Yes, Tanzania is the destination of choice for 2010. We loved it there and I really want to go back again. We stayed in tented camps and were able to walk with the Maasai and interact with them. We saw the "big 5" and just had a very special time there. No internal flights either so the Bigma will go with us.
I don't now what the light is like in Zambia but the Tamron 28-300 had no problems in Tanzania - but then the light there was very good. From what I have read the 60-250 will be a heavy beast. I shall see what it costs and what it weighs before I make up my mind on it. Adding a TC to an F4 lens makes it nearly the same as the long end of the 55-300 anyway doesn't it (F5.? In which case I would go for the flexibility of the 55-300.

Do have some money over for a good long lens. The minimum you will need is 300 mm - the 50-300mm would be a good choice, the Bigma if you can carry it it maybe an even better choice, though it depends on how much you are likely to use it afterwards. I had my Tamron 28-300 as my only lens when I went to Tanzania. I had the Ds then and didn't want to be changing lenses in a dusty place - plus you don't want to be changing lenses when you spot wildlife - so a zoom is a better bet than a prime. I found the 300 was fine for most things, just the leopards and rhino needed a longer lens really. I'm hoping to go back in 2010 and will lug the Bigma then! Obviously if you have internal flights the Bigma poses a problem because of the weight limits. The same is true of bins. Heavy ones will be a pain to carry after a while, along with camera gear, and add to the weight problems if you are taking internal flights.

Pentax bins of course!

But seriously, I have I pair of Bresser Cobra 10x50s which I took on safari. They were perfect - even our driver-guide was impressed with them, and they were not at all expensive. They are the only pair of bins I have been able to use properly, others I end up using as a monocular.

Edit: If you are not likely to use them again then save the money, buy something like the Bressers and put the difference to a good long lens.

Where are you going?

I have one. I haven't had much chance to really try it out yet I'm afraid, real life keeps intervening, but I am happy with the results I have seen from it so far.

No but the above comment is rather prissy and more than a bit snide. If he had been just a member of the forum, or someone who just enters the competition without taking part in the forum would you have made the same comment?
His light hearted comment is perhaps in the wrong place, but inappropriate? Hardly. If you have no problem with Dan entering the competition why make such a point of him being a member of the PU team?

Most thing have already been said. The only thing I don't like so much about it is that his glasses cut through his eye. Inevitable with the angle I know, but I do think it is a shame.

Howard, I was referring to Gartmore's rather prissy attitude to Dan entering and daring to make a light hearted comment, not to your comment.

I don't see anything wrong in tnhe lighthearted comment, except it should have been placed here not in the comp gallery. And there is nothing in the rules that says Dan, or any on else from PU can't enter. There aren't many rules, and that is not one of them.
Does it really matter so much?
You are all turning a bit anal on this gallery/competition thing. I don't like the competition in the gallery because I forget to view it, and we get entries from people who are not active forum members were it is, but it's there, I accept that and see no reason to get get so upset about a joke made by someone, who just happens to be part of the PU team.
It is this prissy attitude and constant moaning about the new format which will drive me away I'm afraid.

: :

Where then? or has it been removed already?

Hi Will, welcome!

I'm not a fan of fish eyes, but I do like the first one. And I love the third one. The second one doesn't do anything for me I'm afraid.
Where in the US were you?