So I finally pulled the trigger on the R7 for my trip to Yellowstone next month but now Im sweating over which lens to actually bring. My budget is pretty tight after buying the body so I'm looking at under $800 max. Ive been looking at the RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 because its super light but that f/8 aperture at the long end has me worried about low light stuff in the woods. I also saw people suggesting a used EF 100-400mm L II with an adapter but those still seem pricey and honestly way too heavy for hiking all day. Is the RF actually sharp enough for smaller birds or am I gonna regret not having more light? Kinda stuck between light and cheap or heavy and expensive...
> Ive been looking at the RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 because its super light but that f/8 aperture at the long end has me worried about low light stuff Dude, you have to get the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM! Seriously, I use this exact setup on my R7 and it is an absolute blast for wildlife. Dont let that f/8 aperture scare you off. The R7 sensor is amazing and can handle ISO 3200 or even 6400 without breaking a sweat, especially if you use a little denoise software later. Tbh, the autofocus is so fast it makes tracking birds feel like cheating! The sharpness is actually mind-blowing for a lens this cheap. I have taken photos of tiny songbirds where you can see every single feather detail. It is so light that I can hike for miles and never feel weighed down. Comparing it to carrying a heavy EF lens with a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R is like night and day. Ngl, your neck and back will thank you when youre trekking around Yellowstone for hours. Plus, since its way under your $800 budget, you can use the extra cash for a couple of Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Batteries or a fast SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II card. Go for it, you definitely wont regret it! It is hands down the best value lens Canon has ever made for wildlife.
- Been shooting Yellowstone for a decade, weight is key.
- Look at a used Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Canon EF if you want reach.
If you want maximum reach on a tight budget, check out the Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM.
- Pros: under $700, extremely light for hiking, very sharp.
- Cons: fixed f/11 aperture needs bright sun, long minimum focus distance. Its a decent compromise if you want to avoid heavy adapted glass.
