600 is not a Trombone Dust Sucker like the 200-800 of Canon = useless for Nature in Africa >> been living here for 73 yrs and S Africa = Best location in Africa way better than Tourist Trap East Africa and way more Diversification >> Got 1 month in Kgalagadi in April/May / Best Lions in Africa then 3 months later in the year in Northern QUIET Northern Kruger Park. Dont even think of the Canon RF 70-200 cant even take a 1.4 x Convertor and Like Canon Zooms its a Trombone Zoomer . Enjoy East Africa and take many $$$$$$ as E Africa is way over priced
Aloha Peter. Thanks for commenting and sharing your views. I have friends with Nikon gear and they rave about it. I’m happy with the Canon gear I use and recommended, although I too agree that the RF 70-200 should have been an internal zoom and capable of fully accepting teleconverters. Rumor is they will correct their mistake and issue a new 70-200 internal zoom. I haven’t tried the 200-800 but suspect that it isn’t for me. As for best destinations, each safari location and country have pros and cons. For many the Serengeti is a dream destination and rarely if ever disappoints. I also fear that if east Africa continues to raise rates 13-15% year over year many nature enthusiasts and photographers will become priced out. I am happy to hear you recommend Kruger and South Africa so highly. I will have to visit one day. I’ve considered a long , extended self drive in Kruger. I think that would be fun. Have a great safari in Kgalagadi and north Kruger. Quiet locations are the best, right?! Aloha!
If you are a good honest guy you don not remove this info....either .. think about it.
Thank you again for commenting. You raised interesting points. Some valid and others less so, but certainly a good topic of discussion was presented. I agree with your concerns about equal access to these incredible public spaces with an amazingly rich and diverse wildlife and ecosystem. Perhaps, we set aside the cost of professional equipment and instead focus on ways to enjoy these places and protect them. One could argue that well taken images can help in this endeavor. Have a good day.
The ones who dont have to stay on the jeep tracks are located in very expensive lodges at Ndutu ... why dont you tell this too. Because budget people cannot pay these lodge prices either , and if you dont stay at these lodge off road driving is forbidden for the 4WD drivers /guides . They will get their licence retracted .... ! So result : you give us incomplete info for normal hobby photographers to get them to places that are impossible to reach with impossible expensive equipment... ! By the way ... I have been there quite some times and had to figure this out by myself.... because it is a myth .... no one talks about. ! It is like separation of the abundant rich and the simple guy who gets close but still so far away... ! While the fortunate ones take their mobile phone ..because the driver is allowed to drive next to the cheetah . And the normal guy is standing with super tele while the rich just stand in front the animals with their iPhone.
With all due respect, I cannot comment on the experiences that you have had in Ndutu. But I can say, with confidence, my experiences have been different.