Recommend me a Nikon Safari Lens

Shyam

I'm going on a Kenyan safari in July and looking for a lens to take with me.  Currently I've got a Nikon D7200 with 18-200.

Thanks!

Ugg10

Depending on your pocket depth I would recommend the Sigma 100-400 OS Contemporary. This is compact, lightweight and on a crop camera probably long enough (150-600 equivalent). and although the max aperture in not very large it is sharpest wide open (most aren't so have to be stopped down anyway).

Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM review - Introduction - LensTip.com

Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM (Nikon Fit) C Lens Best Price - Compare UK Stock Prices

I took these with it on my Canon 6D (full frame) last year in India and was pretty happy with the results -

1) 315mm at f6.3


IMG_3898a by A H, on Flickr

2) 400mm at f6.3


IMG_3985a by A H, on Flickr

3) One from a safari park - 400mm at f6.3

IMG_6886a by A H, on Flickr

If you are doing Kenya then you may be surprised at how close some of the animals get. At the time I had a canon crop (550d) and a 70-200 and even at 70mm I struggled to get an elephant in when close up.

the alternatives are the 150-500/600 lenses from Tamron/Sigma which are twice the size of the 100-400 and I feel you can crop the 400 to 600 without any problems. the final alternative is the Nikon 80-400 FX lens but that is a different league in terms of cost.

Comparison of size -

Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM C Lens Product Images

Hope this gives you a start.

P.S. here are a few more that I took in Kenya - Kenya Holiday Snaps  -note not sure why but some of the pics do not load, I think they load if you click on them and they will load up flickr website. Should give you an idea as to what a treat you are in for.

snerkler

The 100-400mm is a good shout, although I would recommend the Tamron version over the Sigma as it's better in just about every department. If you want something super duper long then you could look at the Sigma/Tamron 150-600mm or Nikon 200-500mm, however these are big and heavy lenses weighing 1.9kg and 2.3kg respectively.

Of course if you've got a bigger budget you could look at some of the prime lenses, the 300mm f4 PF for example is a really nice lens, and light too. Then you could go whole hog and get a 500mm or 600mm f4 if you've got several grand to spare

I would also recommend taking a wider angle lens to get the animals in context, close up 'portrait' type shots can end up looking like they've been taken at the zoo.

Ugg10

Cheers @snerkler . Not being into buying a lens for a while I did not know about the Tamron. Looks good and Lenstip has it marginally behind the sigma but does say in the real world the Tamron, sigma and canon 100-400 L (not relevant to the OP) are indistinguishable.

Tamron 100-400 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD review - Image resolution - LensTip.com

The Tamron was not around when I bought the Sigma.

Camerapricebuster has the Tamron at £650 cheapest U.K. price and the Sigma £680 so nothing in it. Best to try them in a shop and see which you like if this is the best lens for the OP.

Saw this, looks a good deal even if it is used. Bricks and Mortar shop, I traded in a lens and bought another from them in the past, good service. Used Tamron 100-400mm f4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens in Nikon fit - 1 YEAR GTEE  | eBay Their new price for the sigma is £599 and Tamron is £649. Items for sale by srsmicrosystems | eBay

snerkler

Interesting. When I was looking at buying one of these the Tamron was generally regarded as better in IQ and AF, as well as IS, however now looking around it seems 50/50 in terms of IQ.

I was very impressed with the image quality of the Sigma when I hired it for Silverstone, but AF wasn’t the quickest and you could barely see the OS working in the viewfinder. That being said I’d still happily buy one as it’s a great lens for the money, although I personally would still choose the Tamron

Ugg10

I agree about the OS, very quiet and does not have the effect in the viewfinder I have with my canon lenses but it does work.

This is at 1/25s at 400mm on 6D hand held. So 4 stops
I think.


IMG_1749 by A H, on Flickr

Shyam

Thanks @Ugg10 and @snerkler!  I'll certainly look in to the lens.

@snerkler  which wide angle do you recommend?

My only concern is that these will most likely only be used for this trip.  What are your guys thoughts in renting instead of buying?

snerkler

Your 18-200mm is wide enough but if you’ll have a massive overlap in focal length if you buy something like a 100-400mm, so something like an 18-55mm would be better if you have one as it’s smaller and lighter.

If you’re only buying for this trip then buy used (wisely) and then sell again on your return. Assuming it comes back in the same condition you shouldn’t lose ‘that’ much, and most likely quite a bit less than it would cost you to rent.

Shyam

Thats a good idea!  

What are the things to look out for when buying a used lens like this?

snerkler

Usual stuff, condition mainly. Look for/ask about marks on the lens/optics including scratches, blemishes in coating and fungus, as well as dust inside the lens. Minor dust isn't an issue but can reduce value, large amounts of dust can start to affect image quality. Cosmetic things like scratches and marks on the barrel tend to devalue lenses. Usually lenses without all the accessories (caps, hoods, case) as well as the box can lower price.

The best idea is to have a look at several places (MPB, WEX, Harrisons, London Camera Exchange and Camera Jungle) and get a feel for what the prices for 'like new', 'excellent', 'good' and 'well used' are? Sometimes you will find one that's lower than 'normal'. For example I just picked up an "as new" 85mm f1.8 that was £30 cheaper than other "as new" lenses.