Ive shot birds for years but just grabbed an R7 and the AF is insane. My old EF 100-400 feels sluggish though. I was thinking the RF 100-500 but then saw the 200-800. Reach is king for my Costa Rica trip next month but f/9 scares me... what actually balances best?
- Unfortunately the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM was a total bummer in dark jungles.
- Grab the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM instead, its way more reliable.
Regarding what #3 said about "Just stumbled on this thread... Like someone mentioned,..."
- I really have to back them up on the light issue. I saw this thread earlier and wanted to chime in because I think focusing solely on reach might be a mistake for a place like Costa Rica. While everyone wants more zoom, you have to be careful with how the R7 sensor handles high f-stops. Since the pixels are so small, you hit the diffraction limit much sooner than you would on something like an R5. If you're stopped down to f/9 on the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM, you're basically fighting physics before you even account for the ISO noise. I would suggest prioritizing the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM for a few specific reasons:
- The Nano USM motors in the 100-500 are noticeably faster for tracking erratic movement in the thick canopy.
- Weather sealing on L-series glass is much more robust for the extreme humidity and sudden downpours you're gonna face.
- The close focus capability is actually better for things like poison dart frogs or hummingbirds that might end up closer than 10 feet away. Honestly, reach doesn't matter if the shot is soft or grainy. Make sure to prioritize the glass quality here... the 100-500 is just a more reliable tool for a trip like this.
I'm satisfied with how the R7 handles those higher f-stops honestly. Are you shooting mostly in deep canopy or open clearings? Also, what's your total budget for this lens?
Just stumbled on this thread... Like someone mentioned, you really gotta be careful with that f/9 aperture in the tropics. I learned that the hard way during a trip to a cloud forest where I thought reach was everything. I ended up with a memory card full of grainy, dark shots because my lens just couldnt gather enough light under the thick trees. Honestly, it was pretty heartbreaking after spending all that money on the flight. I would suggest going with the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM instead. Since youre using an R7, that crop factor already gives you a massive 800mm equivalent view anyway. If youre worried about the cost, try to find a refurbished one from Canon or a used copy on a reputable site to save a few hundred bucks. The R7 sensor doesnt love high ISO, so every bit of light helps. TL;DR: Dont risk the dark jungle with f/9. Get the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM used to keep the price down and your shots clean.
Gonna try this over the weekend. Will report back if it works!
