View attachment 198696
Thank you for the nice comment on the photos. Hope this helps.
I did a presentation for a local photo club and this is the image I included to show my Africa setup. Half of the weight reduction came from eliminating the 200-400 (8lbs). IT was my favorite wildlife lens and one of the most versatile lenses on the planet when you consider it can be a 200-400 f4, 200-560 f5.6 w/flip of a switch, 400-800mm f8 with the 2x extnder and a 560-1120 with 1.4 engaged + the 2x (don't recommend unless you are desperate). As I looked at the new kit, I wanted to maintain as much of comparable body setup and the 24-800mm range with decent IQ even if I had to sacrifice some light sensitivity & boekah. In the end, I am at 24-700mm and gave up some light on various lenses. I am hoping that Canon will deliver some type of 500mm or 600mm f4 DO at some point and I will jump back into the big whites. I can rent if I have a trip where I want optimal IQ and not limited by weight restriction. I sold all my EF bodies and gear except the extenders. I would byy a RF 200-400/500 f4 in a heartbeat if they give it the EF III series weight loss program and reduce the weight to 6.5 lbs.
Here are the basic Changes (see picture below where I started:
Move to lighter bodies:
- 1dx II to R5 + grip (will be replaced by the R3 if specs hold)
- 1dx II battery charger - large and bulky, will probably have to add back with
- 5dIV to R5 Backup currently rented as needed, existing R5 will be the backup.
Move to lighter lenses
- EF 200-400 f4 to RF 100-500
- EF 100-400 Eliminated since I decided it was redundant. Can always rent a BW or other lens.
- EF 24-70 f2.8 L II to RF 24-105 f4 L IS
- EF 70-200 f2.8 L IS II to RF 70-200 f4 L IS (was not in the bag above)
- EF 1.4x III & 2x III TC to RF 1.4x TC
Eliminated items
- Binocs, 8x monocular adequate since I only have vision in one eye.
- Macro tubes
- Other junk that wasn't needed.
- R batteries and chargers are lighter.
- Mindshift 26L is lighter than the Gura Gear 32L
To summarize, the new bag will include:
R3 & R5 without the grip
RF 24-105 f4 L IS
RF 70-200 f4 L IS (which may be left at home for some other Telephoto or to save weight)
RF 100-500 f4.5-7.1 L IS*
RF 1.4x TC
RF-EF adaptor for emergencies, EF lenses are easier to find.
*If Canon releases a new 200-400/500 at 6-6.5lbs, the 100-500 will be left at home.
Note: I can't remember if some of the weight included the laptop, but I don't think it did. .