Which telephoto to take for Namibia

[kirispupis]

We'll be traveling to Namibia in July of next year, and I'm already planning which lenses to take. I have the wide angle lenses pretty much taken care of, but I'm still wondering which telephoto.

This year we travelled to South Africa and Botswana. The safari part was all private safaris and a 200-400/1.4x on a 1Dx2 worked great. However, I'm wondering for Namibia whether a 600/4 is a better choice because we probably won't be able to off road to get close to the subjects.

We'll be traveling to the following camps (in addition to Quiver trees, Swakopmund, Luderitz, etc)
Mowani Mountain Camp
Ongava Lodge
Mushara Bush Camp
Cheetah View Lodge

Those who have photographed here, do you recommend a 600 (with probably a 70-200 on a crop body) or should I take the 200-400/1.4x again?

 

[edoorn]

A 100-400 combined with the 600 might be an option too?

 

[Sianin]

I have not been to exactly those camps but been to Etocha park two times and going my third time sepember next year.

Last time i went I had the 100-400 mk2 on a crop camera and most my pictures are in the 200-400mm range, very few shots that would have benefitted from a longer reach. I would assume that the 600mm would in most cases be to long, but that is for me. I have also been with just a EF-S 18-135mm stm lens and that worked fine but it was to short at times.

From my experience inside the park there are not that meny open areas where you need so long reach, most of the time the animals are quite close, and if you do happen to see some animals on that kind of distance where the 400mm is to short then well you will surly find other opportunities that are closer to you.

 

[Jeffrey]

400mm is plenty of focal length for Namibia. A majority of my images were taken using the 70-200mm and a 200-400mm lens. Remember, for most Africa trips there is a weight limit for the one bag you will be taking. The less gear you take, the better.

 

[edoorn]

So many options... a 70-200 with 200-400 is great; I use a 100-400 II with 500 II personally which is enough (with converter for sure)

A 600 could be great but maybe more for birders?

 

[James Larsen]

I'd personally go with the 70-200 on crop body with the 600.

 

[Hector1970]

Seeing that you have alot of gear already maybe you need something different.
You could get the Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 for the low light shots.
It has great reviews on Amazon.