so I somehow managed to get my hands on a Canon EOS R1 and honestly Im panicking a little bit. my uncle works in retail and hooked me up with it for a crazy deal for my trip to Costa Rica next month because I wanted to take really good vacation pics of wildlife and stuff. but the thing didn't come with a lens. like, it's just the body sitting in my room glaring at me and I have zero idea what Im doing. I thought cameras just came with lenses attached usually?? anyway my budget is around a thousand bucks max because this camera already broke the bank. what is literally the best lens for this specific camera that wont completely ruin me financially before I fly out in three weeks?
Whoa, scoring an R1 for a grand is nuts! Anyway, for Costa Rica wildlife you need reach. Since you're on a grand, definitely look at the Canon RF 100-400mm f5.6-8 IS USM. It's super light and fits your budget, but f8 gets dark fast in the rainforest.
- Canon RF 100-400mm f5.6-8 IS USM: Cheap and sharp, but slow aperture.
- Canon RF 600mm f11 IS STM: Insane reach, though totally fixed aperture. Be careful with the f11 prime down there since jungle shadows are brutal. I would suggest grabbing the zoom first.
First off, congrats on getting your hands on that body, though pairing a flagship camera with a tight budget is definitely a stressful situation! Before recommending a specific piece of glass, I need to ask what kind of shooting environment you are most comfortable with. Are you planning to hike deep into the rainforest canopy where lighting is notoriously dim, or will you mostly be shooting out in the open areas and beaches where light wont be an issue? If you want to play it safe and stay strictly under your grand budget without risking a used lens adapter failing on you, the Canon RF 100-400mm f5.6-8 IS USM is generally the safest bet for beginners. It works well and gives you the reach you need for wildlife. Let me know about your shooting style and I can narrow it down further.
Like someone mentioned, you definitely need reach for the rainforest. In my experience shooting wildlife down there, the Canon RF 100-400mm f5.6-8 IS USM is solid, but if you want another budget-friendly alternative that handles low light a bit better under the canopy, grab an adapter and look at used EF glass.
- Try the Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary with an EF-RF adapter
- Weather sealing is crucial in Costa Rica, so pack a rain cover too