Bobc163 Loc: Australia NSW

Hi everyone,
Well having now made the commitment to travel to Africa next August I have started to sort and weigh everything to take
List as follows with weight I am allowed 7kg carry on and 30kg check in

Equipment Weight
Back pack Pro trel 400AW 3.9
5DMk3 0.9
5DMK4 0.9
6 Batteries 0.4
100-400 1.8
70-200 1.9
24-70 0.9
24-105 0.9
16-35 0.9
50 0.8
2X 0.3
Tripod 3.6
Laptop and Charger 3.1
hard drives 0.8
Accessories 3.8
Total to date 24.9Kg


I am open to suggestions, some of the above like tripod and some accessories will be in checked luggage to lower the carry on
Countries I am going to are Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the UAE for 68 days so I will be travelling overlanding style (camping most nights with some hotels mixed in)

Thanks in advance
Bob

repleo Loc: Boston

Do the math again. The bag, two bodies, batteries and the 24-70 will take up your whole carry on allowance.
By the time you pack everything else in checked luggage you will have just enough allowance for two pairs of socks and three underpants. Just enough for two months in the African wilderness. The animals will surely smell you coming from five miles away.

Bobc163 Loc: Australia NSW

Should get some great shots then 😁

Bobc163 Loc: Australia NSW

Should get some great shots then 😁

ELNikkor

24-105 on 1 body, 100-400 on the other, 4 batteries & charger. Leave the tripod, 24-70, 16-35, 70-200. Sounds like an awesome adventure!

Bobc163 Loc: Australia NSW

I think that is going to be the way to go but will take all the batteries and the tripod, is cf ,and can be used as a mono stick

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Skip the overlap lenses and related equipment: 70-200, 24-105, 24-70, 2x

Take just the 100-400, 50, 16-35

Although it seems risky, consider leaving one body behind and taking just the 5DIV. If still more needs to be left behind, skip the tripod. The 50 is assumed to be the EF 50 f/1.8. If not this pocket-sized version, leave the 50 behind too. The 16-35 is assumed to be the EF 16-35 f/4L IS. If not the lighter, IS-enable version, consider swapping to the assumed 24-70 f/2.8, and if this lens makes the trip, skip the 50.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

Yeah, REAL close ups. LOL

wireloose

I would look at a 1.4x over the 2x. That 1 stop of light is significant in lower light. Would bring the 24-105 on one body and the 100-400 on the other with the converter. Maybe a lighter tripod if you have one. For a trip like that- which sounds amazing- you could use it all, but clothing is nice too, though you can always buy shirts after arrival. For the charger get one that does 2 batteries and has a car adapter option, for the day you forget to charge or don’t have power at night. An empty sandbag is a freebie to bring weight wise, as is a rain cover. Can you mail anything- like clothing- ahead?

Corsica fox

Skip the tripod, maybe sub a monopod. Sand bag for sure. Given the pace and full vehicles a tripod becomes a real nuisance, seldom used.

Rashid Abdu Loc: Ohio

Have you thought of replacing the whole load with a Sony Rx10IV? Just take extra batteries.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

Your are taking too much stuff. I did same. First thing, buy the extra weight for one for air travel.
Make sure your suit cases are less than 1 lb. use the duffle type as they are light. You should have received a list of things to pack and not to pack from your tour company.

You will not need a tripod and if you do decide to take one, make sure it is a very light one that doubles as a monopod.

You will need the longest lenses you can afford to take. I would not take a lot of short lenses and so not duplicate by overlapping. Possibly get an TC for the longer lenses and leave some of the shorter lenses at home. Hate to say this, but a good smartphone camera for your typical 50mm and below shots will suffice. My daughter’s photos on her iPhone we spectacular.
Depending on where you are staying, you will have places to plug in your chargers. Take small flashlights and make sure you take the right color clothing.

Also take a good clamp and a gimble head for your camera to mount on the rails of the roof of your vehicle. I found that to be one of the most important things I took. Did not use my tripod or monopod at all.

Your guide can make or break your experience. I would ask your tour company to pair you with an experienced photo guide.

Have a blast, enjoy! We did the trip last December. One of the best trips we have ever taken.

If you think I may be of any assistance, happy to speak with you. DM me your number and I will call you.
Best!
RL

thegrover Loc: Yorba Linda, CA

I have been to Africa. Only take two lens. Do not change lens in the field. You need the 400 or longer on one body. Forget tripod and make a "sandbag" once there. You will love Africa.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

One last thing. Take a lot of memory cards!!! Or a way to copy them to some kind of storage. The last thing you don’t want to worry about is running out of storage.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

IMHO, you are taking waaaay too much. You will grow to hate your kit. 2 cameras with zooms that complement each other’s range, a prime for low light, a teleconverter and call it a day. Obviously, you’ll need batteries, tripod, laptop, etc.