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09/05/2007 08:17:15 AM · #1 |
I've been looking at this for a while, a very good telephoto.
Possibility of going to Kenya, so what would you want?
Maybe, just maybe an upper limit or £1000 ($2000), but like anyone i'd rather not bankrupt myself. :P
I've been looking at the 70-200 F4, F2.8, IS, non IS.
Everyone rants about the 2.8 L IS but it's seriously expensive, with 'only' 200mm.
Is that far enough? I think not.
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM (£340)
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS (£530)
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM (£586)
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM (£950!)
The other lens' i've had my eye on are;
- Canon EF 300mm f/4 L IS USM (£610)
- Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM (£599)
- Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM (£750)
Ok guys, go for it.
*Edit* To say just because i've only listed Canon lenses, it doesn't have to be Canon. I just know those and know of there quality, but if you know any others please say.
On that note
- Sigma AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6 EX APO OS DG (£550)
Message edited by author 2007-09-05 08:35:24. |
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09/05/2007 08:23:10 AM · #2 |
You might consider renting a lens if it'll save money....
The trouble with any flavor of the 70-200 lens is that, on safari, you'll probably find that it's just not long enough. And the trouble with any lens that is f/4 or slower is that, when the light gets purdy, there just won't be enough light to shoot.
I like the Canon 300 2.8L lens. It lets in a lot of light when you need it. And it is fast enough that you can use a doubler to get 600mm out of it when you don't need the light. Downside is ... it's not a zoom lens. So you might consider taking the 100-400mm lens along with. It's a slow lens, but gives you a bit more flexibility and still a fairly long reach.
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09/05/2007 08:57:26 AM · #3 |
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
+ EF 1.4x II Extender
I think you'll really want the versatility and length of the 100-400 IS. It can be amazingly sharp even handheld and at full-length.
The 1.4 extender does a pretty nice job too and is pretty sharp in the f/10 to f/13 range. I'd say that you're going to want that much range. The only negative is that you lose the AF when you add the extender, but it's a pretty cheap way of getting some extra length. |
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09/05/2007 09:55:24 AM · #4 |
Well, I'd take the canon 100-400 IS L if I could only take one of my lens.
But if weight is a concern (A friend did a safari and could only bring 25 pounds of lugage total) I'd bring the Sigma 70-300 APO DG and a grab an old 24mm prime lens with a M42 mount off ebay and still be lighter then the 100-400 (or 70-200). |
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09/05/2007 09:58:58 AM · #5 |
| I wouldn't go without my Bigma. (Sigma 50-500) Weight be damned- leave your clothes at home. |
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09/05/2007 10:33:46 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by chip_k:
The 1.4 extender does a pretty nice job too and is pretty sharp in the f/10 to f/13 range. |
I don't know about Kenya, but when we went on safari in South Africa, the drives (and photography) were all done in very early morning or dusk till after dark. Very low light. I think that the faster lenses would be an asset, truly.
My $.02.
Liza |
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09/05/2007 10:36:58 AM · #7 |
Whatever you do try and buy it from abroad- either within Europe or further afield (USA is great given the exchange rate- practically makes things half price).
This will save you a lot of money so you can get the best stuff. And my ote would go with a zoom lens with a wide open aperture... the 70-200mm 2.8 sounds great to me. |
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09/05/2007 10:37:17 AM · #8 |
I woudlnt even attempt a safari without a 500 F4IS or a 600 F4IS. Anything less then that your going to be disappointed in its range, its all going to be too short. I'd also take along one smaller lens in the 24-70 range and maybe one prime like the 501.8 or 85 1.8.
MattO
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09/05/2007 10:39:23 AM · #9 |
I was on safari with my 100-400 and only very few times did I wish I had more range.
The guy with 500 kept saying 'we're too close'. (Sorry Nick). ;o) |
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09/05/2007 10:42:18 AM · #10 |
have you considered the "Bigma"? it gets great reviews, and has a ton of range. Lots of great photogs on this site use it, like hotpasta.
"Bigma"
**edit to say that I do not own the bigma, yet. I personally have the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 DG Macro and a 2x DG teleconverter which I am very happy with.
Message edited by author 2007-09-05 10:43:40.
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09/05/2007 10:45:18 AM · #11 |
Safari tips at Luminous Landscape.
"The mainstay lens for my safari photography is a Canon 600mm f/4 with image stabilization."
Message edited by author 2007-09-05 10:47:01. |
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09/05/2007 11:18:23 AM · #12 |
400 2.8 IS.
Yeah, it's not cheap. but it is good, long and fast, with IS and you can add a TC to it to go longer.
Buy it, use it, sell it. So you might 'lose' $400 (if that), how often do you go to Kenya on Safari? I know for sure I'd only be able to do it once.
The downside is how big and heavy this lens is. Get a good monopod wiht one of those fancy heads that tilt/swivel and you're good to go.
A friend has the 500 F4 IS and well, for wildlife you can't beat a ong fast lens. |
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09/05/2007 11:24:02 AM · #13 |
I shot this with a 100-400L IS using the 1.4extender at the 400mm end of the range.
It was at a zoo, so not a safari, but I was about 100 yards away from the kitty when I shot this. (I didn't really measure, it could have been 75 yards...but ya get my point) |
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