Safari Suggestions

Hello all,

I'm going to Africa mid March on a safari. I will be taking 2 cameras, Canon 20&40D..18-2003, 5-5.6, 18-55 same, and 50 1-1:8.

Any suggestions for an additional not too expensive lens?

Tags: lens, suggestions

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Permalink Reply by Sean on February 1, 2010 at 1:15pm

I'm JEALOUS. Have fun. I think you have you bases covered for inexpensive lenses unless you want to add a 70-300mm...I think they go for about $150 us. But they are slow and the glass quality isn't all that great.

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Permalink Reply by Gail Schechter on February 1, 2010 at 1:22pm

I actually have one of those too. I don't plan on taking it with because of that. Do you know of ant other multi purpose telephoto?

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Permalink Reply by Sean on February 1, 2010 at 3:24pm

You could probably get a teleconverter (about $300), which can get you up from 1.4 to 2x the focal length depending on the one you get, but it will also make your aperture from f/5.6 to a f/11.2...one of the draw backs. Or for a little over $500 you could get this EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens...glass is better than the $150 version obviously.

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Permalink Reply by Gail Schechter on February 2, 2010 at 6:40am

thanks for your input..I will check it out.

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Permalink Reply by James Elliott on February 1, 2010 at 2:53pm

You're definitely going to want a telephoto lens with a good distance. I'm not a canon man so I don't know much about their lenses but a good distance would be around 300mm

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Permalink Reply by Gail Schechter on February 2, 2010 at 6:39am

true that!

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Permalink Reply by Kerry Martin on February 2, 2010 at 3:01am

I would get the longest/fastest lens that your budget will allow you to purchase. Perhaps a lens and converter...? Depending on where you go you will generally always be wishing you were that little bit closer! I went to Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya you can drive off the roads, which allows you to get closer to animals, but in Tanzania you have to stick to the roads so a larger lens is required. Not sure where you're going or the regulations for countries other than these but I thought that you might find that little bit of extra info to be useful. Have a great trip- its an incredible continent.

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Permalink Reply by Gail Schechter on February 2, 2010 at 6:39am

Thanks Kerry-
We are going to South Africa and stay at a camp in Kruger.
Thanks for the info. Not sure how a lens converter works, but I will have a look.
Thanks for the info.

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Permalink Reply by Kerry Martin on February 2, 2010 at 11:19pm

I haven't been to Kruger but I do believe that it is a bit more compact than some of the National Parks so you might have more luck capturing animals! A converter extends the length of the lens its used with - its kind of like adding an extra lens - hopefully you'll know what I mean when you see one. The downside of a converter is that they are 'slow' - the quickest shutter speed increases, so if things are moving (like a cheetah chase!) you may not be able to get a clear image. In some circumstances you may need a tripod to get an image. Depending on the converter you may also not be able to use the autofocus function.

Good luck deciding!