Finally upgraded to the R7 for birding because the crop factor is just too good to ignore, but now Im stuck on the glass. Im working with a strict 1500 dollar limit since I just dropped a ton on the body. Ive been eyeing the RF 100-400mm because its light and super affordable, but then I keep seeing people swear by the Sigma 150-600mm with the adapter.
My logic was that the Sigma gets me that extra reach which is huge for wildlife, but the adapter adds weight and I heard autofocus can be a bit finicky on the R7. Then there is the RF 600mm f/11 prime. I really dont like the fixed aperture, it feels so limiting for cloudy days here in the Pacific Northwest, but the sharpness is supposedly great.
I need something by next month for a trip to the coast, so I really cant wait for new releases. Im leaning toward the RF 100-400mm because of the weight and AF speed, but is 400mm actually enough reach for small birds? I feel like I might regret not having that extra 200mm. Is the native RF mount stability and speed worth losing the extra reach of the Sigma? Anyone else shooting birds on this setup and finding the 100-400 enough?
Honestly, I tried the Sigma 150-600mm route with the adapter on my R7 and it was just frustrating. I really wanted it to work because of that extra reach, but the autofocus hunting was constant and it felt like I was missing focus on half my shots. It was super heavy too, which made tracking birds in flight a total nightmare after an hour or so. Honestly, it was a waste of my time and money. I ended up switching to the Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM and while I really wish it had a wider aperture for those gloomy PNW days, the consistency is night and day. You get way more keepers because the native AF just locks on instantly. Is 400mm enough for small birds? Tbh, it is a bit short if you are trying to frame something tiny from far away, but the crop factor on the R7 helps a ton. You can usually get decent shots by cropping in post anyway. If you are on a budget, just grab the Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM and save your cash for a better tripod or extra batteries. Don't bother with the 600mm f/11 prime either, it is way too slow for birding unless you are shooting in direct sunlight which we never get around here. Just stick to the lightweight native option and enjoy not having to lug a massive lens around all day.
Adding my two cents here, I have been shooting the R7 since it launched and honestly, just skip the adapted glass. Native RF glass is on another level for the R7's autofocus algorithms. The Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM is the obvious choice here because it is ridiculously sharp for the price and the weight savings are massive when you are trekking the coast all day.
- Small birds are always going to be tough no matter the glass, but the R7 crop factor makes that 400mm feel like 640mm, which is plenty for most songbirds if you know your fieldcraft.
- You really dont want the f/11 prime in the PNW. You need that zoom flexibility when the light disappears behind the clouds. If you really feel you need more reach, spend the extra cash you saved on the lens and grab a Canon Extender RF 1.4x. It turns your setup into a 560mm equivalent, and while it costs you a stop of light, the AF remains way more reliable than anything you will get with an EF adapter. Honestly, the 100-400 is the best bang for your buck by a long shot. Dont overthink it and just get out there.
+1
Finally someone says it. Ive been thinking this for a while but wasnt sure.
Re: "Adding my two cents here, I have been..." - honestly, that native experience is exactly why I stopped messing with third party lenses. I spent way too long trying to make an old adapted zoom work on my R7, and honestly, the missed shots just werent worth it. I swapped over to the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM and it just locks onto eyes so much faster. Sure, 400mm isnt 600mm, but getting a sharp photo that you can crop is always gonna beat a blurry mess. The weight difference is honestly insane if you're hiking, too. My biggest tip is to just learn to get closer if you can, or use the high pixel density of the R7 to your advantage. Keep the setup light so you dont get tired. Honestly, just pack the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM and enjoy the coast trip. The speed and reliability of native glass will save you so much headache.
