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Started By
Message
Need a camera
Posted on 5/29/21 at 6:56 am
Posted on 5/29/21 at 6:56 am
I’m heading to Alaska in July and Kenya probably later this year. I am looking for a camera that is very good for zooming in and taking quality long range pictures of wildlife. I don’t have to have the best camera ever invented, but when I buy something I know I want I tend to err on the side of a product that might be a little better than I am looking for so that I won’t be disappointed.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Anyone have any suggestions?
7
Posted on 5/29/21 at 7:02 am to Globetrotter747
You are going to want a wide angle and a telephoto lens, plus a walking around lens, I like the 50 mm What is your budget?
Posted on 5/29/21 at 7:07 am to wickowick
quote:
You are going to want a wide angle and a telephoto lens, plus a walking around lens, I like the 50 mm What is your budget?
I don’t really have one. It depends on how impressed I am with the camera’s capabilities. Do you have a specific camera you could link me to?
Posted on 5/29/21 at 7:55 am to Globetrotter747
Get you a nice 18-55mm or something similar. Then get a 50-300mm.
Budget will be the biggest factor. Nice lenses will run pretty high.
I use Fujifilm, their lenses are spectacular and the best on the market. They are pricey though.
Canon or Nikon will be cheaper, unless you go full frame. Its not necessary though.
If you want mirrorless, go Sony or Fuji.
Budget will be the biggest factor. Nice lenses will run pretty high.
I use Fujifilm, their lenses are spectacular and the best on the market. They are pricey though.
Canon or Nikon will be cheaper, unless you go full frame. Its not necessary though.
If you want mirrorless, go Sony or Fuji.
Posted on 5/29/21 at 8:35 am to Globetrotter747
quote:
It depends on how impressed I am with the camera’s capabilities.
Any mid range crop sensor or full frame will give you all the capability you need. Lenses are where you run into money, and determine the quality.
Posted on 5/29/21 at 8:43 am to RogerTheShrubber
quote:
. Lenses are where you run into money, and determine the quality
This, but zoom lens are large. Traveling and looking for wildlife photos, I would look for up to 600mm in a telephoto lens. I haven’t kept up with the mirror less cameras, but they are probably the way to go. The body is smaller than a traditional camera.
Posted on 5/29/21 at 9:31 am to wickowick
quote:
I would look for up to 600mm in a telephoto lens
Depends, most people I know use Canon with the 100-400mm and it seems to work fine. My biggest is 135mm, and I have some good wildlife shots with it.
If I were a pro, I would probably consider having one around though.
Posted on 5/29/21 at 9:37 am to RogerTheShrubber
I have a Tamron 150-600 that does a pretty good job. I never think I have enough telephoto lens reach. I would hate to have made a long, one in a life time trip and miss out on good photos, but the big len’s are large. I think my 150-600 is around the size of canon and nikon’s 70-200mm lenses
Posted on 5/29/21 at 9:54 am to RogerTheShrubber
quote:
most people I know use Canon with the 100-400mm and it seems to work fine.
That's what I use, and would recommend highly for wildlife photos; if it's in your budget. Canon 7D to go along with it. The way Canon sensors crop it functions as a 160mm-640mm. It's by far the most common body/lens combination I see when on birding/wildlife trips.
For Kenya - OP will want a good zoom for wildlife photos (same for Alaska, but not as many wildlife opportunities). I was there with a guy using a fixed 300mm lens and at times it was too much for the animals outside the vehicle, they can be pretty close. At other times he wanted more power.
Posted on 5/29/21 at 1:31 pm to Globetrotter747
It might help the OP if you post some photographs you took with the camera + lens you are suggesting
This post was edited on 5/29/21 at 1:32 pm
Posted on 5/29/21 at 2:08 pm to Globetrotter747
Nikon z7ii.
I have a Sony a6500. Brother got the Nikon. Good god.
It’s expensive. I’d rent one for the trip though.
I have a Sony a6500. Brother got the Nikon. Good god.
It’s expensive. I’d rent one for the trip though.
Posted on 5/30/21 at 4:02 pm to Globetrotter747
I wouldn’t be shy about getting a high end point and shoot like the RX10 or RX100. I use my RX100 more than my bigger camera because it’s easier to carry in a pocket.however, for a once in a lifetime trip it may be worth splurging for a full frame.
Posted on 6/1/21 at 2:22 am to Globetrotter747
Do you have a camera body or do you need the whole thing?
If you have a body, just rent the lenses you need. That’s what I did when I went to Antelope Canyon. I rented a $1500 lens for about $150 for a week.
I rented from Borrowlenses.com
I rented a 12mm 1.7 fisheye just to shoot in the canyon.
“The Eagle & The Parakeet”
“The River”
“The Fountain”
“The Humpback”
If you have a body, just rent the lenses you need. That’s what I did when I went to Antelope Canyon. I rented a $1500 lens for about $150 for a week.
I rented from Borrowlenses.com
I rented a 12mm 1.7 fisheye just to shoot in the canyon.
“The Eagle & The Parakeet”
“The River”
“The Fountain”
“The Humpback”
This post was edited on 6/2/21 at 12:22 pm
Posted on 6/1/21 at 8:28 am to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
Fujifilm XH-1 w/xc16-50 
XF18-135mm
XF18-135mm
This post was edited on 6/2/21 at 12:36 pm
Posted on 6/1/21 at 3:56 pm to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
quote:
It might help the OP if you post some photographs you took with the camera + lens you are suggesting
OK - Canon 7D with Canon 100mm-400mm zoom lens. Kenya and Tanzania last November.
Posted on 6/1/21 at 9:36 pm to RogerTheShrubber
I have a Fujifilm xt-2 I bought used for $500. Way more camera than I will ever need. for wildlife I think you would ideally have a 100-400 lens with the 1.4x multiplier, that lens alone used is $1200-$1400. The new 70-300 which also works with the 1.4x multiplier is $799.
This post was edited on 6/1/21 at 9:42 pm
Posted on 6/1/21 at 11:17 pm to Globetrotter747
I have the Nikon D5600. I'm as amateur as it gets and from reading reviews up to my purchase, this camera is a great mid-level introductory DSLR. Camera has been wonderful understanding and learning photography.
I bought the kit from B&H Photo with the 18-55mm lense. Looking back, wish I bought the kit that includes the 70-300mm lense as well which would work well in Africa. Think I paid around $500-600 for mine so it's jumped up in price.
The Fujifilm above is another I was considering for mirrorless. Test cameras out at Bestbuy and get a feel for what you like; that's what I did.
B&H Photo with 18-55
B&H Photo w/ 18-55 & 70-300
These websites were great for reading reviews:
DPReview
KenRockwell
I bought the kit from B&H Photo with the 18-55mm lense. Looking back, wish I bought the kit that includes the 70-300mm lense as well which would work well in Africa. Think I paid around $500-600 for mine so it's jumped up in price.
The Fujifilm above is another I was considering for mirrorless. Test cameras out at Bestbuy and get a feel for what you like; that's what I did.
B&H Photo with 18-55
B&H Photo w/ 18-55 & 70-300
These websites were great for reading reviews:
DPReview
KenRockwell
Posted on 6/2/21 at 10:55 am to fatcatswag22
quote:I bought the D3500 for my granddaughter and it takes pretty damn good photos even with the kit lenses.
I have the Nikon D5600.
Posted on 6/2/21 at 12:08 pm to RogerTheShrubber
Lots of bad advice in this thread.
Kit lenses are very inexpensive for a reason, they are junk.
Cameras don’t take good/bad photos, it’s just a tool. Photographers take good/bad photos. The more expensive camera, the more tools you have at you disposal.
Lenses are just tools as well, but they can add a ton of quality to a photo (edge distortion, DOF, etc).
Kit lenses are for taking snapshots. You can do this on your phone.
I can take my 70-200 2.7 and put it on a cheap body and take amazing photos. I’m not saying it’s the lens, I still had to study photography, but a good lens makes a world of difference.
Like I said earlier, buy a decent used body and rent high dollar lenses, especially for the Safari. You will need a 400-600mm, 2.7 (or wider).
For Alaska, you will need a wide angle lens, 50mm or wider (for landscapes), and a tripod.
This was taken with my 27-70mm 2.7, probably around 30mm
(Can you find the topless sun bather in this photo? It’s like a naked “Where’s Waldo” game)
Kit lenses are very inexpensive for a reason, they are junk.
Cameras don’t take good/bad photos, it’s just a tool. Photographers take good/bad photos. The more expensive camera, the more tools you have at you disposal.
Lenses are just tools as well, but they can add a ton of quality to a photo (edge distortion, DOF, etc).
Kit lenses are for taking snapshots. You can do this on your phone.
I can take my 70-200 2.7 and put it on a cheap body and take amazing photos. I’m not saying it’s the lens, I still had to study photography, but a good lens makes a world of difference.
Like I said earlier, buy a decent used body and rent high dollar lenses, especially for the Safari. You will need a 400-600mm, 2.7 (or wider).
For Alaska, you will need a wide angle lens, 50mm or wider (for landscapes), and a tripod.
This was taken with my 27-70mm 2.7, probably around 30mm
(Can you find the topless sun bather in this photo? It’s like a naked “Where’s Waldo” game)
This post was edited on 6/2/21 at 12:15 pm
Posted on 6/2/21 at 1:22 pm to RogerTheShrubber
Antique or Roger, do y'all have any suggestions to replace the 18-55 kit lens for my Nikon D5600? I mostly take stationary photographs from my wife and I's travels - National Parks, scenic photos, visiting cities, etc. I don't have kids, yet, so no action sports or anything of that like. I'm sure this is a loaded question, so any pointers are appreciated.
*Edit: It's also worth to note we hike a lot with the camera, so being mobile is important, rather than setting up tripods and the like.
My favorite place with the camera was in Prague - amazing place.
*Edit: It's also worth to note we hike a lot with the camera, so being mobile is important, rather than setting up tripods and the like.
My favorite place with the camera was in Prague - amazing place.
This post was edited on 6/2/21 at 1:26 pm
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