I'm taking a trip to Belize at the end of January and it's my first trip that is focused primarily on birding and photography. As such, I want to get opinions on what all to bring. My main rig is the a1 and 300mm f/2.8 +/- 1.4x or 2.0x teleconverters, which will definitely be coming with me. I also own an a9ii, 200-600mm, 70-200 f4 G II ("macro"), 20-70mm f/4 G, 20mm f/1.8 G, 24mm f/1.8 GM, and 90mm f/2.8. I don't plan on bringing the 200-600mm or any wide angles but thinking I'll want a 2nd body and something with a short minimum focus distance for "macro" lite photos of bugs, reptiles, plants, etc.
The prices on the 100-400mm GM have come down and it is well-known for it's close MFD (3.3ft); the focal length and zoom can double as another "birding" lens if something happens to the 300mm. Also, I've been reading about the new a7V with the partially stacked sensor, better subject detection, and precapture (most intriguing), which would potentially replace my a9ii. I'm not finding a ton of direct comparisons between all the equipment so I thought I'd ask.
Thoughts:
bring a9ii and 70-200mm f/4 G (cheapest, already own both)
buy a7V and bring 70-200mm f4 G ($2900-$1500 for a9ii = $1400)
bring a9ii and buy used 100-400mm GM ($1800)
buy a7v and used 100-400mm GM ($3200 with sale of a9ii)
As a long-time Sony shooter doing mostly birds with over a dozen neotropical photo trips, I would recommend the 300/2.8 & 70-200/4 with your current bodies as your best use of current gear. You may want to consider renting the 400-800 zoom for a few weeks to try out before you go to provide more flexible range w/o TCs compared to the 300/2.8 - if a positive experience, I'd rent one for Belize. If you happen to win the lottery soon, then adding the 400-800 zoom & 600/4 plus the Sony A1M2 to your kit would be the ideal kit for bird photography IMHO.
I would rig the second camera with the 20-70 and not overthink it. You are traveling to a beautiful location that has more than birds to offer, and your 300 will do great with those, at least with the teles.
Option 1 is most sensible since you can shoot at feeders with 70-200mm
Unless you crave for new body then go for option 2 , either body would serve you well
You don't need 100-400mm since the 70-200mm would complement the 300mm + TCs better
I did that early this year and the 300 + TC covered 95% of shots ((mostly with 2X)
The rest was handled by the 70-200mm
I only had 1 body, the A1
Best wishes
(Going to Ecuador in 2026 and this time I'll get 70-200mm f4 Macro to the arsenal, and maybe another body ; will not bring the 400-800mm for sure since it's heavy , dim, and reach is not needed)
If I were you I would go with the A1 + 300mm + TCs as system one and A9ii + 70-200 f4 as system two. However, I'd also take the 90mm for macro (and an off-body flash or diffuser), the 20mm for landscapes and night sky photos (and because it's tiny and light). There are some nice photogenic Mayan sites in Belize and many beautiful landscapes. In general, Belize's forests are not as dark as those in the Amazon, unless you get deep into the interior so your f4 lens should be fine.
Thanks, all. I appreciate the insight and experience based on previous trips. The 300mm GM + teles have done me well for 1/2 the price and size/weight of a 600mm f4, I'm looking forward to really pushing it on this trip to see how it does. Also, I do like the flexibility of the 70-200 f/4 G II, something I didn't expect but have utilized a lot when the light isn't great for birding or middle of summer when insects are abound and birding is slow.
As for landscapes and general photography, I was planning to upgrade to an iPhone 17 Pro Max for the option of 48MP ProRAW files and to save the weight of bringing the 20-70mm, 20mm, and/or 90mm. I'll have a phone in my pocket either way, wondering if that will suffice? https://www.lux.camera/iphone-17-pro-camera-review-rule-of-three/
