Traveling to Africa: I have reviewed discussions on proper gear for African safaris. My question pertains to how to carry two cameras and two lenses with flash and filters. I was...

dmr

I have reviewed discussions on proper gear for African safaris. My question pertains to how to carry two cameras and two lenses with flash and filters. I was consideing
A lowepro Flipside 300 to transport and a cotton carrier with holster with additonal small packs to attach to belt. Anyone familiar with the Flipside 350 or 450?? How about the cotton carrier?

AFPhoto Loc: Jamestown, RI, USA

I have the cotton carrier with the holster and it works great. I especially like that it keeps a camera with a long lens close to your chest. When climbing in close or rough terrain this is really important to protect your gear. It also renders your hands free to support your walking and balance on uneven terrain. Good luck and enjoy.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

Since most if not all photography will be done seated in a vehicle I opted for an Optech duo sling strap. I carried a Canon 5DII with a 24-105 attached and a Canon 7DII with a 100-400 attached on all game drives. The combination and carrier worked very well. Have a great trip!

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

dmr wrote:

I have reviewed discussions on proper gear for African safaris. My question pertains to how to carry two cameras and two lenses with flash and filters. I was consideing
A lowepro Flipside 300 to transport and a cotton carrier with holster with additonal small packs to attach to belt. Anyone familiar with the Flipside 350 or 450?? How about the cotton carrier?

As you do not indicate the make and models of cameras and lenses you wish to take, I would suggest you go to your local camera store if possible and try inserting all the camera gear you wish to take on your safari, then you will know which LowePro to purchase. I use the LowePro AW 350 swallows up my D7200, 200-500mm, 70-300mm, 35mm, Olympus EM10 Markii, 14-42mm, Panasonic 100-400mm and several filters and SB700 flash. Total loaded weight of 32 pounds.
As for the Cotton Carrier, I own and use the Cotton Carrier complete with auxiliary holster and find it works very well when on a WALKING safari, not so much when riding in a safari car. Your mileage may vary from mine.
Enjoy your safari and be sure to post some photos when you return. Garth

dpcruikshank

I'm going to Tanzania in Feb. with two Canons (5D iv and 7D ii), and I'm looking at the
"capture camera clip" by Peak Design (either on Amazon, or see the demo video on B&H). It
looks to me like the best way to keep the 7Dii with a general-purpose zoom lens close
at hand, but out of the way when using the 5D iv with the heavy 70-200 f/2.8 telephoto.
The clip also looks useful for holding a camera while changing lenses, although the reports of
heavy dust on the Tanzania game drives make lens changes on the road inadvisable.

catgirl Loc: las vegas

dmr wrote:

I have reviewed discussions on proper gear for African safaris. My question pertains to how to carry two cameras and two lenses with flash and filters. I was consideing
A lowepro Flipside 300 to transport and a cotton carrier with holster with additonal small packs to attach to belt. Anyone familiar with the Flipside 350 or 450?? How about the cotton carrier?

check with Plessner she just came back from an African Safari she maybe able to help

DWilling

If you will be flying on a small plane there is usually a weight restriction. We were allowed a total of 32 pounds for everything-clothes, cameras, binos, etc. on the one safari I did in Kenya and Tanzania.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

It was 7 years ago but I did well with a Cotton Carrier for the camera I wasn't using at the moment and the other around my neck with a strap. The vehicles we used had plenty of room for us and the tour director made sure that we weren't crowded, so most of the time the camera not in my hands was on the seat next to me. They didn't drive so fast or hard that there was much risk to the loose camera getting banged around,

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

DWilling wrote:

If you will be flying on a small plane there is usually a weight restriction. We were allowed a total of 32 pounds for everything-clothes, cameras, binos, etc. on the one safari I did in Kenya and Tanzania.

I agree!! I have had to buy an extra seat at full seat rates to accomodate my luggage/camera bag along with my wife's luggage/camera bag and big purse . Definitely check with each airline both big and small as there are some small 5-7 passenger planes that do not have overhead bins and all luggage regardless of content MUST go into the belly or tail section of the aircraft or be transported on a later flight, not recommended!
Regards,, Garth

Leopardo

If your trip is catering to photographers, you will have the center seat (of a 3 seat row) empty for the photographers on either side of it to stow gear. I use 2 slings. The camera with the long lens is on my lap and never has to be raised very high for the shot.

dmr

Thank you all for your feedback. I will be going to B&H later this week. I will be taking d7500 and a D90 with d16-80 and a d70-300 on the trip.