Safari lens dilemma

[Longexposure]

Hello everyone,

I am going to South Africa this summer for a safari.

This is what I plan to take from what I already own:

7DII + 100-400II
70D + 15-85
Fuji X100S
10-18

I am debating whether or not to add a 70-200 2.8 IS II to my bag. I am thinking about it because of the difference in aperture with my 100-400 which could be useful for early mornings and late evenings.

If decide on it, I will keep the 100-400 on my 7d, and put the 70-200 on my 70D. I will borrow a T5i from a family member for the wider lenses.

Do you think this is overkill or will I benefit significantly from the faster lens during the drives?

Thanks

A.

 

[Visarend]

Since you did not indicate where in South Africa you will be or what your focus is it is difficult to make any suggestions.
Kalahari, longer is better, but also short for landscapes.
Kruger NP, you might be fine.

 

[canon1dxman]

The Kruger Park itself or a nearby private concession? In the latter, I used the 100-400 II on a 7D II last year but often needed a shorter lens as you get extremely close to many of the larger animals. 16-35 F4 IS was invaluable for elephant groups. For birding, a 1.4x will help.
In the National Park itself, you may get close sightings too but often they are further away so longer is better.
Personally, I try to stick to one body and 2/3 lenses max as you will have others in the vehicles (unless you are self driving in the nat park) and it can get anti social with too much gear.

 

[sanj]

You would need it for low light situations only. Which will be 15 mins in the morning and 30 mins in the evening. See if it is worth it for you.
For me it would be.

 

[Chisox2335]

My experience

2014 two private reserves in South Africa one in Botswana

Setup in South Africa where there was tighter quarters and you got pretty close to most mammals
60d with the 15-85 (24-136mm effective) sometimes replaced by the Sony rx100 when jeeps were fuller
6d with tamron 70-200 f2.8
70d with the canon 100-400mki (160-640mm effective)

Most of my pictures of mammals were with the 6d combo, birds with the 70d some very close lions with the 60d and 15-85 and some landscapes

Setup in Botswana where it was much more open
70d with a rented 500mm mki (800mm effective)
6d with the 100-400mm
60d with the 15-85mm same as above with rx100

I used the 70d for leopards and lion cubs and birds
I used the 6d 100-400 for most other things (I also has a 24-70f4 I used in a photo hide)
60d for elephants and landscapes

Next safari
I'm going again in October again two in South Africa And one in Botswana. Two new ones in South Africa and same in Botswana. Mind you this time i have a 44 pound weight restriction.

Standard setup expected at all three
70d with my 500mm mkii
1dx2 with the 100-400mkii with and without the 1.4x mkiii TC
6d with the 24-70mm f4

I will likely not even bring my 70-200 due to weight restrictions but given the number of times f2.8 would make a difference at dusk and dawn I'd debate bringing it even with the weight restriction. The 1dx2 is so good even at higher ISO id likely go fore the more versatile zoom range than the wider aperture. Keep in mind animals are not static usually. To pinpoint the focus on the animal's eye while it's moving in low light at f2.8 is anything but easy. I usually stopped down to f4 anyways which then means it's a one stop difference between the 70-200 and 100-400

More time switching lenses means more time missing photos and more dust in your cameras.

My wife will be using the 60d with the 100-400mki and 15-85. She will likely leave the 100-400 on most of the time.

If you have no weight restriction at all there is no harm in bringing it though so why not have it? If you're debsting buying it for this sole purpose Id lean towards no.

I hope this helps

 

[Longexposure]

Since you did not indicate where in South Africa you will be or what your focus is it is difficult to make any suggestions.
Kalahari, longer is better, but also short for landscapes.
Kruger NP, you might be fine.

The Kruger Park itself or a nearby private concession? In the latter, I used the 100-400 II on a 7D II last year but often needed a shorter lens as you get extremely close to many of the larger animals. 16-35 F4 IS was invaluable for elephant groups. For birding, a 1.4x will help.
In the National Park itself, you may get close sightings too but often they are further away so longer is better.
Personally, I try to stick to one body and 2/3 lenses max as you will have others in the vehicles (unless you are self driving in the nat park) and it can get anti social with too much gear.

Thanks everyone for the responses. I will go to two private reserves, one of them having open "borders" with the Kruger NP, i.e. no fencing between the 2.



A.

 

[Longexposure]

Hello guys and thank you again for your advice and experience.
I have decided to take the plunge and order one in cape town at a great price.
I will tell you how it went and post pictures.

A.