What is the best lens for Canon EOS R1? Im seriously losing my mind trying to figure this out since I finally managed to pre-order one for my sports and wildlife gigs starting next month. I saw so many mixed reviews online about whether I should grab the RF 70-200mm f/2.8 or go all in on the big 400mm prime, but people on the forums keep arguing about the weight and weather sealing for outdoor shoots in the rain. My budget is around 3k to 4k max after dropping so much cash on the body itself. If youre shooting fast moving subjects with this beast, what glass are you actually keeping on your camera?
^ This. Also, shifting focus to teleconverters can really stretch that remaining budget without sacrificing optical integrity on the high end. When I paired my setup with the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, adding a 1.4x extender gave me enough versatility for sideline work while staying under the cost threshold. Weather sealing held up through some awful downpours last season with zero internal moisture issues.
Late to the party, but congrats on the R1 setup. If you are shooting sports and wildlife in rough weather, you cant just guess on weather sealing. Having the right glass is everything.
- Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM gives insane reach and the weather sealing is rock solid. Downsides are the slow aperture at the long end, so low light gets noisy fast.
- Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM is super sharp and handles indoor sports easily, but you will miss the extra reach for outdoor wildlife. Honestly, stick to the 100-500mm for outdoor stuff. Weather sealing has never let me down in pouring rain. Just watch your ISO when the sun goes down.
Congrats on grabbing the R1, thats insane! Since youre doing sports and wildlife, I would suggest looking very closely at the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM instead of locking yourself into a heavy prime right away. Just be careful with the max aperture if youre shooting late evening games tho. Honestly, for wildlife and outdoor fields, that reach is gonna save you so much hassle.