Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: 200-400 vs 500mm for Safari

  1. #1
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Viera, Florida
    Posts
    92
    Threads
    24
    Thank You Posts

    Default 200-400 vs 500mm for Safari

    Hi y'all,

    I'm heading to Kenya this October for a two week photography safari. Right now I plan to take the Nikon D3s and D300 as my camera bodies.

    For glass I'm taking the 70-200 VR 2.8, 28-70 2.8 and 14-24 2.8. I will also be taking the Nikon 1.4 and 1.7 TCs.

    For my long lens I'm debating between the 200-400 VR f/4 and the 500mm f/4. I'm leaning towards the 200-400 because of the flexibilty it gives me, weight, and VR over the 500mm. However I'm not sure if losing the 100mm the 500 would give is a good idea. Any thoughts especially from folks who have been to Africa.

  2. #2
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Dallas, Tx
    Posts
    10
    Threads
    2
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I would say take the 200-400 and get the TC 20E III and you would have it covered.
    Have fun...

  3. #3
    Banned
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    3,949
    Threads
    254
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Harry,

    It depends on the subjects you want. If birds and the D3s, with its 8.46 micron pixels, I would take the 500.

    Will the D300 AF with the 1.7x TC (or 2x) with either f/4 lens? The D300 has 5.5-micron pixels, so has 8.46/5.5 = 1.54 times the pixels (linear measurement), so with a 1.4x TC on the D300, you would get slightly more pixels on a subject with the D300 +f/4 lens +1.4x TC than the same lens on the D3s and 2x TC.

    On the other hand, being able to react fast is often important, and I find moving a 500 f/4 is a lot more difficult (for me) than a smaller lens. On my next trip, I'll be taking a 300 f/2.8 so I have increased mobility. I use Canon and with a 1D Mark IV (5.7 micron pixels) I feel I can get better images with the 300 than I did on previous trips with a 500 f/4 + 1D Mark II (8.4 micron pixels).

    Also, weight limits on flights is a consideration. With a 500, you are pushing weight beyond most limits, and I have seen people have to check their carry on bags (but were allowed to take their 500 with one camera attached).

    Either choice I'm sure you'll have a great time!

    Roger

  4. #4
    BPN Viewer Tom Graham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Southern California, Orange County
    Posts
    1,116
    Threads
    33
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Just to repeat what Roger said about airline weight (and size) limits. It can be a real life hassle. And going to Africa don't dare put anything that looks like a camera or electronic gizmo in checked luggage. You won't get it back, don't ask me how I know :-(

    Tom
    Last edited by Tom Graham; 02-02-2011 at 11:56 PM. Reason: added word

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    George, South Africa
    Posts
    1,462
    Threads
    255
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    with out a shadow of a doubt 200-400mm ...the versatility of this lens especially for safari is second to none... what are using to stabilise the lens?? monopod/car braket/beanbag??

  6. #6
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Viera, Florida
    Posts
    92
    Threads
    24
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Roger Clark View Post
    Harry,

    It depends on the subjects you want. If birds and the D3s, with its 8.46 micron pixels, I would take the 500.

    Will the D300 AF with the 1.7x TC (or 2x) with either f/4 lens? The D300 has 5.5-micron pixels, so has 8.46/5.5 = 1.54 times the pixels (linear measurement), so with a 1.4x TC on the D300, you would get slightly more pixels on a subject with the D300 +f/4 lens +1.4x TC than the same lens on the D3s and 2x TC.

    On the other hand, being able to react fast is often important, and I find moving a 500 f/4 is a lot more difficult (for me) than a smaller lens. On my next trip, I'll be taking a 300 f/2.8 so I have increased mobility. I use Canon and with a 1D Mark IV (5.7 micron pixels) I feel I can get better images with the 300 than I did on previous trips with a 500 f/4 + 1D Mark II (8.4 micron pixels).

    Also, weight limits on flights is a consideration. With a 500, you are pushing weight beyond most limits, and I have seen people have to check their carry on bags (but were allowed to take their 500 with one camera attached).

    Either choice I'm sure you'll have a great time!

    Roger
    Thanks for the very useful insights Roger. I'm hoping to concentrate on mammals on this trip. I live in FL so I shoot birds most of the year. Our vehicles will have a max. of 4 riders in them so I should be able to move around some in them.

  7. #7
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Viera, Florida
    Posts
    92
    Threads
    24
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by peter delaney View Post
    with out a shadow of a doubt 200-400mm ...the versatility of this lens especially for safari is second to none... what are using to stabilise the lens?? monopod/car braket/beanbag??
    That's my thinking right now. I've been using the Kenesis Safari Sack and right now that will be my main support in the vehicle.

  8. #8
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    1,647
    Threads
    83
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I assume that you already own the 100-400mm f/4. If so, then I'd take that along with the TCs. If you don't already own it, then consider a 300mm f/2.8 with the TCs (up to 2.0x) as Rog suggested. That's great, easy to hand hold solution that'll get you out to 600mm with the 2x. The 500mm plus a 1.4x TC also gets you out there, but at a much heavier weight and size penalty.

  9. #9
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    1,647
    Threads
    83
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I assume that you already own the 100-400mm f/4. If so, then I'd take that along with the TCs. If you don't already own it, then consider a 300mm f/2.8 with the TCs (up to 2.0x) as Rog suggested. That's great, easy to hand hold solution that'll get you out to 600mm with the 2x. The 500mm plus a 1.4x TC also gets you out there, but at a much heavier weight and size penalty.

  10. #10
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Texas and Africa
    Posts
    88
    Threads
    8
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    This is a question I hear all of the time, and one that warrants a decent explanation. If you were heading to Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia or Zimbabwe, I would have said he 200-400mm without a doubt.

    Since you are heading to Kenya, I have to qualify my answer a little bit. The 500mm on a full frame camera is pretty much ideal, but in the Nikon world we don't have a good solution between 200mm and 500mm, other than the 200-400mm f/4. In the Canon world the 100-400mm is available to fill the gap. Since you are bringing a D300, my recommendation would be the 200-400mm for Kenya, as you will have both teleconverters as well as a 1.5x body. The only thing that would sway me towards a 500mm would be if you are primarily interested in birds.

  11. #11
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Viera, Florida
    Posts
    92
    Threads
    24
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks very much Andy. I have visited your site a number of times and really value your response.

  12. #12
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Texas and Africa
    Posts
    88
    Threads
    8
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Harry, I am happy to help! I will be in the Masai Mara in September, and will have my 200-400mm, 70-200mm f/2.8, D3 and D3x with me. Oh, and a 1.4x teleconverter.

  13. #13
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Viera, Florida
    Posts
    92
    Threads
    24
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy Biggs View Post
    Harry, I am happy to help! I will be in the Masai Mara in September, and will have my 200-400mm, 70-200mm f/2.8, D3 and D3x with me. Oh, and a 1.4x teleconverter.
    We will be in the Masai Mara in the first week of October. I'm hoping the D4 will be released before the trip.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics