based on my research outside and here in the forums, this seems like a good combination of lens to take.
My question:
1. How do you deal with Dust? Do you have something like a Think Tank Hydrophobia all the time on the gear - is it even practical?
2. Would you take an action camera like Osmo or Insta 360 acepro 2 or just live with the phone camera (less is more iphone 17 pro camera seems pretty darn good to me)
Any other recommendations?
*** picture for attention
ILCE-1M2FE 600mm F4 GM OSS lens600mmf/4.01/1600s1000 ISO0.0 EV
I went to Amboselli 2 weeks ago. First 10 km from Kimana Gate, dust is crazy. I recommend cover everything maybe close a roof in a car is a good idea
GoPro is very wide angle and landscape is flat so phone may serve better. Overall watch your lens, because sometimes it get dusty after 30 seconds
PIOK wrote:
I went to Amboselli 2 weeks ago. First 10 km from Kimana Gate, dust is crazy. I recommend cover everything maybe close a roof in a car is a good idea
GoPro is very wide angle and landscape is flat so phone may serve better. Overall watch your lens, because sometimes it get dusty after 30 seconds
Did you use anything specific for covering your gear or a general towel / rain cover?
Best way to avoid dust is to not change lenses and it should be fine. I went years ago on a safari with a non weather sealed camera and it was fine afterwards - I'm sure your gear can handle it just don't change any lenses if you don't have to.
I would just pick what lenses you want to use in the morning and keep it on and live with it. Do any dust cleaning with a blower and/ or lens wipes back at your hotel room. I don't think an action cam is needed - I'd just stick with iPhone 17 pro if you have one.
I would consider something like the Ricoh GR III or IV in your pocket for those landscape opportunities that pop up so it's one less lens to bring. I'd also consider something like the 200-600mm for more flexibility instead of the 100-400mm and 600mm f4 but if I had a 600mm f4, I'd want to bring it too.
Whenever I’m worried about the front element of my lens due to weather I usually add a high quality UV filter to the front for scratch protection from whatever the wind kicks around.
sathsy2017 wrote:
Did you use anything specific for covering your gear or a general towel / rain cover?
Nothing specific... I have some kind of beach clothe from my wife, but use whatever you bring from home.... my backpack was not covered and it was extreme dirty as everything in our car was. Other parks were less dusty than Amboselli. Have just something dry to to remove dust constantly
I did keep 70-200 on one camera and 180-600 on the other... sometimes I used 24-120
based on my research outside and here in the forums, this seems like a good combination of lens to take.
My question:
1. How do you deal with Dust? Do you have something like a Think Tank Hydrophobia all the time on the gear - is it even practical?
2. Would you take an action camera like Osmo or Insta 360 acepro 2 or just live with the phone camera (less is more iphone 17 pro camera seems pretty darn good to me)
Best thing you can do is attach your lenses in the morning and don't remove them at all during the day. Back at camp you can use your blower if think it's necessary but your camera/lenses have good weather sealing and shouldn't have a problem with dust. The setup you have (100-400 and 600) is going to do a great job of covering most any sighting you will come across so you should have no need to swap lenses in the field.
I used a waterproof stuff sack which was large enough to contain my Canon camera and lens (500mm.) The camera/lens was easy to extract when I desired to take a photo. I usually rested the stuff sack with the camera/lens on my lap or held it in place adjacent to me on a seat. I utilized the stuff sack system for each camera I used on the game drive.The stuff sack was very successful in keeping dust off of my gear and the closure on top of the stuff sack also provides an addition barrier from the elements. This methodology was used by me on several safaris in Africa. Obviously one needs to secure your gear given the bumpiness of the vehicles on the roads.
Stuff sack are great because they fold down to a very small size and you can use them to assist with packing and organizing your clothes. They also protect the gear from inclement weather.
I would agree that it is highly recommended not to change lenses in the field since it will increase the risk of dust in the camera.
Dust cleaning with a blower and/or lens wipe, when returning to your room, is strongly advised to keep everything clean before you remove/exchange a lens.
aryaah wrote:
I used a waterproof stuff sack which was large enough to contain my Canon camera and lens (500mm.) The camera/lens was easy to extract when I desired to take a photo. I usually rested the stuff sack with the camera/lens on my lap or held it in place adjacent to me on a seat. I utilized the stuff sack system for each camera I used on the game drive.The stuff sack was very successful in keeping dust off of my gear and the closure on top of the stuff sack also provides an addition barrier from the elements. This methodology was used by me on several safaris in Africa. Obviously one needs to secure your gear given the bumpiness of the vehicles on the roads.
Stuff sack are great because they fold down to a very small size and you can use them to assist with packing and organizing your clothes. They also protect the gear from inclement weather.
I would agree that it is highly recommended not to change lenses in the field since it will increase the risk of dust in the camera.
Dust cleaning with a blower and/or lens wipe, when returning to your room, is strongly advised to keep everything clean before you remove/exchange a lens.
The Sea to Summit Evac Dry Bag in the aforementioned size would be an ideal item to protect your gear. It would also perform nicely as a means to minimize the volume of your packed clothes when traveling.
aryaah wrote:
The Sea to Summit Evac Dry Bag in the aforementioned size would be an ideal item to protect your gear. It would also perform nicely as a means to minimize the volume of your packed clothes when traveling.
For packing I really like this type ( essential for me now ), but I also use sea to summit for that - but is not that convenience
I've done over 10 safaris in Kenya alone. Your lenses and cameras are fine, though I'd bring a 3rd body if possible as a backup. Dust is not so scary. Don't change lenses more than necessary and wait for dust to settle. Keep your bags covered when driving offroad as the dust can get inside. You can also use a towel or pillowcase as a quick cover. Use a blower bulb and brush to keep the ouside of the camera clean and blow dust off the lens as needed, with more thorough lens cleaning in your lodging. Check everything at least every day. I have LensCoat or similar Raincoats for the long lenses, but hydrophobia is much PITA to use.
I use a long lens case for the big tele that fits the camera and 500/4 or 600/4 lens in shooting position, so it is protected most of the time. The 100-400/500 goes in a smaller bag. Lately I prefer 500/4 for East Africa and the closed vehicles, for example the 600/4 may be harder to shoot out of windows. Check on what vehicles you will have.
EB-1 wrote:
I've done over 10 safaris in Kenya alone. Your lenses and cameras are fine, though I'd bring a 3rd body if possible as a backup. Dust is not so scary. Don't change lenses more than necessary and wait for dust to settle. Keep your bags covered when driving offroad as the dust can get inside. You can also use a towel or pillowcase as a quick cover. Use a blower bulb and brush to keep the ouside of the camera clean and blow dust off the lens as needed, with more thorough lens cleaning in your lodging. Check everything at least every day. I have LensCoat or similar Raincoats for the long lenses, but hydrophobia is much PITA to use.
I use a long lens case for the big tele that fits the camera and 500/4 or 600/4 lens in shooting position, so it is protected most of the time. The 100-400/500 goes in a smaller bag. Lately I prefer 500/4 for East Africa and the closed vehicles, for example the 600/4 may be harder to shoot out of windows. Check on what vehicles you will have.
Is the long lens case the 3x/4xpandable by LensCoat? I'm looking for one for my R5II/600 f/4 and that's the only one I've found so far that is able to hold the lens and camera attached.
That is one of the few left that are off the shelf. I have a custom bag for my 500 (actually it was for a really old 500), but I would not get one now.
I've been using one since 2014. It'll hold my 500/4L IS + 2xIII + 1DX with hood in shooting position. In dusty or sandy conditions, I keep a LensCoat XXXL Hoodie over the front element, until I'm about to use it. The next-bigger Big Lens Bag is for the 600mm and 800mm lenses.
You can remove the straps and belt, and it becomes a case with side pockets (enough space for a big flash, extenders, batteries, but not much more).
This is not a LensCoat product, it's an independent company that's been operating since 2002. The web site looks like they're still in business. I had mine modified by attaching plastic buckles to the top and side pockets, and so I can open it without using the standard velcro closures, which are too noisy.
I used a two camera, two lens system (24-120 and 150-600). No lens changes. Covered the gear with a pillowcase when not in use. I had no issues with dust other than the front elements which I blew off as needed.
Check Wx before you go,,. Kenya is beginning its 2nd rainy season now and that cuts the dust down. While not always the case, much "rain" is just a couple of dark dumping clouds that you can often see coming and drive around. It's savannah/plains weather and it's amazing, too.
