What lense to use on a safari trip?

[johnastovall]

Over on DPreview, "100-400L safari experince" addresses some of your questions and he used a 20D.

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

You might want to look at the Bigma. 50-500 zoom range and the high ISO preformance on the 20D would make up for the 6.3 on the long end.

Might find a deal on the FM buy and sell board for a used one.

I have no experience with this lens.. Wonder how hard it would be to steady a 500mm at 1.6crop and AF performance seems like it would take a significant hit as well. With some support (like mentioned here) and Manual focus, it might very well be something to consider.

[zeroendless]

Speaking of Bean Bag....

Thanks Jim mentioned this to me, i picked one up from John (He lives in Carrollton). He makes the same bean bag for A.Morris. Well, his without the padding...This thing filled 22lb of Pinto bean :)... solid as rock. i'm still looking for lighter alternative.
http://www.vertexphoto.com/BeanBag.aspx
Get one and fill it up when you reach there, you gonna need bean bag for your trip.

[zeroendless]

Any suggestions on other lense?

16-35, 70-200 IS, 500 IS. 1.4x, 2x, ext tubes....

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

I have no experience with this lens.. Wonder how hard it would be to steady a 500mm at 1.6crop and AF performance seems like it would take a significant hit as well. With some support (like mentioned here) and Manual focus, it might very well be something to consider.

A lot of FM'ers like it for airshows and it does seem to focus well on cropped sensors.

Here are the reviews and feedback on it.

I almost got one before deciding to go with the Canon 400/5.6L and stick to primes for everything over 200mm.

[TxManx]

Since you're shooting with Canons that both have 1.6x crop factors, your 300mm will effectively be a 480mm if you were using a full frame or a 35mm film camera.

IS would be a great help though...

If you're only gone for a week or two, check with your favorite professional camera shop about the potential of renting a 100-400L IS...

You could also take your 75-300mm and add a 1.4x or 2x TC - although with the 2x, you'll likely lose autofocus capability.

If you look at just adding the 1.4x TC to your 75-300mm- your effective range will be 672mm, and you'll keep your autofocus...

Just my two cents...:)

I'm quite envious!

Ken

Originally Posted by fatmaxxv

Wife and I will be in Kenya in September and was wondering what lense is best for safari?

Our equipments:

Canon 20D and Rebel XT
18 - 55 mm f/3.5 -5.6
28 - 105 mm f/ 4-5.6
EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
50 mm f/1.8
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III


Any suggestions on other lense?