Spot on. Two bodies are nice for quick change overs. 400mm is a great lens for safaris. I love my 500mm PF, light and easy to move in a vehicle. I dont bother with big f4 lenses are they are too hard to manage in a vehicle.
African Safari - Nikon 24-120mm f/4 + Nikon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6
- Thread starter AlanDB
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joe43
Well-known member
I have been to Africa twice--one trip to Tanzania and the second trip to Botswana. Based on these two trips is suggest:
Two bodies with different lenses mounted.
Lenses--a long prime, 500mm f55.6 pf or 600mm 6.3 pf; zoom; the 100-400mm Z mount and/or the 70-180mm f2.8. And a 1.4x tc. You could substitute other versions of a 70-200 mm depending on weight and cost considerations. When I went, I took the nikon f mount 70-200mm f4. I left my heavier 70-200mm f2.8 at home.
Two bodies with different lenses mounted.
Lenses--a long prime, 500mm f55.6 pf or 600mm 6.3 pf; zoom; the 100-400mm Z mount and/or the 70-180mm f2.8. And a 1.4x tc. You could substitute other versions of a 70-200 mm depending on weight and cost considerations. When I went, I took the nikon f mount 70-200mm f4. I left my heavier 70-200mm f2.8 at home.
The Z8/600 pf is an amazing combo. I have Z8, Z9, 100-400, 400 f 4.5, 600 pf, and 800 pf. When traveling by plane, the Z8/600 + 1.4 tc is all I take, and the tc almost never goes on. As others have posted, I highly recommend taking a look at this combo.
...and, I guess, take along the 100-400... which might be overkill, but I should have room...
We are planning on going 11-22 June 2025:
4 nights just out side Crocodile Bridge Gate into Southern Kruger (South Africa), then taking three 5-7 hour private game drives into there
4 nights in the southwestern part of Sabi Sands at a private game lodge taking up to eight 3-hour semi-private (4 or 6 people) game drives.
4 nights in the northern part of Sabi Sands at a private game lodge taking up to another eight 3-hour semi-private game drives
That's upwards of 60+ hours of game drives planned. The flights to/from the Kruger/Sabi Sands area have pretty decent allowances for check/carry-on : checked is 20kg (44lbs) total, with a size limit of 90cm x 72cm x 45cm (35" x 28" x 17"). The carry on is limited to 8KG (17lbs) total, with a size limit of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm (22" x 14" x 9")
My current backpack is an F-stop Ajna - which is just ever so slightly larger, so I'll be looking for something else as well.
We are planning on going 11-22 June 2025:
4 nights just out side Crocodile Bridge Gate into Southern Kruger (South Africa), then taking three 5-7 hour private game drives into there
4 nights in the southwestern part of Sabi Sands at a private game lodge taking up to eight 3-hour semi-private (4 or 6 people) game drives.
4 nights in the northern part of Sabi Sands at a private game lodge taking up to another eight 3-hour semi-private game drives
That's upwards of 60+ hours of game drives planned. The flights to/from the Kruger/Sabi Sands area have pretty decent allowances for check/carry-on : checked is 20kg (44lbs) total, with a size limit of 90cm x 72cm x 45cm (35" x 28" x 17"). The carry on is limited to 8KG (17lbs) total, with a size limit of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm (22" x 14" x 9")
My current backpack is an F-stop Ajna - which is just ever so slightly larger, so I'll be looking for something else as well.
ricardo00
Well-known member
Add the 1.4TC?
BertieB
Well-known member
This is always a tricky question, especially for long distance travellers and depending on which part of Southern Africa is visited and your interest.
For Sabi Sands, the animals are close and for 90% of your animal shots the 70-200 would be your go to lens and you have the f2.8 benefit for early morning and off course the evening drives. The leopard in my profile picture as an example, was shot during the evening drive with the 70-200 at iso 12800 f2.8 and at 135mm. So a huge benefit to have a fast lens available.
If you also need to capture some of the smaller birds (remember it is dry season and most migratory birds have left) then you would need a longer lens. I would say that a 400mm is a bit on the short side but still ok and then consider 1.4TC. For raptors, especially vultures the 70-200 can come in very handy as one normally gets very close to kills thus a long lens is simply "too much lens".
An analysis of the lenses I used during 2023 visiting Sabi Sands reveals the following:
The 800mm was used for smaller birds or birds at a distance.
Then again if you would be visiting any other area the lens usage profiles would change and the 400mm might become the go to lens.
I have added a 180-600mm to my lenses since my last visit to Sabi Sands and this lens should work well in combo with 70-200mm, but would not be ideal for low light photography.
So my 2c worth of advice in Alan's case :
You can watch Wild Earth on the Tube, they are based North Eastern side of Sabi Sands at a place called DJUMA, and transverse over a wide area including Chitwa.
To wet your appetite this is a photo of the "crown prince" leopard fondly known as Marieps. Photo taken 2022 near Chitwa.
For Sabi Sands, the animals are close and for 90% of your animal shots the 70-200 would be your go to lens and you have the f2.8 benefit for early morning and off course the evening drives. The leopard in my profile picture as an example, was shot during the evening drive with the 70-200 at iso 12800 f2.8 and at 135mm. So a huge benefit to have a fast lens available.
If you also need to capture some of the smaller birds (remember it is dry season and most migratory birds have left) then you would need a longer lens. I would say that a 400mm is a bit on the short side but still ok and then consider 1.4TC. For raptors, especially vultures the 70-200 can come in very handy as one normally gets very close to kills thus a long lens is simply "too much lens".
An analysis of the lenses I used during 2023 visiting Sabi Sands reveals the following:
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
The 800mm was used for smaller birds or birds at a distance.
Then again if you would be visiting any other area the lens usage profiles would change and the 400mm might become the go to lens.
I have added a 180-600mm to my lenses since my last visit to Sabi Sands and this lens should work well in combo with 70-200mm, but would not be ideal for low light photography.
So my 2c worth of advice in Alan's case :
- 24 - 120mm ( you would also use this lens around the camp fire / dinner pictures)
- 100 - 400mm
- 70 - 200mm if you can lay your hands on it.
- 2x bodies Z8/Z9.
You can watch Wild Earth on the Tube, they are based North Eastern side of Sabi Sands at a place called DJUMA, and transverse over a wide area including Chitwa.
To wet your appetite this is a photo of the "crown prince" leopard fondly known as Marieps. Photo taken 2022 near Chitwa.
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Thanks much Bertie, watching a lot of vlogs on the various Sabi Sands (and Mala Mala) game drives seem to show quite a high likelihood of getting good game shots in much closer than I had expected. BTW: That is a wonderful image!
Interestingly enough Thom Hogan prefers the 70-180 f/2.8 more for these safari kits as it is smaller/lighter. It too can take the 1.4TC. I might look into that as well as an option if price/weight start rearing their ugly heads...
The good thing about the 24-120 is it is very compact, so adding a 3rd lens to the kit seems ok.
For sure I'll be having the Z9/Z8 combo as the bodies.
Interestingly enough Thom Hogan prefers the 70-180 f/2.8 more for these safari kits as it is smaller/lighter. It too can take the 1.4TC. I might look into that as well as an option if price/weight start rearing their ugly heads...
The good thing about the 24-120 is it is very compact, so adding a 3rd lens to the kit seems ok.
For sure I'll be having the Z9/Z8 combo as the bodies.
Interesting usage figures BertieB. Went and had a look at my 2022 Kenya trip, these are post cull, so not what was shot.
BertieB
Well-known member
Martin yes, for Kenya and Tanzania definitely long lens territory. For Namibia at Etosha also long lens but shorter lens can be very handy.
Strangely my stats shows 70-200 with 1.4tc, I have never owned or used a 1.4tc so wonder what is with LRC.
Strangely my stats shows 70-200 with 1.4tc, I have never owned or used a 1.4tc so wonder what is with LRC.
Just looked back at Sabi Sands. I used the old 200-400mm f4 most of the time.
Alan
You can always hire a 600 mm from reputable guys in SA. You have to land in Johannesburg or Cape Town. So try Orms Cape Town or ODP Pretoria. Both above reproach dealers.
Just a thought, it cuts down on bringing more gear and insurance maybe. The $ is so stong, nearly R19, so rental should not be a deal breaker.
You can always hire a 600 mm from reputable guys in SA. You have to land in Johannesburg or Cape Town. So try Orms Cape Town or ODP Pretoria. Both above reproach dealers.
Just a thought, it cuts down on bringing more gear and insurance maybe. The $ is so stong, nearly R19, so rental should not be a deal breaker.
I have a feeling that the first 3 (long) game trips into the Kruger may be more like (e.g.) Kenya or Tanzania w/ long shots needed, but I think that your notion of 200-400 for Sabi Sands seems to be what I am finding most of in my searches. Thanks for the information!
Alan
If it is Kruger you visiting, 28-600 and longer, range is right. We have been going for 40 years or so. Most animals will be covered by up to 400 mm. In the hides, 600 +1.4 is sometimes short for smaller birds. You cannot cover all eventualities. 99% of my images are 500PF on D500 and 80-400 on D850.
Coming from both a 600 f./4 and a 400 f/2.8 Nikors, the above will cover all your requirements.
What I will recommend is a Badger Beanbag to shoot off the car door.
Happy visit to our beautiful countty
If it is Kruger you visiting, 28-600 and longer, range is right. We have been going for 40 years or so. Most animals will be covered by up to 400 mm. In the hides, 600 +1.4 is sometimes short for smaller birds. You cannot cover all eventualities. 99% of my images are 500PF on D500 and 80-400 on D850.
Coming from both a 600 f./4 and a 400 f/2.8 Nikors, the above will cover all your requirements.
What I will recommend is a Badger Beanbag to shoot off the car door.
Happy visit to our beautiful countty
There are a couple of possible scenarios in Kruger when it comes to private game drives. If you are staying at a lodge outside the park boundary then you’ll likely be on an OSV (open safari vehicle) from either the lodge itself or a third party operator. They are bound by the same park rules as if you were driving your own vehicle (even though some think they aren’t but that’s another topic lol!}. Because of this they can’t go off road and a longer lens is definitely usefu. I use my 200-600 Sony.
Then there are some smaller private concessions within the park itself like Hamilton’s tented camp, Hoyo Hoyo etc where they have a private area that they can go off road in, similar to Sabi Sands and other completely private reserves. In such cases they are able to get very close to lions, leopards etc. A 70-200/300 or 100-400 is probably more useful for those types of game drives. HTH. I normally prefer to self drive in the park and mix It up with a few nights on a private reserve. Both are good in different ways.
Thanks much to you & @Callie - We will be spending 4 nights just outside of the Crocodile Bridge Gate and having private drives into Kruger, then a total of 8 nights at two different private lodges in Sabi Sands.
I am testing out the 400mm f/4.5 at the end of the month - if that works out, then my current plans are : Nikon Z9, Nikon Z8 (rented?) with Nikon 24-120mm f/4, 100-400mm 4.5-5.6, and then the 400mm f/4.5. I'll bring along the 1.4TC. From the sounds of things I'll probably use the 400 and 100-400mm a lot in both places. [Maybe the 1.4TC on the 400 at Kruger].
The good thing is that w/ three long game drives (5-7 hours each) at Kruger, I can "learn" on the first one and be better prepared for the next two. Then w/ upwards of 14-16 three-hour game drives in Sabi Sands I'll also have some time to "learn" about that environment. The more I hear from experienced folks, the more I think that having a long-ish prime (400mm f/4.5) will definitely be helpful in both places: range in Kruger and subject isolation there and in Sabi Sands.
I really appreciate all the great feedback!
Ivy
New member
Another opinion to consider.
Just returned from safari in South Africa and Botswana. Stayed at 4 camps in private conservancies so we off-roaded. On the Z9 I had the 180-600. If I needed more reach (typically for birds) I switched to DX mode rather than add the 1.4 TC. Smaller file size on photos that would be heavily cropped later was my rationale. Plus you do not want to swap lenses or add a TC in the field if you can avoid it. On the Z8 I had the light 70-180 f/2.8 lens. Since game drives started before sunrise and ended after sunset, this fast lens came in handy. I also spent time in a hide by a waterhole. In the past, I used the 24-120 here but this time I went with the 70-180 or 24-200 in addition to the 180-600.
My back up telephoto for this trip (which I never needed) was the f mount 300 PF/1.4 TC.
I mount the Z9/180-600 on a monopod which makes handling easier and allows me to lower SS when subjects are still and I want to lower ISO. Shoot Manual Auto ISO.
100-400 does not have adequate reach for me so I much prefer the 180-600. Less expensive and better all around for my purposes. Have used 500 PF in past safaris, but personally prefer a zoom for composition and flexibility.
Had a 70-200 f/2.8 lens in past but did not travel with it due to size/weight limitations. But the lighter, less expensive 70-180 is now always with me. And both 180-600 and 70-180 take the 1.4 TC if more reach is needed. Or just DX to avoid 1 stop loss. I have no issue going into DX mode since I previously owned the d500 and was just as happy with it as the d850.
Sounds like you may be doing a similar trip to me this summer. We are staying in a private game reserve in Sabi Sands (maybe I'll see you there!). From all the research I've done (and great feedback here) you do tend to get a lot closer with the private game reserves like Sabi Sands then in Kroger itself. I shoot Sony so my choices are a bit different than yours but based on that research/feedback I'm leaving the 600F4 at home and taking the 300 f2.8 (with both TCs), 70-200 f2.8, and the 200-600 (plus a couple of wide angle/normal lenses). My plan is that the 300+1.4xTC and 70-200 will see most of the action and the 200-600 for backup or if I find that it would be a better fit then the 70-200 on the 2nd body.
Hi John - We are going next summer (June 2025) - would love to hear how your selection worked out. That seems like a lot of lenses 3 listed plus a "couple of wide angle/normal" - Are you concerned about size/weight?
I know I have a carry on limit of 8KG (~17.5lbs) in South Africa (two flights) - the two camera bodies I am taking already have me at 5lbs to start, adding in the three lenses (24-120mm f/4, 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6, 400mm f/4.5) adds another 7.2lbs - total is at least 12.2lbs for that gear. Then I have extra batteries (camera, power bank) and storage devices (back up). Oh, and the bag itself - I've been looking at the Gura Gear Kiboko 30L - which itself weighs almost 4lbs - so that means 16.2lbs out of a 17.5lb allotment. Not much to play with...
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We are only taking commercial (jet) internal flights so I don't have to worry about the weight as much. Right now I'm right at 17lbs minus the extras, but I can hand stuff off to my wife if needed
Us too - Fly Air Link - their carry limit is 8KG, you might want to check yours... and what does your bag weigh?We are only taking commercial (jet) internal flights so I don't have to worry about the weight as much. Right now I'm right at 17lbs minus the extras, but I can hand stuff off to my wife if needed
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On this detail, if you are not planning to be in the game park before sunrise, fast lenses are not essential. With more than a year to go it is perhaps too early to decide on this detail.
You have plenty of time to practice with PP noise reduction software that is more than decent at 10,000 ISO as an alternative to f2.8 lenses.
A minus of the possible 600 mm f6 .3 is it is not a zoom. – Wildlife in game parks rarely stands at the right distance for good framing for the fixed focal length you have on the camera body.
Hi Len -
We will be going out on game drives early morning and early evening, so wider lenses seem to be important and, as pointed out by Wotan1, it would also be good for subject isolation.
ricardo00
Well-known member
Often one sees the most interesting wildlife when light is very low, like bat-eared foxes and aarwolfs. And even leopards, owls and servals do their hunts when light is low. Like this aardwolf:
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Agool
Active member
I went for the last 5 years in the month of July to Sabi Sands and the Kruger Park. Last year with the Z9 - Z400mm 4.5 and the Z8 - Z70-200 2.8. Most of what I have used in Sabi Sands is the Z8 with the Z70-200 2.8. Very happy with the 400 and the 70-200. Unfortunately no Sabi Sands this year but Tswalu and Madikwe game reserve. Which lodge are you going to in Sabi Sands