Going on safari - rental suggestions

[Woodbadger]

Hey there! Going on a once-in-a-lifetime photo safari to Botswana. I have an R7 and have RF 100-400 and RF-S 18-150. Also have 16mm and 50mm but don't plan to rake those.
I originally planned renting another R7 body so I can have both lenses to hand easily.
Lately I think I have been over-thinking things (a life-long habit!) and worrying about lowlight issues that I may encounter. Drives/boats tend to be early morning and late afternoon. So I have been kicking around renting to try and overcome the inherent light issues of the R7 (crop sensor) and RF100-400 (wide open at f/8 @ 400).
Thought about renting an R6m2 (instead of R7) as second body but that is not really compatible with the RF-S lens, and I lose reach if I use it with the 100-400. Then I thought about maybe renting an RF70-200 f/2.8 and using that with the second R7. Finally, rent both R6m2 AND RF70-200 f2.8??? I figure that in lowlight I will not be looking for quite as much reach anyway???

I would hate to come home from this trip bemoaning missed shots because I took the wrong gear.

 

[RedCobra]

I have been 4 times. Each time, 95% of photos were taken at over 200mm. Remainder in the 70-200 range. Took 4 pics with the 24-105 f/2.8.

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Rent a RF 100-500 and a RF 70-200 f/2.8 and you'll be good to go.

 

[MikeZ]

I agree with RedCobra, though I have been to Botswana only once. National park entry is dawn to dusk, so no real issues with low light.

 

[Woodbadger]

Thanks for the feedback. I don’t think the 100-500 gives me much since at full zoom it only gives me only half a stop extra. The 70-200 f/2.8 gives me effective 320mm on the crop sensor R7. So I think I will rent another R7 plus the 70-200 f/2.8.

 

[Hali]

I've never been to Botswana, but was in Tanzania and I would say 85% were taken with my 500 f/4 fixed (it was in the days before my 100-500) and the rest were with my 70-200. I'm not sure how the R7 handles low light but I'm sure it will be fine.

 

[TwoWheeler]

don't plan to rake those

Good plan. That’d probably raise hell with the resale value.

 

[Woodbadger]

Good plan. That’d probably raise hell with the resale value.

 

[David Berry]

I'd hate to come home from this trip bemoaning missed shots because I took the wrong gear.

The 'wrong gear' could include a second camera that was different from the first, and therefore unfamiliar to the user.

• 2 x R7 = no unpleasant surprises
• R7 + R6 = possible confusion

Rent an RF 100-500 and an RF 70-200 f/2.8 and you'll be good to go.

Agreed. A serious investment, though!

The EXIF data displayed below photos leaves us guessing what lens was used (common to everyone's posts, unfortunately). Intrigued by OM-1mk2!

… David

 

[RedCobra]

Here's where you need a fast lens.

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