What lens to bring (First safari)

Any recs from forum members here? Will be going to my first safari in February (3 nights). Packing light is kinda a priority since we will be jumping around multiple places in Africa. I really only want to bring 2 bodies and 2 zoom lens.... so which would you pick and which would make more sense?

Lens 1 (Landscape): 16-35 vs 24-105
Lens 2 (Tele): 70-200 f4 vs 400 f5.6 (Is 400 too limiting since we will be in a car anyways? How close can we get to these animals? - not really sure).

Bodies for sure will be the EOS R and the Sony A7III with a Sigma adapter. Tele will be on the Canon body and Wide will be on the Sony.

Ideally, I would like to bring a 100-400, but no budget (LOL).

I welcome all advice

I used a 17-55 and 100-400.

I found that to be a really workable combination. Maybe worth renting the 100-400?

A similar question was asked a few days ago. Info in the thread may be helpful to you.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1512433

I took a 5d3 with 24-105 f4 and a 7d2 with a Sigma 120-300 f2.8 plus 1.4x and 2x TCs. Sometimes the animals can be very close, but at other times they can be further away (and / or smaller). This was in South Africa in June (winter). All combinations were used at one time or another (the Sigma with a monopod). Depending where you are there may also be some good landscape opportunities. Be prepared for best animal sightings when the light is not so bright, so a wider aperture can be helpful. We were also on foot for some trips, so we weren’t always quite as close to the animals as when we were in a vehicle. We were fortunate that there were never more then the 2 of us in a seat row and on a number of occasions we were the only tourists in the 4x4. There are some advantages to going in the winter when prices can be cheaper and there are less people about. The light was also pretty good for most of our drives, as the sun was never too high in the sky.

Hmm... Will look into renting. Thanks for the tip.

3Rotor wrote in post #18987232
A similar question was asked a few days ago. Info in the thread may be helpful to you.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1512433

Thanks 3Rotor - will look into this.

Honey Monster wrote in post #18987323
I took a 5d3 with 24-105 f4 and a 7d2 with a Sigma 120-300 f2.8 plus 1.4x and 2x TCs. Sometimes the animals can be very close, but at other times they can be further away (and / or smaller). This was in South Africa in June (winter). All combinations were used at one time or another (the Sigma with a monopod). Depending where you are there may also be some good landscape opportunities. Be prepared for best animal sightings when the light is not so bright, so a wider aperture can be helpful. We were also on foot for some trips, so we weren’t always quite as close to the animals as when we were in a vehicle. We were fortunate that there were never more then the 2 of us in a seat row and on a number of occasions we were the only tourists in the 4x4. There are some advantages to going in the winter when prices can be cheaper and there are less people about. The light was also pretty good for most of our drives, as the sun was never too high in the sky.

Wow. How heavy is that Sigma 120-300? Did it get much use? Hopefully with the stabilized Sony body I can use the 400 and eliminate some shake on the afternoon drives. Have to check what time sunset will be in February (Kruger Park) - thanks for this tip! Praying that the lodge will not be too crowded on the game drives - I really want enough room between my gears and partner.

roanjohn wrote in post #18987341
Thanks 3Rotor - will look into this.

Wow. How heavy is that Sigma 120-300? Did it get much use? Hopefully with the stabilized Sony body I can use the 400 and eliminate some shake on the afternoon drives. Have to check what time sunset will be in February (Kruger Park) - thanks for this tip! Praying that the lodge will not be too crowded on the game drives - I really want enough room between my gears and partner.

The Sigma weighs about 3kg. Add a gripped 7d2 and TC and it is closer to 4kg. I can hand hold it for a while, but the monopod (or tripod) makes a big difference, although it is heavier to carry.

I had plenty of room to use my monopod. Our game vehicles were open top Land Cruisers with 3 rows of 3 seats behind the driver / guide, who also had a seat next to him. There were never more than 6 in our vehicle and we were lucky to get 2.5 days with the vehicle to ourselves ߙ. I always had some space for my gear, with the spare camera usually on the middle seat and often had a row to myself. At the second, larger reserve we did see a number of other vehicles where every seat was taken (10 passengers plus the guide). That wouldn¢t have been so enjoyable.

Totally random question: In your opinion, with 3 rows, are you better sitting up front (closer to the driver?) or all the way in the back? I'm assuming the middle row will be the least ideal. Or does it matter?

24-105 plus 70-200, and buy either a 1.4 or 2x telecon.

Kruger in Feb? That will be summer so hot and lots of foliage. May make animal viewing tougher and likely best sightings early and/or late because of the heat

I did two weeks in the Kruger in August/September 2018.

I'd recommend to rent what you don't have.

What I did:

Rented

Canon 7D MkII + EF 100-400 MkII + Canon 1.4X tele-extender.

This was my primary rig.

Owned

Canon 5D MkIII + EF 24-70 mkII for wider shots. I shot maybe 40 photos out of 4863

Canon 60D + EF 70-200 MkII + Yongnuo 2X (backup rig, wife used it when I didn't need it).

Sigma 8-16 lens (never used)

Canon SX 700HS (desperation rig, a P&S with a massive 30X tele) Used it touring the Soweto.

What I would have done differently

You can't have long enough focal length. A rented 500 or 600 with whatever converter they can take would work the best.

MakisM1 wrote in post #18987474
I......
What I would have done differently

You can't have long enough focal length. A rented 500 or 600 with whatever converter they can take would work the best.


.......

Exactly what I wanted to hear. I already have the very lightweight 400 f5.6 L prime - so I might bring that vs the 70-200. Good to know that reach is still key for these big game animals (not just birds). So far the most popular recommendation is the 100-400, but it seems that the ones who recommended that lens stayed on 400 most of the time (based purely on photos they posted).

duckster wrote in post #18987366
Kruger in Feb? That will be summer so hot and lots of foliage. May make animal viewing tougher and likely best sightings early and/or late because of the heat

YIKES

Re: Which row to sit...

Attached is the jungle truck we rode, specially adapted to safari photography. The company we went with, would take only 3 photographers and one non-photographer (to sit next to the driver). We were lucky that it was just us two, so we could pick our choice of rows (and of course, if you have the whole row, you can shoot from either side).

I had a 5d4 with 100-400 and 1.4 tele and the wife had the 6d with a 24-105. Both worked well. I did also take a 14mm prime which gave me a couple of great shots at sunset from the top of the truck. Seating was cramped for the first 8 days when we had six in the truck, 3 shooters. Rotated through the spots each day. I won't worry about the gear list for the most part you are in the truck or on a plane.
Take some spare lens caps. It is dusty all the time and not something you want to lose. I also cut a 6 inch square of thick foam from a gardening mat. worked well to support the lens. I didn't but having some small garbage bags on hand to cover your camera while its on your lap would be a good idea. Animals can pop up quickly and you don't want to opening and closing camera bags in a crowded jeep. My camera spent most of its time wrapped in a heavy shirt.
AND TAKE LOTS OF CARDS AND BACKUP and then take more cards and storage. Take a tripod, you will only use it for the sundowners but will give you some great sunsets.
Enjoy, it is an amazing experience.