One of the BIG questions going to Africa is, “What’s the longest Lens to Take?” Going there for the first time, I read all folks who had been there had to say on this topic. When I posted what gear I was taking to Africa, many shooters who have been there were telling me the 800mm was too much lens. Their logic was sound, at Mala Mala you are so close to the critters, you don’t need a long lens. Also, always shooting from a vehicle where the other folks are moving, shooting with a long lens is down right a pain in the ass. There is a saying I always embrace when it comes to wildlife photography. Take your biggest lens or you’ll come back short. And my first drive, I didn’t take the 800mm but soon discovered that was a huge mistake for me. I think the biggest factor though when it comes to the longest lens you should take is YOU!
This is a Pied Kingfisher that the majority of the time was on the same reeds right next to the Landie most of the week. A smallish bird, sparrow size, it’s a great kingfisher so I had to get the shot. It was physically close, the bottom shot is what you could get with a 200mm. That’s an impressive subject image size for a small bird with 200mm. The top image was taken with the 800mm with 1.25x attached. Yes, there is an image difference but more importantly, there is a “Moose” difference and that’s really the point. The “Moose” difference being the intimacy with the subject, the control of the background and of course, the story. I think that’s the biggest factor in the longest lens you take. Ya, you can go with just the 80-400VR3 and be PERFECTLY fine on safari. Especially if you take advantage of HSC which gives you 600mm with that lens. But your photographic comfort level is a huge factor in this decision as well. Traveling about, working with and shooting with a big lens on a tripod (being used as a monopod) in a bouncing vehicle, I saw is simply not what many photographers are use to. You’ve gotta keep it fun while you’re on safari and working a big lens for many, isn’t fun. But for me, if I hadn’t taken my 800mm, I would have come home short. I shot with the 800mm the majority of the time. So I think the moral of the story is, the length of lens you take is not dependent on the location but on you! The decision has to be based you, your abilities and the memories you want to bring back. While I missed some shots, I brought back more than I missed shooting with the 800mm.