advice needed

[Bub-les]

Help please. At Easter myself and daughter are being treated to a once in a lifetime safari trip to Tanzania including a hot air balloon! Needless to say I will be taking loads of photos! The problem: I do not have a decent zoom for my Sony Alpha can anyone help? My choices seem to be Sigma 170-500mm f5-6.3 APO DG, Sony AF 500 f8 reflec Sal 500, Sigma 50-500mm DG f4-6.3 EX HSM or Tamron SP AF 200-500mm f5-6.3 Di LD IF or can you suggest something else in a similar price?

[Blackbrook Eye]

Can I suggest that whichever lens you decide on, you get it as quickly as possible and get in a load of practice with it. Long lenses are not the easiest things to get to grips with and it would be a disaster if you did not get the quality pictures that a trip like this deserves. Also can I suggest that you get, or make, a couple of good beanbags, as a tripod is of little use in the conditions you will be taking in, particularly in the balloon where there will be no room to set one up. Another thing you will need is a camera bag which is, as near as possible dustproof. Keep your camera strap round you neck when you are in the balloon, it may sound obvious but many a good camera has been lost overboard on these trips. The best of luck with your journey I hope it is everything you expect and more. Keith

[Bub-les]

Thanks for the advice. Appreciate I haven't much time the bean-bag idea sounds good as a friend told me I wouldn't be able to use a tripod as I'd be in a vehicle most of the time. Have got a monopod so thought I'd bring that instead of the tripod. Don't worry the strap is never off my neck! Have had one camera that thought it could fly!

[big bill]

Hello Bub-les depends on what you intend to shoot looking at your choice of lens I would go for the Sigma 50-500 at least with this lens you will not have to change lens as much and avoid the chance of dirt and sand getting onto the senssor but likes mentioned above get it quick and practice again a momopod would be better than a tripod along with a bean bag enjoy and look forward to seeing you pics on your return

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by Blackbrook Eye

Another thing you will need is a camera bag which is, as near as possible dustproof.

No such thing as a dustproof bag when it comes to African dust from dirt roads

I put my lenses into freezer bags for extra protection - freezer bags being that much stronger.

Blow and dust the dirt off, do not wipe it off, it is highly abrasive and has cost me new bino lenses in the past

[naturelover]

hi bub-les a warm welcome to the site,have fun on your easter trip.

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by big bill

Hello Bub-les depends on what you intend to shoot looking at your choice of lens I would go for the Sigma 50-500 at least with this lens you will not have to change lens as much and avoid the chance of dirt and sand getting onto the senssor but likes mentioned above get it quick and practice again a momopod would be better than a tripod along with a bean bag enjoy and look forward to seeing you pics on your return

I agree with Bill. That's the lens I want and the one I would take. I would also take a wide angle lens as there will be some awesome scenery, especially up in the balloon, which I would never go up in as I have a fear of heights. No problem with planes though.

[Bub-les]

Thanks for all the advice. I've settled for the tamron 200-500. Thought the sigma 50-500 would be too heavy! Well now starts the learning curve. Trying to master the lens using a mono pod is not the easiest thing I've ever tried! Mind you between work and the weather I've not had much chance. Managed 1/2 hr at 3.30 today. Went to a spot by the coast to see what was around. It was home-time for the shags! I had fun trying to get them in flight!. Panning on a mono pod takes some getting used to. I'll up-load one of my piccies shortly. Its not as good as the majority here and I've already thought of a few things I should maybe have done to give myself a better chance eg altering the ISO setting from 100 which is where I tend to keep it as I hate noise! Anyway I hope you like the photo a little. Its good to practise in low light as I intend getting some sunsets/sunrises on the trip.

[Bub-les]

wooo hoooo that worked first time!! System for photos has changed since I last uploaded so I wasn't sure that I was doing it right!

[jennyb]

I hate to throw a spanner in the works when you have made your decision about the lense. I went to Tanzania in November and took with me a Sigma 70-500 and a Canon 70-300 IS. I hardly used the Sigma.

Depending where you are going, you will find that you get so close to the animals that you hardly need to use the 500mm and when you do there is little opportunity to use a tripod. I found a beanbag useful on occasions.

I loved Tanzania and would have been happy to spend a few months out there. We did the northern circuit in 2006 and the southern (more remote) circuit in 2007. Both trips were absolutely amazing.

Have a wonderful time.

Jenny