So I finally pulled the trigger on the Canon R10 last week and Im honestly kind of panicking now because I spent most of my savings on the body and I have this trip to the Everglades coming up in about three weeks and the kit lens is basically just a paperweight for what I want to do. I really want to get into bird photography and maybe catch some gators from a safe distance but I am totally lost on what glass to actually buy without going broke.
Ive been scouring YouTube and forums and everyone keeps saying to get the RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM because its native and cheap but then I see other people complaining that f/8 is way too slow for anything that isnt bright midday sun and now Im worried I wont be able to get any good shots in the early morning when the animals are actually active. I also looked at getting an EF to RF adapter and maybe finding a used Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary but some people say that lens makes the R10 feel super unbalanced and the autofocus might be twitchy or something? I dont know if I want to deal with a huge heavy lens while hiking for hours in the heat and humidity.
Here is what I am dealing with:
- Budget is $650 max and that is stretching it honestly
- Need it delivered before my trip on the 12th of next month
- Must be able to carry it on a 5 mile hike without my neck snapping
- Use case is mostly birds in trees and some larger mammals
Should I just suck it up and get the RF 100-400 even with the slow aperture or is the adapter route with an older EF lens actually better for a beginner? I keep going back and forth and every time I think I have a decision I read a new review that says the opposite and my head is spinning. Its my first real camera so I really dont want to mess this up...
Are you shooting mostly in deep shade or open wetlands? A used Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD Canon EF is a capable, lightweight, and cost-effective alternative for your budget.
Jumping in here because honestly ive spent way too much time looking at lens charts and testing different setups over the years. Look, the f/8 aperture on the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM sounds scary on paper but with modern noise reduction and the r10 sensor being surprisingly decent at higher iso, its really not the dealbreaker people make it out to be. Plus that lens is basically a featherweight at 635g. If you go the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary route with a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R you are looking at over 2kg of glass. Doing a 5 mile hike in the humidity with that monster on a tiny r10 body is gonna be miserable... the balance is totally off and it feels like the lens is holding the camera. Also the Nano USM motor in the native glass is way faster for tracking birds than adapting older tech. Save your money and your neck, the rf 100-400 is the smart play here.
> I also looked at getting an EF to RF adapter and maybe finding a used Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary but some people say that lens makes the R10 feel super unbalanced You really need to be careful with that specific combo on a body as light as the R10. Its not just the total weight, but how it sits in your hand. That setup becomes extremely front-heavy, and after a few miles in the Everglades heat, it becomes a massive burden. Be very wary of the autofocus performance when adapting older third-party glass for wildlife. Youll likely run into focus pulsing where the lens keeps hunting, especially in busy environments like tree canopies. If the camera cant lock on quickly, you are gonna miss the bird anyway, regardless of how much light the lens lets in. Also, keep the humidity in mind. Moving a big heavy lens from an air-conditioned car into the swamp air can cause some serious fogging issues if the seals arent great. For a first trip, staying lightweight and native is usually the safer bet to avoid technical headaches when you should be focusing on the wildlife.
