Lenses for Namibia?

Mel_P

Mel_P

Mel_P

Soldato
Joined
27 Feb 2004
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Kent
I am planning to take my Canon 7D and a carbon fibre tripod to Namibia and plan to take these 2 lenses:

EF 70-300mm F/4.5–5.6 DO IS USM
EF 24-105mm F/4 IS USM

Not sure about my 100mm F/2.8 IS USM macro - any views. Should I take? Should be OK weight wise

Also have:

EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM - could take instead of 24-105?
EF 17-40 f/4 USM

But don't plan to take these currently. Any views please?

I know a 400 or 500 max would be better BUT I don't want to buy or hire a new longer lens!

Thanks, Mel
 
I would take the 70-300 and the 17-55

Or

I would sell the 17-40, 70-300 and buy something longer maybe 100-400?
 
17-55 and 70-300.
24-105 isn't wide enough and is a stop slower.

Extension rings for macro with the 70-300.

I would seriously consider buying a longer lens though. I would sell both the 17-40 and 24-105 because they are pretty redundant,a stop slower and optically not as good as the 17-55mm. With the sales from those I would buy a 300mm f/4 and 1.4xTC or 400mm f/5.6 prime.
 
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I should also say I have a nearly new 5DMkIII which I am not taking as I don't want to risk it with sand / dust etc. - so I need to keep "full frame" lenses.

If the 7D gets sand, dust damage etc. then it will be retired!
 
I wondered if that might be the case but I would just take the 5Dmk3.

Look for a second hand 100-400, sell it after the trip for much the same as you buy.
 
Where in Namibia are you going? Are you doing the usual spots (Sossusevei, Etosha, Swakopmund/skeleton coast etc.)?

You'll want something wide IMO as the dunes and Sossusevei really come out well when you shoot wide and close. Etosha is really nice, lots of animals and you'll usually be able to get close, especially if you're spending several nights in the park due to the water holes by the camps. You'll want a long fast lens for those though as you'll want the speed. They are floodlights but it's still fairly dark.

I'd say take the 5D3 and get a better long lens. I took my 120-300 OS f/2.8 and a 1.4TC which was on the lens most of the time.

5D3 (it's built for dust etc.)
17-40
24-105
hire or buy used (and sell) a better long lens such as a 300 f/4 or better yet a 120-300 - the zoom is useful when you can't control your position, ie in a safari truck. Alternatively the 70-300 should be ok...
 
A couple of other things for consideration.

- I'd a hire a 300 f2.8. Even if it's the Mk1 it's still optically one of the best and you've got both the 1.4x and 2x TC option should you need it
- Buy some dry bags (e.g from Ortlieb) for your gear to keep the dust out
- A bean bag for shooting from vehicles
 
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