Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

My opinion, if you have to make a choice, go with the second body. While on your trip, if the camera fails you are absolutely out of the photography business. Would I go with the 7DII compared to the 5DIV? IMO, the image quality of the 7DII does not compare with the 5DIV, especially if you are going to shooting in low light, which I am sure you will. So if you can swing it, get a second 5DIV, or alternatively, perhaps a used 1DX. The 1DX is a pretty amazing for action and even with a lessor quality sensor IQ can be awfully good. So, IMO, 2nd camera 1st, lens second. Consider this as well, good used versions of the original 100/400 series one can be had at prices well below $1,000. Although not quite as good as the series II, some great photography has been done by many with the trombone version. Good luck!

the f/stops here Loc: New Mexico

You have a wonderful camera that’s very dependable so get the lens plus the 1.4 extender and you will not regret it. I use this combination and get the results I want ... most of the time.

RolandDieter

If the camera malfunctions no lens will work for you. Bring a backup camera regardless what you do about the lens. And use kskarma's neck strap advice

WJB Loc: Salisbury, MD

I agree with the notion of at least 2 cameras. I'm using a D750 with Nikkor 70-200 and an D3 with "older" lens ranging from 28mm to a 135mm with a 55-200mm zoom mounted.

Plus I have a Coolpix P900 for "casual," quick shooting. Like when the elephant charged in Tsavo...

I also follow the idea of different straps for ease/accuracy of choice.

Have a great trip!

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Lens! My last trip to Africa I used my FF Nikon and two lens, one long and one shorter. Multiple cameras make for great wedding gear but awfully heavy to lug around various continents for what it is worth... Have fun!!!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Two of my buddies have the 5DM4 with 100-400 and 1.4 and I am jealous of their results.

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The 100-400mm II is an excellent lens and works well with a 1.4X Extender. However, that will cost you $1900 for the lens and another $430 for the 1.4X III.... or a total of $2330.

7D Mark II is currently selling for $1350 (which is a BIG discount, BTW). You could get it and a Tamron 100-400mm ($800) with Tripod Mounting Ring ($129) for less than the cost of the Canon 100-400 & extender. Theoretically you might not need an extender since the APS-C camera gives the effect of 1.6X compared to your FF camera. If you prefer, there's also the Sigma 100-400mm, but there's no option to use a tripod ring with it.

You might also consider an 80D (7 frames per second, $1000) or 77D (6 fps, $650)... both of which are 24MP (as opposed to 7DII's 20MP, 10 fps). Or, perhaps the SL2 (24MP, 5 fps, $550), which is the lightest and most compact DSLR on the market now.

If you prefer the Canon lens, in place of the 1.4X Extender, it's only a difference of $220 to get it with a 77D... or $120 with SL2.

If you DID want 1.4X too... the 80D or 77D actually will work better than the 7DII with the Extender and 100-400mm II combo. The 80D and 77D have the same 45-point AF system, and 27 of those points will be able to autofocus with the 100-400II/1.4XIII combo. The 7DII's 65-point AF system will only be able to focus with the center point, with that lens/TC combo. AFAIK, the SL2 would not be able to AF the lens/TC combo at all.

Another option would be to buy the Canon APS-C camera of your choice and RENT the lens for your trip.

I would try to do BOTH a lens AND an APS-C camera, with one or another of the above combos....

I shoot sports with a pair of 7DII and in high speed shooting situations I think it's important that the two cameras be identical models, to switch back and for between them quickly.

However, it's different in a situation like yours... you will be working with one camera or the other at a time, not swapping rapidly back and forth between them, and even if you do it won't need to be rapid since each camera is serving a different purpose. So I don't think your two cameras need be the same model.

Personally I wouldn't travel 10,000 miles without a backup camera.

Speaking of which... how are you going to get the gear there? When I fly, I carry on most of my camera gear. I'll only put a tripod or monopod and similar in checked bags. When I need more than is practical to carry on, I've shipped stuff ahead to meet me at the destination.

P.S. Yeah, the full frame camera will do better at high ISOs in low light conditions. But the newer APS-C are much improved too.

7DII at ISO 16000 (w/100-400mm II lens)....



There's noise in this test shot, but I think it's pretty well controlled. It was taken by light from a small window and a single 60 watt CFL bulb. I took care to not under-expose, captured RAW and converted to JPEG with Lightroom 6 at it's default level of noise reduction. Slight boost to contrast and "pull" of the black point were the only things done to the image.

80D and 77D are newer, higher resolution models that can do about the same.

Sure.... full frame 5DIV can do even better. But I don't hesitate to use ISO 5000 or 6400 with my 7DIIs.. sometimes even higher.

johntaylor333

Difficult question as the best animal pictures are usually at sunrise and sunset, so a low noise FF camera is indicated.

So you have FF 5D4+100-400+1.4X at 560mm, or
7D2+70-300+1.4X at 672mm

I have a 5D4 and 7D2 with 70-200 f/2.8L and 100-400 f/4L. Also Canon 1.4X and 2X extenders. I will typically use the 5D4 with the 100-400, alone or with the 1.4X (for 560mm) and the 7D2 with the 70-200 and the 1.4X (448mm) or 2X (640mm). When I need absolute maximum reach I use the 7D2 with the 100-400 and 1.4X (896mm) or 2X (1280mm). I try to avoid the extenders whenever possible as they do degrade the IQ.

I love both the 70-200 and the 100-400, but I find the 100-400 more useful.

Hope this helps. If you can swing it, I would get the 7D2 and the 100-400.

BarbB

I carry my gear with a Tenba Shoot out 24L backpack. I know I can fit another body or lens in it along with my 5DM4 and 16-35, 24-105, and 70-300 (or if I decide, the 100-400) as well as assorted filters, batteries, etc...Although my equipment for trips tends to weigh out between 20-25 lbs, I have been abe to board internationally without issue. I do have a back up plan with my husbands extra room in his carryon, however :-) Thanks for all the info..Sure will give me a lot to think about. I am concerned that the second body I choose will have the clarity/sharpness/resolution that I am accustomed to with my 5DM4..I probably will have to test all options!

BarbB

Thanks! It helps that you have the set up I am contemplating...I was thinking that I would use the full frame with my 24-105 for landscapes and closer things, and if I got the 7DM2, with the longer telephoto...

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

BarbB, I'm not sure of the cost differential, but if cost is not a significant factor, or it may be pocket change compared to the total cost of your trip, but I'd opt for the extra body, as it would serve two different purposes--a back up in case the prime camera gets damaged (it does happen).

I've never been on one of those safaris, but can you hand hold a 400mm with a 1.4 converter (almost 640 mm equivalent, not to mention the f/stop loss) steady enough to get the shot not showing any vibrations? Remember both your subject and you may be moving! I may be considerably older than you, but I find my maximum hand held range is now about 300MM; that is not a disparagement of youth, it was great when I had it, but those days are passed . Most of what I've read here on UHH from those who have made similar trips say that even tripods are next to useless (just like on ships and boats) as you will most often be in moving trucks on unfinished roads. .

Enjoy the trip and please post some photos when you return.

Leitz Loc: Solms

You've gotten a lot of suggestions, saying which one are you going to copy would do a great service to everyone who cannot think for themselves.

BarbB

I agree..I tried a Tamron 150-600 G2 on my 5DM4, and I found it heavy and to long for me to hand hold for a sharp shot..right now I think, after all the great replies, that I might be best off with the 7DM2/or like, and attaching my 70-300...I will have to go to my camera store to test. I can easily hand hold that lens with my 5DM4, just don't know if the crop sensor will make a difference. And yes, a tripod is not useful on safari, but will be useful for me at other times. (and I am sure, while in the camera store, I will test the 100-400 as well :-) Thanks for your input!

BarbB

OK..I was asked by "Leitz" to say what I am thinking after all these great suggestions..
I really, really appreciiate everyone for taking the time to respond to my question.
Right now, with all your great imput, I think I will buy a second body, probably the 7DM2, and try my 70-300 lens with that to give me the extra reach, and use my 24-105 on my 5DM4 for the landscapes and closer shots...I think it makes sense, since changing lenses in Namibia, while in the field, is not an option, because it is reported to be extremely dusty. I will also give me the comfort of knowing I have a backup camera, in case of any mishaps.( I will also be bringing a 16-34. Our plan is to go to CapeTown and Victoria falls as well). Thank you all very much!