Long enough for safari?

[DrNickBurton]

Hi,

I'm guessing at least some of you guys will have been on a safari, and can help me!

I plan a safari next year. As usual, budget is limited (especially after paying for the safari!), so shelling out £7k for a 600mm f/4 is not an option.

At the moment I have a Nikon D300 + Sigma 100-300mm + 1.4TC combo (so a 210-630mm in 35mm money), which I find works great. I was in Bushy park at the weekend photographing deer, and found it to be plenty long enough for anything except portraits.

My question is simple, will this combo cut it (i.e. will it be long enough) for a safari, or would I just be wasting my time? I keep reading on certain websites comments like "500mm minimum on DX", "at least 400mm + 1.4 TC, otherwise forget it".

Nick

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by DrNickBurton

Hi,

I'm guessing at least some of you guys will have been on a safari, and can help me!

I plan a safari next year. As usual, budget is limited (especially after paying for the safari!), so shelling out £7k for a 600mm f/4 is not an option.

At the moment I have a Nikon D300 + Sigma 100-300mm + 1.4TC combo (so a 210-630mm in 35mm money), which I find works great. I was in Bushy park at the weekend photographing deer, and found it to be plenty long enough for anything except portraits.

My question is simple, will this combo cut it (i.e. will it be long enough) for a safari, or would I just be wasting my time? I keep reading on certain websites comments like "500mm minimum on DX", "at least 400mm + 1.4 TC, otherwise forget it".

Nick

if it works for deer it will be fine on safari - you get a lot closer on the whole to animals on safari than you do to british wildlife + african wildlife is generally bigger and the light is better.

its not ideal but as you say buying a longer lense isnt an option you best go with it

other considerations for safari are

a) dust - take either sensor swaps or an artic buterfly for sensor cleaning and keep lense changes to a minimum, use a bulb blower to clean lenses

b) plenty of batteries and memory cards

c) unless you have loads of memory cards either a downloader or a laptop to download in the evenings

d) lense support - you wont be able to use a tripod in a safari vehicle so you need either a monopod or a bean bag or both ( note if you take a bean bag get a zip up one and take it empty then fill it with native beans on arrival)

e) take at least one camera body and lense in your hand luggage as you dont want to be left cameraless f the airline loses your hold luggage.

[ron1863]

Nick, here is a link with good information and a free ebook on safari photography

The Best Telephoto Lenses For Safari Wildlife Photography

[big bill]

Nick I would say that the combinations that your on about are fine for your photography remember you will be in a vehicle which will no doubt manouver round to allow pics to be taken.
Also all points mentioned by Eeyore above all hold true changing lens in hot and sandy conditions could cause problems take care

[Elevate29]

Hi Nick,
I would think your combo would be plenty enough reach for safari. I took my 100-400 lens and found it was all I needed as the guides know how to get pretty close to the game. As eeyore says, you'll need a beanbag for support though.

Elevate

[DrNickBurton]

Thanks for the reassurances guys. I did think it would be sufficient, but the number of articles I read which suggested otherwise gave me some doubts!

Unfortunately, it's now looking like a safari next year is probably off the cards , but the knowledge will still come in useful one day!