Shooting Kilimanjaro Safari

[Nikel]

We're going on the sunrise safari when we go in Dec. I'm super excited! Do you think a 70-200mm 2.8 lens will be okay? If not, what do you recommend? I don't have anything with more reach than 200mm, but I can always rent.

 

[deletedpenguin]

I've got the 70-200f/2.8 and it works wonders at the zoo/etc. but if you need just a bit more, check out the 1.4x extender. It works well, doesn't degrade the pictures and you lose just a stop or so to f/4. I use that setup when shooting surf pictures. If you don't want to jump on it and make the purchase, try renting it.

 

[Master Mason]

I think you'll be just fine with the 200 you can crop aftewards, any longer and your going to have focus problems because of the jarring vehicle.... just my opinion.

 

[SharonLowe]

Since they stop on the Sunrise Safari so people can take photos, stability/focusing isn't an issue. I typically use my 70-200mm on my full frame Canon 1DsMkII. Anything too long and you will have a problem with the closer animals. The light is dim so plan to set your ISO to 400 at least initially. As you get out into the more open areas, you can probably lower it. Have fun - it is a great experience!

 

[Nikel]

Since they stop on the Sunrise Safari so people can take photos, stability/focusing isn't an issue. I typically use my 70-200mm on my full frame Canon 1DsMkII. Anything too long and you will have a problem with the closer animals. The light is dim so plan to set your ISO to 400 at least initially. As you get out into the more open areas, you can probably lower it. Have fun - it is a great experience!

Thanks so much! I'm using a cropped sensor camera (40D), and I was worried about any other the closer up animals. I haven't been to AK before, so I have no idea how close to expect them. My dh will have the s3 though, so we'll always have that to fall back on.

 

[Disneyfreak92]

I used my 70-200 f/2 on the safari on our May trip, and I was quite pleased with it. My only issue was that I was sitting on the wrong side of the vehicle for some of the best shots. I used that lens on my 30D, and I found the focal range to work quite well. Have fun!

 

[matthew_hull]

We're going on the sunrise safari when we go in Dec. I'm super excited! Do you think a 70-200mm 2.8 lens will be okay? If not, what do you recommend? I don't have anything with more reach than 200mm, but I can always rent.

The 70-200mm f/2.8 will be just fine. Bring along the 50mm f/1.8, too -- it really is dim light at that hour.

 

[Nikel]

The 70-200mm f/2.8 will be just fine. Bring along the 50mm f/1.8, too -- it really is dim light at that hour.

I'm really not loving my 50mm 1.8. I guess I didn't get a great copy, as the images are always soft, esp in low light. I've got an 85mm 1.8 that I could bring though. Unless I break down and buy the 50mm 1.4.

 

[bostran1]

If you had a 55-200 I would use that. I used a 75-300 f/4 last time I was down there (rarely went aboe 200mm though) and there were at least 5 times on one ride I wised I wasn't zoomed in so far. However, the 70 will most likely work just fine and since the vehicle is always moving, anytime you are zoomed in too far, a second or two later you will be far enough away to take the shot.

 

[SharonLowe]

Thanks so much! I'm using a cropped sensor camera (40D), and I was worried about any other the closer up animals. I haven't been to AK before, so I have no idea how close to expect them. My dh will have the s3 though, so we'll always have that to fall back on.

It depends on their moods but we've had a rhino come right up to the vehicle before! Mostly they will be far enough away that you will like having the extra zoom.

We've always tried to sit in the front row before but now I am thinking the back row might be better, especially for getting up and moving to another side. They don't cram you in like they do on the ride so there is a bit more space to move around.

Oh, do take a shorter lens so you can take photos of the food and such at the end. The breakfast is awesome! It isn't in Tusker House right now due to the construction but the food is the same as it was then. Have a great time!!

 

[matthew_hull]

I'm really not loving my 50mm 1.8. I guess I didn't get a great copy, as the images are always soft, esp in low light. I've got an 85mm 1.8 that I could bring though. Unless I break down and buy the 50mm 1.4.

The 85mm f/1.8 is my favorite lens, actually, altho I don't use the 85mm length very much. I was on the Sunrise Safari, and I had a f/2.8 lens on and I wasn't getting the shutter speeds that I needed. So I switched to the 85mm f/1.8 and I got the better speeds, but I also got that extra contrast and oh-so-fine bokeh. So glad that it was one of the lenses that I dragged along. Yes, do use the 85mm over the 50mm at the beginning of the safari ride. Switch to a longer lens when you drive out into the open.

And BTW, toss the unsatisfactory 50mm and buy a new one.

 

[SharonLowe]

I'm really not loving my 50mm 1.8. I guess I didn't get a great copy, as the images are always soft, esp in low light. I've got an 85mm 1.8 that I could bring though. Unless I break down and buy the 50mm 1.4.

I love my 50mm f/1.4 - it is awesome for those dark rides. I have the 85mm f/1.8 and rarely use it unless I am doing portraits. I agree with the other poster that it might be nice for the early part of the safari unless you get the new 50mm!

Here's an example of one I took with my 70-200 f/2.8 in June. This guy was not too close to the vehicle and it is very wooded in this area. I was at ISO 400, zoomed out to 200mm, and hand-held this at 1/20 second. Amazed it wasn't too blurry.

 

[Nikel]

You bunch of enablers! The 50mm 1.4 is only a couple hundred bucks, so I can for sure get it before we go.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I managed a couple shots I like:

With the Canon XT and 70-300IS

The tour was pretty good. We got to pet a rhinocerous! Oh, and worry the whole time that he might spray!!! The tour took the whole morning. We also got to see them introducing a new elephant to one other inside a huge jurrasic park looking cage.

Mikeeee

 

[PhotobearSam]

So cool....Amazing shots.

 

[msel68]

Awesome!

 

[poppyolivia]

Wow thats great, your photos are really clear, I love them!

 

[TwoOldPoohs]

Those are great shots! I love that tour.

 

[DebºoºS]

Beautiful shots! Love to see the rest! Always wanted to do the backstage safari. If they drove double speed that would spoil it for me. Almost as much as rino spray!

 

[JR6ooo4]

Beautiful shots! Love to see the rest! Always wanted to do the backstage safari. If they drove double speed that would spoil it for me. Almost as much as rino spray!

Hehehehee, just look at the top two while shaking your head. That is what the rest look like...

Mikeeee

THanks for the comments!