ok so I finally managed to pre-order the R1 for my sports and wildlife work coming up in Chicago next month and Im lowkey freaking out about glass now because I spent literally all my savings on the body itself... I keep reading on fredmiranda forums that the RF 400mm f/2.8 is the absolute gold standard for field stuff, but then another thread on reddit said the 100-300mm f/2.8 is way more versatile since you can slap a 2x tc on it and still get decent reach without missing close plays. my logic was to just get the 100-300 because of the zoom flexibility but ugh its so damn expensive and heavy, like am I gonna regret not just getting a prime? I have about 10k left in my gear budget after the camera purchase which is a lot but also nowhere near enough to buy both obviously. I keep staring at specs until my brain hurts and honestly Im super stressed about making the wrong call before my first major gig with it. has anyone actually tested both on a stacked sensor body like this yet?
Congrats on grabbing the R1, thats a beast of a body for sure. Since your 10k budget wont stretch to a new Canon RF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM prime right now, you definitely need a versatile workhorse.
- The Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM gives you insane flexibility with a Canon RF 2x Teleconverter Extender attached.
- Look for a clean used copy on Fred Miranda or MPB to save a couple grand off retail.
- A third option is grabbing the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM and a fast prime like the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM while keeping change in your pocket. Honestly, zoom wins for dynamic sports unless you only shoot far-away wildlife. Good luck in Chicago!
Adding my two cents here because dropping that kind of cash gives me anxiety just reading it lol. Honestly, since you are stressed about the budget and need something reliable for Chicago sports and wildlife, you don't actually need to blow your last 10k on brand new exotic glass right away. There are fantastic ways to stretch that remaining budget safely without sacrificing image quality on your new body.
- Look into mint condition used EF glass with the Canon EF-EOS R adapter, like the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM, which saves you thousands while delivering razor-sharp results.
- Consider renting the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM for your first big Chicago gig before committing to a purchase.
- Check out the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM if you need massive reach for wildlife without draining your savings account completely. Take a deep breath and dont rush into a permanent decision while you are panicking. Renting first is the safest way to test how the weight feels on a long shoot!
Can confirm this works. Did the same thing on mine and its been solid ever since.