mtfarmer
New member
On a safari to Botswana, do you need the reach of a 600 or will 400 do? The 600 is big to pack so it would be easier without it.
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I haven’t been to Botswana but I’m guessing it’s going to be very similar to Tanzania…and about 70% of my 33K shots were at 600 or 840. Botswana next year will have the 600PF, TC, and 100-400.On a safari to Botswana, do you need the reach of a 600 or will 400 do? The 600 is big to pack so it would be easier without it.
That combo will serve you very well!I haven’t been to Botswana but I’m guessing it’s going to be very similar to Tanzania…and about 70% of my 33K shots were at 600 or 840. Botswana next year will have the 600PF, TC, and 100-400.
Thanks…that’s my normal outing kit anyway…I had the 24-120 in TZ and Rose Perry was the only one that used it so it will stay home. I might take the 180-600 instead of the shorter zoom but weight in Botswana is a bigger deal so likely not, and I did use the short end of the 100-400 some in TZ and I’m afraid that nothing shorter than 180 could be an issue. Two bodies and 2 lenses in the vehicle or boat is clearly the way to go. I did hoist Steve’s 600TC in Tanzania and reconfirmed to myself that I wasn’t interested in something that size and weight…That combo will serve you very well!
The 600mm TC is what I'm toting....for now. Not sure how much longer, though................. My first trip to Africa I took my 24-70 f2.8........ Only used it at the lodges......the phone is a better, lighter solution! LOL!Thanks…that’s my normal outing kit anyway…I had the 24-120 in TZ and Rose Perry was the only one that used it so it will stay home. I might take the 180-600 instead of the shorter zoom but weight in Botswana is a bigger deal so likely not, and I did use the short end of the 100-400 some in TZ and I’m afraid that nothing shorter than 180 could be an issue. Two bodies and 2 lenses in the vehicle or boat is clearly the way to go. I did hoist Steve’s 600TC in Tanzania and reconfirmed to myself that I wasn’t interested in something that size and weight…
iPhone for close as well for me. I could afford the exotic lenses but the weight means I would not carry something else and on an outing I look for whatever I get rather than saying I’m only going for great gray owls or whatever…and the lack of flexibility the heavy lens induces combined with the fact that I’m not a pro and my output goes to the travel blog means that the absolutely best IQ, bokeh and all gets overcome by the flexibility provided by the zoom and PF lenses. If I’m going really minimal intake the 180-600 and a single Z8 over the standard 2xZ8, 600PF, and 100-400 combo…at least here in FL and in Africa and CR the latter worked just peachy. If I were going out west again or to India for Snow Leopards where long was the only thing that mattered I would rent an 800 and take the 2 TCs along with probably the 180-600 for flexibility. I have tried numerous times to get my bride to be the Sherpa and she has almost universally refused. She will accept being a tripod but with the better IBIS the Zs have that’s become less needed.The 600mm TC is what I'm toting....for now. Not sure how much longer, though................. My first trip to Africa I took my 24-70 f2.8........ Only used it at the lodges......the phone is a better, lighter solution! LOL!
Are you with a Pangolin there? I will be also there in about 5 weeks on a self-drive safaris.I'm going to raise the same question. I go to Botswana in about 5 weeks. I'll be bringing two bodies (D850 and D7500). Weight is a big issue on this trip. As to lens choices:
500 mm PF vs 200-500? Weight vs flexibility.
24-300 F3.5-5.6 vs 24-70 F2.8? Weight and flexibility vs exceptional IQ
I really only want to carry two lenses (except maybe a 50mm F1.4 in case there's astro opportunity).
Assuming the 28-300mm is a FX lens, would you put it on the D850? Sounds to me that you should be in great shape. Personally I am not a big fan of "mega-zoom" lenses like the 28-300mm, but some people don't want to leave any focal length unfilled. So no one answer but think your two bodies and two lenses make a nice combo.I did mis-speak (miss type). Its a now discontinued Nikon 28-300.
So, to stay within my size/weight limit, I planning on bringing two bodies (D7500, D850) and two lenses, the 500PF and the 28-300. While not optimal, is this reasonable? I could obtain a 1.4TC as this wouldn't add much weight if it would help.
a good choice then! Nikon 28-300 is a very good lens, I have it, too. and I saw pictures taken with this lens which won contests. The lens has deep colours, 3D and microcontrast. Perhaps, the lens is not so sharp as new Z lens, but it has a character, it is not like Tamron zooms but better. At the end it is a photographer who is making an image.This is not a photographic safari,