I'm taking a photo safari in mid-June. I own an Aria with the 35-70 and the 80-200 zooms. Although on previous trips with lesser equipment I had nothing longer than 200mm and still got good wildlife shots, I am being advised to bring something longer. I will not likely be using this longer lens often after the safari.
My choices seem to be:
1) Buy a Mutar I or III, although some warn the Mutar I won't work on the zooms. If I'm limited to the III, don't I only gain from 200mm to 280mm and lose a stop (or more)?
2) Buy a 500mm f8 Mirotar. This is a huge jump in focal length and, reportedly, a focusing challenge. Hopefully I will have relatively motionless subjects and bright African sunlight, as well as a tripod or other solid support. I've found a very good price on this lens.
3) Buy a used Zeiss long tele lens - any suggestions? The pocketbook is not bottomless.
4) Buy a new or second hand non-Zeiss zoom or prime lens (horrors).
5) Just forget the whole thing and sneak up closer.
Any useful (and quick) suggestions will be very much appreciated! Thanks, Don Vogt
My choices seem to be:
1) Buy a Mutar I or III, although some warn the Mutar I won't work on the zooms. If I'm limited to the III, don't I only gain from 200mm to 280mm and lose a stop (or more)?
2) Buy a 500mm f8 Mirotar. This is a huge jump in focal length and, reportedly, a focusing challenge. Hopefully I will have relatively motionless subjects and bright African sunlight, as well as a tripod or other solid support. I've found a very good price on this lens.
3) Buy a used Zeiss long tele lens - any suggestions? The pocketbook is not bottomless.
4) Buy a new or second hand non-Zeiss zoom or prime lens (horrors).
5) Just forget the whole thing and sneak up closer.
Any useful (and quick) suggestions will be very much appreciated! Thanks, Don Vogt