> I have about 800 bucks to spend and really need something that can reach far, but honestly I dont even know what focal length I need for backyard squirrels or hawks. Quick reply while I have a sec. Honestly, 800 bucks is tight but doable if you stick to the RF mount options. I had issues with cheap glass when I first started, and it usually ended in blurry shots and regret. You should definitely look at the Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM if you want versatility, but for birds, it falls short. Honestly, try finding a used Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM. It is honestly the best value for wildlife on the R7. It is sharp and light enough to carry around, even if the aperture is a bit slow. Just dont expect miracles in low light, unfortunately.

Don't sweat it, weve all been there with kit lenses. For the R7, you have a 1.6x crop factor which is a massive advantage for wildlife, but you absolutely need more reach than what that standard glass provides. If you want to actually see details on hawks without dropping thousands, your best bet is sticking to the RF-S line for the budget.

• Canon RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM is great for general stuff, but not enough for birds.
• Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is the gold standard for your budget. It gets you that 400mm reach which feels like 640mm on your R7. Honestly, the 100-400mm is sharp, lightweight, and hits that sub-800 price point perfectly. Ive used it for years and it handles squirrels and birds in flight surprisingly well. Just keep your shutter speed high and you wont regret it.

Jumping in here to tell you that I feel your pain. I started out with the same R7 kit and honestly, it was pretty frustrating when I tried to capture some local raptors. The reach just wasnt there. If you want something that actually gets you close to those squirrels without needing a second mortgage, you really only have one solid choice right now. You should grab the Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM. It fits perfectly in your budget, usually hovering around the 600 to 700 dollar mark. Since the R7 has that crop sensor, that 400mm end turns into an effective 640mm, which is honestly a game changer. Is it perfect? No. The f/8 aperture is a bit slow, so you will struggle if you try shooting in deep shade or late evening, which is super annoying. I had some issues with blurry shots when the light dipped, but in good daylight, it is razor sharp and surprisingly light to carry around all day. Dont bother with those cheap third-party extenders or weird off-brand lenses you see on Amazon. They are usually total junk and will just waste your money. Stick with the Canon glass. Itll make your life way easier, and once you learn to lean into the high ISO capabilities of the R7, you wont even care about that f/8 limit as much.