karthik_subramanian1

Hello all,

I will be going on a 2 month tour early next year around the world (climb Mt.

Kilimanjaro, African Safari, India and Europe).

While it will be mostly landscape photography, I want to make sure I have a

good lens for the safari. Also, since I will climb Mt. Kili before the safari,

I cannot carry very heavy equipment (hence no very heavy lenses).

I have a D80 and the 18-135 kit lens that came with it. I am trying to choose

btw the 70-300 and the 80-400 (both have VRs). While the latter has a longer

zoom, I have read that the AF is not fast on the lens and might not be

appropriate for safari photographs. I have also read that the 70-300 is not

sharp closer to 300mm, so I am not very sure about its reach for safari

photographs. I am mostly interested in the mammals, but if I get a few bird

shots, it will be a plus.

Also, my budget will not allow me to buy the 80-400, so I may have to rent it

and I am not sure if any store will rent it out for 2.5 months (most I have

come across rent it out for upto 4 weeks).

Any advice regarding my situation will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

KS