p.1 #1 · Safari lens question: sony fe 300 f2.8 +2xTC or sony 400-800
Friends,
We will be visiting Kruger National Park, Chobe Park, and the Okavango Delta on a safari in August. Our outfitter has has informed us that there are strict weight limitations which, combined with the hassle factor, prevent me from bringing my whole kit. I will be bringing the a1ii and a9iii bodies.
My question is whether it is worthwhile to rely on a 300 +2xTC for my long lens on the a1ii, paired with a 70-200 f2.8 on the a9iii, or leave the 300 at home and go with the 400-800. Obviously I lose the zoom flexibility and an extra 200mm of reach if I go with the 300+2xTC combo. OTOH, the 400-800 has a slower aperture and is significantly heavier both for travel and use. At 600, the 300+2xTC outperforms the 400-800, and I think I could crop to make up the difference. The 800 would be great for tiny birds, but my experience birding at home is that if they're that far away and that small, the images made at 800 aren't that great.
Has anyone been fortunate enough to be faced with this dilemma, and have any thoughts to share?
p.1 #2 · Safari lens question: sony fe 300 f2.8 +2xTC or sony 400-800
I really like the 400-800. It is better than it has any right to be.
BUT- it needs a LOT of light. A lot. At least 3 stops more than the 300f2.8.
I have never been to Kruger NP- but from the images I have seen the early morning and dusk hours are magical. The 400-800 is going to struggle there.
I would want both, but if I only had one, it would be the 300mm with tc's.
Good luck with your choice.
gary
p.1 #3 · Safari lens question: sony fe 300 f2.8 +2xTC or sony 400-800
Gary,
That's kind of my feeling. It feels kind of weird to make a lens with a tc my primary distance lens, but f5.6 is a big help in the golden hour, which is when I think most of the money shots occur. Of course, pros survived on just a 600 long before 800 even became an option . . .
Thanks for your thoughts.
Steve
p.1 #5 · Safari lens question: sony fe 300 f2.8 +2xTC or sony 400-800
If you’re shooting birds you’ll want the 800 (or longer). If not the 600 will do (mostly) for larger game.
If I were to drop a lens it’d be the 300. You can always put a 1.4x on your 70-200.
You can lose weight in other ways. I dropped 900g on my last safari simply by using a lighter bag. Use the laundry facilities and take less clothes. Or buy some extra weight allowance or a freight seat on the aircraft.
Mostly they use weight but really mean size. I’ve not been weighed in Botswana yet (Kenya definitely have) as I kept my bags as compact as possible. I took a 20-70, 70-200, 300GM and 400-800 with three bodies and stayed under the limit. But we bought extra weight and could carry 25kg total.
p.1 #6 · Safari lens question: sony fe 300 f2.8 +2xTC or sony 400-800
In Namibia, the 300 + 1.4tc worked the best for safari. I used the 200-600 much less, and the shots were noticeably better on the 300. As the sun went down, I could take off the TV, which helped a ton too. The only time i needed more than the 300 + 1.4tc was really for birds, where the 2x tc was still better than the 200-600.
