I'm considering my equipment options for a Tanzanian photo safari in February of 2010 and would like opinions from photo enthusiasts here. I shoot with a Canon 40D body and my current lens collection includes 100-400 4.5 IS, 70-200 2.8 IS and 24-105 4.0 IS. I plan to take 2 camera bodies on safari along with both the 100-400 and the 70-200. For shorter lens options I have my current 24-105, or I have an opportunity to purchase the 24-70 2.8 which I know is a good lens, but it is non-IS. My questions are: Will I miss the IS on safari? Is 2.8 preferable to the 4.0 of my current lens? Are there other options I should be considering on the short end?

Thanks in advance for any advice you experts can offer!

Deborah

Deborah,
asking people to choose between at 24-70 and 24-105 is a little like asking whether you prefer Pepsi or Coke, but I will try to give you my reasoning behind the 24-105 as the better choice.
On safari, you won't be taking many wildlife shots with either of these lenses -- they are just too short. so you are really bringing them for landscapes and shots around camps. so your subjects won't be moving to any great degree. under those circumstances, the IS works to offset the advantage of the faster lens. Moreover, when shooting a landscape, you want to stop down to f/8 or so to get the depth of field the way you want it, so again what is the point of having f/2.8? To me a faster lens is needed when you need to maintain high shutter speed in low light, but that is not something you likely need from a wider-angle lens on safari. So I vote for the 24-105.

Chris

Is your 40D a full frame sensor? I am going through the same exact issue with my 30D and which lens to bring with me. I asked a professional photographer and his advice was that because its a 1.3x lens conversion with my 30D - for instance my 85mm prime is really like 115mm. Your 24-70mm will maybe be 45-95mm after the conversion. The photographer also said, "If you're not accustomed to carrying a lot of weight or budget is an issue then you might want to go with the 24-105mm. That is a slower lens and in lower light situations might not be able to get the same shots the 24-70mm will get. If weight and budget are no limit then I would recommend the 24-70 as that will outlast your current camera body. It's a really sharp lens, its fast and its great for a variety of subjects. I have a friend that just went through this buying decision and he got the 24-70 and he's been very happy with it." ...hope it helps you as it did me!

kto33,
Whichever Pro that was who told you that...needs to be dumped asap. 30D and 40D both have a 1.6x conversion factor. You will get a 136mm FOV (Field of view) from an 85 mm lens mounted on either. It does not increase your focal length per say...but helps you get closer than if the lens mounted on a FF body like a 5D. With a 5D you will have to crop the image significantly to get the FoV/composition of a 40D or 30D, hence these cameras are preferred for wildlife which is usually far away...and less cropping is required on those cameras due to the in-built crop factor.

DJD, if I were you, I would just take a 30 or 35 or 50 mm prime to compliment the 70-200 and 100-400. That's what I will do (mostly take the 30mm for general stuff). I am planning to travel light(cabin bag only).

Deborah, I think you have chosen some greatlenses to take with you. So I will touch on the 24-70. This is an outstanding and very expensive lens. If you buy this lens, buy it because you want it for more than just the safari. In my experience, you will not be using it or the 24-105 very much, certainly not from a vehicle. Your 100-400 and 70-200 will be your friends.

Mike

Thanks for the replies. You all offer some interesting insights! I will confirm KennyK's statement that the 40D and 30D (I've used both) both have a 1.6x conversion factor. I believe Canon does have a camera body with 1.3x conversion factor, but I don't remember which model that is. Definitely not the 10D thru 50D line though.

You all offer some interesting points for me to consider. I'm not a big fan of prime lenses, they just don't work for my shooting style. I still like the idea of adding the 24-70 2.8 to my kit for other reasons, but it is heavy! The 24-105 is a great lens. And, as Chris pointed out, 2.8 doesn't work well for landscapes anyway. Maybe I'll stick with that one for safari to save weight.

Thanks again for the info, I appreciate the help!

Deborah

The 30D a 40D do both have 1.6 conversion. The cameras that have 1.3 conversion is the Mark III 1D or the Mark II 1D.

The 24-70 is heavy but it is great!

Mike

My recommendation?

Bring a second camera, and do a setup like this:

Camera 1 + 100-400mm
Camera 2 + 24-105mm (for animalscapes. Tons of opportunties!)

And have your 70-200mm available, if you want to take it, for lower light situations, as well as a backup.

Thanks everyone. After thinking it over and reading these excellent responses, I guess I'm just looking for an excuse to buy the 24-70 2.8, which I want anyway! But it sounds like I'm better off staying with what I have for this trip. I'll have to find another way to justify the purchase of the 24-70!

Deborah

Um... sorry I am late to the party, but... aren't you forgetting something?

To me, it seems really, and I mean REALLY awkward that you will not bring a decent wide angle lens. I mean; if it were Botswana, I'd say: OK, as it is a rather flat, monotonous landscape compared to most other safari destinations (although you could still capture dramatic skies). But... you are going to Tanzania. The escarpment, Ngorongoro Crater, etc... without wide angle??

If I were you I'd get an EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM for that 40D, or a 17-40 IS L with a 5D (or with 5D MkII).

Ciao,

J.

I agree with J. Although I've nothing to add about Canon lenses per se, you don't have wide angle. The 24 end of the 24-105 is not that wide on the 40D. You will not use the wide angle very much, but you will want it on occasion.

regards - tom

Folks, Andy Biggs has spoken...listen to him Deborah. That's a Pro who has visited Africa more than any of us here...he is telling you, forget that 24-70 and extreme wide angle !!

You already have what is required for the trip. The 40D does have good high ISO capabilities...I use it at ISO 1600 regularly (daytime) when required, so your 25-105 won't miss that extra stop at f/4 if you do need faster SS's.

Don't buy anything else...you are set ! Close the thread

KennyK,

I appreciate your latest input and I agree completely! In fact, my trip to Tanzania is with one of Andy's groups! Lucky me!!

However, J and Tom do have a point about the wide angle . . . maybe I'll throw in the 16-35 'just in case'. Afterall, although it's not exactly small, it is the smallest of the lenses we're talking about!

Thanks again for the input from everyone.

Deborah

A 16-35mm is great for random grab shots, like shots in the vehicles, tents / rooms and any other images where you just need to include more, not less.