Camera Labs

I am just learning how to use my Canon EOS T3i. I have always used a point and shoot. I am going on a safari in July and would like to take only one lens due to dust so any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Hi Debby, and welcome to Camera Labs

Congrats on going on a Safari... it should be an unforgettable experience!

Before we can make you some suggestions, we'd need to have an idea of what your ideal budget would be, as there are a lot of options out there at many different price points

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I am willing to spend up to $500 or $600.

For a safari you are definitely going to want something with a long reach. Available within that price range is is the Canon 70-300mm IS USM which is meant to be a pretty good lens. Another alternative would be to rent a lens. Something like the Canon 100-400mm could be rented for a week for a lot less than the price of buying a lens and would be a lot better. That lens is the ultimate wildlife lens.

Hope this helps,

James

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

Id like to add the Tamron 70-300 VC also, it's like tobe a great lens too.

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

+1.

Not as expensive as the Canon version but newer, sharper and with a better image stabilizer.


But even more important: I don't know how much you know about photography, but try to learn how to use your camera before going on the safari. Very important: exposure compensation, shutter speed (+focal length), ISO, aperture... http://www.dslrtips.com/

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

I don't know a lot about photography at all and have definitely been trying to learn. Thanks for your input.

I would take 70-300 L, it is way over budget but it is dustproof lens.

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I'm new to DSLR's, so please be patient and take my opinions with reserve. Thank you : ) Yes, i am Canon man.
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Canon 60D + 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS, Canon 70-200 F2.8L IS II, Canon 430EXII, polarizing filter 72mm,
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