crlover, congrats on the new camera; I'm sure you'll love it. Just a quick comment on the lens. If it is not IS I suggest you reconsider. You've made a big investment for the 70D and to help you get the most out of it, especially on safari, consider upgraded glass. In truth it would be better to get a less expensive body and have good glass, which is really what gives you the sharp image. I've owned the 75-300 and 75-300 IS and it's easy to tell with the naked eye quality images between the two.

susantee, I've tried a monopod with my 100-400 and found I could do better hand-holding. I ended up selling the monopod. It seems to be a matter of preference: some like it, others not so much. A 70-200 is usually not too hard to hand-hold.

That should be 'quality differences in the images between the two.'.

sb2, thanks. I tend to agree and that will save us a little weight.

Hi,
Reading this post I have a few more questions. I will be traveling to africa in a month. I currently have a canon 70d with a 18-200mm Canon IS Lens. What would be the recommendation for an additional lens? Should I look into renting a 300mm lens? What would be the best lens for landscapes?

That 18-200 is good all around focal range. In 2006 for Kenya I had a Nikon DSLR with a 18-200mm. Served me well. Especially since our game vehicle could go off-road so to be close to sightings. If you won't be/can't go off road then the 200mm is a bit "short". But, get good sharp images then and crop them to look closer up.

For landscapes the 18mm is 28mm equivalent which should be fine. Do you like it now for landscapes?

regards - tom
ps - a few photos taken on that 2006 safari using 18-200mm - http://tomgraham.smugmug.com/SAFARI-2006

A 70-300 IS minimum. You'll see some wide open country and will likely get good landscapes with both lenses. Don't forget you can crop pictures to give them a panorama look.

To make a panorama (landscape, wide scenic) I prefer to take 3 shots. The 1 leftish, 1 center, 1 rightish, each overlapping the next a bit. Then (in software) you "stitch" the three together for the panaroma, short and wide. If you want a more "traditional" aspect, do this with camera shooting vertical.

regards - tom

Don't forget the pillowcase for camera. Works great to keep dust off gear while driving around and easy to slip off when ready to shoot.