Honestly im about ready to throw my gear in a lake lol. I bought the R7 a few months ago for birding here in the PNW because everyone said the crop factor and the autofocus were insane for wildlife but i feel like im fighting the thing every single day. I currently have the older EF 70-300mm IS II USM with the adapter and every time i go to look at my shots on the computer they just look... soft? Like the sensor is way too high res for this glass and the purple fringing is driving me nuts.

I have this big trip to Costa Rica coming up in exactly three weeks and im panicking because i dont want to spend thousands of dollars on a flight and lodging just to come back with blurry hummingbirds. I mostly shoot handheld because im hiking through brush and I need something that can actually keep up with the R7s speed without being a total brick. I looked at the RF 100-500mm and nearly had a heart attack at the price tag... i mean $2,700 for a lens is just not happening right now. My budget is more in the $1,200 to $1,800 range if I stretch it.

I've heard people talk about the RF 100-400mm but im worried the f/8 at the long end is gonna be a nightmare in the dark rainforest canopy... but then the Sigma 150-600mm has that weird pulsing autofocus issue on the R7 from what I've read on some threads. It feels like there is no middle ground for this camera that doesnt cost as much as a used car.

• Must be sharp enough for the 32mp sensor
• Good stabilization for handheld shots
• Not heavier than a small child
• Actually available to ship before my trip

What are you guys actually using on the R7 that doesnt break the bank but still gives you those crisp details in the feathers? Is the RF 200-800 worth the wait or is it just gonna be more of the same frustration with the slow aperture...