Trip to Africa in 2014 - what lens/camera?

audiodoc · 02-08-2013, 08:38 AM

Houston Bob, thanks so much for the Daylight time settings. I will make sure to do that. Is that done thru the GPS setting? Not sure how to do that?

audiobomber · 02-08-2013, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by audiodoc

Houston Bob, thanks so much for the Daylight time settings. I will make sure to do that. Is that done thru the GPS setting? Not sure how to do that?

Just shoot in AWB and raw, you won't have to worry about it.

altopiet · 02-08-2013, 09:22 AM

If you're doing more or less the same route, same time of the year, then you should know what to expect. Personally I would go for a converter with your Sigma on the K-r, to get some more reach, and buy the K-30 with the 18-55WR kit, and a M 50/1.4 or 1.7.

audiodoc · 02-08-2013, 09:34 AM

Originally posted by altopiet

If you're doing more or less the same route, same time of the year, then you should know what to expect. Personally I would go for a converter with your Sigma on the K-r, to get some more reach, and buy the K-30 with the 18-55WR kit, and a M 50/1.4 or 1.7.

thanks Altopiet! Let me ask you tho, I've heard negative things about extenders, no? I'll look into that tho. Thanks!

**ivanvernon** · 02-08-2013, 09:45 AM

Part of your requirement depends upon the nature of the safari you are taking. My last safari through several different Tanzanian game parks would not have really required extremely long lens. I think my Tamron 70-300mm would be more than adequate for, maybe, 95 percent of the shots. My Landrover driver was very good about careful closeup approaches to game. I would take a slightly different approach and recommend being sure you have a nice landscape lens, something around 18 to 21 mm. There are some great scenes to capture, and animals are part of the scene. If it is closeup animal shots you want, go to the zoo! Joking somewhat, but not entirely. I did get some interesting "kill" shots, one where a couple of lions were feasting upon a just-downed baby hippo. Anyway, if I were going soon, and selecting from among my available lens, I would take Pentax 10-17mm, Tamron 17-50mm, and Tamron 70-300. Those pretty much cover the needed range, but then I would probably throw in a few primes, expecially for closeup people and animal shots, maybe the 41 ltd and the 77 ltd. The Tamron 70-300 is macro, so that aspect is covered as well.

GaryH · 02-08-2013, 11:02 AM

There is a Sigma 50-500mm in the market place right now. Its the new OS model with HSM.

audiodoc · 02-08-2013, 11:21 AM

Thanks Gary. That's what I started out asking about and most people dissuaded me from that. Right now I'm leaning towards a K-30 with my sigma 28-300 lens and possibly the Vivitar 2x TC
Thoughts?

nutkasse · 02-08-2013, 12:01 PM

hi audiodoc, recently i went on a whale photo cruise in maui with a tokina 80-400mm lens & that was still not enough.the whales were still too far !!!!

if you can bring a t/c, bring 1 & adjust yr iso to compensate for the lost f/stop as it is "always" sunny in africa???? !!!

i m sure you will get some decent pics with a t/c

enjoy yr trip

audiodoc · 02-08-2013, 12:11 PM

Thanks nutkasse. Yes you understand the need for zoom!!! I am hearing issues with TC's they destroy IQ and AF is disabled. I do shoot manual most of the time but nice to have the AF option. :-)

nutkasse · 02-08-2013, 12:59 PM

i should have gotten a a/f t/c b4 i went to maui !! i just bought a vivitar 1.4x a/f t/c, now i have no excuse for not going out to "shoot"

eagles !!!!

audiodoc · 02-08-2013, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by nutkasse

i should have gotten a a/f t/c b4 i went to maui !! i just bought a vivitar 1.4x a/f t/c, now i have no excuse for not going out to "shoot"

eagles !!!!

Everyone tells me the TC reduces clarity. You aren't finding that? And I thought it prevented the AF capability. What lens do you use it on?

**Kerrowdown** · 02-09-2013, 04:24 PM

Maybe have a think about good quality Pentax teleconverters 1.4x or 2x.

Gives the extra reach, not much extra weight, just a bit of light loss, but then Africa usually has loads of this (light I mean).

audiodoc · 02-09-2013, 05:34 PM

Thanks kerrowdown! After much contemplation and consideration I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to purchase the K-30 and the sigma 50-500 lens and will also carry a bridge camera just in case. Thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments and help

**southlander** · 02-10-2013, 05:07 PM

Have a great trip and please post how you went and what you thought of the 50-500 on your return!

audiodoc · 02-10-2013, 05:17 PM

Thanks Southlander. I will. I don't travel til 2014' but in sure ill practice with the lens before I go. And when I return I'll share my Flickr page. Appreciate all the help!!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What? Q best-selling interchangeable lens camera in Japan?	Unsinkable II	Pentax Q	3	11-29-2012 03:11 PM
Travel First K7 Stuff from South Africa Trip	RussellK7	Post Your Photos!	5	11-12-2011 03:23 AM
What lens for my trip to Fiji???	ron305	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	11	04-19-2010 05:14 PM
lens selection for Africa trip	tvfd911	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	41	03-08-2009 06:19 AM
Trip to africa with a 1 month old k20d	Isaac314	Post Your Photos!	17	09-08-2008 09:10 PM

02-08-2013, 08:38 AM	#46
audiodoc Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 55 Original Poster	Houston Bob, thanks so much for the Daylight time settings. I will make sure to do that. Is that done thru the GPS setting? Not sure how to do that?

02-08-2013, 08:53 AM	#47
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by audiodoc Houston Bob, thanks so much for the Daylight time settings. I will make sure to do that. Is that done thru the GPS setting? Not sure how to do that? Just shoot in AWB and raw, you won't have to worry about it.

02-08-2013, 09:22 AM	#48
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	If you're doing more or less the same route, same time of the year, then you should know what to expect. Personally I would go for a converter with your Sigma on the K-r, to get some more reach, and buy the K-30 with the 18-55WR kit, and a M 50/1.4 or 1.7.

02-08-2013, 09:34 AM	#49
audiodoc Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 55 Original Poster	Originally posted by altopiet If you're doing more or less the same route, same time of the year, then you should know what to expect. Personally I would go for a converter with your Sigma on the K-r, to get some more reach, and buy the K-30 with the 18-55WR kit, and a M 50/1.4 or 1.7. thanks Altopiet! Let me ask you tho, I've heard negative things about extenders, no? I'll look into that tho. Thanks!

02-08-2013, 09:45 AM	#50
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Part of your requirement depends upon the nature of the safari you are taking. My last safari through several different Tanzanian game parks would not have really required extremely long lens. I think my Tamron 70-300mm would be more than adequate for, maybe, 95 percent of the shots. My Landrover driver was very good about careful closeup approaches to game. I would take a slightly different approach and recommend being sure you have a nice landscape lens, something around 18 to 21 mm. There are some great scenes to capture, and animals are part of the scene. If it is closeup animal shots you want, go to the zoo! Joking somewhat, but not entirely. I did get some interesting "kill" shots, one where a couple of lions were feasting upon a just-downed baby hippo. Anyway, if I were going soon, and selecting from among my available lens, I would take Pentax 10-17mm, Tamron 17-50mm, and Tamron 70-300. Those pretty much cover the needed range, but then I would probably throw in a few primes, expecially for closeup people and animal shots, maybe the 41 ltd and the 77 ltd. The Tamron 70-300 is macro, so that aspect is covered as well.

02-08-2013, 11:02 AM	#51
GaryH Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Photos: Gallery Posts: 764	There is a Sigma 50-500mm in the market place right now. Its the new OS model with HSM.

02-08-2013, 11:21 AM	#52
audiodoc Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 55 Original Poster	Thanks Gary. That's what I started out asking about and most people dissuaded me from that. Right now I'm leaning towards a K-30 with my sigma 28-300 lens and possibly the Vivitar 2x TC Thoughts?

02-08-2013, 12:01 PM	#53
nutkasse Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: vancouver bc Posts: 96	hi audiodoc, recently i went on a whale photo cruise in maui with a tokina 80-400mm lens & that was still not enough.the whales were still too far !!!! if you can bring a t/c, bring 1 & adjust yr iso to compensate for the lost f/stop as it is "always" sunny in africa???? !!! i m sure you will get some decent pics with a t/c enjoy yr trip

02-08-2013, 12:11 PM	#54
audiodoc Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 55 Original Poster	Thanks nutkasse. Yes you understand the need for zoom!!! I am hearing issues with TC's they destroy IQ and AF is disabled. I do shoot manual most of the time but nice to have the AF option. :-)

02-08-2013, 12:59 PM	#55
nutkasse Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: vancouver bc Posts: 96	i should have gotten a a/f t/c b4 i went to maui !! i just bought a vivitar 1.4x a/f t/c, now i have no excuse for not going out to "shoot" eagles !!!!

02-08-2013, 02:08 PM	#56
audiodoc Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 55 Original Poster	Originally posted by nutkasse i should have gotten a a/f t/c b4 i went to maui !! i just bought a vivitar 1.4x a/f t/c, now i have no excuse for not going out to "shoot" eagles !!!! Everyone tells me the TC reduces clarity. You aren't finding that? And I thought it prevented the AF capability. What lens do you use it on?

02-09-2013, 04:24 PM	#57
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	Maybe have a think about good quality Pentax teleconverters 1.4x or 2x. Gives the extra reach, not much extra weight, just a bit of light loss, but then Africa usually has loads of this (light I mean).

02-09-2013, 05:34 PM	#58
audiodoc Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 55 Original Poster	Thanks kerrowdown! After much contemplation and consideration I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to purchase the K-30 and the sigma 50-500 lens and will also carry a bridge camera just in case. Thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments and help

02-10-2013, 05:07 PM	#59
southlander Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Adelaide Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,364	Have a great trip and please post how you went and what you thought of the 50-500 on your return!

02-10-2013, 05:17 PM	#60
audiodoc Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 55 Original Poster	Thanks Southlander. I will. I don't travel til 2014' but in sure ill practice with the lens before I go. And when I return I'll share my Flickr page. Appreciate all the help!!