Traveling light

[fennerat]

I am pretty new to photography. So, I haven't spent much time with all the cool gear. I am also a minimalist, too much time having to carry my life on my back. I am currently planning a trip to Africa to take pictures. I am trying to reduce the amount I carry while still being able to get the shots I want. Right now I have a Canon Rebel EOS XSI with a Tamron 18-270mm attached. I have a Joby tripod which I love and a few other essentials like extra memory cards and batteries, and some cleaning supplies.
Are there any recommendations from people on how I can keep my load light but still be able to take a variety of photos and just make the most out of a few good items? Also, if there is anyone with any general travel tips or cool places to hit in Uganda (Where I will be.) that would be appreciated.
Thanks for all your help.

[Nicole]

I am currently planning a trip to Africa to take pictures.

If it's a once in a lifetime sort of trip, I'd go with something that really is going to get you the photos you want since you don't want to get back totally disappointed with your photos. But you didn't mention a budget.

I am trying to reduce the amount I carry while still being able to get the shots I want.

It might help if you specified the kind of shots that you actually want to get. Are you traveling there to photograph animals (e.g. safari), people, landscapes, buildings? Without knowing that, it's a bit difficult to make recommendations. For example, my parents went to Africa for a photo safari thing, and my mom got a 200-500mm lens. She was very glad she did because it let her get much closer up shots of the animals and even then a lot were still kind of far away in the end shots. But if you're going there and you have no desire to photograph animals, a lens recommendation like this won't help in the least

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by Nicole

For example, my parents went to Africa for a photo safari thing, and my mom got a 200-500mm lens.

I'm just wondering is it the Sigma 200-500 f/2.8?

[Nicole]

No, it was the Tamron 200-500mm f/5-6.3. I don't think she had any desire to spend nearly $30k

[fennerat]

Nicole,
I'll be photography people and landscapes. I have a tendency to take pictures of everything. But I really do like to focus on people. I'm going to be there for about 2 months and budget is important but I do have a little money to spend. But I do hate spending a serious amount of money on lenses.
Thank you.
Adam

[OsmosisStudios]

For people, really, a 35 or 50mm prime will be perfect. The big thing with africa is the amazing collection of creatures. That usually means some pretty crazy focal lengths and, often, some pretty large apertures.

I know there's a Nikon 600/4 on eBay right now for just over $9k, but you're a canonite.

[fennerat]

Only $9K huh. that isn't bad. Thanks, everyone has been telling me about the animals. I'm more of a people shooter but I don't want to be disappointed with a lost chance of getting a beautiful wildlife shot.

[inkista]

Small fast prime for the people shots (50/1.8, or 35/2 are your most likely suspects, unless you prefer hanging back around the edges of a crowd, in which case, 85/1.8). Keep your 18-270 as your primary lens, and then consider renting (insured) a 100-400L or Sigma 50-500 if you're going on safari. Superteles are big and heavy and the very antithesis of your wanting to "go light". But as everybody's saying you probably want a supertele to catch the wildlife. Anything longer than the 100-400L, and you're probably going to need a real tripod (or at least a monopod) and probably a Wimberly head and someone to help you haul all the gear. The gorillapod ain't gonna cut it with the 100-400L on the body.

[Nicole]

Yep, I'd agree with what's been suggested. A 50mm, a 35mm, or an 85mm in addition to your lens would be a good addition. And like inkista suggested, you could rent a lens, but that might be super cost-prohibitive if you're going for 2 months.

[fennerat]

Yeah, I would love to rent a lens but there is no place to rent a lens in Las Vegas. Oh, well. I appreciate everything.