I just dropped way too much money on the new R5 Mark II and now I'm staring at my bank account like what have I done because I still need a lens for this trip to Costa Rica in November. I've been reading everything I can find online and it's just making me more annoyed because everyone says something different. I keep seeing people rave about the RF 100-500mm but then I see others complaining that 500mm isn't enough for birds and you gotta buy a 1.4x extender which adds even more cost and makes the aperture even worse. Then there's that 200-800mm thing which sounds great for reach but the aperture is so slow at f/9 and I'm worried it's gonna be useless under the rainforest canopy where it's dark and rainy. I'm mostly trying to get shots of quetzals and howler monkeys but I'm not a pro and I can't be lugging around a giant prime lens that costs ten grand. I need something that can actually handle the weather and the autofocus speed of this new body without me having to sell my car. My budget is pretty much capped at 3k now. Is the 100-500 actually worth the extra money over something like a Sigma with an adapter or should I just suck it up and get the 200-800 despite the weight? I just want one lens that stays on the camera the whole time...
Building on the earlier suggestion, you might want to consider the adapted route if the RF 100-500mm price tag is biting too hard. I have been very satisfied using the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM via the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. Technically, the glass is still some of the best Canon ever made, and it actually stays at f/5.6 all the way to 400mm, which is a nice perk over some newer zooms that stop down much earlier in the range. The R5 II noise floor is low enough that shooting at high ISO in the rainforest is a viable strategy now. I have found that the internal processing and the new sensor design make f/8 or f/9 perfectly usable for wildlife if you know how to manage your exposure. You dont need to fear the dark as much with this body.
- Weather sealing: The L-series EF lenses are built like tanks and handle humidity and light rain without issues.
- AF Performance: The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II on your R5 Mark II works flawlessly with EF glass. I notice zero lag or hunting compared to native RF.
- Cost: This setup leaves you with over 1,500 bucks left in your budget for the actual trip. Regarding the reach, I wouldnt worry too much about 500mm vs 800mm for monkeys... they are usually close enough. For birds, just use the 1.6x crop mode on the camera. It still gives you plenty of megapixels. The Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM is an impressive piece of engineering, but its a lot of weight to lug through the mud all day.
Man, you are gonna absolutely love that R5 II! Seriously, it is a total beast. For Costa Rica, honestly, you have to go with the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM. Dont even think twice about it. Tbh the f/9 on that 200-800 is gonna kill you under the canopy... it gets way darker than people realize in the jungle and you need every bit of light you can get. Plus the 100-500 is L-series glass, so the weather sealing is actually legit when the rain starts. The autofocus speed on that lens is just lightning fast and pairs perfectly with the R5 II. If you need more reach later, sure, grab an extender, but for monkeys and birds like quetzals, 500mm on a 45mp sensor gives you tons of room to crop. It is easily the best all-arounder for travel and worth every penny over an adapted lens!
@Reply #2 - good point! Adapting glass is a classic move, but when I am out in the field, I really prefer the peace of mind that comes with native RF weather sealing. I have been super satisfied with how the newer lenses handle the humidity. Honestly, if the bank account is hurting that bad after the body purchase, have you looked at the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM? It isnt L-series glass, sure, but it is light as a feather and sharp enough to make you do a double take. It works well if you need to save cash for the actual travel costs. A few points to consider for the trip:
- The R5 II sensor is so good that you can crop quite a bit and still have a great image, which helps if you dont have 800mm of reach.
- Lighting under the canopy is definitely the enemy, but the stabilized sensor in that body works wonders even with slower apertures.
- Dont underestimate how much you will hate a heavy lens after three days of hiking in 90 percent humidity. Just curious about a couple things tho:
- Are you planning on doing mostly handheld shooting while hiking, or will you be stationary at a lodge?
- Is weather sealing a dealbreaker for you, or are you okay using a rain cover for the gear? Ngl the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM is a beast for reach, but it might be overkill if you are mostly chasing monkeys and larger birds like quetzals...
