larryhav Loc: Charlotte, NC

Hi UHH'ers, I am a newbie to this forum but have been following the forum for a few weeks. There are a lot of very good discussions and recommendations on the forum so I thought I would give it a try so here goes...

I have a Canon 5D Mark IV with a Canon 24-105 F4 and a Canon 100-400 II F4.5 - 5.6. I am seriously considering renting another camera body - a 7D mark II for more reach with my 100-400 II lens. I would keep the 24-105 on the 5D mark IV. I am choosing the 7D II for its 1.6 built in reach, high shutter speed and high ISO capability. Do you think this is the right approach? I am afraid of changing lenses in the field with all the dust. Any feedback on your experiences shooting in Africa or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I am thinking of renting the Canon 7D Mark II from Borrowlenes.com for about $325.00 for 3 weeks. Anyone else rent from them? Hoping they provide well taken care of cameras.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Fotoserj Loc: St calixte Qc Ca

Given the cost of a safari trip, I would not even think of going with just one camera, if anything is to happen your trip would be a waist of money, heck even going for a ride around country side, I bring both camera with me, 7d an 7dII just so I wouldn’t miss a shot

alandg46 Loc: Boerne, Texas

Always two bodies! Always!

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

I think that taking a second cropped-sensor camera body looks like a good strategy. I would check out if there are some weight limitations on your safari. If you are setting this up on your own this may not be an issue--other than limitations on cabin luggage on some flights. If you have a travel provider they may have weight limits.

Safaris can be dusty affairs, particularly if you travel on dirt roads. But you also will be doing some standing around, waiting for things to happen. You also may be traveling on paved roads, at least some of the time. So there will be opportunities to change lenses. But sometimes you have to be able to act fast, and you may miss a shot if you have to change lenses. So there is a lot of wait wait wait hurry hurry hurry going on.

You also may be able to buy a used body. It will be more than the rental fee but then you own the camera. You could sell it again after your trip. That would give you more time to become comfortable with this second camera. Sometimes you get little time to get a shot, so learning a new camera on the fly is not advisable.

PS: You should also take some cleaning equipment, like a rocket blower and a soft brush. (I had to cannibalize my toothbrush for that purpose once.) And perhaps equipment to clean your sensor. Clean the outside of your camera body and lenses, and particularly the lens mount area to keep dirt from dropping into your camera body when you change lenses.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

My old buddy Murphy says if you take two bodies you will get sick and tired of lugging all that gear around.
But if you only take one then it will break or you will get something major inside while changing lenses.
If it was me I would throw in a SX-50 or SX-60 or similar bridge camera for an emergency fall back in case Murphy is being an over achiever during the trip. Maybe even give it to my wife and tell her to not only take her own shots but to duplicate all the ones I take if she can.
Murphy can fool around with memory cards, batteries and chargers also.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Larry, welcome to the Hog!
To me it would depend on what you’re trying to get out of the trip.
First, I’ve never been to Africa but I have been to 40 countries. I’ve NEVER had a dust problem when changing lenses and change them as needed and in harsh conditions.
If the dust is THAT bad I’d be way more worried about your lungs than the sensor.
Two cameras swing from your neck? I’d tend to agree with Robert on that one.
The best shots are taken when you plan on what you’re going to shoot then go after that.
If you already owned a second body I would take it. If not it’s because you’ve never needed one! Maybe use that money to rent an ultralight and get pics that 10 camera’s can’t get from the ground.
Yes a camera can crap out though I personally have not had it happen or know anybody that it’s happened to.
Once I had a camera stolen and my wife definitely enjoyed the vacation more after that!!! Again welcome and good luck!
SS

fredtoo Loc: Houston

I am leaving in a couple of months for my 3rd African trip, so I have dealt with the same decisions. First of all, I agree with most everything Zug55 said (except maybe for the paved roads !):

1. Two complete cameras is a must. I bought a used camera and put a 70-400 lens on it. The camera I already owned had am 18-200. My wife decided on the trip that she wanted to be a photographer, so I used the newly bought used camera. But I got more use out of the 400 mm than I ever thought I would. Many of your shots will be long ones, and you will be in a vehicle with no chance for a tripod. So it will all be hand-held (vibration reduction is a must). The driver will shut the engine, but there will be other people in the car jostling for a shot. Movement can be a problem. Get the front seat next to him if you can. He will work the vehicle's position for you. (also, you can quickly hand him stuff to hold, such as lens, spare camera whatever, when the action gets hot).

2. Dust is a major problem on African roads. Especially when trucks come from the opposite direction. You will not only want to avoid changing lenses, you will want to quickly put your camera in a bag until the dust settles after a truck passes. Namibia is famous for sand dunes...

3. Not likely you will have 2 cameras around your neck. You will be in a vehicle almost all times (you get out, you get eaten).

4. Weight is only a problem in the airport. (see item #2 about vehicle)...especially those long immigration lines you are in for an hour and move only 3 ft.
at a time. Your shoulders will be killing you for carrying anything that is not on wheels. This is why I have invested in a rolling camera bag (Amazon offers several), because my shoulders are getting too old for that. For the vehicle, just a regular soft camera bag will offer protection. Dont take naked cameras and lenses into the vehicle.

5. you will be out all day. A battery charger for the vehicle's cigar lighter is a smart thing to take. Or take take a powerful charging battery (about the size of a cell phone or a little larger) Always have a spare fully charged battery for every camera. It will be a long day and lots of shooting.

6. Don't take a tripod or monopod unless you need a walking stick.

7. Don't expect to be able to buy ANYTHING for your camera there. What you bring is what you will have available.

8. For God's sake, don't check your camera equipment at the airport. Carry it on. (and expect plenty of baggage inspections. I went through 5 at Nairobi airport, 4 by xRay and 1 final by some guy nosing through my stuff.

9. Enjoy the trip of a lifetime.


Oh, and most of this is in regards to Namibia, S. Africa is pretty civilized and actually has some paved roads. Capetown is a pretty interesting city.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

Thanks, fredtoo, for agreeing with me. I mostly agree with you too. The paved roads--it is hit and miss. I have not been in Namibia. But there are a lot of decent, paved roads in South Africa, even in more remote areas.

A few additional comments: we never found out what kind of a safari it will be. Large group? VIP treatment in a Landcruiser? Individual trip? I tend to be an individual traveler, so I have done my own safari in a rental car. That rhino eyeballing my small rental car from 25 feet away--I definitely had my foot on the gas pedal. Are we talking about an open safari vehicle with 15-20 people--the kind if you stick your hand out and you will have to set your camera on auto for the rest of the trip?

In that case, good luck competing for the vehicle's cigar lighter from the fourth row. Definitely bring extra batteries. Where are you going to spend the night? If it is a hotel, you will be able charge the batteries there--be sure to bring your correct conversion plug. Spending the night in a camp--will there be electricity?

I agree that a tripod will not be practical for reasons fredtoo explained. A telephoto lens with image stabilization is a must. Don't hesitate to crank up your ISO to reduce your exposure time. I also agree that you will not be able to buy any supplies while on your trip--so you have to bring whatever you will need.

Sounds like an awesome trip. Enjoy.

fredtoo Loc: Houston

What he said.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli." Modern cameras are very reliable and robust. That said, "Sh __ happens." For a trip like yours, always take an extra camera even if you have to leave one (or two) of your lenses home to make room in your bag.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Take two bodies... You may want to put a wide to "normal" lens on the first and a telephoto on the second. Personally, If I am shooting "normal" and telephoto, I put the long lens on a DX and the other on the FX. This is just me and what I have. Also be sure to take all of your lenses if possible. It's ALWAYS easier to have a lens and not need it than to wish you'd brought the lens.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Yes tKe 2 cameras. Forgetting the dust changing lenses is a pain. I have traveled with 3 mirrorless cameras(one infrared). Buy a used spare camera from a reputable company ie keh, b+h etc.

jrw_mdus Loc: Elk River Basin, Cecil County MD, USA

Think Bridge as a back up. More and More outdoor professional photographers are doing so. If the view finder is not important he Canon SX530, or if you need EVF like me the SX50 or SX60

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I would definitely have a backup camera, even if it is a compact. It depends how much size and weight you are willing to carry.

larryhav Loc: Charlotte, NC

Wow, you guys are great! Thanks Fredtoo and Zug55 for your first hand knowledge from past experience. Thanks for everyone else's input as well. It will just be my wife and I and we will be in hotels with power every night. We will be in Land Rovers but I am told with at most 3 other people so front seat is not a guarantee. I will definitely bring extra batteries, plenty of memory cards, blower and cleaning materials. Was going back and forth on the tripod so thanks for that advice. A couple pounds less to carry! I will add a soft bag to protect against dust while the vehicle is in motion. I will get a 7DMII camera body. Since I am familiar with the 5DM4, I don't think the controls on the 7DMII will be too much different and should be easy to learn quickly.

Thanks again to everyone, this forum is a great source of knowledge!