Accesories needed.

Hey guys

Ok so I got my Canon Rebel with the supplies lens 18-55mm IS about a week ago and can use the camera pretty well.

Anyway Im going off to the Kruger park in about a week...what else would I need to take some nice photo's?

I got a camera bag and 8GB worth of space (can hold apparently another 1500 shots) so im sure that will be enough?

I will need a lens with more zoom....what would you guys suggest?

And to take pics at night? Not possible? any suggestions? (cant use a tripod , goin on a "game drive")

Thx

Well, I guess that all depends on your budget. Tamron just came out with a 70-300mm zoom for about $400 that's getting rave reviews. Canon also just released an "L" version of their 70-300mm. That one's a tad more expensive. Both are image stabilized (Tamron calls it Vibration Compensation). It all depends on what you're going to shoot, and how much $$$ you have.

As for other accessories, I can't live without my circular polarizer when shooting outdoors during the day. If you're shooting at night, I'd throw a 50mm f/1.8 in the bag at least.

If you go to the Wildlife forum and search on "Kruger", you'll find quite a few threads. You might want to search through those to get an idea of lenses used, etc. You may even PM some of the posters and ask for suggestions if you don't get the responses you need here.

Accessories:

1. Lens hood - a lens hood is absolutely essential for shooting out of doors, especially in bright sun. The Canon OEM lens hood is quite expensive but there are Chinese knock-off lens sold hoods on eBay for a fraction of the cost of a Canon hood. These Chinese hoods are just fine. I use one with my $1000+ 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens and have absolutely no complaints about the way it is constructed or its use. You will look for a lens hood to fit your specific 18-55mm lens. Here is an example from eBay USA:
http://cgi.ebay.com …ories&hash=item​1e61b87ffb

Polarizing filter: The Circular Polarizing Filter CPL is a great addition to any camera kit. The CPL screws into the front threads of a lens and you rotate the front element of the filter to darken skies, reduce reflections and generally upgrade an image. It is the one filter the results of which cannot be duplicated in post processing. Get the best multi coated filter you can afford. Filters are sold by lens diameter size; which doesn't correlate to focal length. You will need a 58mm size filter for either your 18-55mm lens or a 55-250mm lens if you choose to purchase one. If you choose the below described Tamron 70-300mm lens, you will need a 62mm filter. You can get a 62mm filter and a reduction ring which will allow that filter to also fit on your 18-55mm lens.

Bean bag: A bean bag is exactly what it says: a bag filled with beans or rice. This is often used on safari vehicles a rest for a long lens to provide a steady sharp image. You can buy one commercially made, fabricate one from a portion of a trouser leg filled with rice or beans and sewn shut or even from an old boot sock (no holes in the toe please) filled with beans or rice and knotted at the top. Simply place the bean bag on the surface you are shooting from and rest the lens on the bag.

Rain/dust cover. OPTECH USA distributes a Rainsleeve which is an inexpensive cover for a camera which protects it from rain or dust. As an alternate protector, you can tape a plastic trash bag over the camera. It is always good to carry a protector like this with you at all times.

Hot shoe flash: This can be used at night or in low light levels or even in the bright sun to provide both fill light and to produce catch lights in the animal's eyes.

Lenses: The longer the better! Canon distributes a 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens which is the least expensive longer lens out there with decent image quality and IS. IS is Canon's Image Stabilization which optically reduces camera shake and is great for telephoto lenses. This lens is also called the 55-250mm "kit lens" because it is often sold as part of the rebel kit.

Tamron distributes a slightly more expensive lens which is getting rave reviews. Tamron uses an alphabet-soup designator for this lens : Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD
Here is an Amazon.com listing:http://www.amazon.com …-Cameras/dp/B003YH9DZ4T​he 70-300mm is longer than the 55-250mm AND MIGHT JUST HAVE A BIT BETTER IMAGE QUALITY. However, I have not used either of these two lenses.

Thanks for the Reply Crowe , some great advice!

I will get the stuff soon , Im not going to get everything at once as Ill be going there more than once , soo Ill eventually get most of the stuff you listed!

thanks again guys