So I finally got my hands on the EOS R7 and Im so pumped to start doing some serious birding! I have a trip to the Everglades coming up in about three weeks and I really need to nail down a lens before then. Ive been scouring the forums and watching a ton of YouTube videos but Im still torn on which way to go.
Mostly I see people raving about the RF 100-500mm L but man that price tag is scary and almost double my budget. Then there is the RF 100-400mm which is super light and affordable but I read some reviews saying it gets really dark since the aperture is so small especially if Im in some dense brush or under trees which makes me worry about the image quality. Then I saw the 200-800mm recently but its basically impossible to find in stock anywhere right now so I dont think that will work for my timeline.
My main constraints are:
- Budget is around $1800 max
- Needs to be handholdable for long walks in the heat
- Good reach for small songbirds not just big herons
- Fast enough autofocus to catch stuff in flight
Should I just bite the bullet and save up for the L glass or is there a better middle ground like using an EF adapter with the older Sigma 150-600mm? I heard those can have pulsing issues on the R series bodies though which makes me nervous... what are you guys actually using on your R7?
Jumping in here since I was in your shoes last year. I settled on a used Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM and I have been super satisfied with the results. It is way sharper than the consumer RF zooms and I havent had any of those weird pulsing issues that the third-party lenses have. It feels great on the R7 and the reach is plenty for those smaller songbirds since the crop factor gives you that extra boost. Couple of quick tips for the R7:
- Use Electronic First-Curtain Shutter to avoid shutter shock at mid-range speeds.
- Map your Depth of Field preview button to Animal Eye Tracking toggle for quick switching in the brush. I carried this setup through some pretty humid trails and it works well as long as you have a good shoulder strap. The extra light you get at f/5.6 makes a huge difference compared to the f/8 lenses when you are under the canopy.
totally agree that going with an adapted pro lens is the smartest move for your budget. basically nothing else in that price range is gonna give you that kind of sharpness on a high-res crop sensor like the r7. just be careful about the extra length the adapter adds tho. couple things to watch for:
- the balance point shifts forward so it might strain your wrist after a few hours
- older motors can sometimes drain the battery a bit faster than native glass
- make sure the firmware on your body is totally up to date to get the best tracking it might be a bit heavier than the cheap plastic options but honestly the results you get in low light will make you glad you didnt settle for a darker aperture...
Dude, you are gonna love that R7! The autofocus is absolutely insane for birds! Honestly, dont touch the Sigma 150-600 on this body... the focus pulsing is real and its gonna drive you crazy when you are trying to track a warbler through the brush. Since the RF 100-500 is too pricey, you should seriously look at the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM with a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. Its a total beast but still handholdable for a few hours! I use it all the time and the image quality is amazing, way better than the budget RF 100-400 in low light since you get that f/5.6 at the long end. Plus, on the R7 crop sensor, you are getting 640mm equivalent reach which is fantastic for songbirds! You can easily find a used one in mint condition for like $1400, leaving you plenty of cash for the adapter. Its the ultimate middle ground tbh!
