dfrost01 Loc: Princeton, NJ

I am planning a trip to Rwanda to photograph these magnificent gorillas. It will be combined with a trip to Ethiopia. The only 2.8 lens I have is 24-70 which isn’t long enough to reach the gorillas. My 70-300 is 4.5/5.6 and my camera is Sony A7r4. Renting a faster lens would be prohibitive because I will be gone for an entire month. I am assuming I’ll need to use a high ISO and try to remove noise in post-processing, but I’d like to know if anyone has any other suggestions. Thx for your help

newvy

The new 70-200 f2.8!!!!

newvy

Once in a lifetime trip… don’t let lens rental cost stop you from taking the right gear.

dfrost01 Loc: Princeton, NJ

Unfortunately, I can no longer can manage heavy lenses.

newvy

You should give it a try. The new 70-200 is lighter and sharper.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I have never been happy with my full body shots of gorillas. Their 'humanity' only comes out in closeups where you can see their eyes in detail. And their eyes are very dark and hard to see from a distance. This is a 500mm shot of a Silverback from the Detroit Zoo.

Jerry Coupe Loc: Kent, WA

Are you a member of a photo club? Any chance you could borrow a longer lens from someone in the club? Or maybe borrow a bridge camera which would be much lighter but have significant telephoto length?

ggttc Loc: TN

I agree. Chimps are one of my favorite zoo subjects and facial close ups with focus on the eyes make for the most memerable shots. I have an 850 and take full advantage of the pixels.

On a lens note I would look at the Tamron 100-400. Not fast but very sharp and lightweight.

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

I have visited the gorillas in Rwanda and photographed them using a Nikon D5100 with a 18-200mm kit lens. Almost all my shots were with the lens set to 18 to 55mm, F3.5 to 5.6, ISO 1600 or higher. You will be able to approach the gorillas to within 7m (21 feet) legally. However, when that regulation was established by the government, someone in the government of Rwanda failed to send a copy of the regulation to the gorillas! Both my wife and I experienced multiple occasions where the gorillas approached us and touched us! A high magnification lens is definitely not needed. I have sold my complete Nikon kit in favor of Olympus mirrorless micro 4/3 equipment and wish I had that kit with the F1.8 12mm, 17mm, 25mm, and 45mm prime lenses with me. With the fast f1.8 apertures of those lenses along with the 4-5 stop IBIS stabilization in the Olympus cameras, I would have faired much better and considerably reduced the weight I was carrying during the 3.5-hour trek up the mountain to the gorilla's location. I'm 81 years young and like you finding heavy camera bodies and even heavier lenses are no longer viable for me.
Remember to take along a good pair of well-broken-in hiking boots, as you will undoubtedly experience a typical tropical jungle rainstorm during your trek making the jungle floor slippery with ankle-deep. mud and fallen bamboo leaves and branches. You should consider a way of securing your camera, with the lens of your choice, attached to the camera. You will need both of your hands free to help you climb the steep incline of the mountain trek, or on the decline to prevent yourself from falling. It definitely helps to be in good physical condition and accustomed to high-altitude hiking.
I wish you a great trip and an thrilling gorilla encounter!

awenderoff

I got so close to the gorillas I had to switch my telephoto to my normal lens. Be prepared for a life-changing experience, it was incredible. Hire a guide at the base of the mountain, it's worth the $5.

Jabe

My wife and I visited the gorillas in 2006. I had a Nikon D200 with an 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 lens. If I were shooting today
I would carry my D810 with the 18-300. If you are as lucky as we were you will encounter a gorilla pod of multiple
gorillas of all ages. We saw a total of 4 silver backs with at least 30 to 40 total gorillas. We had many close and
inadvertent physical contacts with them. The silverbacks do not like to see physical contact between the human observers. Prepare for a physical work out. The ranger station is located above 6000 feet and the gorillas may be at 10,000 feet. You will be walking through the jungle uphill. Downhill is almost as tough.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

Take your Sony 70-300mm "G" lens. It is not that heavy, much less expensive than the 70-200mm f2.8 and is very very sharp. Yes it is a tad slower, but the sharpness is really there.

Canisdirus

The 135mm f/1.8 GM should do the trick. Plenty of light options...200mm in a pinch if you need it.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

This is exactly what I mean. Nice habitat shot. But no 'humanity' look to the gorilla.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

Yes, stay really far away from the gorillas. Seriously, however, you should not have to resort to high ISO to get good photographs. Gorillas are not flying birds, but rather slowly moving bi/quadrupeds (until they're headed for you). So your long lens should be sufficient. Good luck.