BarbB

I am planning a trip to Namibia, and currently shoot with a canon 5DM4. My longest lens is 70-300L. I was thinking about upgrading to the 100-400L II ( and adding a 1.4 extender) and then I thought about getting a second ( back up ) camera body, maybe the Canon 7DM2 instead. That, with it’s crop factor, would give me almost the same reach as the 100-400 with a 1.4 teleconverter. I could then have a camera with a landscape lens, and one with “wildlife” lens mounted. So, here is the question..How many of you travel with a back up camera, and is it the same model or type as your primary, or would you travel with one camera and a longer reach lens? Any advice would be appreciated. I am trying to make a purchasing decision that will serve me well not only this trip, but for future travels as well.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

I went on Safari to Kruger with a similar lens for my D500. My vote go for the lens.

whwiden

On important photo trips I always take two cameras. A Nikon full frame D750 and a crop sensor D7200 would be typical. They use the same battery. I might also take a super zoom point and shoot--the Nikon B700 on a safari or similar trip. I would use a crop sensor before a teleconverter.

On safari, I set up the crop for telephoto. And the FF either shorter or with a do everything zoom.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

I have the canon 50D, with the Canon 400mm F5.6L permanently mounted on it. My backup lens is the 70-200mm F4 L.

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

I ALWAYS have a backup body for any trip other than the local grocery store. Shooting pro ingrains that heavily.

BarbB

Thank you, that's what I was thinking would work..Just wanted to see if others were thinking the same way before I went forward with any purchases.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

On LONG trips, it makes a lot of sense to have a back-up camera and lens !

If you plan on selling your images or larger prints, use the 5D with 100-400 II and with extender in good light. In lower light, drop the extender and CROP using well applied software pixel enlargement if necessary.

If not selling images/prints, I would be very tempted to get a Sony RX10 IV - at least as a back-up - and/or have FUN !

5D = work - NEEDS 100-400 +

crop frame = some work/some fun - even with 70-300 L and cropping. - consider 80D

Sony rx10 = fun
..

BarbB

Sounds like you are suggesting I get both the 100-400 and a back up camera?? That would be great, but unfortunately, the budget doesn't allow for that :- I was thinking of either getting a crop sensor camera for the reach or getting a longer lens and extender.(..

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I have a fb friend who is one of the best advanced amateur photographers I know. He is also a world traveler. He went to Namibia several years ago and has recently been to Kenya twice. Ofc, with Kenya you would need the long focal length. He has used a Sigma 50-500 on Canon dx cameras. He just recently purchased a Sigma 150-600mm. I can't remember if Namibia required the same type of focal length. I've sent him a message asking him. The 100-400 L VRII is a wonderful lens, but just might not give you the length that you need on safari. Benno got wonderful, and I must say wonderfully sharp photos with his 50-500 Sigma. Since it is an older lens, you should be able to pick up a good used one and also purchase a second camera. A dx would be perfect for safari. If you want to go for the 150-600, there are two models, the contemporary and sport. The sport is more expensive and is said to be sharper. Benno went for the contemporary and seems to be doing fine with it. Note: Even though you are shooting with a full frame camera, you can always crop in p/p whereas dx cameras crop in camera. In other words, when shooting at distance, when you can't fill your frame with the subject, you can still get the same field of view (or reach, so to speak) as a dx, but you have to do a little more work to get it.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Get the lens. Here is a couple shots taken with the Canon 100-400 mm lens.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Do you have any kind of back up camera now?? Maybe even a pocket sized Point & Shoot?? If not, Barb, I would not want to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, like yours, with no backup.

Just a thought?? In any case, have a Safe and Wonderful trip.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I carry two cameras on any trip where I want to be sure to get my shots. But I also have long lenses and don't have to choose between the two.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

I am pondering exactly the same question on the SONY side. I have a full-frame a7 III, and I am considering the very capable Alpha a6000 (with cropped sensor, currently available for $450) to increase the reach of my 70-300mm lens. The camera is really small and only weighs 344g. Any thoughts on this?

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

I have an a6000. My daughter used it last year during our safari to Kruger.

kskarma Loc: Topeka, KS

I am a strong advocate of always having 2 bodies...(and 4 batteries for them....!) The 'comfort, convenience and peace of mind' of having both a backup camera is invaluable. This, as well as minimizing the time...and exposure to the elements, when changing lenses are just 2 good reasons for carrying a pair of cameras. In my case, I have two Nikon D750's, one of them with a Nikon 28-300mm and the other with a Sigma 17-35 mm. So...with this setup, I have covered the 17-300 mm range with a small overlap....I rarely have to change lenses...and the need to have "that other lens mounted" seems to always come at a very inopportune time...! If your budget permits, I suggest that both cameras be the same model...and set up in the same way....this prevents any confusion about which 'mode', etc. your camera is in when the action is greatest.

Remember that "Murphy's Law" has never been repealed...!!

A final 'tip' that helps me a lot...is to have two different colored neck straps, this lets me see which camera is which while still in my case. I like Domke products and I have one tan 1.5 inch strap and one blue 1.5 inch strap....just my personal preference...