Zoom for Safari + Mahale

Hello. Looking for some input on my lens prioritization for Tanzania trip.

This fall my wife and I are going on a safari to Tanzania, with a visit to Mahale for chimp watching. I'm trying to decide what lenses to bring, with priorities being; light weight, not too expensive, versatile. One thing to consider is that the local, rubber band engine flight to mahale has a limit of one 15 kg bag per person (edit: yes, 33 lb/person). So we need to fit all our stuff into two carry-on size bags! (i.e no 400 f/2.8:p)

We'll be doing the usual 8 day game drive in Serengetti, Ngorogoro etc, then 4 days in Mahale hiking in the jungle looking for chimps. From what I can tell the jungle is very dark. Now, I know the conversation usually goes like this:
"safari..."
"100-400L!"

But due to the size and weight limitations, and the dark jungle, I'm leaning towards getting a 70-200 f/2.8, perhaps paired with a 1.4x or even 2x extender. I consider the mahale part a once-in-a-lifetime trip (costing much more than the 8 day safari..), and worth prioritizing over the game drive. I know I'll miss out on some 300mm+ shots. But since I'm an mere amateur I could see much better lion pictures in flicker right now than I could ever take anyway. So why bother, right? Take some snaps, enjoy the view, and rather look for some good shots of primates.. (?) The sigma 70-200 2.8 is also a bit cheaper than the 100-400, and more useful to me after the trip too.

Wrong priorities? Will I forever kick myself for not getting the 100-400 instead? Anyone been to mahale (or Gombe)? Will it be hopeless to getting pictures there, and I should focus on the game drive instead?

My first safari, so any input appreciated!!
thanks!

ps: Our proposed poor-man's/lightweight gear:
wife: 60D + sigma 18-250 OS
me: 7D +17-50 2.8 + sigma 70-200 2.8 OS

how about a rental? perhaps 300mm f/2.8 with 1.4 or 2x TC? IMHO 200mm will be not long enough and 100-400 bit slow. Simga 150-500 also might be soemthing to consider?

That's about 33 lbs per person. For a once in a lifetime trip I would bring the best I could manage. The earlier suggestion of renting a 300/2.8 with 1x and 2x teleconverters sounds excellent.

I'm a bit hesitant about primes as I'm limited in the number of lenses I can bring, and buy. And the chimps can move around a bit so the versatility of 70-200 is a plus.

ObiDamnKenobi wrote in post #15545094
I'm a bit hesitant about primes as I'm limited in the number of lenses I can bring, and buy. And the chimps can move around a bit so the versatility of 70-200 is a plus.

buy and bring a used 70-200 2.8 and a used 100-400 and then sell one or both when you get back

perhaps the 70-200 2.8 II could let you get away with 2x TC????????

When I went to Tanzania I had two bodies, one with 17-50 2.8 or 70-200 2.8 and another with 300 2.8 with TCs.

brings tons of CF cards, extra batteries, charger adpaters, etc. second body is nice if one breaks (nowhere but nowhere but nowhere to buy another during the trip)

sometimes stuff comes in very close but lots of times it is very far in ngorongoro and serengeti and you can't drive off-road

for the chimps i bet f/2.8 would help a lot, interior forest shooting is tricky

If size and weight are a concern, look at the Canon 70-300mm L lens.
http://www.canonrumors​.com …70-300-f4-5-6l-is-review/

^This review is a good one - he took the lens to Africa, so you may find some good advice in regards to the type of use you would have of it on your Safari. I could talk about this lens for paragraphs, but this review sums it up really, really well. I reccomend giving it a read

Hi,
I was in Tanzania back in 2010, in January, and first think I can tell you is - it will be dusty and bumpy.
At the time I had a crop frame too, and 200mm with a 1.4x was.. about enough, but made me wish I had a bit more at the crater. Sometimes you might get very close, and often because the drivers have to stay on the road/path, there will be no way to get closer.
The Canon 10-22 was able to handle the imense landscape, and my 80-200mm 2.8L got close enough 90% of the time.
It's bright, and you 4x4 will stop for your shots, but changing lenses it's challenging, and you will get dust inside the camera and everywhere, no matter what.
Seems that you will be ok for landscapes, but might come short in reach. The 100-400 could be a good option, but consider having a sleeve, and keep the camera well protected from dust while travelling.
Usefull too, will be a good P&S for short casual shots, dinner time, and where the DSLR will bring too much attention - like you will not anyway - often WP are mistaken by ATM's with legs
As far as weight limits/luggage, keep in mind that no one really cares what you are wearing - so pack smart and confortably, and keep the camera gear with you at all time. I had a larger plane flying to Zanzibar, so my carry-on, was never an issue - it might be the same in your case, as long as your luggage weight is not over the limits.

ok, taking too much space already, but if you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Check TripAdvisor forum for Tanzania - you will find usefull tips about everything else there too.

Good luck, and have fun - it's so beautifull there

On my Tanzania trip I was a little over weight with a bag for clothes & camera bag. 7D with battery grip, 100-400, 10-22, 24-70. battery charger, & a couple of filters, Monopod, laptop, Portable hard drive, Power strip. We did get the luggage weighed at Arusha for the bush flight but they let it go with no questions.
You can save a lot of weight by geting the right clothing (lightweight, easy wash/dry) I had enough to go for four days before needing laundry and had no problems.

When I went to Tanzania I used the 100-400 and found it ideal. Later that year I went to Rwanda to see the Mountain Gorillas and used the 100-400 for that. We were lucky in that the day was reasonably bright, so I could get a decent shutter speed. But if I ever return I will be renting a 70-200 f2.8

On my first trip to Africa we had a 15kg weight limit, and I'm sure I was the only person to actually take any notice. I reckon most were near double that! Still, at least I learned how to pack light so now I travel with a 300 f2.8, 70-200 f4 and 10-22 with 2 bodies for my safari setup.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Lots of useful tips. Much appreciated!

I know 200mm (or 280) will be lacking in reach, but maybe not as bad as I thought. Being completely amateur I won't get any groundbreaking shots anyway, so I've realized I might be better off stop stressing about the photography and just relax and hope I can get a couple got chimp shots. Although, even 2.8 in the forest might be hopeless..

I'd love to take the 100-400, but the more I think about it I just don't have the budget or space. I'll prioritize the Mahale part this time, maybe something longer next time

And hollis_f, if you have any shots of the mountain gorillas I'd love to see them! Searching gave few hits for pics from people chimp trekking..
edit: found some. Looks great!

Another questions; If we have two bodies between us (7D & 60D), do we need a 3rd backup? I'll have my old 40D laying around. Might depend on the space left in the bag..

thanks.