Finally moved to the R7 after years of DSLR shooting but the AF hunting on my old Sigma is driving me crazy with the adapter. I got a big Everglades trip in ten days and need a native RF lens that wont let me down. Budget is $2k, what actually delivers the reach for warblers?
I totally get the frustration with adapted lenses. A few years back, a similar nightmare happened where my lens just kept hunting while a rare hawk was right there. By the time it locked, the bird was gone. It really ruins the experience when you cant trust your gear. Since you are heading to the Everglades in just ten days, you might want to consider going the safe route with something native that is guaranteed to work. For your R7, these specific options should keep you under budget:
- Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM is surprisingly sharp for the price and light for walking long boardwalks.
- Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM is right at your budget limit if you can find it in stock, but be careful with the weight.
- Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM provides massive reach, though the fixed aperture is a bit risky in low light. Going for the 100-400mm might be the smartest play to save leftover cash for a good tripod or better bag. The Everglades can be brutal on gear with the humidity, so you want something reliable. Just make sure to check shipping times today... ten days is cutting it really close. You dont want to be stuck with a tracking number and no lens when you are boarding the plane.
