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Advice on lenses for Europe and S Africa


M8China

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From my extremely subjective point of view, I wouldn't even bother with an SLR for the safari. At best, with a good sensor and long lenses you'll get the same set of photos that you've seen a hundred times before. But with a 50 say, you'll find yourself creating some original and exciting photos that may well be far more rewarding and memorable than another lion's head.

 

And you'll also be freer to enjoy yourself and experience the occasion.

 

Whatever you choose though, I wish you a very enjoyable trip. :)

 

I agree even a 50mm works.

 

M8 & 50mm Zeiss Sonnar.

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Anything 'can' work but on my last two trips to Kruger I hardly took my 70-300 off my full frame camera....but the landscapes are superb too and there are quite a few areas where you can get out of your vehicle and do a short walkabout..there are many picnic spots and some are high up that will give you nice views...I have been to many places including mana pools and the zambezi river but for sheer numbers of wildlife sightings the Kruger is hard to beat....enjoy!

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I agree even a 50mm works.

 

M8 & 50mm Zeiss Sonnar.

I've seen that one before, Mike.And I love it. Lions yes, Elephants, yes. But now a Kudu or a Warthog (not habituated)with a 50 please:):D.

Seriously, what is the chance of getting such a shot with a 50 on a first trip into the Kruger?

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An Oryx, rather than a Kudu (but they are related species :rolleyes:). A 90mm lens (on M9) rather than a 50mm (but that is what was on the camera at that moment ;)). But, it was within my first hour at a desert lodge in Namibia.

 

I'll confess to some minimal cropping of the image and note that it could have been done with a 50mm lens without getting myself gored.

 

RM

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Thank you! Here's the full frame DNG off the camera. I had climbed up a hill and as I got up to the top, he was standing there feeding on some Aloes, about 5 meters away. We startled each other.

 

He obviously didn't feel threatened or he would have come for me. The trick is not to make sudden movements or start running. I had the Tri-Elmar on the M8 and managed to get several pics.

After a couple of minutes he picked up a large branch with his trunk and threw it at me, as in telling me to bugger off. I slowly backed away from him and got out of his way, wetting myself all the way down the hill.....

 

[ATTACH]311233[/ATTACH]

 

I must say that's one of best stories for a photo I have seen here. You have some guts just to stand there and shoot away. Was it difficult washing out your pants that evening?

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Saw the piece on Sweden. Binoculars and riflescopes but no camera lenses.

 

For your European tour, use the lenses you would use at home. Except that our cities are often more 'tight' than American ones, so that really wide optics can often be used with good effect.

 

In Africa, it is a matter whether you want your own copies of the zillion pictures of half-sleeping lions that are already extant, in which case a long tele is required. Apart from that, be always ready for the kind of 'general photography' that helps you remember the voyage.

 

All of this should be self-evident. Bon voyage.

 

The old man from the Kodachrome Age

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That is a bit harsh, Lars. Nature is so varied that a good photographer will come up with interesting shots .Dozing lions are more for the cell-phone brigade. And even then, there are some interesting examples. A long lens is required because most photographs will be taken from a fixed position, so they are needed for framing, not for effect as you implicate. I think a number of members here have supplied proof in the photoforums over the years.

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I am told by people with quite a bit of experience of East Africa that in order to get interesting game shots, you need not only a long lens, but (a) freedom to move without being carted around like baggage, and (B) enough zoological knowledge to know what's interesting. If the OP has that, he is to be congratulated. And I will do that ungrudgingly.

 

The old man from the Kodachrome Age

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That is partly correct - with 24 years of experience of Southern Africa (and East Africa and Central Africa;))- where the system is far more individualistic and likely to be conductive to good photography than in the tourist grinder of east Africa (although the high end is a lot better than some decades ago) Still the best shots are often to be had from a vehicle - I tend to rent a private vehicle with a first class guide :)

Zoological - and botanical for that matter- knowledge is the first prerequisite for successfull wildlife photography imo- just ask yourself why the images posted by Doug Herr and Mike Kirkinis are so excellent.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Thank you folks for all the comments, just back from the wildlife in S Africa and we survived each other. I brought M9-P and 28/2 plus 50/1.4, and took some acceptable landscapes and some animal shots at close range, not the dangerous types. I plan to go back again later part of the year, and next, and next.....Africa is irresistible.

 

I do realize that if I bring along a DSLR the pictures taken would have been repeats of millions that already existed on the Net, so I will stick to just M9 and perhaps pick up a 135mm before I go, as advised by several of you.

 

Again, thanks a lot. Your comments have been more than enlightening.

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