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Inexpensive way to get more reach?
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I have booked a week in Kenya and Tanzania for Christmas on safari :) I currently have a Canon 400D with a Sigma 17 – 70 and a Canon 55 – 250. As much as the trip is probably a once in a lifetime experience I’m trying to do it on a budget and therefore don’t want to go and spend a fortune on a new lens that will probably never be used again. So I’m wondering if there are any inexpensive ways of being about to extend the reach of the 55 – 250, or if people have other creative options of getting the reach I will need for this trip.
Thanks,
Mel.bWow what a trip :).
A couple of options might be to buy something 2nd hand here on PI or ebay etc, use it for the week and sell it on again.
It might also be worth trying to rent ? Not sure of prices though…Thanks Mark – I’m so excited about the trip. It was a spur at the moment decision as it was on sale and I was able to use frequent flyer miles for the flights :)
Unfortunately a Canon 100 – 400 is out of my price range, even buying and selling it on afterwards…that lens is more expensive than my trip!
There are a couple of Sigma 100 – 300 (i think that is what they were) for sale currently on PI – this would give me a little bit more reach than I have currently…would it be enough?
I like the rental idea and have emailed Conn’s to get a quote. I think I’m going to get stung for a few extra days rentals if i go that route though as I land back in Dublin on the 1st Jan and shops won’t reopen until the 3rd :(
I would try rental, I am sure there are more than Conns that will rent, and if the shop is
closed then you cant return it …. its not your fault, I would haggle anyway worth a try!What a trip I envy you. The other possibility is a teleconverter, it will decrease the quality
a little and maybe just leaving as is and cropping will give you the same effect???Another option would be to hire a lens out there, there must be a market for it? Worth googling.
Thanks Jenny. A google search for camera lens rental in Ireland only came up with Conn’s, so if anyone knows of any other companies that would be great.
I really like your idea of renting in Nairobi. There are two shops that are mentioned, but I can’t seem to find any experiences with them. However I’ll send them an email and see what I get back.
cheers,
Mel.bJust got an email from Conn’s about renting the Canon 100 – 400. They will charge me 250euro for my dates, which is their one week rental rates, so that is ok I think, considering I will have it for a bit longer. They didn’t mention a deposit in their email but on the website it mentions a security deposit of 500 for lenses valued between 1000 – 2000euro.
Another option for 140 euro or so is to buy a mirror lens. Lots of reach with them, only down side is that you only have one aperture
Heres one for a Canon, 500mm that long enough?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/500mm-Mirror-Lens-Canon-Digital-EOS-7D-5D-50D-40D-/140609323547?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item20bcf8021b” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;Thanks Martin for the suggestion. I must admit I don’t know anything about mirror lenses. However I’d be concerned that it is only F8. From what I have been reading, a lot of the photography is in low light conditions in the mornings and evenings so being restricted to f8 could be an issue?
Yes only having F8 is a restriction (adjust your iso if need be), but the 100-400 at the long end is only a 5.6, only a stop faster… having the zoom is handy though…. but 250 euro is a bit steep from conns
If it was me id take your 55-250 (good reach with this) and buy the mirror lens for 140 euro or so for a bit of 500mm reach if need be.
Kenya & Tanzania tend to require longer lenses than say SA parks. I’ve been to the Mara and used a 500mm F4 for 90% of my stuff. If you can rent something bigger than 100-400, do, as IMO that’s not long enough especially if you don’t plan on returning again! Mirror lenses IMO are rubbish and your pics after will show that.
Mark,
I think Mel is looking for “creative options” and an “Inexpensive way to get more reach”. I think buying anything or renting anything larger than a 100-400 is going to be quite expensive especially if its a 500mm F4
I used to have a Mirror lens around 9 years ago before I bought the good lenses I have now. At the time I had a cheapo 28-70 and a 70-300ED lens. I used to shoot slide films and project them, I found the quality of the mirror lens not to bad, yes not near a 500mm F4 maybe but it did the job very well when I needed 500mm and I was happy with the pictures I took with it. The main brand Mirror lenses are not too bad, the weird brand version are possibly a bit rubbish as you said…
The 100-400 is a great lens and is one to think about as has been said, my friend used one on a trip we had to Alaska a few years ago shooting wildlife, some pics can be found here http://www.flickr.com/photos/madrarua/sets/72157608761041562/” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
I don’t know its up to Mel at the end of the day. I was just giving “creative options” and an “Inexpensive way to get more reach”
M
The most inexpensive way to get more reach that I can think of is walk towards your subject & hope it doesn’t run away. :lol: :lol: Another option (which may not be practical) would be to set up the camera on a tripod (pre-focused) and fire it remotely, but this wouldn’t allow much control over your shots or maybe look into a small telescope with a camera adapter. Sorry not much help, I know. :wink: Enjoy the trip anyway.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I need to do some research into mirror lenses. I’ve also emailed a couple of camera places and am waiting to see if I hear back from them. In the mean time I have found this lens on ebay. While it is not the digital version it sounds like it works fine with a dSLR and if not I believe you can get it converted?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200663759500&category=3323&_trksid=p5197.c0.m619″ onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks,
Mel
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