Finally made the jump to the R7 from my trusty 80D and wow this autofocus is insane but I'm hitting a wall with my old glass. I've got a trip to Yellowstone coming up in three weeks and I'm realizing the high megapixel count is really exposing how soft my old Sigma zoom is. It's frustrating because I thought I was totally set!
I'm trying to stay under $1000 since the body already ate my savings. I keep hearing people rave about the RF 100-400 but that f/8 at the long end scares me for dawn shots. Should I go for an adapted EF 100-400 L or is there a better budget mirrorless option I'm missing...
Adding my two cents since I went through this exact dilemma. Honestly, I think youre worrying a bit too much about that f/8 aperture on the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM. Been using it for a few months now and I'm totally satisfied with the results, even in those dim dawn hours. I used to lug around the heavy adapted glass, but here is why I'd suggest skipping the EF route for a trip like Yellowstone:
- The weight is a huge factor. Hiking with the RF is a breeze compared to the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM which is basically a boat anchor.
- R7 sensors handle high ISO much better than the old 80D. I regularly shoot at 3200 or 6400 and the noise is very manageable with a bit of post-processing.
- Native RF autofocus feels way more responsive for tracking birds or fast animals compared to adapted lenses. Caught some amazing elk shots at sunrise recently and they look crisp. The f/8 isnt the dealbreaker it used to be... definitely worth considering.
Just saw this and wow, the R7 is such a beast! Before you decide tho, are you mostly hunting for big grizzly bears or tiny songbirds at dawn? It really changes how much that f/8 matters. Ngl, the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM is amazing for the price, especially if you snag a refurbished deal from Canon. Such a total budget win!
Late to the party but @Reply #3 - good point about the car vs hiking thing! Honestly, the R7 has such a crazy pixel pitch, only 3.2 microns, so you really need glass that can resolve that level of detail. 32.5MP on a crop sensor is basically like shooting with an 83MP full-frame body... it is totally insane!! If youre worried about that f/8 aperture at dawn, look for a used Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary. It is a total beast and remarkably reliable for the price. Another fantastic option is the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM. It is an absolute legend for sharpness. Even though it doesnt have built-in stabilization, the R7 IBIS handles it really well. Just keep an eye on your aperture because the diffraction limit hits around f/5.2 on this sensor, so shooting wide open is actually better for sharpness anyway. Yellowstone is gonna be amazing with that animal eye-AF!
just found this thread and man, i feel your pain. ive tried so many setups over the years trying to save a buck and that r7 sensor really is a double-edged sword... so sharp but so demanding. before i give my full take tho, are you planning on doing a lot of hiking or are you mostly gonna be shooting from the car windows and turnouts? it makes a massive difference for what gear you should lug around. in my experience, if you want to keep the budget under a grand and still get the reach you need for yellowstone, here is what i would look at:
- check the canon refurbished site daily. i snagged a Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM for way under retail and used the leftover cash for a good tripod.
- if you dont mind the size, a used Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R is a classic for a reason. tons of reach for those far-off bears.
- dont sleep on a used Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM. no image stabilization but the glass is legendary and its usually pretty cheap these days. honestly though, modern software handles noise so well that f/8 isnt the scary monster it used to be... just something to think about while youre counting your pennies.
