At the end of July I'll be going on safari in Kenya and Rwanda. This will be our fifth safari, so I'm used to the routine. My plan is to have two bodies - one with my RF 600/4 and one with the RF 100-500. That combo has worked well for me in the past, but I need to pick up a second body.
My current body is an R5. I do have both the R1 and R52 on preorder (and should be among the first delivered since I preordered over a year ago at my local camera store), but it's looking increasingly unlikely that either body will arrive before I leave. I still have time to wait for an announcement to have a better idea, but I'm now coming up with a backup plan.
In the past, I've just purchased a camera - usually used or refurbished - and sold it after returning. My default choice is another R5. That's exactly what I did on our last safari to Zimbabwe and Sabi Sands and it worked very well. However, I'm debating whether to mix things up a bit and bring an R3. The following are my thoughts in favor.
My current body is an R5. I do have both the R1 and R52 on preorder (and should be among the first delivered since I preordered over a year ago at my local camera store), but it's looking increasingly unlikely that either body will arrive before I leave. I still have time to wait for an announcement to have a better idea, but I'm now coming up with a backup plan.
In the past, I've just purchased a camera - usually used or refurbished - and sold it after returning. My default choice is another R5. That's exactly what I did on our last safari to Zimbabwe and Sabi Sands and it worked very well. However, I'm debating whether to mix things up a bit and bring an R3. The following are my thoughts in favor.
- Although I do crop heavily with my R5 today, I do have a 4'x6' print of a crop from a 1Dx3 hanging in my living room of some elephants from Tanzania, and the detail is incredible. So, I know I can still get good things with 24 MP.
- The R3 will handle low light much better, which can become an issue early mornings and late afternoons. It may also prove useful for gorilla trekking, where whichever camera will be paired with a RF 70-200/2.8.
- The R3 has better AF as I understand, and its eye focus is promising. I'm familiar with the haptic controller from the 1Dx3 and greatly enjoyed it.
- 24 MP vs 45 MP
- I haven't used the R3, though I did once have a 1Dx3.
- It's more expensive and niche, so it may be tougher selling it when I get back (and I will sell it in favor of the R52)
- The batteries aren't the same, so I'll have to buy an extra battery and bring another charger. The charger for the 1Dx3 was huge because it supported two batteries, which was problematic when packing for bush planes (and I already have a ton of gear because my son is bringing his C70 + lenses)
