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Hey guys,

I'm planning on going to South Africa for a few months at the beginning of next year. I was wondering am I silly in taking two canon 7D's or should I try get a hold of a 5d mark ii? Or are there any other suggestions?

Thanks

Africanphoto wrote in post #17716826
Hey guys,

I'm planning on going to South Africa for a few months at the beginning of next year. I was wondering am I silly in taking two canon 7D's or should I try get a hold of a 5d mark ii? Or are there any other suggestions?

Thanks

Heya,

I'd rather have two cameras, or more, rather than a single full frame. Without knowing what exactly you're shooting, APS-C vs Full Frame here doesn't matter (even then, it won't matter much again depending on the lenses, and the look you're trying to achieve). If it's just general shooting of whatever, take your duo of 7D's and just go enjoy yourself.

Very best,

I'm planning on doing a long time in the Kruger park hence the thinking of taking the two 7d's.

Africanphoto wrote in post #17716841
I'm planning on doing a long time in the Kruger park hence the thinking of taking the two 7d's.

I'd definitely rather have twin 7D's than a 5D2 for that.

Frankly, the only things I'd be truly wanting a 5D2 for, over a 7D, is pure portrait and maybe low light long exposure or pure landscape. Beyond that, I'd rather have the 7D.

Very best,

Africanphoto wrote in post #17716826
Hey guys,

I'm planning on going to South Africa for a few months at the beginning of next year. I was wondering am I silly in taking two canon 7D's or should I try get a hold of a 5d mark ii? Or are there any other suggestions?

Thanks

Double check the carry-on weight restrictions of your airline(s) which you are flying to get to S.Africa!

Those of us accustomed to the lax rules of US carriers are usually not aware that there area many, many airlines that limit the weight of what you carry one...and a not-insignificant number use 7kg (15 lbs.) as their limit, and they can enforce them somewhat rigidly

I went to South Africa last year. I took two cameras on safari. My main camera for long distance was the 7D with the 100-400 lens and my second camera was a Sony Nex with an 18mm to 55mm lens.

I would have found managing a pair of full size EOS bodies in an open Land Rover bouncing along rough trails far too much of a chore. The compact NEX was very easy to carry in my lap while I was using the 7D.

If you can, rather than take two full sized EOS bodies, pick up a compact mirrorless APS-C camera for quick wide angle shots when you need them. (It's a shame that Canon dropped the EOS-M).

I have not done an African safari, but I do shoot a combination of wildlife and landscapes when we travel. Having two camera bodies is a great convenience, as it allows you to have two different lenses mounted and ready for different shooting situations. In my case, I have been using a 5D3 with either 16-35L f/4 or 24-105L mounted plus a 7D2 (previously a 7D) with a 100-400L II (previously a 100-400L original version). This allows me to be ready for any wildlife that I may encounter, yet be free to take landscape shots without a lot of lens changes.

So, in your case, I would much rather have two 7D bodies than a single 5D2 for your trip. Mount your Sigma 120-300mm on one body and whatever your 2nd most used lens would be on the 2nd body.

Jim_T wrote in post #17721220
I went to South Africa last year. I took two cameras on safari. My main camera for long distance was the 7D with the 100-400 lens and my second camera was a Sony Nex with an 18mm to 55mm lens.

I would have found managing a pair of full size EOS bodies in an open Land Rover bouncing along rough trails far too much of a chore. The compact NEX was very easy to carry in my lap while I was using the 7D.

If you can, rather than take two full sized EOS bodies, pick up a compact mirrorless APS-C camera for quick wide angle shots when you need them. (It's a shame that Canon dropped the EOS-M).

Along with my 7D2 and 5D3, on our Yellowstone trip this summer I also brought along a Canon EOS M. It did come in handy at times when we were hiking and I wanted to travel lighter. Sometimes I would carry the M + EF-M 18-55 along with one of the dSLR's, and on one longer hike I just brought the EOS M and left the heavier dSLR's behind.

BTW, Canon has not dropped the EOS M. In fact, they recently began offering the M3 for sale in the U.S. It was previously only available for sale in Europe and Asia.

The reason I think two 7Ds would be ideal is backup. Hard to return to Kruger in a couple of weeks if you have a problem with your body.
You can try taking 2 bodies in the vehicle. If you don't like that at least you have spare body ready to go.

As above.