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Archive 2014 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari

  
 
big country
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


I am finishing up my trip to India and wanted to post some stats that may help others.

I see people post what lenses should I take to (insert destination)? And I am no different, having options is great, but it can create a great internal conflict on what you should take.

On this trip the main target was tigers, but I also wanted to photograph birds and from my experience in Africa I learned that if a mammal is far away the 600 ii + 2x is the best option.

I decided to take both the 600mm II and 200-400 with me on my trip. I have 1501 total keepers (that will be narrowed down to about 400 shots), so I wondered just how many shots did I take w/ each lens and what was the subject/goal.

So let’s break it down. Here is basically what I took with me: 24-70mm 2.8 ii, 70-200mm 2.8 IS II, 200-400 w/ int ext, 600 f/4 II, 1.4x iii, 1.4x iii, 2x iii, 1D X, 5D iii.

The two main lenses were the 200-400 and the 600 ii. I just left the 200-400 w/o an external 1.4x and paired the 600 ii w/ the 2x iii for the majority of shots taken with that lens. I also took my Canon G15, but that was mainly for habitat shots, towns/villages, etc. I preferred the 1dx paired with the 200-400 and the 5d iii w/ the 600mm. I did learn from here on out i will be taking a grip for the 5d iii as shooting portrait mode w/ a big white is a pain in the neck without the grip.

Here are the numbers for the 1501 photos***:

24-70 ii - 2 photos
70-200 2.8 IS ii - 8 photos
200-400 - 226 photos, out of those 4 were birds, the other 222 shots were mammals
200-400 w int 1.4x engaged - 360 photos with 98 of those being birds.
600 w/ 1.4x - 33 total photos with 26 of those being mammals (also note i could get close to this focal length w/ a 1.4x ext added to the 200-400)
600 w/ 2x - 872 total photos with 346 mammals and 526 being birds.

****many of the photos are duplicates so it's a matter of just picking out the best of the best***

These stats are probably not a surprise to anyone. Both lenses proved to be valuable for both of my goals of cats/mammals and birds.

If I only had to pick one for India, it probably would be the 200-400 w/ an external 1.4x attached. It’s less weight and bulk. I also like the zoom flexibility and the flip of the switch extender. Having an animal moving towards you, then away, then towards, can be a pain with just a prime and trying to swap converters. The zoom lens comes in very handy and convenience is worth something

some photos:

600 w/ 2x:







200-400:









Mar 17, 2014 at 10:36 AM
jcolwell
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


Beautiful photos, Jason. Thanks for sharing.

Interesting stats, too. It doesn't help my intent to not buy a big white lens this year.




Mar 17, 2014 at 10:40 AM
mitesh
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


Great, informative post, Jason! Pics look terrific as well!

Even though I'm from India and go back often to visit family, I've never been on safari there. Would you mind sharing where you went?

Edited on Mar 17, 2014 at 10:55 AM · View previous versions



Mar 17, 2014 at 10:41 AM
IndyFab
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


Outstanding images, and thanks for sharing your findings with regards to lenses.


Mar 17, 2014 at 10:52 AM
Grantland
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


These are amazing!

Thanks for sharing.



Mar 17, 2014 at 10:54 AM
big country
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


Hi Mitesh, I went to:

Ranthombore 8 total game drives - 2 tigers. zones 1-5 are best. some people saw 8 tigers over that time as well as sloth bear.
Khana - 6 total game drives - 1 tiger, 1 leopard, high endangered swamp deer. Khana Jones area is the best in theory although tigers were spotted in other areas by others, including 7 at one watering hole, as well as 2 sloth bears.
Pench - 6 total game drives - 1 tiger and this was my best encounter as my vehicle was the only one in the area. Also just missed two leopards, i.e. i was looking one way out of the jeep and they ran behind the opposite way...

I loved it and had an amazing time. I am going back next year. Will be doing Bandhavgarh, Ranthombore, Khana and maybe Pench. If my wife doesn't go, i am more than open to doing a trip w fellow FMer's.



Mar 17, 2014 at 11:04 AM
mitesh
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


big country wrote:
Hi Mitesh, I went to:

Ranthombore 8 total game drives - 2 tigers. zones 1-5 are best. some people saw 8 tigers over that time as well as sloth bear.
Khana - 6 total game drives - 1 tiger, 1 leopard, high endangered swamp deer. Khana Jones area is the best in theory although tigers were spotted in other areas by others, including 7 at one watering hole, as well as 2 sloth bears.
Pench - 6 total game drives - 1 tiger and this was my best encounter as my vehicle was the only one in the area. Also just
...Show more

That's awesome! I have tentative plans to visit Gir National Forest and Jim Corbett National Park this winter, primarily for lions and tigers. Kanha was on my "wish list", and you've now added a couple more . Thanks for the info!



Mar 17, 2014 at 11:13 AM
brimull
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


Wow: terrific images, good information, and it looks like you had a successful adventure.

Brian M.



Mar 17, 2014 at 11:17 AM
gocolts
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


Based on your stats- one could do almost your entire trip with nothing but a 5DIII and 200-400 f/4 with an external 1.4 TC attached. The back-up body could have a 24-70 2.8II, and you'd be about set.

Granted....it's SUCK to drop the lens and end up with nothing to shoot with, so like you, I'd probably feel like I needed a 2nd long lens with me just in case.



Mar 17, 2014 at 12:31 PM
sivrajbm
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


Awesome shots Mr. J...Well done as your usual. Thanks for sharing...


Mar 17, 2014 at 12:38 PM
prairiewing
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


Terrific photographs and interesting information. thanks


Mar 17, 2014 at 01:07 PM
Herb
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


Nice! Those tigers look like they would eat you in a second!


Mar 17, 2014 at 02:29 PM
Doctorbird
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


Terrific images from an obviously successful and enjoyable adventure.

Your info is very timely for me since I will be soon heading to the Galapagos and have the option to take along exactly the same kit that you had on the Safari. However I would like to take only one big white and the 200-400 seems the likely candidate. (I'm guessing that I am not as sturdily built as you ).

I wonder if you could expound on the logistics of taking along two big whites. Was one in checked luggage? Did you lug both along during your daily shoots? Were Sherpas involved? AKA wife Perhaps? .

Thanks for sharing.

Db




Mar 17, 2014 at 02:34 PM
jmorris88
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


Amazing photos.


Mar 17, 2014 at 03:13 PM
arbitrage
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


Great images Jason and looks like a great trip. The discussion is very relative to me as I'm currently travelling in Borneo and I elected to take a 5D3, 1DX, 70-2002.8ISII and the 200-400 with a 1.4 and 2.0 also. I brought along a Fuji XE2 to cover my wider stuff (14,23,18-55). I left my 300 and 600 at home and there were times where I wish I had had both of them, the 600 with 2xTC for 3 days of jungle birding and the 300 for a lighter hiking option when we did 4-5 hr hikes looking for wildlife. Because of the amount of walking/hiking we are doing I made a lot more use out of my 70-200 +/- the TCs and left the 200-400 behind some days. That said when we were doing shorter walks and travelling on boat down rivers the 200-400 got all the use and often at 784mm so I'm glad I didn't just bring the 300II that would have maxed out at 600mm. If not for the many small ATR planes we flew on, bringing the 600 would have been a good idea but that would have meant bringing my larger Kiboko30L instead of my 25L Bataflae and hat would have created some serious issues on the small planes as the overheads were a no go. I would also be interested on hearing how you packed everything for your trip.

TFS
Geoff



Mar 17, 2014 at 06:09 PM
kmunroe
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


very nice images Jason


Mar 18, 2014 at 04:27 AM
Invertalon
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


Excellent shots!


Mar 18, 2014 at 06:59 AM
big country
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


Hello all, here is what i packed for my carry-ons:

A. Gura Gear Bataflae 32L & Gura Gear Chobe 19-24L Shoulder Bag (insert removed).



B. The Gura Gear Bataflae 32L and contents:



1. Giottos Rocket Air Blower
2. 82mm Filter set (uv haze, CPL, ND2) - Did not use
3. Charger for G15 - did not use
4.. XL Storm Jacket (will fit 200-400 and 600) - Did not use, but almost once did when it rained
5. Extra batteries for 1D X - only used 1 battery.
6. Sensor Swab
7. 5D III Battery Charger
8. 5D III
9. 1D X
10. 1D X battery charger
11. 24-70mm II
12. Polarizing Drop In Filter
13. 1.4x iii tele
14. 2x iii tele
15. 1.4x iii tele
16. cleaning cloths
17. Fox Gloves
18. Extra 5D III batteries
19. 600ex rt flash - did not use
20. external hd for backing up images in clase laptop is stolen or cards go bad.
21. extra memory cards
22. Better Beamer (not pictured)
23. Bataflae 32L
24. 600mm II

C. The Gura Gear Chobe 19-24L Shoulder Bag (insert removed).



1. Birds of India Field Guide
2. Charging cords for Ipad retina and Iphone 4
3. Sandisk USB 3.0 Memory Card Reader
4. Chapstick
5. TSA approved combo lock
6. medicine
7. Ipad a/c adapter
8. International Plugin adapter
9. G15
10. Hand Sanitizer
11. Eclipse cleaning solution
12. Earphones
13. Back up power supply for iphone/ipad
14. Ipad 4 128gb
15. 13" macbook air
16. Cygolite usb rechargable flashlight
17. pentax waterproof 8 x 25 binoculars
18. Gura Gear Chobe
19. 200-400mm

Edited on Mar 18, 2014 at 12:20 PM · View previous versions



Mar 18, 2014 at 12:10 PM
mitesh
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


I could easily be fooled into thinking you have done this before, Jason


Mar 18, 2014 at 12:12 PM
big country
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Canon 600mm ii vs 200-400mm f/4 IS on Safari


This was actually the 1st time packing the 200-400 into the Chobe. It worked well, everything added up was pretty heavy, but the setup worked quite well.


Mar 18, 2014 at 12:21 PM
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