In a quandary about long lens for safari

[JNT]

Off to the Serengeti next month, and from what ive read the longest lens cant be long enough. Happy to get the 100-400 (unfortunately no rental possibilities in India, where i live), but mindful of the fact that I'll have little use for it after this trip. Any thoughts/suggestions/advice would be welcome.

[CDBC]

I would buy the longest, fastest, used lens you can find.

 

But would probably do the same if purchasing one I planned on keeping.

[JNT]

That would gave been ideal CDBC, unfortunately Fuji is relatively unknown in India and there is no market for used lenses - specially expensive ones.

[drandyperry]

50-140 plus 2x tc? I used this combo for Le mans this year and worked really well. Also maybe more likely to use the 50-140 afterwards?

 

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[CDBC]

Makes a lot of sense, that's the next one on my list; I particularly like the fixed, fast f2.8 maximum aperture.

[JNT]

thanks drandyperry and SDBC, I've seriously considered this combination but had 2 concerns based on what i've read;

 

a) the 50-140 is very noisy when focusing

there is some drop off in IQ at the long end, which is where most of the shots are likely to be

 

pity the 2x doesn't adapt to the 55-200....that would be a great combination for the occasional shoot 

[JNT]

For what its's worth, I've decided on the 55-200 for my safari. I know it's not the longest or the best, but I really don't see myself using either the 50-140 or the 100-400 much after the trip, and can't justify the expense. Thanks for all the suggestions.