Kenya Safari in February 2013

<p>I have a Nikon D800 body.<br /> I'm planning to go in Kenya next February (2013) for 3 days of photo safari.<br /> I'd like photograph landscapes, animals, nature and people. Is the first time I'm going in Kenya for safari (I took photos in America national parks but never during a safari).<br /> I have the following lenses:</p>

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<td width="225" height="20">Nikkor 20 AF f/2.8</td>

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<td height="20">Nikkor 24 AFD f/2.8</td>

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<td height="20">Nikkor 28 AIS f/2.8</td>

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<td height="20">Nikkor 35 AFD f/2</td>

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<td height="20">Nikkor 50 AFD f/1.4</td>

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<td height="20">Nikkor 85 AFD f/1.8</td>

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<td height="20">Tamron Macro AF 90 f/2.8D</td>

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<td height="20">Nikkor 24-85 AFD f/2.8-4</td>

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<td height="20">Nikkor 35-70 AFD f/2.8</td>

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<td height="20">Nikkor 70-300 VRII f/4.5-5.6</td>

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<td height="20">Nikkor 80-200 AF ED f/2.8</td>

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<td height="20">Nikkor 300 AF-S f/4</td>

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<td height="20">Nikkor TC 1.4E II</td>

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<td height="20">Kenko TC 2.0 AFD</td>

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<p>I'd like take photos but also video (using the possibilities of Nikon D800 body).<br /> Which lens I have to take with me in priority order and which can I leave at home ?<br /> (For example, I'd like a lot 35-70 because is f/2.8 but 24-85 f/2.8-4 is more wide and has more rich colours, 80-200 f2.8 is not VR is more heavy and big and has soft and delicate colours than 70-300 that is VRII but with low brightness, 20 AF could be useful for landscapes, 35 f2 for brightness and also 50 f1.4, 85 f1.8 for people potrait, 300 with TC 1.4E could be good for animals, and what about macro lenses?).<br /> So I'm asking to friends that have been yet in Kenya (or in other African Safari) and have a lot of experience.<br /> Another solution is to take with me all my lenses (but I need a big bag and a Sherpa lol :) ).<br /> I'll think also to take with me a beanbag, a mono-pod Manfrotto and a gorilla-pod (big version for reflex), not tripod.</p>

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I've been there some years ago. 90% of the pictures were taken with a 100-400 mm IS lens on a cropped body (Canon).

With that in mind my choice would be to go as long as possible, perhaps rent a lens for the time being since your lenses

seem to be a bit on the short side. Bring the 24-85 as a general purpose lens and the 35 mm for low light situations.

The monopod is a good choice, you won't have much room for a tripod. And bring lots of CF cards.

<p>I was there a long time ago, before the long lenses we have today were common and relatively affordable. I would have fought a small person to have had the rig that Jos had.<br /> What I did have on a several-months trip that was much more than just game parks, was a 70-210mm zoom, High-Speed Ektachrome film, and a 2X telextender. In those days they were able and were allowed to get fairly close to the animals, so I actually ended up using the 70-210 for most of my shots without the extender. Longer than 210 would have been nice® but so often I could get heads and shoulders even with that focal length. You do want enough background so it doesn't look like you're shooting in a zoo.<br /> Actually, unless things have changed a lot, you will be traveling and observing in and from the same vehicle, so carrying more gear is not such a big deal. My other main lenses were a PC-Nikkor 35mm for architecture and a 50mm f/1.2 lens for low light.<br /> Tripod is out. They won't let you get out of the vehicle much. Often I was standing with my head and camera out on the open top of the van. A bean bag is not so bad, but you can brace yourself usually.<br /> The vistas are so broad that even a 100mm focal length will let you get what can be cropped to panoramas.</p>

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<p>Since you have a specific mo....this is what I'd take. I'd widdle down to <strong>4 lenses</strong>....and preferably 2 bodies...the second body would be D7000 or D300(s). Wide angle can be tricky since each of us have a specific preference...I could be happy with 24mm, while others prefer 20, yet others prefer 35 or 28. </p>

<p>For portraits I'd take the 90mm...it doubles as a macro...as you need/desire. Sometimes I used it as a landscape lens (see below). While out on safari (tour) I'd have one lens on D800 (like the 80-200) and on the other body I'd install 300/4 + 1.4 extender....whenever needed > for reach. The reason for the second body is to prevent having to change lenses (or do it to absolute minimum...relative to airborne sand). Additionally, I'd prefer to be totally ready for just about any action vs having to change lenses because the animal appears too far or too close. These things can happen almost simultaneously where giraffe can appear....and cheetah could be nearby > the 300+ extender may be perfect for the cheetah, but....you can put the dots together.</p>

<p>I'd get the second body....and sell it on return...with low actuations. Longer reach (400 to 500mm) is better, but rental of these optics is not exactly reasonable....your call. I would take couple substancial beanbags + monopod, extra cards and batteries...as a backup. Enjoy the trip.</p>

<p>Les</p>

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<p>Since you are likely to have conditions where changing a lens may not be a good idea due to either weather (like dusty conditions) or fast action such as an animal coming towards you I strongly agree with the suggestion of obtaining a second body. However my preference would be a fx rather than a dx model. And this second body would preferably have more shots per second than your D800 for when you want to shoot fast action.<br>

Rent or buy a second fx body like a D700, D3s. D4 or the new D600. When you need more reach just change the setting on the FX camera to DX and you have the 1.5 multiplication factor; of course with a smaller number of pixels which limits the size of potential enlargements but most shooters do not print large enough for that to be a problem (I have been told).<br>

Use the 70-300 VR on one body and the other body with either the 300 f4 with a TC or a shorter focal length lens like your 24-85. Three lenses and two bodies plus a TC. Consider selling both of your TCs and replace them with the latest Nikon TC 1.7. This way you are traveling pretty light and avoid importing a Sherpa from the Himalayas.<br>

Consider putting on a ball head designed for your Manfrotto monopod. I use a Manfrotto 3229 on mine and it works well with a D4/300mm f4/TC-20E III if you use proper technique. How about a bean bag and use it drapped over the Land Rover hood with your 300mm/TC combo resting on it?<br>

The above does not address macro or portraits (my favorite portrait lens is the Nikon 105mm f2.8VR) but the above should handle the wildlife with a minimum of gear to lug around.<br>

On another subject please be sure to consult your physician about immunizations and precautions such as taking Malarone for malaria prevention. This may not be the forum for that topic but my being in the health field makes me concerned that travelers sometime do not take proper steps to protect their health. My apologies in advance to the moderator if my comment is not considered appropriate. </p>

<p>Yikes! 3 days! That is not long enough. And you are thinking of bringing a ton of equipment and others suggest two bodies? A safari to Kenya is an expensive exersize, once in a life time experience that deserves to be done properly. 2 weeks, multiple camps, always game viewing from open 4WD vehicles with experienced guides.<br>

Anyways, enough of this, you will need the longest lens you can afford to take, something that delivers sharp images at around 400 to 600 mm. Canon's 100-400L on a crop body is about right. If you are on the grassy plains then length is good. In the scrub lands, then the ability to go shorter is also good, say 50-200mm. Try to take the minimum amount of gear, but do take spare batteries and cards.<br>

The people are wonderful but they will ask for money to be photographed, they have to eke out a living there.<br>

Yes, go to your Doctor, get your shots and antimalaria drugs and take out travel insurance. Better still, wait, save up for a longer, more comprehensive safari.</p>

<p>Thanks to all ! <br /> <br />I stay just for 3 days because I have just one week. I will spend 3 days for my first safari (I went to Zanzibar but never to Kenya for safari) and the other days near the sea for relax.<br /> If I increase safari days I have also to increase expenses a lot, waiting other years I will became old lol (I'd like to be in Kenya for my 52 birthday) and I'd like to repeat this experience also in the future (with more experience and skill).</p>

<p><br /> I have also my old previous D200 body and my wife has D50 body, I'm thinking to leave D200 to my wife and D50 at home.<br /> <br /> (For DX I have also nikkor 18-200 VR and nikkor 16-85 VR).<br /> <br /> So I can take D200 with 18-200 VR (to avoid to change lenses) and 70-300 VR if we need 300mm of lenght, and give them to my wife, and D800 with 20mm f2.8, 28mm f2.8 manual focus (AIS), 35 f2, 50 f1.4, 24-85 and tamron 90 macro f2.8 (nikkor 85 f1.8 is better than tamron but is not macro, of course), 80-200 f2,8 and 300 f4 plus TC. (prime lenses ar small and not heavy, the bigger are 80-200 and 300 f4). I have a doubt if leave home 80-200 f2.8 to save weight and space or to take with me.<br /> <br /> With D800 I can crop a lot, If I need more lenght I can add TC 1.4E II nikon to 300 f4 and obtain a good 420, and in case of emergency I can add Kenko TC 2x instead of TC1.4 and obtain a 600 (just in emergency of course, due to drastic reduction of brightness and quality). 300 is not VR but I can use monopod and fast time, I don't think to have light problems (I can increase sensibility without big problems with D800 at least at 1600 or 3200 Iso with acceptable noise).</p>

<p>Ok Attilio. I would organise myself with a long lens on one camera, 400mm+, and a shorter one on the other, 50mm-up to 200mm? You should see animals at a distance and also up close, hence the 50mm. You don't say where you are going, and each of the parks are different, with more or less of particular species at each. The Mara is a good all-round starting point for a safari, Lions and Cheetah but the few leopards are elusive. Try to avoid game drives from mini-buses and the large vehicles packed with people. Stay at the smaller camps that offer game drives from 4WD Land Rovers/Cruisers, these allow you to travel over less used roads and photograph from most angles.<br>

For future trips do a bit of research first to discover what countries and camps offer so that youcan increase the chances of seeing what you wish to see and experience. I was 58 on my first safari, I've done 3 since and will do more in the future.<br>

The African safari is very different to the American Park experience, in Africa animals are approached much more closely, and the sightings are much more frequent.<br>

Good luck.</p>

<p>Parks are Tsavo Est and Tsavo Ovest. I'd thought to stay more than 3 days but for the first time I preferred to do a small safari to keep experience before. In the future (next years) I'd like to go in Tanzania, again in Kenya and in South Africa, but for the moment just small safari.</p>

<p>I was about to respond but realised that Al Sandberg already gave the advice I would have given. I have a couple of other things to add though.</p>

<p>Make sure you understand the mechanics of the vehicle you will be in for the safari. Often the engine is left *on* during stops, especially near things like elephants. Securing your head to the vehicle with a clamp therefore doesn't help with stabilisation. But if they will routinely turn the engine off a clamp may not be so bad. Alterntatively use a Wind-Bag (secures your bean bag to the window) in the event your vehicle has windows (usual for self-drive but not for guided tours).</p>

<p>Also bear in mind that all the action (really all, not just most of it) is in the quite early morning or near dusk. At midday you can drive for two hours and see nothing. So, light will often be on the low side. Be willing to push the ISO to get the shot rather than pushing the shutter speed and producing a blurry shot. Noise reduction software is good these days. Subject-motion-blur reversal software, not so much.</p>

 

<p>When I went to Tanzania in 2010 I took two Nikon D 300s. One had a 500mm f 4.0 on it all the time, sometimes with a 1.4x tc. The other had a 70-200mm f 2.8 VR on it most of the time. The only other lens I took was a DX 16-85mm zoom that I used for landscapes. I was in country for about 9 days. My 500mm on the D 300s was not long enough for the Serengeti. I left all of my prime lenses at home.<br>

Nikon just released the new 70-200mm f 4.0 VR lens. It is a very sharp lens and would be perfect for a safari and can be used hand held. It takes teleconverters. But you should have something longer like the Nikon 200-400mm f 4.0 or the Nikon 300mm ff 4.0 AFS with a 1.4x tc. You can rent these lenses and cameras for your safari. Many who go on safari do just that. Check out <a href="http://www.lensrentals.com">www.lensrentals.com</a> and <a href="http://www.borrowlenses.com/">http://www.borrowlenses.com/</a>. Your 24-85mm looks like a good landscape lens to take.<br>

Be prepared for dust. Bag your lens/cameras with stuff sacks when in the field. You do not want to be changing lenses in the field in you can avoid it. And you should be prepared to remove dust from your sensor. Make sure you have enough digital storage for your images. You could easily shoot 3000-5000 images a day. If your safari leader does not provide a bean bag, bring your own, empty. Inquire from him how you can fill it once you join the safari. You must ensure yourself a stable shooting position.<br>

Since you are shooting at the equator, light will be bright most of the day. Make sure you know how to shoot in bright high contrast light conditions. For Nikon shooters, learn what Active D lighting is and set the right settings and/or shoot in NEF or RAW. If your camera tends to over expose, set exposure compensation of a minus .3 or minus .7.<br>

Joe Smith</p>

 

<p>Hi Attilio,<br>

I did a three day safari to both Tsavo East and Tsavo West last August. I took two D300's, a 17-55mm f2.8 and the 80-400mm. I never changed lens as the red volcanic dust gets everywhere. A tripod is next to useless as you will be shooting from a van or 4x4, get and use a good beanbag. I used the tripod only for sunset shots. You need a wide range of focal lengths with the emphasis on the long side particularly if you want to photograph the fantastic birds. The converse is that an elephant will then walk right up to your van or a cheetah will jump on the bonnet, hence the 17-55mm. I'm going to Tanzania this year and will take the same gear plus a rented 500mm. Enjoy the trip.</p>

<p>Thanks to all.</p>

<p>So I think to put into my bag the following items.<br>

D800 body<br>

Nikkor 24-85 f2.8-4 (for landscapes, people, big animals near, elephants, general purpose).<br>

Nikkor 70-300 VRII (for animals, if I don't know if they are near or not). (less quality, best versatility)<br>

This two lens for general uses.<br>

Nikkor 300 f/4 with or without TC14E II for animals if I know that they are far (best quality, less versatility)<br>

Prime lense 20 AF f2.8 (for landscapes) (I'd like to add samyang 14mm) <br>

Prime lense 35 AFD f2 (for general purposes and low light) (best quality outside games drive)<br>

Prime lense 50 AFD f1.4 (to have a very fast lens for the night and insight in low light)<br>

Prime lense Tamron 90 macro in case I have the possibilities to take macro.</p>

<p>And for my wife my old D200 with tokina 12-24 DX and or 18-200 VRII (to avoid change lenses), or 16-85 DX for better quality.</p>

<p>I Have also monopod, is better to leave it at home? (I tought to use for video outside games drive, not on 4x4 but during pauses between them).</p>

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<p>You'll be there for only 3 days and that is a lot of lenses. February is a great time for Kenya, but riding from one place to the next would consume a lot of that time. Where in Kenya will you be? In 2011 I was in Tanzania for two weeks and Kenya for one. Basically all I used was the 70-200 and 200-400 plus teleconverters. I did use the 24-70 a bit, but not much. I think your 24-85, 70-300, and 300 will be very useful. The others are probably optional.</p>

<p>Just my opinion,<br /> Mary</p>

<p>I was been in Tanzania (but only in Zanzibar) for one week two years ago but this will be my first safari. I stay only 3 days because I have just one week to spend and I'd like to spend 3 days also on the beach.<br>

So, I know that are only 3 days but for my first safari should be good (in the future I'd like also to spend more time for another safari).<br>

I'll be in Tsavo Est and Tsavo Ovest.<br>

The prime lenses are very small and are not heavy, so I prefer to put all them into my photo-bag because are very bright and very good. I'm thinking to add also e super wide lens like samyang 14mm f/2.8 for landscapes (also for the beach).</p>

<p>Since you will be travelling to the coast, you MUST take prophylactic treatment for malaria two weeks before leaving home. Consult <a href="http://www.safarivillageonline.com">Kenya safari</a> your doctor to find out which tablet to take, mostly they are only available on prescription. Carry long-sleeved tops/shirts and trousers for evenings, sleep under net wherever possible and use mosquito repellent.</p>

<p>Hello! I did my first Safari in Kenya. I toke with me Nikon D800 body, Nikon 1 V1 body.<br>

I used a lot nikkor 300 f/4 and 30-110 zoom for Nikon V1. I used also Samyang 14, and Sigma Macro HSM OS 150 mm f2.8 I bought one day before my travel. Very good lens!. I used also Nikkor 35-70 f2.8 AFD. I didn't use other lenses. <br>

My wife take my 'old' D200 with nikkor 18-200 AF-S VRII and my 'old' nikkor AF-S 70-300 VRII.<br>

I toke a lot of photos. Very good places is Kenya. Thanks a lot for your suggestions! <br>

Yes, there was a lot of dusk but I changed lenses without of problems. D800 is very good body. I cleaned also external of body. Also V1 is a good small camera.</p>