Retired fat guy with a camera Loc: Colorado

Another what lens question. I am not bragging, but I am going to go to blah blah blah. A simple answer, all of them. Why in the hell did you buy them in the first place, if your not going to use them?

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

He is excited. Bring a monopod. Agree bring them all. You will be taking wildlife but also night and campfire images.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Anything that zooms from 100-400mm will be fine. I know some safari photographers that used to bring 600mm primes or 500mm primes but since the new Canon 100-400mm zoom has come out they just bring that one and a smaller zoom for images of sunrise/sunsets and pics of the villagers. No sense in carrying a huge lens when you don't have to. Less is better.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Is it just me or does the bird photo seem to be very soft and perhaps missed focus?

Best,
Todd Ferguson

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Yes, sell everything and get the 100-400 Canon ....Crop and use pixel enlargement to get you to 600mm .....Sony RX10III as backup ......

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The 100-400mm II is an excellent lens and would be great, so long as you are okay with the cost ($2000) and that it's about 1 lb. heavier and approx. an inch larger diameter than your 300/4. It's about the same length when set to 100mm, but longer at 400mm. With the extra weight, you might want a tripod or at least a monopod for longer shooting sessions. If you use quick releases, I recommend replacing the OEM tripod mounting foot provided with the 100-400mm with one of the alternatives offered by Kirk Photo, RRS or Hejnar Photo. Those have Arca-style dovetail built in and bolt on more securely than the OEM foot. They cost between $75 and $125, last time I looked. (I use the Hejnar version on my 100-400 II).

Depending upon which 1.4X you have, purportedly those can work very well with the 100-400 II (I simply haven't had need to try the combo yet... Guess I should make a point of it, to see for myself). The combo will give you an effective 140-560mm and the 100-400 II/1.4X combo will likely be able to autofocus on your 80D (it certainly can AF with the Canon 1.4X III.... not sure about earlier Canon 1.4X or other brands such as the Kenko MC-4 or Pro 300 1.4X).

Some folks feel the 100-400 II plus a quality 1.4X rivals or surpasses the image quality of some of the 150-600mm... especially the Sigma "Contemporary" or the Tamron first version ("G1"?).

Not sure I'd sell off the 300mm, though. Although you might leave it at home for this trip, there are still lots of times I use mine, such as when I need the extra stop of light (f/4 versus f/5.6 with the 100-400mm zoomed to focal lengths 300mm and up). I also prefer the 300/4 when I need to trek any distance with my gear, for it's lighter weight and smaller size. Soooo.... I'd probably sell off the 70-300 and 150-600mm, to put towards the 100-400 II.

I hope you have some shorter lenses, too... that you just didn't mention because your current concerns are will the telephotos. You'll probably want some shorter focal lengths for other types of shots. For example, an EF-S 18-135mm IS USM ($600) would be a good "walk-around/general purpose" complement to the longer zoom. One of three recent lenses using what Canon calls "Nano USM", it's usable both for video and for fast action shooting. (Most USM lenses aren't ideal for video... STM is better because it's quieter and smoother, though it's not quite as fast focusing as USM so is less useful for action shoots.)

A cheaper walk-around alternative, the EF 28-135mm IS USM can be found used for less than $200 pretty easily. It's got very good image quality, AF and IS performance for the money. It's not the best built lens, though.

I'd also want a wide angle... I use the EF-S 10-22mm. But the newer EF-S 10-18mm IS USM is smaller, lighter, has IS, reportedly has very good image quality and is cheaper (though it's also more "plasticky"). The 10-18mm and 18-135mm could share 67mm filters, while the 10-22mm uses larger 77mm. The 28-135mm uses 72mm. (If it were me, I'd be certain to take a Circular Polarizer for scenic shots, among other things. One or two fairly strong ND would be optional, depending upon what I expected to see. I also always pack "protection" filters, though I only install them when actually needed. I almost never use any filters on longer telephotos like the 300mm and 100-400mm.)

An alternative is the EF-S 15-85mm IS USM... which might be wide enough that it alone can serve the purpose of both 10-xx and 18-135mm lenses. Very high image quality, excellent AF and IS performance, and reasonably compact, though it is more expensive than the EF-S 18-135mm and requires larger 72mm filters.

Another lens I usually carry with my crop cameras is a Tamron SP 60mm f/2 macro that doubles well for portraiture (thanks to it's f/2 aperture and a focal length right in between 50mm and 85mm). It's relatively compct and lightweight. It isn't particularly fast focusing (not useful for sports/action), but that doesn't matter for macro and portraits. Canon EF-S 60mm might be a little faster focusing thanks to it's USM, but it's f/2.8 instead of f/2. Finally, with my crop cameras another lens I carry a lot is a Canon EF 28/1.8... to serve as a fast, slightly wide "normal" lens in low light situations.

For a backup camera, a second 80D would be my choice. It's always easier to swap back and forth between identical models... plus they can share lenses and accessories. Another Canon DSLR such as 70D or 60D would be my second choice.... a particularly small, light Canon DSLR model like the SL1 or SL2... would be my third choice as a backup camera. Or maybe an M5 "mirrorless"... though that requires an adapter to use EF/EF-S lenses.

fecraly

Depends on what country you visit. Kenya/Tanzania will not allow drivers to leave the tracks. So, need a long lens for some shots. I used Nikon 28-300 on a D80; most shots in 150+ range. Great for 95% of shots. Need at least 500 for others and the once-in-a-lifetime shot that is almost too far away (e.g. rhinos; which I missed with the 300). Zimbabwe and Zambia are more flexible with where drivers can go (at least this was case 5 years ago). All the safari vehicles I have been on where all open. Room for bean bags or foam as others have suggested, but not monopods Most important, take a voltage converter (and plug converter) so you can charge batteries on the 240 volt systems in Africa. (some chargers my work on both 120/240, but plan ahead). Nest time I will take a 150-600 for my new D500. I carry a Panasonic Z7 as a back up and for the few wide angle needs. Whatever you do, do not changes lenses in the field--lots of dust!!

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Yes. I see that too. It might be front-focused. Or....

If it was shot with the older, "push/pull" zoom version of the Canon 100-400mm... images with it can "go soft" due to use of a "protection" filter. Many folks who used that lens were stunned to learn how much sharper it was once they removed the UV filter they'd stuck on it "from new". That particular lens simply doesn't "play well" with filters... even the highest quality, multi-coated ones. AFAIK, the "II" version of the lens is less sensitive to filters (though in a year and a half and 10,000 or 15,000 images with it, I've never had any reason to stick any filter on mine... So I can't really say one way or the other from personal experience).

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Don't sell the Sigma. I have a friend, Benno Ibold, who is on fb, who just got back from his second trip to Kenya and he takes fantastic photos with his Sigma 50-500mm lens on Canon crop sensor cameras. Many of his photos, and now videos, were posted in the group NATURE LOVERS. Don't be afraid to scan back to get to his photos, it will be worth your time. If you're interested, I have a photo of how Benno packs his backpack for travel in order to meet the weight requirements of airlines. Also, he told me that his group was in the truck 12 hours a day for 2 weeks. Between his two visits he ended up with some marvelous photos, but he needed the full range of the 500mm at times, so I wouldn't recommend the 100-400mm. You might, however, want to take something that can capture the wide expanses like the new Tamron 10-24mm. I'd also be sure to take something in the 50mm range. I personally have the Nikon 24-70mm full frame lens. Something like this would also work well on your crop sensor camera, albeit a Canon version.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Two camera bodies. One with a 18-200mm or so and the other with a 150-600mm or 200-500mm. Spare batteries, plenty of them, well charged. A monopod. A back-up device for daily back-ups. Several camera memory chips. Water-proof (and dust-proof) coverings. Never change lenses in the bush. If you carry a rig like that, the Ranger will probably give you a better place to sit in the Land Rover. Take LOTS of images. Consider bracketing. Use a fast shutter speed. If you aren't comfortable with any of the suggestions, don't try. Use the gear you know and the actions you are comfortable with. You won't be sorry.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

I really like the Sony RX10 III with its 24-600mm zoom; covers most situations. You'll need a good range from wide-angle to long tele.

bwa

splatbass Loc: Honolulu

This seems not at all helpful. People want to learn and come here for advice. This is not advice.

Newsbob Loc: SF Bay Area

I took a 150-600mm for most animal shots using a monopod. The truck had open sides, so no ability to use bean bags.

But we had a rhino come within two inches or so from our truck (they have bad eyesight and he was just checking us out) and I was able to capture that with a second camera set at wide angle.

stuparr935 Loc: Dallas, Texas area

Tri pods and mono pods are usually clumsy in any safari vehicle but a bean bag will serve you well. I've been to Africa three time and if I get lucky to go back, I'll buy either the Tamron or Sigma 150-600 mm zoom with a X2 and not miss a shot. That lens is hand-holdable, but use a beam bag when you can. I shoot with a Nikon D810 currently.... More importantly have fun.....!

FSATIN Loc: Westchester, NY

Thanks a lot for your extensive advice.