Lenses to take to Africa?

Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
After Marcels comment in my blog regarding taking the 50mm 1.4 I have been wondering instead of this should I take my 85.0 mm f/1.4.

So far I am taking:
  • 16 - 35mm f4 VR
  • 80 - 400mm VR
 
W

WhiteLight

Senior Member
A 35mm 1.8 for sure... Africa, Timbaktu, anywhere you go..
And if you do have, a 300mm + 1.4 TeleConverter...

i would probably pack everything i have!
you wouldn't want to go there & regret not having this accessory or other
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
WhiteLight said:
A 35mm 1.8 for sure... Africa, Timbaktu, anywhere you go..
And if you do have, a 300mm + 1.4 TeleConverter...

i would probably pack everything i have!
you wouldn't want to go there & regret not having this accessory or other
Click to expand...

I dont have either of those. Only these, 80 - 400mm VR, 16 - 35mm VR, 85 1.4, 50mm 1.4, 90mm macro.
 
Last edited:
W

WhiteLight

Senior Member
Ah.. i guess you can leave the 90mm back..
50mm 1.4 certainly for low light conditions & the 85mm for shots of the locals & tribals!
 
I

Ironwood

Senior Member
I would forego some of your other stuff, just so I could take all/more camera gear.

When I was younger I went backpacking around Asia and Europe for 7 months, I remember loading my backpack to the hilt with stuff I thought I would need. I ended up giving away most of it along the way, so I could travel light.
I probably got it down to around 5 or 6 kg in the end, including my camera and lenses ( and tripod). I had 2 shirts, one pair of shorts and a pair of jeans. I also had an old army jacket for a while in Europe, ditched that when it started to get warm.
Africa could be a bit different though, you might need some of the emergency gear.

Will you have to carry all of your gear for any long periods ?
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Ironwood said:
I would forego some of your other stuff, just so I could take all/more camera gear.

When I was younger I went backpacking around Asia and Europe for 7 months, I remember loading my backpack to the hilt with stuff I thought I would need. I ended up giving away most of it along the way, so I could travel light.
I probably got it down to around 5 or 6 kg in the end, including my camera and lenses ( and tripod). I had 2 shirts, one pair of shorts and a pair of jeans. I also had an old army jacket for a while in Europe, ditched that when it started to get warm.
Africa could be a bit different though, you might need some of the emergency gear.

Will you have to carry all of your gear for any long periods ?
Click to expand...

There will be some hiking especially when I go to see the mountain gorillas, this is where I will only be taking my camera gear. Weight for me carrying wont be an issue, its more on the plane and dug out canoe. I am umming and arring about the 85mm but the low light ability up in the rainforest with the gorillas might be beneficial as I know the 80-400 will struggle. Most of my other non camera stuff is light weight. I can pack pretty light when I like and will probably only have khaki clothing as it shows dirt the least ;)
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
muzza22au said:
After Marcels comment in my blog regarding taking the 50mm 1.4 I have been wondering instead of this should I take my 85.0 mm f/1.4.

So far I am taking:
  • 16 - 35mm f4 VR
  • 80 - 400mm VR
Click to expand...

Hi Scott, I am with Whitelight, I would try and take it all.. even the 90mm macro (never know what you might see. The primes are not that big (50 & 85) and you are gaining sharpness and low light function (spell bokeh). If you need to leave one out, it would surely be the macro for me.

Remember too, you do not need to take all in the field if you have a specific target... I have a short trip coming up and I am taking all but one lens and it does not fit and overlaps something else... I suspect for sure using 3 of the 4 lens I will have.

Pat in NH
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
RockyNH said:
Hi Scott, I am with Whitelight, I would try and take it all.. even the 90mm macro (never know what you might see. The primes are not that big (50 & 85) and you are gaining sharpness and low light function (spell bokeh). If you need to leave one out, it would surely be the macro for me.

Remember too, you do not need to take all in the field if you have a specific target... I have a short trip coming up and I am taking all but one lens and it does not fit and overlaps something else... I suspect for sure using 3 of the 4 lens I will have.

Pat in NH
Click to expand...

Thanks Pat, one thing I do know is that I will not be taking a tripod, just maybe a bean bag which I can fill when I get there. Or my hat does a pretty good job too :).

As for lenses yeah its going to be interesting, but I think with proper packing I can fit "All" my current lenses in the one camera bag. The only issue is weight as I want to carry it on the plane with me, and never let it out of my site. I am moving house these days off but will definitely be doing some trial runs with gear and such. I am yet to work out what clothing/foot wear I too will be taking. I list from the tour company, but I am unsure if it will all fit. Once its all sorted I will be updating my blog and taking photos of what I am taking and how its packed. 2 months is a long time away and I hope to be self reliant as much as I can.
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
muzza22au said:
Thanks Pat, one thing I do know is that I will not be taking a tripod, just maybe a bean bag which I can fill when I get there. Or my hat does a pretty good job too :).

As for lenses yeah its going to be interesting, but I think with proper packing I can fit "All" my current lenses in the one camera bag. The only issue is weight as I want to carry it on the plane with me, and never let it out of my site. I am moving house these days off but will definitely be doing some trial runs with gear and such. I am yet to work out what clothing/foot wear I too will be taking. I list from the tour company, but I am unsure if it will all fit. Once its all sorted I will be updating my blog and taking photos of what I am taking and how its packed. 2 months is a long time away and I hope to be self reliant as much as I can.
Click to expand...

I would think of a monopod. It can act as a walking stick and give you extra flexibility when in the dark forests. And it's not heavy.
 
S

stmv

Senior Member
100% take a travel tripod as a mininum,, too many low light situations that you will be kicking yourself without a tripod, I drag a tripod everywhere, when hiking, I have it clipped to my backpack, waterfalls, sunsets, night shots, macros... too many situations that without the tripod, would be a loss.

and, in an emergency,, can use it to fend off wild cats.
 
Top