SANParks.org Forums

Great stuff. I've yet to come across someone who was happy switching from Nikon to Canon, but not vice versa

I read this topic since I recently switched over to DSLR and am in the learning curve. Thus enjoying the upgrading experience. On the one hand I can understand the challenges and satifcation wrt upgrading. But those photos are already so beautiful, capturing the exterior of the objects. .. and then I thought, may be an upgrade will end up in the 'dark side'.... What more can be captured.... the "inside" of the object?

Congrats Morkel, made the switch myself about 6 months ago and slowly building up the gear (haven't had coffee with the bank manager for a while - maybe I should ), but all in all very happy.

Gear at present:

Nikon D7000
Nikon 24-120 f4
Sigma 120-300 f2.8 EX OS
Sigma 1.4x EX
Sigma 10-20 EX

Just purchased the 120-300 OS last weekend and VERY impressed!

Nice, I heard great things about that lens...

As a sidenote, just returned from Kruger and the 500mm was mostly "welded" onto the D3s, used it with the TC a few times, but most of the time it was enough. The D7000 was "welded" to the 70-200mm and it worked very well for shots where the sightings were closer. The 120-300mm on the D7000 should be an excellent option all-round for Kruger.

On other occasions to get more reach I slapped the 500mm with TC on the D7000 and it worked well, but it puts your technique to the test, as you effectively need to keep a 1050mm focal length steady. I had to switch the car off when using it this way, but got some sharp results most of the time.

Now I need to plan my next KTP trip so I can see how they perform there - I think the 1.4x TC will be stuck to the 500mm there...

Thx Morkel - and glad to hear you're enjoying the Nikon kit as well. I have my eye on the D3s and 500/600 f4 VR as well.

I will be thoroughly testing the D7000 and Sigma 120-300 f2.8 OS next week in Mashatu (8-13 Sept) and then a week in Mfolozi and 2 weeks Kruger in November, so it will definitely earn it's keep!

I don't have a camera yet so i just use my ipod touch and binoculars.
works pretty well .

welcome to the forum NickHall
glad to see you are happy with a Ipod
first going to the park... then...

No i've been goin to the park since my life.
but I'm thinking of saving up for a Canon EOS 500D with a 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens. Unless thats not a good choice.

it's a good choice... I have a Canon 500D
try to have a xxx(maybe75)-300mm or 100-400mm

in the "short" distance there is a 18-24/200mm

Welcome to the forums!


You'll see a HUGE difference in quality of photos!

The 18-55 is good for landscapes, the 55-200 is a bit short for Kruger. Well, for most parks.
You want at least 300 mm, and that will keep you wanting. My 100-400 is a push-pull lens, and I have wanted to pull it way further than it can go.

I understand budget is a problem, so get the 500D with the 18-55, that is a good set which you can use outside the parks too. But then do not buy the 55-200, but rather save up for the Sigma 150-500. And if you go into a park when you don't have that yet borrow or hire one.

Super thanks for all the help
can't wait to start getting into photography .

It'll make huge dents in your wallet......

It is one of the most expensive hobbies but also can be one of the most satisfying. Im still surprised at how those pics using ipod touch and binoculars came out and about those lenses:



I couldn't agree with you more Maybe skip on the 55-200 and save up a bit more for a lens with at least capable of 300mm zoom. The extra cost will be worth it!

However, one thing to take into consideration is how often you will use a big lens like a 150-500 compared to a shorter lens like a 55-200. You may find that the number of times you use the bigger lens does not justify it's cost- I'm talking about using your camera throughout the year, not just trips to the bush. If this is so then go for the 55-200 and borrow or rent a big lens for trips to the bush.

Even with a 170-500 I'm still left wanting on occasion.

All the best!!

Camera:
Canon 600D

Lens:
Canon 18-55mm lens
Canon 55-250mm lens
Sigma 150-500mm lens

UV filter.

monopod, tripod and beanbag.

1x 16GB Sandisk card

And two Lowepro Bags - a small one and the Compu Day pack!

LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY

Camera:
Canon EOS 60D

Lenses:
Canon 17-55mm f2.8
Canon 100-400mm

Next on wish list
Canon 10-22mm
Canon 400mm f5.6