I'm gearing up for a trip to Southern Ecuador to visit a few of the highly regarded Jocotoco reserves and I'm debating with myself about what lens to bring for bird photography and videography.
I'll for sure be taking the Sony 600mm f4, that is non-negotiable. I'll be in some locations where the birds are expected to be quite cooperative, like hummingbird feeders, and the Jocotoco Antpitta feeding, and I also like to do bird videography.
With that in mind, I'm wondering about renting/borrowing/buying a secondary zoom telephoto for those occasions when birds will be close (hummingbird feeders, and Jocotoco Antpitta), and for bird videography.
I will be bringing a tripod and video head. The camera body will be the Sony A1. Just can't spring for the A1 II at this point.
I'm leaning toward the 100-400 as it doesn't overlap my 600, has nice close focus and has highly regarded optics, but I may be able to borrow a 200-600 for free...Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Can you bring the 600/4, 200-600 and 100-400? I'd do that if possible. And of course 2 bodies.
The 200-600 is not the best lens all the time, but depending on where you are going (such as tight and muddy trails, fleeting subjects) having one lens/body that covers the range is truly beneficial. For example sometimes the opportunity angles for the larger forest dwellers like anpittas are such that a 600mm is too much. Around feeders and some other areas you will want the 600/4 and often a TC for teenagers and other small birds. The 100-400 focuses closer for some setups for hummers.
If I had to lose one lens it might be the 200-600, which does not focus very close. Typically it stays in my luggage due to the low cost compared to the other gear. Find out the details about exactly what the locations are like if possible, though on most SA trips some day destintations may change. Take precautions against rain and also humidity. IME on every trip something fogs up from condensation. Have fun.
Especially as the 600mm ƒ/4 is quite a large lens, I would keep things simple(r) and opt for the 600mm ƒ/4 with the 100-400mm rental. I believe the 100-400mm is sharp enough that you can crop if need be to frame from 400-600mm, and the closer focus distance combined with the 100mm focal length is going to give you the extra versatility for anything relatively close over carrying a redundant 200-600 which is heavy in and of itself. Given my proclivities, I would also consider bringing a normal/wide or a nifty fifty just in case I want to take a photo of something that isn't flying.
My 2 cents:
(1) 600mm f/4 and 1.4xTC
(2) 100-400mm for close focus
(3) Rain cover that fits over the lens and camera - I'd get a version specifically for the 600mm plus camera. On a recent trip to Costa Rica I shot with my 600mm in very light rain. I ended up having an internal fogging issue INSIDE the lens. It would appear and then disappear- very frustrating. Had to store my lens covered with dry rice when I got home.
(4) Laptop for editing with an external SSD. Store shots on both for backup.
(5) Multiple batteries and charger that can hold more than one battery at a time.
(6) Pack that can hold the 600mm with camera attached. I generally fill mine with clothes etc...and check it in when leaving. I also use a smaller compact bag that holds the lens and camera detached, and can easily fit above in the carry-on compartment. Then I switch everything on the other end of the trip so that I don't have to futz with taking the camera on and off the lens.
(7) Sling with a small Arca Swiss plate that attaches to the foot of the 600mm (assuming the crappy foot that came with the lens has been replaced with an Arca Swiss foot).
(8) Cell phone with good camera to take care of everything else.
(9) Sony A9, A9II,A9III, A1 or A1II.
(10) Extra/backup cards
Have fun! I have been mostly to North-Central and Eastern Ecuador but you should have a great time
@galenapass, I have pretty much everything covered on your list EXCEPT the rain cover for the lens/camera. This is something I really need to address, and also find a way to keep the lens fog-free. The last time I went to Colombia my old 200-600 did fog internally pretty frequently and it was a huge pain. I don't want to have to deal with that again. Do you have a specific rain cover you recommend for the A1+600f4?
DTPavlik wrote:
Thanks everyone for the advice so far.
@galenapass@, I have pretty much everything covered on your list EXCEPT the rain cover for the lens/camera. This is something I really need to address, and also find a way to keep the lens fog-free. The last time I went to Colombia my old 200-600 did fog internally pretty frequently and it was a huge pain. I don't want to have to deal with that again. Do you have a specific rain cover you recommend for the A1+600f4?
Thanks again.
I highly recommend this cover; I've used mine all over the tropics.
@jhapeman, thanks for the advice on the lens cover! I'll grab that and some silica gel packs as you recommended.
I knew someone would mention macro. I do have a nice macro setup but I was hoping to avoid bringing it on this trip as my bag(s) are starting to get pretty full. I'll see if I can squeeze it in.
I'm going on this trip with my dad, but not on a "tour" per se. We booked through Jocotoco Foundation. They are taking care of the car, guide for each location, lodges, and logistics. I gave them a list of target birds and my rough draft of a possible route and they fine tuned it from there. Very happy with how reasonable the pricing is, and I like supporting a conservation group.
