We are going to Botswana in June, second safari. Last time Kenya/Uganda 2019 took a7iii, 100-400gm + 1.4x as main setup, also used rented 70-200 gm for gorillas, and used it on backup body in Kenya. Had 16-35 and 24-105 also but didn't use as much. A6000 was backup body.I am thinking of upgrading to a7rv. My wife could use a7iii (or vice versa). Trying to get an idea of what lens setup would look like for these two bodies to see if worth the expense.I also now have 20G lens. Could maybe buy one more, but cannot afford or carry 400/600 primes.What would you bring to Botswana lens wise if just a7iii or a7rv + iii?

What would you bring to Botswana lens wise if just a7iii or a7rv + iii?Is this a private reserve where they will take you off-road so you can get very close to the animals?I just did one of those in South Africa and used my A1 + 70-200/2.8 II most of the time (with an A7iii + 400+1.4x on a second body).For your situation, with the megapixels of the A7Rv I would seriously consider getting the new 70-200/2.8 II as it's a phenomenal lens and with the cropping ability you won't miss the 200-400 range for your primary camera.  Then, if necessary, you can use the 100-400+1.4x on your backup A7iii.

tdiddy wrote:What would you bring to Botswana lens wise if just a7iii or a7rv + iii?Sony 200-600G

We are going mostly with Kwando Safaris, eastern chobe NP and okavango delta. They are private type concessions but I am not sure if south Africa Safaris sometimes animals allow drivers to get closer?I have vaguely heard that long reaching lens is more critical in Kenya than Botswana but hopefully get some input from experienced people here

So you think the 200-600 is a big upgrade from 100-400 plus 1.4? Or you think  should have one body 100-400 and other 200-600I was thinking I might be able to just get new body and go 100-400 on a7rv and 24-105 on the other, maybe bring the 20 in case I want something wider

Since you'll be on a private reserve and will be quite close to many animals, if you have the 200-600 you'll need a second body with a shorter focal length because otherwise you'll be too close to get good shots.For reference, here are statistics from my recent 6-day safari in South Africa:474 safari pics 70-200/2.8: 260 70-200/2.8 + 1.4x: 13 400/2.8: 16 400/2.8 + 1.4x: 185Focal Length: Count 70: 28 71-99: 13 100-199: 66 200: 156 201-279: 2 280: 8 400: 16 560: 185My A1 had the 70-200/2.8 II on it; my A7iii had the 400/2.8+1.4x.

The pros and cons of the 200-600 and the 100-400 are well documented - both are excellent lenses for wildlife photography.  With the 200-600 on one body, and the 100-400 on the other, and switching the 1.4x between them as required you will have all bases covered for Chobe and the Okavango.  Take the 20mm and a tripod if you want to do some astro photography.  A clear night sky in Botswana can be outstanding.

Following this thread as I'll be going on my 3rd safari in June as well. Will be heading to South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania this time and my tentative kit for June (i'm still deciding):- A7iv 100-400 with 1.4x tc- A7c 24-70 gm ii- 20mm 1.8 for other places as we will be doing Cape town etc as well.My previous two safaris I went, we did South Africa (Kruger/Karoo) and we also did the Zambezi Queen on the Chobe river and did one day at Chobe Park. I used superzooms previously such as the Rx10iv which is a 24-600 and this time thought the 400 X 1.4 (560mm) might be enough...My other lenses I have are the 24-105 and my 24-70 is incoming so will probably bring the 24-70 instead.

This sounds like a good advice. The 70200G ii is a true gem amd light weight given the quality. I would definitely also carry a true wide angle, maybe the 20mm G or even the 14mm GM - both are fantastic and very similar in optical quality.

tdiddy wrote:We are going mostly with Kwando Safaris, eastern chobe NP and okavango delta. They are private type concessions but I am not sure if south Africa Safaris sometimes animals allow drivers to get closer?I have vaguely heard that long reaching lens is more critical in Kenya than Botswana but hopefully get some input from experienced people hereWe have been in Botswana and Zimbabwe back in 2018 and visited, amongst others, Chobe and the Okavango delta. I just looked into my gear at the time and was using the 24-70/F4 and 100-400/4.5-5.6 with 1.4 converter. I also brought my 12-24G. I was also using two bodies.It appears that 62% of my shots were using the 100-400/4.5-5.6 with the 1.4 teleconverter. Just over 30% the 24-70/F4 and the rest on the 12-25G.It I were to go again I would bring the 200-600/5.6-6.3G as you can never have to much reach in safari land. And I would take the 70-200 GM II as well as the 24-70/2.8 GM II. Not to forget the 12-24G by the way for those special occasions.Having said that, we were travelling across the country and usually stayed one or two nights in the same location.The Okavango delta made a huge impression on me, especially when you fly over it. If you can book a helicopter, please do so. It is really expensive, but awesome views, especially when either the suns rises or during sunset. We could only do a plane at the time, unfortunately.Hope this helps, but let me know any questions you may have.

tdiddy wrote:We are going to Botswana in June, second safari. Last time Kenya/Uganda 2019 took a7iii, 100-400gm + 1.4x as main setup, also used rented 70-200 gm for gorillas, and used it on backup body in Kenya. Had 16-35 and 24-105 also but didn't use as much. A6000 was backup body.I am thinking of upgrading to a7rv. My wife could use a7iii (or vice versa). Trying to get an idea of what lens setup would look like for these two bodies to see if worth the expense.I will travel to Namibia and Botswana (Okavango Delta and Chobe) in the last two weeks of August and return in the Labor Day long weekend. I will carry 3 sets,200-600G on A170-200 GM II on A7 IV20-70G on A7r IV plus 14 GM and CV 15 for landscape on ground or from safari truck.I also now have 20G lens. Could maybe buy one more, but cannot afford or carry 400/600 primes.Wish Sony had released 500/4.0 GM that I'd get and carry over, as I did years ago inMasai Marawith Canon EF 500L/4.0 IS.What would you bring to Botswana lens wise if just a7iii or a7rv + iii?Strongly suggest at least 2 cameras.  Swapping lens will miss lots of opportunity and even risky in bumpy safari truck.

Thanks all!My general thoughts after the feedback need a second full frame body, and forgo the a6000.That's probably priority number 1.  I don't think i can justify owning/carrying both the 200-600 and 100-400 + 1.4.  Maybe the 70-200ii could be tempting if i feel like splurging, but even using the 24-105 for landscape shots and anytime something gets really close seems like maybe more practical for me then shelling out for the 70-200.   I have a feeling in the delta i may want a lot of landscape shots and ultra wide isn't quite as useful from a boat (ie will leave the 16-35).  I will take the 20 G  too as its not that heavy.

tdiddy wrote:Thanks all!My general thoughts after the feedback need a second full frame body, and forgo the a6000.That's probably priority number 1. I don't think i can justify owning/carrying both the 200-600 and 100-400 + 1.4. Maybe the 70-200ii could be tempting if i feel like splurging, but even using the 24-105 for landscape shots and anytime something gets really close seems like maybe more practical for me then shelling out for the 70-200. I have a feeling in the delta i may want a lot of landscape shots and ultra wide isn't quite as useful from a boat (ie will leave the 16-35). I will take the 20 G too as its not that heavy.I have both 200-600G and 100-400 GM (and 1.4x TC). But certainly not a good idea to carry both as they are basicity redundant rather complement each other. For me 70-200 GM II is a must as 2nd lens on 2nd body as I did years ago in Masai Mara for relative close animals and in low light @f2.8. Just wish I could have vaporware FE 500/4.0 GM600mm is a bit too long on large animals and a bit heavy/big. Such 500/4.0 GM will be further lighter than 400 GM around 2500g. I worry 200-600 G will be too slow in low light @f6.3. In Masai Mara, even at f4.0 from EF 500L IS, I need to shoot at ISO 8000 or 10000 in late afternoon with just 1/500 or 1/640 sec. Then Canon 5D3 is noisy in high ISO and has a poor DR if pushed shadow. I had to manually clean background in many photos with brush tool in Lr. A1 and A7 IV now are much better in DR and high ISOs but still need to deal with noise in high ISOs under low light scenes.

Nice shot!I agree that if i was ever tempted by a long prime 500 f4 would be the one i'd go for, if it ever gets made.curious,  with your 3 body setup, would you drop the 70-200 or the 24-70 if you  had to only take 2 on safari?

tdiddy wrote:Nice shot!I agree that if i was ever tempted by a long prime 500 f4 would be the one i'd go for, if it ever gets made.curious, with your 3 body setup, would you drop the 70-200 or the 24-70 if you had to only take 2 on safari?The first two are main sets in safari game rides. The 3rd one with 20-70G will be used to take landscape snapshots from truck or boat. Wife will help to hold one. No lens swapping. Will travel to Namibia first that mixed with landscape and safari. We hire a private jeep ride crossing country. Will stop at Sossusvlei Dunes, Swakopmund, Etosha National Park (South), Onguma Game Reserve, via Johannesburg (NYC JFK-London-Johannesburg) between two countries. Will also carry 14 GM (if have a chance for evening sky) and CV 15 (for sunstars and if ever with ND). Even consider to buy and carry the first drone 'DJI Mini 3 Pro with DJI RC Remote & Fly More Kit Plus'Will have a chance to fly at least in Namibia during jeep drive, the drove can fly above the safari truckUnfortunately I only could take 2-week vacation without affecting work.I also carried 3 sets years ago in last Africa trip, 5D3, 1D3 and 5D2, 24-70L/2.8 II, 70-200L/2.8 IS II, 500/4.0 IS (8.5 lb alone), another lens (but never used). Lug all the way to theCape Town,Livingstone, Zambia & Victoria FallsandMasai Mara, in two camera bags (one with 500L mounted on 1D3) and put in a folding-cart. So this time I will carry much lighter/smaller ML sets, lolBTW, I also carried 3 sets in the Antarctic cruisetripin December, mainly used 2 sets however.

On another note, these safari planes are limited to 15kg.. or 20kg max (including hand carry!). do most of you book an extra seat for your gear?Just my laptop, 2 cameras, 100-400, 24-70, 20mm and a tripod (debating on the mavic air as there's not a lot of place to fly in Kenya/Tanzania) will contribute to that load. I got a peak design 45l travel back pack and probably buy a soft duffel bag for clothes etc. Thinking of the patagonia black hole ...Suggestions for these small planes and packing/carrying gear?

j450n74y wrote:On another note, these safari planes are limited to 15kg.. or 20kg max (including hand carry!). do most of you book an extra seat for your gear?Just my laptop, 2 cameras, 100-400, 24-70, 20mm and a tripod (debating on the mavic air as there's not a lot of place to fly in Kenya/Tanzania) will contribute to that load. I got a peak design 45l travel back pack and probably buy a soft duffel bag for clothes etc. Thinking of the patagonia black hole ...Suggestions for these small planes and packing/carrying gear?Will see. But wife and I are two persons to carry those gear mentioned above, doubt will exceed total 40kg, I could calculate. They also suggested soft luggage bag. Worry about the small planes in Bostwana but they are the only choices from/return via capital and between two parks. If necessary we can hide one camera/1~2 lenses and drone (will get that small drone that not required to register) into the soft luggage bagSo gear I plan to carry with in the trip. Will find a chance to calcuate and measure total weight200-600G on A1, 70-200 GM II on A7 IV, 20-70G on A7r IV , 14 GM, CV 15 and PD tripod, DJI Mini 3 Pro with DJI RC Remote & Fly More Kit Plus (could carry only 2 batteries).Also need to add Lenovo X1 Yoga (5 or 6th gen?) , chargers, Samsung 2TB SSD backup drive and PD 30L bag. 200-600G sits in its own pouch (compact and lite one).

j450n74y wrote:On another note, these safari planes are limited to 15kg.. or 20kg max (including hand carry!). do most of you book an extra seat for your gear?Just my laptop, 2 cameras, 100-400, 24-70, 20mm and a tripod (debating on the mavic air as there's not a lot of place to fly in Kenya/Tanzania) will contribute to that load. I got a peak design 45l travel back pack and probably buy a soft duffel bag for clothes etc. Thinking of the patagonia black hole ...Suggestions for these small planes and packing/carrying gear?If you divide your clothing and toiletries from your gear, that worked in our case. I had my photo gear on my lap during the entire flights and te clothing in the back of the plane. It does limit your movement in the cockpit, but it is small in there in any case. Often, there are only three/four seats in those planes (plus the pilot). They didn't check the weight of our luggage and know very well that photographers want to take their gear with them.

Hmm yeh I think we need to redo what we need to pack. But my backpack and tech gear is usually 10kgs on its own.Just rough calcs:peak design 45l backpack 2.1kgA7iv 659gA7c 500g100-400 1.4kgSony 24-70gm ii 695gSony 20mm 373gMacBook 14 1.6kgiPad 11" 680gInsta360 178gPeak design Alum tripod 1.54kgThis adds up to around 9.7kg already before any other stuff that's in the backpack that's not tech/camera or spare batteries etc! Probably won't bring the drone as can't fly it during the safari anyway.Think I might need me and my wife to both carry a camera each around our necks 🤣...

j450n74y wrote:Hmm yeh I think we need to redo what we need to pack. But my backpack and tech gear is usually 10kgs on its own.Just rough calcs:peak design 45l backpack 2.1kgA7iv 659gA7c 500g100-400 1.4kgSony 24-70gm ii 695gSony 20mm 373gMacBook 14 1.6kgiPad 11" 680gInsta360 178gPeak design Alum tripod 1.54kgThis adds up to around 9.7kg already before any other stuff that's in the backpack that's not tech/camera or spare batteries etc! Probably won't bring the drone as can't fly it during the safari anyway.Think I might need me and my wife to both carry a camera each around our necks 🤣...Small planes have limited total carry capacity. However the limits posted for flights like these are mostly to keep people from severely overloading. I doubt anyone will blink an eye at 1-2 kg overage. But you’re right to try to get the weight within limits. The truth is the passengers weight varies a lot and that’s not strictly controlled for.