jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I agree with this and this is how I'd start out to see how it goes. It's a dusty environment so changing lenses on the fly can be a bit challenging but still doable. If you discover that you really don't need the extra reach of the 70D then switch the 100-400 to the 5D. Of course, the 5D with the wide angle lenses will get a much more pleasing landscape and sunset image. So you may wind up changing lenses. The trick to changing lenses in a dirty environment is to keep the camera body facing down the whole time so as no debris will settle down into the bodies mirror box. I usually do this down between my legs and never think of doing this while in a windy dirty environment but instead a calm or with the vehicles windows rolled up etc..

cthahn

You are the photographer. No one knows what you are going to shoot so how can they tell what lens to use.

crphoto8 Loc: Anaheim, California

My 2 cents - I went on a safari last year with a Canon 5D Mk3, 3 L lenses - 17-40 /f4, 24-105 /f4 and 70-200 /f4 with a 1.4 extender. I used the 70-105 plus extender for the entire wildlife part, mostly on a vehicle and it was fine. A lot of animals were close enough so my 280 max reach was sufficient. There were bird shots farther away but even these came out fine after cropping. This is where you'll need a FF body and its great resolution. I used the 24-105 in the camps, city, villages and Victoria Falls. I didn't use the 17-40. Now the 2 bodies issue is really up to you. I didn't use a second body as my system was already quite heavy. Dust wasn't an issue; I exchanged lenses at my tent or other locations where it was clean and safe to do it.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

That always depends on the situations you'll encounter. If you shoot with one lens on the full frame and you find it too short in that situation just switch bodies! It's simple.

jcarlosjr Loc: Orange County

I agree with most of what others are saying, using the 100-400 on the crop sensor - FOR THE DAY.

For night safari runs I'd put the 100-400 on the FF. You should drive very close to some resting game. You won't have any light beyond what the driver has on the vehicle so you don't need the extra reach of the 160-640 effective length. The 24-70 would then be mounted on the crop camera for "family shots" of nesting lions (if you are lucky enough to stumble on to such a scene.)

Good luck.

JayNair

I would for sure use the telephoto on the 5D Mark IV, being the far superior camera and you want to get the best possible images with your primary lens.

The apparent crop factor you get from the APC camera is just that - it is "apparent", not real. You can get that same crop from your 5D images very easily by cropping out what you don't need, and the crop from the 5D will be a better quality image with more details captured (assuming identical shooting conditions). In other words, with the 5D, unlike the 70D, you get to decide whether you want the full image or just a crop, rather than the camera deciding it for you!

The larger sensor of the 5D takes in more light than the 70D, so you will be able to use faster shutter speeds with the 5D than the 70D under identical light conditions. The faster the shutter speed, the higher your chances of getting tack sharp focus and the lower your risk of getting blurry pictures. This can make a big difference especially when shooting running or flying wildlife and especially in low light when shooting with telephoto lenses like the 100-400 (which need a lot of light as the light has to pass through many glass elements before hitting the sensor).

Since the 5D has 30 Megapixels compared to the 20 of the 70D, you will be able to blow up your pictures to much larger sizes if you want to.

There are many other advantages to the 5D, but these should be enough to help you decide.

(Note that the image created by the lens on the sensor plane is of the same size for both cameras; it's just that because the APC size sensor is smaller, only the middle portion of the image gets captured. With the full-frame sensor, you get the remaining part of the image as well. You can decide later if you want to crop out the latter or not. Sometimes it's better to retain it to give a better view of the context of the image.)

JayNair

Please read "APC size sensor" in the last para as "APS-C size sensor", sorry for the typo.

JHaw

Thanks for the information. This is great forum. lots of good advice.

JHaw

Thanks for the excellent information..I may rent a second 5D and go for the quality. It's a once in lifetime event for me so spending a few extra bucks is worth it.

JHaw

Thanks for the low light tips.

JHaw

Yes I'm leaning towards renting a second 5DIV and possibly an extender to make sure I have the focal length and the best quality possible.

Thanks for the advice.

JHaw

"(you could always rent a 2nd 5D4 for the trip 😎)".

Good idea. That's where I'm leaning. Thanks for the excellent feedback.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

The architect has it correct on his advice. However, from my experience in Africa I would suggest that the 24-70 is a bit on a wide side. Of course, it depends on interest.