Safari trip for photo shooting, which system to go

I am leaving for an African Safari trip
Initially I planned to go with Nikon using D800, 16-35VR, 24-105OS, 150-600S, 150Macro and buy a D7200 or D500
However, I noted the weight of Sigma Sport can potentially compromise shooting and lack of 70-200f2.8 for portrait shooting also counts.

If I am bringing Canon, I will carry 5D3, 17-40, 24-105, 70-200/f2.8IS, 100-400L, 100macro and buy a 7DII. Besides I can also bring smaller bodies with Sony e mount/FE mount.

Any advise?

Hi Mark - are you hiring porters to help you carry all this gear? Just kidding, but seriously you don't want to be so weighted down with "stuff" that it actually gets in the way and interferes with the pleasure of "being there." This sounds like it will be a wonderful trip.

I have the 5D3, 17-40, 24-105 and 70-200. They are all great lenses for my use and travel. If Canon I would certainly go with your 100-400 for long range game shots; that's a done deal. The 24-105 will be your all around walk around lens for so much of everything else. I don't know why you would take the macro. You could take the 17-40 as a backup but unless your heavily into fine art and have a lot of time for that I'd say 50/50 on that choice. That 7DII will give you a different FOV and provide as a backup body, but certainly add more weight. Don't waste time and space with smaller bodies if you already will have two. That's my .02

Thank you very much...my worries too.

I lugged around a gripped D800 and Sigma 150-600sport and only too late to realise that the added weight of almost 6Kg is simply too much for me.

Mark K wrote in post #17922990
Thank you very much...my worries too.

I lugged around a gripped D800 and Sigma 150-600sport and only too late to realise that the added weight of almost 6Kg is simply too much for me.

You are very welcome . And if you are as old as I am the gear seems to double its weight by the end of the day.

Although I have never been on a safari I've always felt they are about subject "reach." Perhaps instead of buying that second body you may want to consider just taking the 5D3 and one of the smaller compacts you have? Obviously the lenses won't match but you will have a small, lightweight backup in the event of catastrophic failure.

If you go Canon, I'd skip the 70-200 and just bring the 100-400. Actually, you might consider buying a 7DMKII and a Tamron or Sigma C 150-600. They're lighter and give you a lot of added reach.

sapearl wrote in post #17922997
You are very welcome . And if you are as old as I am the gear seems to double its weight by the end of the day.

Although I have never been on a safari I've always felt they are about subject "reach." Perhaps instead of buying that second body you may want to consider just taking the 5D3 and one of the smaller compacts you have? Obviously the lenses won't match but you will have a small, lightweight backup in the event of catastrophic failure.

I was there 12 years ago with three film bodies and a longest lens 70-200f2.8. Honestly I could barely get the reach I need.

Mark K wrote in post #17923112
I was there 12 years ago with three film bodies and a longest lens 70-200f2.8. Honestly I could barely get the reach I need.

Well then I'd say your own experience is your best and friendliest guide; better than any of my speculative wisdom

Mark K wrote in post #17922978
I am leaving for an African Safari trip
Initially I planned to go with Nikon using D800, 16-35VR, 24-105OS, 150-600S, 150Macro and buy a D7200 or D500
However, I noted the weight of Sigma Sport can potentially compromise shooting and lack of 70-200f2.8 for portrait shooting also counts.

If I am bringing Canon, I will carry 5D3, 17-40, 24-105, 70-200/f2.8IS, 100-400L, 100macro and buy a 7DII. Besides I can also bring smaller bodies with Sony e mount/FE mount.

Any advise?

5D3 + 100-400 and take a smaller body with a wider angle setup. Done.

Or, take your 5D3 + 150-600 and a mono pod, and again, take a smaller body with wider angle.

If weight is the issue, just take the most versatile system you can.

A 70-200 normally would do it, but massive crops would ensue.

I'd take the 150-600 and a monopod.

Very best,

RikWriter wrote in post #17923059
If you go Canon, I'd skip the 70-200 and just bring the 100-400. Actually, you might consider buying a 7DMKII and a Tamron or Sigma C 150-600. They're lighter and give you a lot of added reach.

I agree. While I have not been on an African safari, I have done numerous wildlife + landscape outings at Yellowstone, Glacier N.P. and in Alaska. My kit currently consists of a 5D3, 7D2, 16-35 f/4 IS, 24-105L and 100-400L II, plus 1.4X tc. The 100-400 stays permanently mounted on the 7D2, while the 5D3 gets the 16-35 and 24-105. With the improved high ISO performance of these newer bodies, I can usually get by with increasing the ISO on the 100-400 instead of trying to lug around another heavy 70-200 f/2.8 telephoto.

All of this fits in a backpack that I can put underneath an airline seat if necessary.

We have been to East Africa multiple times. Reach is king there. A full frame with 100-400 will barely get some of the shots. The combination 7DII and 100-400 would be great. For other subjects a 24-105 worked for us o the full frame. Enjoy.

thanks for the great advice. A FF body with 24-105 plus a cropped mode with 100-400 will be the best for all.