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ElenaH

ElenaH

Well-known member
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Often we are discussing using some kind of lens on safaris or thinking what to take and what not. I thought it would be a good idea just to bring some examples to get a feeling what can be done. I selected some pictures taken by Z 70-200/2.8 from my last trip to Zimbabwe. I was there as a self-driver. The pictures are taken in National parks and I didn't drive off-road, never. Even if nobody sees you it is not a good idea! I don't want to damage environment and I don't want to get a puncture! So, all shots were taken from a vehicle.

I often used f2.8. You can see the subject separation.

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The lioness was passing by the vehicle.

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Very nice hyenas in are in Hwange National Park I must say! And very friendly. Here is by the den in Hwange (Salt Pans)

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The next images are taken from the hide in Shumba picnic site, Hwange.

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Do you have some pictures taken on safaris with 70-200mm? Post them!
 
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Here a few more. Hwange National Park, Shumba pictnic site

Keeping the eye on the baby:

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Holding the sun.

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Reflecting

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Laughing:

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And this shot is taken from the self-catering tented camp in Mana Pools. It is a Zambezi river and on the other side is Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia. But the park is flat AFAIK. What is in fire are hills behind the park. It burns quickly. The next night the fire was almost gone. In two days was nothing anymore. The light on the right comes from the lodge on Zambian side.

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Wonderful set of photos. If you have the knowledge and take the time, you can capture beautiful shots with "different" lenses as you have so clearly shown here.
 
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Excellent images. Good choice of lens too. In april I went on several safari rides with the z180-600. Of the images shot, my analysis shows 50% at 600mm and 25% under 200mm. I’d have easily gotten a load of better images with my z70-200 had I taken it. Lighter as well!
 
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Patrick M said:
Excellent images. Good choice of lens too. In april I went on several safari rides with the z180-600. Of the images shot, my analysis shows 50% at 600mm and 25% under 200mm. I’d have easily gotten a load of better images with my z70-200 had I taken it. Lighter as well!
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That's true! Thank you, Patrick! :)

We often see the questions: what to take on safari, wich lenses?

I thought it would be a good idea just to show examples and to mention the location (National Park and vs. private concession) and the type of travel (driving vs. walking like in Mana Pools) The members can figure out how close the animals were to vehicles and how easy or difficult was to find them (we wrere as self-drivers in Hwange and found animals)
In privae concessions there is a differnt story: the animals are even more close, guides can drive off-road and can do night game dives. They also easily find animals becasue they are professionals. So, for private concessions 70-200/2.8 is very highly recommended - you will be close and you need more light!
And in Namibia or Mara you will need it for landscapes, too.
 
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Hi Elana,
Great series of images and background information.
Thanks for sharing.
I also use my 70-200 2.8 for much of my wildlife images, especially in Parks like Kruger and Chobe where you are are pretty close to the game .
I generally use two bodies and often have either my 500pf or 24 -120 lens on the second body dependent on the type of images required.
Gavin
 
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Gaduf said:
Great series of images and background information.
Thanks for sharing.
I also use my 70-200 2.8 for much of my wildlife images, especially in Parks like Kruger and Chobe where you are are pretty close to the game .
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Thank you, Gaduf!
It looks for me that you are from South Africa?
 
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WOW!!! Beautiful photographs, they are 👍👍👍

You made me feel that the Z 70-200mm is the only lens I ever need, so sharp!

Thank you for sharing 🙏
 
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Lovely images, Elena.
Love the veld color, which you know by now.
I especially love this one: It should be on a wall, big!
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I never liked the 70-200 F2.8. It is too short when I need it to be 400 mm for birds and not good enough with a 2x TC, al least, mine was. I got the 80-400 and never looked back.
I have three bodies and never change lenses in the bush, unless I really need the 1.4TC on the 500PF, then I do it in the car with the windows closed. (I do not shoot Z, so maybe the Z lenses are better, I would not know.)
 
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Callie said:
I do not shoot Z, so maybe the Z lenses are better, I would not know
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Thank you, Callie. I still think that the best camera for safari in Africa is D850 becasue of a high image quality and robustness. And most important - battery life! Z-bodies give some convenience for eye-AF and video functions but they can get hot (D850 never does) and the batery life cannot be compared. And as you know you cannot charge all the time all the equipment staying in the bush. I've got Z preferably for video but still love and keep my D850 (with two PFs and some vintage stuff)
 
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Do not have the 70-200 f2.8 any more since too heavy for me. Now I have a Z6iii and take the 100-400 - along with the d500 - 500 PF. And always carry at least 2 bodies and sometimes a third with the 24-120. But here is one from a while ago
 

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Member's gallery
ElenaH said:
Often we are discussing using some kind of lens on safaris or thinking what to take and what not. I thought it would be a good idea just to bring some examples to get a feeling what can be done. I selected some pictures taken by Z 70-200/2.8 from my last trip to Zimbabwe. I was there as a self-driver. The pictures are taken in National parks and I didn't drive off-road, never. Even if nobody sees you it is not a good idea! I don't want to damage environment and I don't want to get a puncture! So, all shots were taken from a vehicle.

I often used f2.8. You can see the subject separation.

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The lioness was passing by the vehicle.

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Very nice hyenas in are in Hwange National Park I must say! And very friendly. Here is by the den in Hwange (Salt Pans)

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The next images are taken from the hide in Shumba picnic site, Hwange.

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Do you have some pictures taken on safaris with 70-200mm? Post them!
Click to expand...

Such a great, versatile lens, especially in experienced hands such as yours!
 
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Great shots all. Every time I use my (old, original VR f mount) 70-200 2.8 lens, which I still do, I'm reminded why it was the lens that was on my D3 for nearly the entire time I shot with that camera; great lens and FL zoom. And now with some cropping room using it on the Z9.... :) In your hands, certainly, it proves its worth for wildlife most definitely, too!
 
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