tomburden

Although I did it years ago, things seem to have changed much less than we then feared.

Have fun - it's definitely a trip of a lifetime.

Your gear sounds good, but consider one of the ca. 24-105mm range for the wide angle to telephoto. The 200-500 will be great, and the shorter zoom will be both easier to carry and use for the everyday walkabout...

 

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The natives are friendly

Thanks for the reply. Nice image - can't wait to get there!

Which Kenya/Tanzania safari are you on? I'm leaving Sept 6 for 10 days with Gate 1 Travel.

 

I’m going with Road Scholar - 14 days. Looks like a great trip.

Joseph and Hector- Thank you both for taking time to respond. You've been very helpful, and the advice about a wider lens option makes sense. The 16-85 looks like a nice option, although it adds a pound to the overall kit. Perhaps I'll leave the P7000 home and just use my iPhone. Thanks again.

This topic was covered in some depth back in 2016, but since then, the Nikon lens lineup has changed a bit. I apologize for any perceived duplication.

 

I'm heading to Kenya and Tanzania soon. Weight limits are tight, so I could use some advice on what to bring. At present, I plan to bring my D7200 and D750. On the D750, I'm considering taking the 28-300 VR and on the D7200, the 200-500 VR. This looks like it would give me continuous coverage from 28-750 when the crop factor is taken into consideration on the D7200. It would also seem to minimize any lens changing in adverse conditions. I will also probably throw in the TC 1.4 and the 50mm 1.8 along with my P7000 pocket camera.

 

If my budget permits, I'm debating trading the D7200 for the D7500 and upgrading the D750 to the D850. Otherwise, the plan would be unchanged.

 

Thoughts please?

I agree with tycin on groups and tours - not for me. My wife does not share my passion for photography. For the last ten years or so, she has been very understanding as I have taken a series of two week solo trips to a foreign destination (China, Thailand, Morocco, Korea, Japan, Croatia, Greece, France, Germany, and Italy). To me these trips and their inherent ability to explore the local culture and sights are the essence of travel photography. I am free to explore to my heart's content, and have no one to blame but myself if I don't like the company. I can be up before the sun, take an afternoon nap, eat when and what I want,and be back out as the sun goes down without conforming to someone else's expectations.

<p>Lisa- Not sure if you are in the US or not, but unless I missed it, it appears that the camera does not include the USA Nikon warranty. The 3-year Square Trade warranty is often included when a seller is trying to sell a camera intended for non-US sales and will not be honored by Nikon. Bottom line - you will have trouble getting service in the US if there is a problem. </p>

<p>San Diego - Navy Town, USA.<br>

D90, 18-200mm VR, handheld, f/9, 1/320, AWB, ISO 200</p><div></div>

<p>Very nice work from all. Here's a shot I made in the rain at the Navy Memorial in Washington D.C. this past weekend.<br>

D90, 35mm, f/2.5, 1/250, ISO 320, handheld.</p><div></div>

<p>Took advantage of a warm day at the Eastern Shore to do some photography at Assateague National Seashore. <br>

D90 with 70-200, 2.8, handheld, 1/5000 at f22.</p><div></div>

<p>I own the 18-200 VRII version, as well as the f2.8 set (14-24, 24-70, and 70-200). While the 2.8s are unquestionably the superior glass, I find that when I'm traveling or on the move, there's much to be said for leaving the big boys at home and carrying just the 18-200.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Consider shooting the NY skyline from Hoboken NJ.</p>

<p>Levon,<br>

I spent two weeks in China in April, and all I took was my D90 and the 18-200 VR. I was perfectly happy with the results. (See www.tomburdenphotography.com if interested in some examples.)<br>

The one thing that surprised me was how large the scale of everything in China is. Every site seemed further away and larger than I expected. I found the zoom came in very handy much of the time, while the wide end of the lens suited me well for landscapes, etc. Additionally, I didn't have to worry about dust when changing lenses.<br>

I own a set of Nikon 2.8 zooms (14-24, 24-70, and 70-200). In retrospect, I am happy I decided against taking them along. Factoring in the brutal summer heat and dust, the extensive walking, and the relative weights, simplicity wins over flexibility.<br>

Hope you enjoy the trip! </p>

<p>More snow in D.C. today. Here's an image from a warmer time in Washington.<br>

D90, 28mm, f5, 1/100, handheld.</p><div></div>

<p>Florence Cathedral, Coolpix P3</p><div></div>

<p>Here's an image made at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico last week.</p>

<p>Nikon D90, Nikkor 18-200 mm VR II @ 200 mm, f/11, 1/400.</p><div></div>

<p>This month's competition theme for our local photo club, the NorthernVirginia Photographic Society (www.nvps.org), required images shot with flash. This is my humble effort...<br>

Nikon D90, 50mm 1.8, off-camera remote speedlights (SP 900 + two SP-600).<br>

Shot at 50mm, f22, 1/200. </p><div></div>

<p>DO NOT MISS the nighttime view of the Hong Kong skyline and laser light show from the Kowloon waterfront. One of the best vantage points is from the promenade in the rear of the Intercontinental Hotel. As a matter of fact, the best drink I ever had was a vodka and tonic in the Intercontinental Hotel lounge. The drink was nothing special, but the view was out of this world. My only regret is that I didn't bring my tripod. I got a few shots with my image stabilized lens, but I'm not that happy with them. </p>

<p>DO NOT MISS the nighttime view of the Hong Kong skyline and laser light show from the Kowloon waterfront. One of the best vantage points is from the promenade in the rear of the Intercontinental Hotel. As a matter of fact, the best drink I ever had was a vodka and tonic in the Intercontinental Hotel lounge. The drink was nothing special, but the view was out of this world. My only regret is that I didn't bring my tripod. I got a few shots with my image stabilized lens, but I'm not that happy with them. </p>

<p>Lots of really nice images already. My contribution was taken at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing .</p>

<p>Nikon D90 18-200 at 36mm, f10, 1/320, handheld. Photoshopped to remove a person in the background. </p><div></div>

<p>I've owned the D90 for over a year and have been very happy with the body. It came with the 18-135 kit lens, but I replaced it with the 18-200 VR a few weeks later because I wanted a longer reach in a one lens solution for travel. I also have the 50 mm 1.8 and the 35 mm 1.8 lenses, both of which are sharp as a tack and great for general walking around work. But like Jon and Charles, of the two lenses, I think the 35 mm is the most natural on the DX body. <br>

I really like the live view, and the total flexibility packaged in a lightweight but sturdy body. I've used it for extensive travel and found it to be totally dependable. I also use the SB 600 speedlight, and love the fact that the D90 allows wireless off camera flash with the 600, 800 and 900 speedlights. Note the wireless won't work on the SB 400.<br>

I've finally realized that the 18-200, f3.5-5.6 zoom, while handy for travel, just isn't fast enough for fast-paced work in dim light, unless I crank up the ISO. So today, I ordered a constant 2.8 set (14-24 mm, 24-70, and 70-200) - big bucks, but what the heck - it's only money. </p>

 

<p>Happy New Year everyone! This week's contribution was taken at the Ocean City, MD inlet. Nikon D90, 18-200 mm at 35mm, f4.2, 1/6.</p><div></div>

<p>Happy Holidays to All!. This weeks contribution was taken in warmer days at the Flying Circus in Bealeville, VA.<br>

Nikon D90, 18-200 VR at 200 mm, handheld, f16, 1/1000.</p><div></div>

<p>Here's a couple of residents of the San Diego Zoo. <br>

Nikon D90, Nikkor 18-200mm VR, @ 200.ISO 400, f5, 1/200</p><div></div>

<p>This week I thought I'd contribute a B&W photo. Taken from the Zugspitze in Garmische, Germany. We arrived at the summit to a total whiteout, but the sky cleared in about five minutes to beautiful vistas in every direction.</p>

<p>Nikon D90, 18-135mm at 21mm. F22, 1/200</p><div></div>

<p>Thanks for all the great submissions this week. A few that really spoke to me:</p>

<ul>

<li>Lester-great Riverwalk scene, colorful & crisp. Where did all the people go?</li>

<li>Tiffany - nice portrait - I like the side lighting.</li>

<li>Bill - perfect focus and timing</li>

<li>Doug - an arresting image, the HDR really pops</li>

<li>Ertugural - interesting focal point</li>

<li>Ken - thanks for your words of encouragement; you've got many great images in your slideshow.</li>

</ul>

<p>Looking forward to next week.</p>