travel photography

Shooting Big Game: Why the Nikon 200-500mm is a Safari Game Changer

Extending my photographic reach into a herd of elephant on the Tanzanian Serengeti.

Shooting Big Game on Safari: The Gear That Actually Works

I’m officially done trying to capture the majesty of the African wilderness with gear that isn't built for the job. To get those professional-grade shots, I’ve hit the reset button with a used setup from the experts at PROCAM Photo & Video Gear in Cincinnati, Ohio.

My new “big game” kit consists of a Nikon D7500 DSLR paired with the Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6 lens. If you want to elevate your wildlife photography, this is one way to do it.

The Body: Nikon D7500

While the D7500 has new tricks for this old dog to master, the transition from my old Nikon D70 (may it rest in peace!) was seamless. The D7500 a digital, reliable workhorse, but the real magic happens at the end of the mount.

The Difference Maker: Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 Lens

This lens is the ultimate "reach" tool for birds and elusive game.

  • Intuitive Handling: The rings are smooth for manual framing.

  • Speed & Stability: The quiet autofocus motor and Vibration Reduction (VR) technology are lifesavers when the vehicle is idling or animals are on the move.

  • The Reality Check: It’s heavy and slow. For long game drives, I highly recommend a filled camera beanbag to rest the lens on the vehicle's roof. Also, at f/5.6, it requires some ISO finesse during those golden hour low-light situations.

    I’d love to go faster and lighter, but that gets real expensive.

Serengeti, be warned: I’m armed, ready, and the results will speak for themselves.

Expand Your Wildlife Skills:

Special thanks to Les Riley for the photo!