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Common tern (Sterna hirundo) with a bit of seaweed after a dive. The nictitating membrane is still in front of it’s eye. Taken on the dutch island Terschelling.

The tern was hovering and diving for several minutes on the same spot. Unfortunately a gull was trying to steal it’s catch and it flew away.

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R5 Mk II with RF 200-800mm
 
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I dropped it twice during the birding tour. It fell from the seat onto the floor of the vehicle as we were hitting some really bad potholes. I always retract the lens and tighten the lens collar when I'm not using it, so it suffered no damage.
You are getting great shots with it. I love the lens for birding.. Do you take a back-up lens for these safaris?
 
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You are getting great shots with it. I love the lens for birding.. Do you take a back-up lens for these safaris?
I usually travel with the R5 and R5MkII bodies and the 100-500mm and 200-800mm lenses. If the subject is large and close I'll use the R5+100-500 for the best resolution. If not, I'll use the R5MkII+200-800 for the extended reach. I have the R7 as well, but have found that atmospheric effects usually limit the utility of that body (it tempts me to photograph targets that are too far away to get a reasonably decent image).
 
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I usually travel with the R5 and R5MkII bodies and the 100-500mm and 200-800mm lenses. If the subject is large and close I'll use the R5+100-500 for the best resolution. If not, I'll use the R5MkII+200-800 for the extended reach. I have the R7 as well, but have found that atmospheric effects usually limit the utility of that body (it tempts me to photograph targets that are too far away to get a reasonably decent image).
I find the the 200-800 works significantly better on the R5ii for AF than on the R5 but the 100-500 is great with both. TBH, my 200-800 is as sharp as my 100-500 at 500mm, but I find the 100-500 much easier to hand hold. I would do exactly the same as you on safari. The 100-500 is very good with the 2x TC. I must remember to retract the 200-800 when not in use.
 
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Lilac-breasted Roller seen while birding in Tanzania, August, 2025.

R5MkII, RF100-500mm

View attachment 225855


Beautiful shot. Well done, Norman.
Common tern (Sterna hirundo) with a bit of seaweed after a dive. The nictitating membrane is still in front of it’s eye. Taken on the dutch island Terschelling.

The tern was hovering and diving for several minutes on the same spot. Unfortunately a gull was trying to steal it’s catch and it flew away.

View attachment 225861

R5 Mk II with RF 200-800mm


Very nice shot, Pieter.
 
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