So I finally caved and bought an R7 because everyone said it was a beast for wildlife, especially with that crop factor, but I am honestly so lost when it comes to lenses. I tried using the kit lens it came with but the birds are just too far away and everything looks blurry and dark when I zoom in all the way. I feel like such an idiot honestly because I see these amazing photos of owls and eagles on here and mine just look like blobs on a branch.
I really want to get a prime lens because I heard they are sharper but looking at the Canon website makes my head spin. I dont even know what all the numbers mean, like what is the difference between an 800mm and a 400mm when you have that crop sensor? Im going to be shooting in the woods around my house in Oregon and honestly the light is pretty bad most of the time so I need something that works okay when it gets gloomy.
My budget is around 1500 bucks, maybe 2000 if I really stretch it, but I have no idea if that is enough to get anything decent or if I should just keep saving. Is it even worth getting a prime if I cant zoom in and out? I feel like if I get a prime lens and the bird moves, I am just gonna be stuck and miss the shot completely. Does anyone have a lens they actually like for this camera? I feel like a total beginner here and kinda embarrassed to ask, but like, what should I actually be looking for if I want to stop taking these blurry pictures of squirrels...
Dont feel like an idiot! Wildlife photography is tough and everyone starts exactly where you are. Honestly, for the R7 in gloomy woods, you really want reach but also speed so you dont have to crank your ISO too high. Since you have a budget of around 1500, you should seriously check out the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM. It is super lightweight and gives you insane reach! Because of that crop sensor, it basically acts like a massive telephoto lens. Just a quick tip: since it has a fixed aperture, you really need to use a tripod or find a sturdy branch to lean on when the light gets low. It makes such a huge difference for getting those crisp feathers instead of blurry blobs!
Been thinking about your setup. Honestly, primes are tough for beginners in woods. Just grab a Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM. It fits your budget perfectly and offers way more flexibility.
Honestly, the 800mm is way too long for dense woods. I tried using the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM last autumn and it was a nightmare in low light because f/11 is just too slow. You might want to consider these instead:
- Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
- Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Be careful with primes, they are sharp but can be super frustrating if the bird moves.
