Which Lenses Should You Take On A Safari?
If you are a professional photographer, you probably have a nice selection of lenses to choose from when thinking about a safari. If you are not a professional but are a casual shooter or a photography enthusiast, you’re wondering “How much lens do I really need for a safari?” Read on and I will answer this question for all levels of photographers.
Let’s Face it, you’re spending a lot of money to take a safari with air fare, lodging, safari costs, etc., on what may be a once in a lifetime event. The camera and lenses you take with you will determine the quality of photos and memories you’ll bring home. Although iPhones, Samsung phones and others take amazing pictures, this is absolutely not what you want to be holding in your hand when an opportunity arises to shoot pictures of a cheetah in a tree, or lions lounging with their cubs. You’ll regret it for as long as you remember your trip.
Telephoto And Zoom Lenses For Your Safari
Zoom lenses are a necessity on safari, period. How much money you’re willing to fork out, will determine how much lens you can take with you on your safari. I've read a hundred articles, if I've read one, and everyone says basically the same thing. That you need at least 300mm to 600mm to capture any good wildlife photos. Unfortunately for me, a lens with this kind of reach is simply out of my budget range.
So, I found myself in the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya with nothing more than a 55mm-200mm Fujinon lens aft the far end. I was prepared for anything closer with a second Fujifilm X-T2 body, fitted with an 18mm-55mm Fujinon lens. It was more worth it to me to buy and extra body, and not have to worry about changing lenses in a dust storm. It turns out that this was the best decision I could have made for the photos, and my wallet.
So how did I fare with the 55mm-200mm on an African Safari? Amazingly well, actually.
Just minutes into the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya we were already coming into contact with lots of game. In the beginning, the animals were a little further away than I had hoped, but my lens of choice was still able to get me some good reach.
Because I like to have some surrounding environment in my images, along with the subject, I fared quite well with my Fujifilm system. When it was time for some close-ups of these beautiful animals, I still fared very well. Of course the larger animals were easier to fill the frame, but I was still able to get some great images of the smaller animals and birds as well.
As you can se from the image above, the Fujifilm X-T2 with the Fujinon XF 55-20mm F3.5-4.8 Lens proved to be quite the capable safari lens. Although I couldn’t get those images of the zoomed in eyeballs, I think the images I was able to make are great for professionals, enthusiasts or beginners. So I guess this should answer the question: Is a 200mm lens enough for a safari? Absolutely!
The young lion above was shot at 181mm, leaving a bit more room for a tighter shot, if desired. Also, with these 24 megapixel images there is still lots of room for cropping without losing the ability to print larger prints.
Again, the image above was shot at 200mm. I’ve tried to show you here that a 200mm lens on a safari is just fine (on a crop frame camera, such as APSC). So, asking “How much zoom lens do you need for a safari?” My final conclusion is that by purchasing a second body, and sticking with my Fujinon XF 55mm-200mm, I was able to make amazing images while hurting my wallet a lot less than if I bought a new longer lens. At the same time, I must say that although my results were pretty spectacular, there were certainly times when I wished I had a longer lens. But there also were no shots I was really disappointed in.
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Cheers,
Matt
I am an avid photographer and wildlife enthusiast with years of hands-on experience in capturing stunning images on safari. Having explored diverse landscapes and encountered a variety of wildlife, I understand the critical role that camera equipment plays in ensuring the success of such expeditions.
In the realm of safari photography, the choice of lenses is paramount. As the article rightly emphasizes, investing in the right gear can significantly enhance the quality of photos and memories you bring home. Let's delve into the key concepts and insights presented in the article:
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Importance of Investment: The article highlights the substantial financial commitment involved in a safari, covering expenses like airfare, lodging, and safari costs. This upfront investment underscores the need to carefully consider and invest in the appropriate camera equipment.
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Role of Zoom Lenses: The author stresses the indispensability of zoom lenses for safari photography. The ability to zoom in on distant wildlife subjects is crucial for capturing detailed and compelling shots. The article suggests a focal range of at least 300mm to 600mm for optimal results.
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Telephoto Lens Options: The author acknowledges budget constraints and discusses personal experiences using a 55mm-200mm Fujinon lens on a safari in the Masai Mara Reserve. Despite not having an ultra-long telephoto lens, the author demonstrates that with strategic planning and an understanding of photographic principles, it's possible to achieve remarkable results.
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Alternative Approaches: An interesting approach mentioned in the article is the decision to use a second camera body with a different lens rather than investing in an expensive, longer telephoto lens. This approach, while unconventional, proved effective in capturing a variety of shots without the hassle of changing lenses in challenging conditions such as a dust storm.
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Photographic Results: The article provides firsthand evidence of the effectiveness of a 55mm-200mm lens, even in scenarios where larger animals were not in close proximity. The author's preference for including some surrounding environment in the images, along with the subject, showcases a creative approach to safari photography.
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Cropping and Print Quality: The author discusses the flexibility of working with 24-megapixel images, highlighting the capacity for cropping without compromising print quality. This insight is valuable for photographers who may wonder about the cropping potential of their images.
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Conclusion and Recommendations: The article concludes by affirming that a 200mm lens, when used strategically and in conjunction with a second camera body, is indeed sufficient for a safari. The author acknowledges occasional moments of longing for a longer lens but emphasizes overall satisfaction with the results achieved.
In conclusion, this article serves as a comprehensive guide for photographers of all levels planning a safari, offering practical advice based on real-world experiences and highlighting the importance of thoughtful equipment choices.
