WILDLIFE Photography GEAR For SAFARI In Africa

WILDLIFE Photography GEAR For SAFARI In Africa
In this video I talk about what photographic equipment I recommend for an African Photo Safari. There are many choices, but I’ve explained my more simple approach to what gear to bring.
Feel free to drop me comment below if you have any questions relating to what gear to bring on a photo safari to Africa.
#wildlifephotography #cameragear #africa #photosafari
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FAVOURITE PHOTO GEAR:
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Nikon Z6ii - amzn.to/3rpVGR8
Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 - amzn.to/3JT6tcV
Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 - amzn.to/3rpo1XF
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Nikon Z 14-30 f/4 - amzn.to/46LRbQP
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[@jeroenvdw]

Had my first safari with a Sony A7 + 28-70 kit lens. First time I stepped into photography... Got some nice shots, but IQ was lacking and ofc I could've used better reach. Now I have a Sony A7RV with 8 quality lenses, but sold my Tamron 150-500 bc I felt it wasn't very sharp and accurate. I hope Sony will release a mk2 version of their 200-600 which is sharper so I can use it for my next safari 😁 I was leaning towards buying or renting a 400mm 2.8 for that purpose, but like you said, zooming is useful as well. Thanks for the video

[@MarkDumbleton]

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. Gear is very subjective, but for me the simpler the better.

[@furiousdoe7779]

Go for 300mm Olympus .. and E-M1II (second hand) or newer OM-1 or OM-1 II .. compact and fast …. The best lens you can get is the 150-400 mm F4.5 Pro but if you do not have the finances for that lens there is a very good 150-600mm . Best for birding too ..light and fast.

[@MarkDumbleton]

Thanks for sharing info on the Olympus system. Appreciate it.

[@jeroenvdw]

That's a great combo for hobby photographers, but the overall image quality is lacking for more professional use cases.

[@kingart23]

Went to Zambia last summer for my first time on a Safari with Nikon D3 / 20mm 2.8 / 85mm 1.4 / 300mm 2.8 . My biggest regret was that I didn't have a second camera body. Otherwise 300mm was fairly flexible lens if you're not shooting birds ( although I got lucky with some great tracking shots fairly up close )

[@MarkDumbleton]

Thanks for watching and for the comment and sharing what you use. A 300mm 2.8 is a spectacular wildlife lens if you’re not shooting birds. The shallow depth of field of that lens is superb!

[@stratgirl62]

Olympus/OM systems for us with smaller muscles!

[@MarkDumbleton]

Hi, to be honest I’m not familiar with the Olympus system at all, but I would say the 100-400 and 12-45 lenses would be a great combo on an OM-1 camera.

[@stratgirl62]

OM-1 with 100-400, and Olympus M1ii with 12-100 covers a great range. The 150-400 lens is popular with wildlife photographers who can afford it!

[@MorkelErasmus]

Thanks, Mark - this gives me a good idea of what to invest in when I get my own gear again. The 180/200-600mm lenses from most brands really seem worth it if you want a versatile wildlife lens, and the quality of the zoom lenses seems much better than a few years ago when I moved to all primes.

[@MarkDumbleton]

Thanks for watching Morkel. I would definitely advise the 180-600 / 200-600 type of lens for wildlife. The sharpness is good on these modern lenses. Rather then spend extra money you would have spent on a prime going to epic places!

[@Mr09260]

Totally agree Morkel

[@Mr09260]

Love my new 180-600 Z lens >> matches well with the 70-200

[@jakesdewet3567]

WE use to spend lots on lenses and not so much on Camera's, now things changed, the 180-600 is crazy good for a relative affordable lens compared to the old 200-400 f4 lenses but the new cameras cost 2-3 times what these lenses cost if you go high end. The Z8 with the 180-600 or the A1 Sony with 200-600 are both fantastic, Canon R6ii and R 3 with the 100-500. Technology has come a long way.

[@KobusTollig1]

Very informative thanks Mark. Looking forward to see some images from the trip on your Instagram Account!

[@MarkDumbleton]

Thanks Kobus! Haha yes, I must post to IG more 😂

[@stuartdavis798]

Great video. You made me feel better. I leave for Botswana in a couple of months. I have a Sony A6700 (APS-C) and A7IV (Full frame). I was thinking of putting the 200-600 on the A7IV (better camera) and a 35-150 F2.8 on the APS-C camera (makes it a 50-225 lens). I will also carry a 14-24 F2.8 for stars/ close-up action but am trying to limit lens changes. What do you think? Thanks!

[@JohannStrick]

Hi! Se are planing a trip to Africa Kenya, Tanzania Botswana Zimbabwe and South Africa. We are looking at Nikon Z6Iii and 180-600mm and one more Lenz Are we on the right track?

[@MarkDumbleton]

Thanks for the comment. Absolutely on the right track. Z6iii and 180-600 will be an amazing combo! I have the 24-120 f4 S lens which is a good wider lens as a second choice.

[@murilohenriquebedore84]

Hi, Mark! Great vídeo, thanks. My gear is: X-T5 Fujifilm, 150-600mm f5.6-8, 16-55 F2.8 and a 18mm F1.4. What do you think?

[@MarkDumbleton]

Hi Murilo, I think that’s very good set of gear. The longer lens with the XT5 will give you great reach and a very versatile zoom range. The 16-55 might be a touch short for mid range stuff, but I tend to always shoot with the long lens so I don’t think it’s an issue at all. 18 f1.4 will be great for stars, the 1.4 allowing in plenty of light. 18mm might make for tighter compositions but it will definitely work nicely.

[@BrendanHarington]

Love your channel bud. I’m shooting with a D500 and Nikon 200-500 and a Tamron 70-200 f/2.8. What bag are you using to carry all that kit?

[@MarkDumbleton]

Hey Brendan, Thank you so much! D500 with a 200-500 is a fantastic combo! I’m currently using an f-Stop Gear Tilopa bag, and I’ve had it for 9 years now and still going strong!

[@BrendanHarington]

Thanks, I’ll have a look!

[@stubones]

You should have included the R6 ii by default as a recommended Canon body. It has better AF and slightly better high ISO performance than the R5, both on par with the R3. Bang for buck it can't be matched. It also has the RAW burst mode with pre-shooting, which the R3 doesn't. Its not a "bridesmaid" body. In fact I'd probably choose it over the other two. The Canon RF 200-800 is a nice option, unless F/9 at the long end isn't acceptable...

[@MarkDumbleton]

Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll remember that for next time.

[@stubones]

@@MarkDumbletoncheers. Just binge watching your edit videos. Good stuff!

[@bornfree8487]

@@stubones Absolutely agree. I have the R6 mk2 after much research. Also good in low light and fast burst speeds 40fps

[@itempany]

Hello, I was thinking of taking a nikon 7200 connected to a nikon 80-400 with tele inverter if needed ...tc1.4e and a d3s with 24-70 f2.8...what are your thoughts?

[@MarkDumbleton]

That would work nicely. The tc1.4e may make the 80-400 quite slow, and for somewhere like Mashatu, I don’t think you’ll need that much zoom, unless you want tight shots or bird photos.

[@itempany]

Thanks for that. Last time I went to Kruger with 300mm f4 and got good photos but not quite enough reach. Will see how I go…. If sunny will try Tele or if overcast just use 80-400

[@MarkDumbleton]

That’s a great way to think regarding the amount of light. Definitely try the 1.4 if there is enough light.

[@GrizzlyLeatherOfficial]

What camera bag do you currently use? Would love to show you our new range of leather camera bags

[@MarkDumbleton]

Hi there, I use an Fstop Tilopa bag currently, excellent for the gear I use and the hiking/travel I do with my camera gear.

[@stripes_in_raw]

I thought you used Sony 😅 Anyway can you please let me know the video picture profile settings you use & the codecs. I usually shoot standard profile H.265. And do you find Active D-Lighting useful in video ? Thank You 🙏🏽

[@MarkDumbleton]

Hi Jeet, I would love to shoot Sony 😊 I use the flat picture profile with the least amount of sharpening. I don’t want to apply any contrast or saturation etc in camera, I prefer to do it when post processing the video. I shoot in MOV format on the Z6ii. I use the low Active D-Lighting just to make the video a bit less contrasts. I also apply a low amount of vignette control to the video.

[@stripes_in_raw]

@@MarkDumbleton Thank You 🙏🏽 I like the Nikon Z system more than the Sony specially as a previous D850 user, because of ergonomics, wildlife lens selection and value for money, autofocus seems equal on Z8. I own a Z8, & 400mm f4.5, 24-70 f4 & will add a 1.4Tc, 70-200 next, most likely used. Then i will add a 2nd body most likely a crop one.

[@MarkDumbleton]

That’s a great set of gear. I want that Z8, definitely lacking in AF capabilities with the Z6ii. I reckon early next you’re I’ll upgrade when I have some more cash saved.

[@d1m18]

Thank you but your video and your website gear list does not list the sand /bean bag you use for Photos when on safari in your car

[@MarkDumbleton]

Thanks for the comment. I just use a generic beanbag that fits over my car door. I’ll add a link on my website soon to something similar.

[@ropersnrbotes1711]

Mark, I have D850 and Z8 with Sigma 150-600 and 60-600 Sport and want to do more video, what is your setup capturing on camera videos?

[@MarkDumbleton]

Thanks for the comment. I use the Z8 and 180-600 for all my wildlife video stuff. Z8 is a video monster!

[@ropersnrbotes1711]

@@MarkDumbleton do you do any other external capture of video with tether or external video recorder for footage?

[@ropersnrbotes1711]

@@MarkDumbleton your videos is stunning

[@MarkDumbleton]

I shoot everything internally on the Z8. I try and keep my setup as simple as possible.

[@ropersnrbotes1711]

@@MarkDumbleton thanks for that, what is your split % between stills and video? I need to work on my work flow between still and video😁